Being Sean, a man in women's clothes.

Photos and text by David Cross.

It has been said that you do not have to travel far to see more than you can handle, and equally one can travel a short distance and find a story that sheds light on one facet of human expression. In this case, a mix of fashion sense and self determination, a story about a man who one day just decided to continue to wear the dress from the night before.

I'll explain briefly, at 65 years of age, Sean, a construction worker and classic male who tinkered with motors and engineering developed an interest in art. He's actually really good, as the final image shows. His art teacher, from a local club suggested that everyone arrive at the group exhibition, wearing clothes that related to the art. The landscape painters arrived as bushes and plants, for example, but Sean, who had painted scantily clad females, decided to wear a dress. The rest as it is often said, is history. Many years later and Sean has never gone back to traditional male clothing, he simply likes skirts, dresses, ladies pants and bras.

I ran into Sean at our local bus station, where I regularly find interesting people, and we chatted and he allowed me to make a few documentary photos as part of a wider work. Following this I was invited round to his home for a cup of tea, and to check out his extraordinarily loud hi-fi system - we spent a couple hours together that day and these photos are from two casual meetings. Mostly we talked about his art, music and the book he is trying to write.

Sean was an interesting chap, he was always busy, mostly helping his friends and neighbours. Everyone took him as he was and his choice of outfit was never mentioned. However, out on the street, in the motorcycle garage and at the supermarket, he regularly drew a crowd of spectators and it wasn't uncommon to witness people pointing fingers, snarling their top lips and being generally rude. The average Brit' still has some development processes to go through it seems.
I congratulate Sean for having the courage to express himself and smile nonchalantly at the detractors. 

Thanks for looking. Please like and share with your friends. Here's another documentary story by David Cross.