Wendy Robert
In the late 1980s and early 90s, a unique and vibrant culture was thriving in New York’s house ballrooms. Voguing, a dance style that emerged from Harlem’s ballroom scene, saw men competing for their dancing skills, the authenticity of their drag, and their runway walks. This extraordinary period was vividly captured in hundreds of photographs by Chantal Regnault, a French-born photographer and documentarist.
Regnault started documenting the house ballroom and voguing scene in the late 1980s, focusing on its peak from 1989 to 1992. During these years, the creativity and popularity of the ballroom scene were at their highest. Her photos provide a glimpse into a world where African American and Latino gay and transgender communities gathered to express themselves and compete in elaborate events.
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In 1989, voguing reached a broader audience when Malcolm McLaren released his hit single “Deep in Vogue.” This was followed by Madonna’s iconic song “Vogue” in early 1990, which became one of her biggest hits. That same year, Jennie Livingston’s film “Paris Is Burning” was released, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film documented the ballroom scene, bringing mainstream attention to this vibrant culture.
Regnault’s photographs capture the essence of these ballroom events, highlighting the intricate costumes, dramatic poses, and the fierce competition among participants. The ballroom scene wasn’t just about dance; it was about creating a space where people could be themselves, away from societal judgment.
Even after the mainstream attention faded, the ballroom culture continued to thrive. Houses, the groups or families that participants belonged to, began to have chapters in big cities across the United States. Though Regnault moved to Haiti in 1993 and wasn’t a direct witness to this expansion, her work remains a crucial record of a pivotal time in voguing history.
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