Corinna Kern

Photojournalist & Documentary Photographer

www.corinnakern.com

Female Maskers: The Portraits

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Location: Israel

Nationality: German

Biography: Corinna Kern is a German photojournalist and documentary photographer based in Israel. Inclined towards the counter-cultural and non-mainstream, her work gives intimate insights into people’s lives on the margins of society. Capturing the... MORE

FEMALE MASKERS

This project takes a look at the hidden, yet worldwide growing subculture of ‘Female Masking’, originating from the desire to transform into a female alter ego. Motivations are myriad, rooted in individuals of various backgrounds, ages and genders.

Commonly regarded as a loss of authority, respectability and attractiveness towards women, heterosexual men’s gravitations towards femininity contradict socially accepted norms. Female masking presents an outlet for them to live out their female sides, often rooted in their admiration for the beauty of femininity. Women, forming the minority of the scene, find an opportunity to slip into another role, enabling them to experience another side of themselves, or to simply let go.

As a way of escapism, as an experience of a different identity, as an aesthetic expression, as a means of immunity, as a statement, and last but not least, to cover the mask imposed by society with one made from rubber, this project tells the stories of those that are part of the Female Masking culture.

Portrait of female masker Andre...sa Kirschbaum, heterosexual man

Portrait of female masker Andre, 30, alias 'Lisa Kirschbaum', in his bedroom, June 20, 2016 in Braunschweig, Germany. Being a heterosexual man, Andre transforms into his alter ego at least once a week to live out his female side and sexuality. Developed from his fantasies and projections, Lisa embodies the woman of his dreams.

"Looking back, I find that almost all of my proclivities are based in my childhood. My weakness for latex for instance began at the age of three, when I loved wearing rubber boots, tight snowsuits and especially latex gloves. I also used to have two bridal barbie-dolls, which disappeared for reasons I don't know. For a while I also aspired to be a girl and to wear bows in my hair. With 25 years of age I took all my courage to finally buy my first catsuit for women. I have been working on my perfection ever since and invested in my dream outfit. I especially love US wedding dresses from the 1980s with large puff sleeves. Regardless of which colour or material, if they are from latex, leather or satin, they engender a high level of femininity unlike any other piece of clothing.
- Female masker Andre, 30 alias Lisa Kirschbaum, heterosexual man

Female masker Chris, 49, dresse... man, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 23, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots.

"My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I donâ€™t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for."
- Female masker Chris, 49, heterosexual man, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Portrait of female masker Chris...hrissie Seams, heterosexual man

Portrait of female masker Christian alias 'Chrissie Seams', double the age of his alter ego, in his living-room, August 05, 2015 in Augsburg, Germany. Female masking presents an outlet for him, as a heterosexual and cisgender male, to live out his female side and latex fetish.

"Since my childhood I have been fascinated by latex, which very soon merged with my aspirations to look as sexy as a woman. I remember the first time I had the wish to slip into a woman's skin was at the age of 14 when I saw a model wearing sexy lingerie in a Penthouse magazine. I imagined slipping into her skin, like slipping into a surface made from latex. I love the feeling of being encapsulated and the sensitisation from head to toe when wearing latex. At the same time I endeavour aesthetics. Visually, I only like latex on women, hence I don't gain anything from my fetish if not dressed as a woman myself. Many times I wondered if there was a Chrissie if it wasn't for my passion for latex."
- Female masker Christian alias Chrissie Seams, heterosexual man

Female masker and transexual wo... Katrina, 46, transsexual woman

Female masker and transexual woman Katrina, 46, dressed as a rubberdoll, August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany.

"What fascinates me is the immunity. The 'being-me'. You are encapsulated. Like in a cocoon. They don't see you. They don't see your mimic, if you laugh or if you cry. The unknown behind it. This anonymity."
- Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman

Female masker Chris, 49, dresse...xual, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Cecilia Mc Arthur, poses for a portrait while lying the the moorland, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots.

"My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don't feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for."
- Female Masker Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Portrait of female masker and t...ear Girl, 39, transsexual woman

Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman Leyla alias 'Bear Girl', 39, while she is taking a walk, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany.

"My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. "
- Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman

Female masker Manu, 34, alias M...4, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Female masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, poses for a portrait in his home on February 21, 2016 in Göppingen, Germany.

"Giving up my manlihood by dressing as a rubberdoll exemplifies my bow to the beauty of femininity."
- Female Masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Female masker and transsexual w... Katrina, 46, transsexual woman

Female masker and transsexual woman Katrina, 46, in front of her home August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany.

"My fetish started with me wearing household gloves when I was eleven years old. I continuously bought new ones, these very tight ones. Being inside them was a phenomenal feeling for me. Then there was the fact that I pulled everything over my head at that age... Maybe I wanted to hide. Maybe I already felt that I was not in the right body. The idea that 'my real me is not there' fascinated me. This is how I built my own small world."
- Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman

Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Cecilia Mc Arthur, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. Therefore, he often chooses photogenic outdoor location, like woods or moorland.

"My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don't feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for."
- Female Masker Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots.

"My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don't feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Female Masker Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
- Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder

Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman 'Bear Girl', 39, in her kitchen, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany.

"My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don't smoke, I don't drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. "
- Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman

Portrait of female masker Manu ...4, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Portrait of female masker Manu alias 'Mina', 34, August 05, 2015 in Augsburg, Germany. Female masking presents an outlet for him, as a heterosexual and cisgender male, to live out his female side and latex fetish.

"Giving up my manlihood by dressing as a rubberdoll exemplifies my bow to the beauty of femininity."
- Female Masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Female maskers Manu alias Mina ...4, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Female maskers Manu alias Mina (R) and Christian alias Chrissie Seams (L), pose for a portrait on February 21, 2016 in Göppingen, Germany.

"Giving up my manlihood by dressing as a rubberdoll exemplifies my bow to the beauty of femininity."
- Female Masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, heterosexual man

Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Nicole van Diesten, August 21, 2015 in Hannover, Germany.

"My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. I have six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories. Wearing the mask, I don't feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for."
- Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder