Androgynous image as a search for a new aesthetic of vestimentary fashion

The article is intended to raise the problem of human androgyny and androgynism as a peculiar philosophical and humanitarian concept. The essence of the concept of “androgynous”, first introduced by ancient mythology, and then expanded by Plato of Athens, is revealed; the understanding of the term by philosophers from Plato to N.A. Berdyaev, and then by psychologist K.G. Jung - is reflected. The causes of the emergence of interest in the androgynous phenomenon in the art of the turn of the century and its connection with women’s emancipation are examined. On the example of Diaghilev’s ballets, the change of ideas about the male body, the possibility of combining male strength and female tenderness in it, i.e., androgyny, is considered. The authors ascertain the experience of androgyny representation, aesthetics of dandyism by outstanding women of the twentieth century - Z. Gippius, G. Garbo, M. Dietrich. The creation of stage androgynous images by representatives of the musical scene of the XX century, who contributed to the loosening of gender boundaries in costume is considered. Particular attention is paid to the search for the place of the androgynous image in the field of modern culture, its influence on increasing the creative potential of the aesthetics of costume, developing vestimentary fashion.