"Women can be handsome too." That's Mack Dihle's response when people address her as "sir" as she walks into the women's restroom. This confusion is usually a compliment because she knows she is succeeding as a male model.
On the runway, the Chicago-resident, identifies as an androgynous genderqueer/unisex fashion model, but outside of the fashion realm, Dihle calls herself "a gay pretty boi butch woman." While she confuses many people at first glance, she never gets offended for the mistaken gender identity.
"It just affirms I'm doing androgynous fashion justice and appealing to a large spectrum," Dihle said. "My goal is to appeal as a handsome human to the masses of all people, no matter their gender presentation or sexual attraction/preference."
Dihle is originally from the metro Detroit area and was raised in a Catholic, Republican household. She later graduated from Central Michigan University on a trumpet scholarship. In 2005, she made the move to the rural Hinckley-Big Rock, Illinois, working as an instrumental band director, teaching fifth through 12th grades.
A year later, she said she came to terms with her sexuality. Acting on this, Dihle decided to leave her successful year of teaching, to move to Chicago to be closer to the relatively loud and proud gay community. Coincidently, Gay Games 2006 was hosted the same week as her drastic move to the city's North Side. A then-newly found lesbian friend convinced her to participate.
"During that incredible blurr of a rainbow week, I had a 23rd birthday, shaved my head, kissed some really cute girls for the first time and took home two bronze Gay Game medals in soccer and karate sparring," said Dihle. "My whole world also changed when I saw the Lakeside Pride Marching Band during opening ceremonies."
In 2008, Dihle became a police officer. Her partner, comedian and creator of Brass Chuckles Comedy Tamale Sepp, calls her "America's Next Cop Model." As if that were not colorful enough, the couple perform a fire-eating act, transferring fire through a kiss, at the show held at the Uptown Underground. They also take their talent to the Fireball Masquerade in Madison, Wis. With all that jazz, Dihle also continues to play the trumpet in the Chicago blues scene.
Dihle ventured into modeling a little over a year ago. Just for kicks, she participated in the "What is Butch" Twitter campaign, which asked people to tweet a picture, showing their version own of butch. Dihle, donned what she described as a "causal dapper/rockabilly leather butch look." That tweeted picture went viral and she was immediately invited to be featured on the website DapperQ. In September 2014, she flew out to Los Angeles to do the photo shoot. Shortly after, she made her debut on runways in New York City.
"I never sought out to be a 'male model,' specifically; it's just what some fashion designers choose to model me as," said Dihle, who cites Elliott Sailors as her inspiration.
Most recently, Dihle has walked the runway for Montreal fashion designer Karen Quirion of KQK during New York Fashion Week. Added to her list of fashionable appearances, Dihle is currently working with Chicago-based designer Jenny Urban of Dapper and Urban as a clothing ambassador for the bowties and working with local lesbian high-fashion photographers Alissa Pagels and Maria Alejos for some upcoming projects.
Dihle classifies herself a "true leather boi." As a motorcyclist, she never leaves the house without her leather jacket, black leather gloves and black leather-tipped combat boots. When she is not at work, her style consists of a short-sleeve, collared shirt that allows her arm tattoo sleeves to show, a chain wallet and a handmade leather belt tie from Andersonville Galleria.
"I love wearing locally-based Chicago clothing and supporting small business owners," Dihle emphasizes.
Dihle's mission in male modeling goes deeper than the local items she wears. Her main goal is connecting with younger women who feel they don't fit into a certain identity or gender expression.
"[My mission is] to appeal to a wide spectrum of male-identified and also masculine non-gender identified people," said Dihle who aspires to be a role model within the LGBT community. "Breaking down the outdated strict gender binaries of fashion. I've finally reached a point where I refuse to ever wear a dress again or wear anything that makes me feel uncomfortable and not myself."
"Before queer fashion and male modeling, I felt very ugly in the world," Dihle explained. "I looked hideous in a dress or anything feminine. I didn't identify and look like women in magazines, TV and movies. Men dismissed me and women saw me as this tomboy that refused to wear makeup and dresses, but still wants to be called a girl. Life didn't feel fair at all, just for being myself. It felt like a crime or sin wearing men's clothing, sneaking over to the men's section at the store. That is slowly changing with the queer fashion world becoming bigger and bigger. The rise in technology and social media has been a blessing for reaching out and building our queer community of beautiful diverse people."
Dihle specifically mentions concern for young individuals who to turn to harmful substances and activities in order to cope with not fitting in. Dihle, who is drug-free, said, she is here to make sure they know they are beautiful and valuable as unique individuals.
"I want women and men to wear whatever makes them feel amazing when they step out into the world each day, regardless of what gender they identify as," she said.
Dihle reveals the female male modeling community is huge and "extremely and beautifully diverse in shape, size, age and race with the commonality [of] presenting as masculine."
"Tomboys, women, transman, non-gendered people are finding a place in the fashion community," Dihle said. "I highly encourage people new to queer fashion to checkout the clothing designers: Sharpe Suiting, Saint Harridan, Hautebutch, KQK, Jag & Co., Sir New York, Boihood, Stuzo Clothing, just to name a few. That's where you'll find the best hidden secrets of an amazing community of masculine presenting women, genderqueers and trans-identified individuals."
For more information on Mack Dihle, visit www.mackdihle.com/ .
