LOVE YOUR LABELS TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL “QUEER AF: ART & FASHION SHOW” PRIORITIZING REPRESENTATION & INTERSECTIONALITY on MARCH 1, 2019

Queer AF: Art & Fashion is a fashion show and fundraising event that prioritizes inclusion & representation across models, designers, and performers considerate of gender, sexual identity, race and ethnicity, ability, age, body diversity, and more. The night will be hosted by Allison Maldonado, host of The Vintage Voyageur on Amazon Prime at Bull Mansion in Worcester, Massachusetts (Event Details).

“Together, we can build a world that embraces the beauty, character, and diversity in every person because of their unique identities and not in spite of them. Our show hopes to contribute to this change in the fashion and beauty industry by showcasing the individuality of our models not typically displayed in mainstream media” — Phil Berry, Love Your Labels Vice President, Chair of Queer AF 2019

Fashion — Two of the shows featured designers were formerly on seasons of Project Runway; Sam Donovan and Joseph Aaron Segal of Pretty Snake. Also featured in this years show: Cosmic Unicornz, Worcester-local duo The 4CE (recently featured in Pulse Magazine’s 2019 People to Watch), and NYC-based designer Gerald Hopper.

Art — The night will feature photography by Thomas Evans, whose work combines glamour & fluidity to create a modern beauty including a series called Femme the Man. His art works to break prescribed gender stereotypes and showcase men, womxn, and nonbinary individuals across intersections of expression.

Performance — Headlining the show is drag queen Joslyn Fox of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6. Also performing at the show is a drag collaboration between the Worcester City Sirens and the Trailer Park Girls. Worcester-based singer/songwriter Giuliano D’Orazio will also be featured.

While you won’t feel like you’re at a fundraiser at this nightlife event, all the proceeds from tickets sales and sponsorship go to support Love Your Labels. Love Your Labels is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate and develop programs for people fighting for acceptance and visibility.

Founded in February, 2018, the organization creates events and experiences that further conversations around inclusion, representation, and equality and develop programs that educate and inspire youth to explore who they are, express themselves, and support each other in their personal journeys.

“The funds raised at this show, in addition to a Worcester Arts Council grant received, will enable us to launch our first youth program pilot that uses fashion design classes as a lens to discuss identity and expression, address bias and shame, and further conversations around equality. Our goal for this program is to help build resiliency and pride in young people while they explore their own identities and help them develop capacities to support other youth fighting for acceptance.” — Joshua Croke, President of Love Your Labels

Queer AF 2019 Presenting Sponsor: PAGEBOY inc. is a team of craft hairdressers who aim to elevate the hair industry of Worcester. // PAGEBOY will be leading styling of all models for this years show!
Media Sponsor: Pulse Magazine // Additional Sponsors: Bull Mansion, New England Pride TV