Jardim da noite: o papel da moda na construção de identidade de prostitutas transgênero do centro de Fortaleza

Abstract

This essay analyses fashion as an element identity construction of transgender women who work as prostitutes in downtown Fortaleza, comprehending the significance of clothing choices of these women in this social marginalized context. The objective focused was to understand how these prostitutes use fashion to their identity construction process. As far as methodology, the bibliographical research for the substantiation of its theoretical bases. Next, was made the field research by ethnographic research and semi-structured interviews with six transgender prostitutes in Clarindo de Queiroz Street in downtown Fortaleza. From the interviews, it was possible to conclude that fashion, through the clothes said as feminine and the use of long hair, was one of the mainly ways that contributed for the identity development process of these transgender women, that constantly praise on clothing the importance of sensuality and/or vulgarity as a way of making their work “showcase” more attractive, as well as to show their personal styles. It was also possible to ascertain about the concepts of femininity, the informers attributed specific signs of what means to be feminine, covering from the most subjective factors (such as gestures and attitudes, for example) to physical appearance (focusing specially on long hairs, in their words, the “cabelão”). As for what the informers interpreted as “female clothing”, from time to time they are expressed with specific keywords (dress and skirt, for example) that match with social expectations as how women should dress in our social context.