We’ve all seen Paris is Burning. And if you haven’t – I urge you to. It’s all because of that film that the masses were exposed to voguing and ball culture, a once underground scene that was predominately compromised of gay men. The Internet has opened up the Pandora’s box of voguing, exposing the main stream to music, culture and terminology that is vividly that of the Voguing and Ball scene.
When I think of the term ‘Giving Looks’, I think of the ball categories like “Executive Realness”. You have to have the attitude to give off the look you are trying to emulate through your clothes, body language and body movements. So when I get dressed, I think to myself, what are you trying to give today, who are you serving and what style (could be a person, group, place, or thing) you are looking to emulate.
Then when a friend says ‘Girl, I love your outfit’, I’ll shoot back with a sassy ‘Oh girl, thanks! I’m giving you metropolitan esoteric hippie with a side of Woodstock.’ If she or he speaks my language then they’ll know exactly what I mean.
Or I can give you classic retrophile princess barefoot at the beach.
Or even I can give you post-goth, club kid serving you neon counterfeit.
It’s just the most fun form of talking about how you decided to out your self together to go out into the world that day and the characters that coincide with that. I’m dedicating an entire section to GIVING LOOKS, finding your voice through clothing, wearing everything with fun and confidence. Clothing can bring you so much joy, you know.
What are your favorite ball and voguing terms? Share your fiercest looks, link me pics! Yassssss!
