Waithe paid tribute to LGBTQ origins of Camp style by wearing a suit designed by Pyer Moss designer, Kerby Jean-Raymond, who accompanied her on the carpet.

“Black Drag Queens Invented Camp,” was embroidered on the back of The Chi creator’s blazer. Jean-Raymond’s read, “Fix your credit. Pool money. Buy back the block,” a homage to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. The pinstripes of the suits were in fact lyrics to LGBTQ anthems including Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

“One reason black culture is not within the ‘camp’ conversation is because the term itself has a lot of basis in theatrical, outlandish, exaggerated, and extreme fashion,” fashion historian Darnell Lisby told Teen Vogue. “Even though I believe there are so many examples of ‘camp’ in black culture, there is a broad paint stroke over the black experience, which is perceived to be downtrodden instead of vibrant. In essence, it seems like many forget about icons like Prince or Jimmy Hendrix, who were the epitome of this term.”

Camp at its core is about interpretation. Monae delivered a playful spin on the theme wearing a custom dress by Cristian Siriano inspired by the Mad Hatter, a fictional character in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The entertainer’s stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn told Variety that ensemble was influenced by the surrealism found in the works of Monae’s favorite artists Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

The 2019 Met Gala was filled with designs by Dapper Dan, a fixture in Black Camp fashion, although Monday was his first time at the annual Vogue-hosted event. 

Original post was published here.