RADAR: 8 Black LGBTQ Trend Setters to Follow Now
As we wrap up a month of global Black Lives Matter protests, Juneteenth celebrations, and LGBTQ+ Pride marches, I encourage everyone to keep that same energy! Let’s continue to elevate these voices and stories for the long haul. As a fashion editor and a Black woman, I am fortunate to have an outlet to report and highlight some of these journeys and create some representation to include the true diversity of style. On the upside of things, we are witnessing an elevated effort with fashion brands, entertainment, art, and media taking long-overdue pledges to be equally inclusive when it comes to their industry. Accountability is the new trend, Black is the new (and only) black, and Black Queer Pride is a revolution.
This month’s RADAR is all about Black and Brown members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are influencing style and trend-setting light years ahead of the status quo while claiming their rightful place in fashion, beauty, art, and entertainment. Here is a list of 8 Instagram accounts that are holding rank on our radar, including why we ‘stan’ for these incredible lives with caption quotes to give insight on who they are in their own words, the fight for social change, and, of course, positive self-affirmations. After all Black joy is a form of resistance! Now drop everything and hit ‘follow’ on these IG accounts ASAP.
#amplifymelanatedvoices #allblacklivesmatter
@missdemivee SINGER/MUA
Photo by @thechriscavanaugh
WHY WE STAN: Miss Demi Vee Davenport has been ‘beating’ faces for eight years as a Makeup Artist whose work spans from fashion campaigns and short films to private, bridal, and celeb clientele. She considers herself more than an MUA and, in fact, refers to herself as a cosmetic therapist inspired by the many lives, she has personally touched just from sitting in her chair. For the last couple of years, Demi has been finessing her signing talent while working with the talented Mur, a New York-based freelance writer and show producer. Davenport is currently in the process of writing and recording an untitled project to be released in the Fall. Think Contemporary R&B and Jazz with a side of House and a whole lot of glamour.
IG QUOTE: ‘In light of everything going on I think it’s imperative that we continue to uplift each other—-Love on each other, check on each other! It has taken me many years to get to this place. Hell, it even cost me a few friendships/relationships. Yet, I feel so good.’
@heyheytreytrey MODEL/FASHION STUDENT
@hankjobenhavn SS20 Campaign
WHY WE STAN: Trey Trey aka Lil Gin The Queen Bee aka Trey Gaskin is a graduating student from London’s prestigious s Central Saint Martins Fashion Communication program, and is also killing the modeling game. We are obsessed with this image from the Han Kjøbenhavn SS20 Campaign and quite honestly Trey Trey’s entire Instagram feed. Fashion Coma!
IG QUOTE: ‘ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER! Black trans people are being murdered at extremely high rates. When you say Black Lives Matter please advocate for ALL BLACK LIVES or don’t say it at all The Black LGBTQ+ community show up for EVERY MOVEMENT and turn around and get persecuted! Now is the time to show TF up FOR ONCE!’
@jaredxcv COSTUME BUYER/VINTAGE BROKER
WHY WE STAN: We at PhotoBook Magazine are massive fans of Vintage not only for its one-of-a-kind benefits saving us from being a twin at the party, but for the integrity of providing fashion options that support environmental sustainability. Jared Major is a hero of this effort, and the bonus is that his curatorial eye for vintage finds is spot on. So much so that he is soon to embark upon a career in the film/TV industry as a Costumer Buyer for an upcoming production. Follow his store, Major Vintage, to get your hands on some hand-picked exclusive apparel.
IG QUOTE: ‘I have always been passionate about clothing (especially vintage), whether it was shopping or making my own. I started making bow ties, from recycled fabrics, at the age of 15 and I’m so excited to be able to incorporate them back into MV as well. I’ve invested a lot of time, thought, and love into making sure I’m delivering the most dope pieces that reflect my favorite eras of fashion. ‘
@eveharlowephoto PHOTOGRAPHER/ART DIRECTOR
WHY WE STAN: Eve Harlowe is a photographer, master retoucher, art director, and artist with a body of work that speaks for itself. Harlowe is a true student of old Hollywood glamour, which is a great influence in her work; however, she has managed to evolve her own aesthetic incorporating juxtaposition and playing around with opposing perspectives that result in striking beauty narratives we can’t get enough of.
IG QUOTE: ‘I want to do my part to bring attention to the disproportionate rates that Black Transwomen and Transwomen of color are being murdered in this country, most of these murders often go unsolved. @hrcgreaterny is calling it a National Epidemic! I have faith, that we will get to the other side of this sickness, this will one day be another dark part of our past! I just pray its soon!!!!’
@artvomit ARTIST/WRITER/DANCER/MODEL/STYLIST/ART DIRECTOR
WHY WE STAN: Honestly, the list is quite lengthy when it comes to the many reasons to be obsessed with Paix Robinson, also known as @artvomit. Here are the highlights. Robinson studied dance at The Ailey School in NYC, the University of Southern California, and California State University, Los Angeles. Some of his professional credits include Art Direction/Styling for a number of publications, including Vulkan, Schön! and Vogue Italia. Other career accolades include his role as a Wardrobe Associate for Beyoncé: Formation World Tour, Costume + Production design for London’s Barbican Museum, Basquiat: Boom For Real” Exhibition, and an Artist-in-Residence at the Chinatown Soup Gallery in LES, NYC. In the fashion universe, Robinson also contributed as an influencer to brands including Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. He defines @artvomit as a retrospective admiration to the past while forcing the boundaries forward into the future-through fashion, artwork, film, and poetry. And this is just a drop in the very deep bucket of Robinson’s greatness. Did I mention his impeccable style? EVERYTHING!
IG QUOTE: ‘If you’re looking away, you’re doing it wrong. A revolution, whether a new wave of ideals or the destruction of a corrupt moral philosophy & social structure, will not be won from countable days of action and activism. This is not a phase or season for many of us, this is our lives. And b***h! - the category is liiiiiveeeee! I recognize the widespread enthusiasm for the cause by those who can never truly understand what it means to be a Black American. Though I refuse to give celebratory accolades or a salute to what ‘ought to be’ considered basic human kindness and empathy, I am more hopeful than I have ever been.’
@iamalexismeshida ACTOR/MODEL/MUA
WHY WE STAN: For starters, Miss Alexis Meshida gives good FACE! This London based Actor and Model knows her away around creating a full beauty moment. Meshida’s fight the power spirit is one that is infectious and relentless the type of panache that makes a great leader of our time. She recently produced two graphic T-shirt designs that are available for sale with all profits split between Black Trans Lives Matter UK (run by Pride London) and @theokraproject.
IG QUOTE: ‘Black trans and queer people have been struggling for years. A lot of us are aware of the mistreatment we receive from society, the black community, friends, and even family. A lot of us are aware that sometimes this mistreatment isn’t linked to our behaviors or personality flaws but instead the demonization of our people. Therefore, we have learnt to blank out the pain, stay silent, cut people out, and move on. We have built up resilience to the constant war on our souls. We just need love !’
@j.scott SINGER/SONGWRITER
Photo by @_kjacobs
WHY WE STAN: Javon Scott is a genre-defying classically trained vocalist, who credits his influence as a mesh of Kelis, Brandy, and Stevie Wonder. He formulates ‘old school melodies over new school sounds’. His stamina for this industry, which doesn’t always make way for an openly gay black man, is a true inspiration as Scott navigates around the obstacles successfully to write, produce, and distribute his own work. He lovingly calls his fans and supporters #ScottieHotties and is consistent with the message to trust your gifts and work persistently to fulfill your dreams. Take a scroll through his IG page to get a full dose of his iconic style. Speaking of iconic, his newest EP release titled adoration is available NOW!
IG QUOTE: ‘Every day for the past year this was the only thing I could think about. I hope you love listening to this project as much as I loved making it. He worked three jobs for six months, ran up his credit, and sang his heart out just for YOU. This EP is love, sex, and love again. tell a cute friend to stream “adoration” b/c I’m single but also talented n’ melanated AF.’
@xunamimuse Supermodel Drag Queen/Actor
Photo by @stevenlovephotography
WHY WE STAN: The category is High Fashion and Xunami Muse is winning! his Panama native NYC residing Queen is known for her sickening style that could easily be compared to any fashion week runway. When Muse is not performing, she is hosting some of the most notable RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties around the city or acting in the Real Drag Moms of New York comedy web series that was in production last year. Muse even garnered a mention in Tenz Mag as one of the Top 10 Drag Shows of 2019: NYC. Sashay you betta stay serving us all with lewks for our lives!
IG QUOTE: ‘THE REVOLUTION IS NOW. PINKWASHING IS OVER. RAINBOW CAPITALISM IS OVER. NO PERMIT, NO WORKING WITH COPS. NO PRIDE FOR SOME OF US WITHOUT LIBERATION FOR ALL OF US.’
Story by Ayoka Lucas, Fashion Editor, PhotoBook Magazine.
Instagram: @ayokalu
