Welcome to my blog, Unorthodox Catwalk. Yes, I know, the name is like, really fierce. This will be your source for all things queer. News, media, culture, music, you name it.
Vogue is the elegant and exaggerated feminine dance that embodies different elements, culture and artistic vision. I can’t stress enough that this is more than just a style — it’s cultural and revolutionary for many marginalized communities. It’s an art form I have loved, practiced and fully embraced for a long time.
I’ve been in multiple dance spaces (Loudoun Valley Dance team 23-24, classes at Dance Academy of Loudoun, etc.) However, none of them stuck, because they didn’t include my favorite art style in dance: Ballroom Vogue Femme.
With the current 25-26 dance team at Loudoun Valley High School starting up, I knew it would be a good time to talk about my love for this style. We’re going to get into the elements, history and cultural impacts.
Ballroom Vogue culture is so important to the Black, Latinx and LGBT+ communities. These beautiful hand and leg movements allow us the freedom of expressing our queerness, inside and out.
However, some straight people are really getting their terminology incorrect, so let me teach you how to be a real ally when talking about Vogue.
First off, let’s talk about where Ballroom Vogue originates from. Black and Latinx Trans Women deserve all the flowers. They paved the way for our generation of queer people celebrating the art style.
One night at a queer club in Harlem, Paris Dupree began imitating poses from Vogue magazines, and striking them on beat. People went wild, going to the clubs to join the artistic movements. Credits are often not properly given to those who trailblazed the art.
Mid-late 90s Harlem was a safe haven for queer, Latinx and Black people. This was an escape from the disgusting social and physical violence we were facing, and the culture of the Ballroom scene is forever revolutionary.
Alright. Vocabulary. What’s that move where you elegantly drop to the floor? Death Drop, right? No. Incorrect, sound the buzzer.
The misuse of this term is widely spread — and this is no judgement at all, but we must use the right terminology. A Dip is what an elegant, beautiful, artistic drop to the floor looks like, often paired with spins. A Death Drop is a jump from a squat position, while throwing your legs in a “V” form.
Houses are also such an important part of the Ballroom scene. And no, it’s not a building you call “home.” Instead, it’s the people you call home. Being in a world where marginalized people are so heavily discriminated against, us minorities have each other. Just as much as you need your family — we need ours. Just like families come in all unique characteristics, houses all have different intricate cultures and people.
The five elements of Vogue Femme consist of your Catwalk, Duckwalk, Hand Performance, Floor Performance and Spins and Dips.
- Catwalk
The Catwalk is arguably one of the most important elements. This is when you do a feminine walk/strut with bent knees. You should be on the tips of your toes. Move your arms in different expressive ways, with precise yet elegant technique.
- Duckwalk
The Duckwalk is one of my favorite elements. Starting in a squat position on the ground, you’re going to start bouncing and walking on the tips of your toes. Your hands will move in passionate motions, similar to in the catwalk.
- Hand Performance
Hand performance is when we center in on those expressive, intricate and artistic hand movements. Conveying a story is so important with Hand Performance.
- Floor Performance
Floor Performance incorporates various leg movements, rolling and many other intricate leg dynamics. Artistic and creative vision can really enhance this element, as there are so many eloquent yet fierce movements.
- Spins and Dips
Spins and dips are my personal bread and butter, and my favorite element. This is when we go into a spin (however, you’re never limited to just one), while we descend to the floor. In our dip, we land with one leg down in a bent position, while the other leg is out and pointing up with our back rounded to the floor. These two usually lead into each other, but can be combined and separated however the performer sees is best.
All these beautiful elements create the masterpiece of Vogue Femme. During a time where our current administration is stripping our privileges right before our eyes, this has always taken me back to our roots. It’s vital that we continue in the paths of our past queer siblings now more than ever.
