DapperQ’s ninth annual queer fashion show, “Presents Nine,” transformed the Brooklyn Museum into a vibrant stage celebrating LGBTQ fashion, transcending the traditional boundaries of New York Fashion Week. Over 70 LGBTQ models and eight designers captivated hundreds of attendees, blending fashion with activism by challenging conventional gender norms through clothing.
From veteran designers like Mickey Freeman to newcomers such as Austin Alegria, the event spotlighted designs rooted in gender nonconformity. The audience cheered on models as they strutted the runway, each expressing a unique take on queerness through their attire. For many, it was their first time walking in such an environment, yet the atmosphere was anything but intimidating. Stefa Marin Alarcon, a model from Auston Bjorkman’s transmasculine collection, described the event as “radical” and “wholesome,” highlighting the show’s significance in creating a safe and affirming space for the queer community.
DapperQ’s founder, Anita Dolce Vita, first envisioned this event after finding mainstream fashion weeks lacking representation for queer and trans individuals. Since its inception, dapperQ has become a platform for elevating queer fashion and rejecting the rigid constructs of gendered clothing. The show’s political undertones were evident, as models and emcee Buffy Sierra emphasized that queerness is inherently political. Dolce Vita’s closing walk, wearing a keffiyeh and raising her fist, further underscored the message that queer fashion is an act of protest, aiming to disrupt societal norms and offer a space for gender expression that celebrates autonomy and resistance.
Through the intersection of fashion, identity, and activism, dapperQ’s show sends a powerful message: clothing is not just about personal expression but also a tool to challenge the ingrained systems that restrict gender diversity. The event’s success marks another step in the broader movement to include LGBTQ individuals in all forms of cultural expression, reinforcing that queer fashion is here to stay.
