FHM names Andrej Pejic 98th sexiest 'woman' in the world

FHM causes a storm by naming the male model in its 100 Sexiest Women in the World list.

BY Melissa Whitworth | 31 May 2011

Photo: Rex

Fashion bloggers were quick to point out that "lad's mag" FHM is not exactly a bastion of gender equality. So it was noted, with pleasant surprise, how forward-thinking the magazine was to include male model Andrej Pejic - whose USP is that he looks like a woman - in its annual round-up of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World. (Predictably, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was a shoo-in at number one.)

Andrej Pejic, the 19-year-old gender-bender catwalk star says he would consider "a sex change" for Victoria's Secret

Was the magazine, which describes its list as "a heavely [sic] honeypot of actresses, models, presenters and princesses ranked in an order guaranteed to delight and infuriate in equal measure," leading the charge for transgender rights?

Fashion blurs gender boundaries

Sadly not. The fashion world remains a confusing place for straight males and the entry was quickly taken down from the online version of the story (Pejic remains in the print story which comes as a free supplement with this month's magazine). It seems either the magazine didn't realise Pejic is actually a man, or the editors got cold feet imagining the teasing they'd get at the pub.

One fashionista took a snapshot of Pejic's entry before it was taken down. It was promptly posted on Stylecaster.

Video: Andrej Pejic, the 19-year-old gender-bender catwalk star talks to Hilary Alexander

"Andrej has been confusing the male gender since he was 14, but also admits most men still buy him a drink, despite the shock."

The line that really infuriated fashion types was when the magazine seemed confused about what to call Pejic and resorted to calling him a "thing".

"Although his sexual identity is ambiguous, fashion designers are hailing him as the next big thing. We think 'thing' is quite accurate," the entry said.

Jean Paul Gaultier shows Andrej Pejic the love

It went on to say, "The blonde gender-bender has jumped the gun in hoping he might one day be signed as a Victoria's Secret model (Pass the sick bucket)... More troubling is the fact that Andrej is not the only one when it comes to supermodels that are not all they seem."

A spokesperson for FHM said: "Andrej Pejic appears at number 98 in FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2011.

"Regrettably the copy accompanying Andrej's online entry wasn't subbed prior to going live. Once we realised, we removed it immediately and apologised for any offence caused.

"FHM has spoken to the individual concerned and taken steps to ensure this can never happen again."

Our advice? FHM , stick to what you know: which number did Cheryl Cole come in at this year?

Hilary Alexander caught up with the catwalk sensation backstage at Jean Paul Gaultier's show.