Ballroom Collaboration

My name is Kaylin Ruiz and I’m a sophomore BFA Studio Art major in Steinhardt. My interest in this collaboration with Dominique Jackson stemmed from my love for fashion design, and my prior interest in Ballroom culture which I’ve admired since the seventh grade. I was first introduced to Ballroom through watching videos of people Voguing on Youtube, and I was fascinated by the dance style as a dancer myself at the time. This led me down a rabbit hole of learning about Ballroom history through watching key films such as Paris is Burning and The Queen, and eventually more recent Ballroom media such as the shows Legendary and Pose. It was through Pose that I was first introduced to Dominique Jackson – and from then on I became a fan! I admire her poise, resilience, and unapologetic attitude – plus her being Tobagonian, as a Trinidadian myself – which is also what I admire in the Ballroom community as a whole, and what inspired me to get involved with this collaboration! Throughout the process of designing and creating a garment with my wonderful mentor and popular Ballroom designer Michael Leon, I’ve learned that authenticity to the self is of utmost importance. Both Michael Leon and myself love to be bold and make an unforgettable statement with our fashion choices, specifically through our overall maximalist aesthetics which we’ve infused into our gown inspired by Thierry Mugler, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano. I think Michael Leon and I worked so well together because we aren’t afraid to lean into the concept of a full embodiment of inner power, unphased by others’ perceptions, which is what our garment’s interpretation of the Femme Queen is all about. This is why we dedicated our gown in the name of the Icon Renee Karan, who is revered as Philadelphia's “Mother of all Mothers,” and whose legacy is so long-lasting that she’s influenced generations of Femme Queens to come. 

Hello! I'm Akanksha Somani, a first-year student at Steinhardt majoring in Studio Arts, expected to graduate in the Class of 2027. The ballroom community and their creative expressions have always captivated me, so when the opportunity to collaborate with them arose, I seized it eagerly. Exploring fashion alongside the crew and other participants has been incredibly enlightening, offering valuable insights into the creative process. Through this experience, I've learned the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and the intricacies involved in garment making. The armor-inspired royal blue gown my team created truly embodies the essence of fem queen energy.

My design style as of late has been very feminine and dainty as I’ve explored the idea of beauty and what that means in today’s modern world. I am a huge fan of embellishments and styles from an era gone by. I believe in a sense of escapism and fantasy that I try to convey in my artistic and design work.

Top Left: La Ex-Cumbia Dress, 2023. Denim two part dress; tube top and skirt framed with prints. 32 in by 40 in.

Bottom Left: Liberta Moderna, 2021. Wire and Denim. 28in by 35in.

Righy: The Woman, The girl and The man, 2023. Video Stills.

I work with sculpture, installation and video in my practice, and explore themes relating to transgender identity, cultural folklore and histories, and spirituality. I really enjoy the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and draw a lot of inspiration from his colorful maximalist style. I draw a lot of inspiration from Desi aesthetics – I love working with lots of color, and dramatic, flowing fabric like those used in traditional dances, plays and rituals across South Asia. I love how extra and bejeweled traditional South Asian attire is, and I’m interested in reconstructing these garments, transforming the patterns and designs for the runway.

Lady Gaga’s Judas music video, where she switches between more grunge, club fits, with leather and chains, to capes, golden gowns and jewels is also an aesthetic duality I really enjoy. I am inspired Diego Montoya’s fashion and the looks he’s designed for various drag queens like Raja and Sasha Velour. I am also interested in Rick Owens’ runway looks, especially his more geometric, futuristic, dystopian couture, where he mixes textiles and textures.