ICP’s Late Night for Fashion

Yves Saint Laurent and his fashion designs inspired looks and movements around the world, including within the Ballroom Community. The House of St. Laurent, an iconic ballroom house founded in 1982 by Octavia St. Laurent, is known for its boutique exclusivity and elevated fashion sensibility, is an example of this lasting legacy. Ballroom, once underground, has defined a new space for promoting visibility and self-expression within the queer community.

Taking inspiration from the iconic New York City Ballroom Scene, join ICP for a special Late Night for Fashion, featuring a conversation with photographer Gerard H. Gaskin and Michael Roberson, about the relationship between fashion and the ballroom community, the importance of photography in bringing visibility to the movement of resilience, followed by a special open to all mini-ball event featuring the categories of Fashion and Runway and hosted by MC Legendary Leggoh and DJ Icon MikeQ.

Come early or stay later than usual during one-night-only extended hours to view Yves Saint Laurent and Photography and Photobooks USA, 2000-25.

Mini-Ball Categories: 

Fashion

Yves Saint Laurent created his own fashion institution of sharp, precise tailoring, sheer illusions, glamorously embellished evening wear, and androgynous noir. Bring us a statement look that tells YOUR story! Whether your aesthetic is timelessly classic or avant garde, illustrate your essence within the details. Head-to-toe ovahness, come done! 

**Note: you do not need to wear YSL, this category is open to interpretation, but inspiration from YSL is encouraged. 

Runway

Pay homage to the designer's legacy and bring to the runway a look pulled out of the Yves Saint Laurent photography archives—creatively re-imagined through your own lens. 

Winners for each category receive a portrait studio session at ICP, as well as a custom ICP Grand Prize Trophy! 

About the Participants

Gerard H. Gaskin is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. His book, Legendary: Inside the House and Ballroom Scene was published in 2013 from Duke University Press. As a freelance Photographer his work is widely published in newspapers and magazines in the United States and abroad including: The New York Times, Newsday, Politiken, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Teen People, Caribbean Beat and Inc. Magazine. Additional clientele are North Star Fund, Syracuse University and Colgate University. Gaskin’s photographs have also been featured in solo and group exhibitions across the country and abroad including at the Duke University Gallery, the African-American Museum in Philadelphia, the Brooklyn Museum, the Queens Museum of Arts, CM2A in Madrid, Spain, Galvanize in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Goethe-Institute Accra, Ghana and Fototeca de Cuba Habana Vieja, Cuba. His work is represented in the permanent collections at Duke University, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, the Museum of the City of New York,  the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and Cincinnati Art Museum. Gaskin has won many important awards, grants and residences such as the CDS/Honickman First Book Prize (2012), the Woodstock Center of Photography Arts-In-Residence (2011), Light Work’s Arts-in-Residence (2010). In 2005 he also won the Queen’s Council on the Arts Individual Artists Initiative Award, and in 2002 he was awarded The New York Foundation for the Arts Artist fellowship for Photography.  He was also included in the “Gordon Parks’ 90” that brought together 90 of the top black photographers in the United States to celebrate Gordon Parks’ 90th Birthday.

Michael Roberson is a multifaceted figure in the LGBTQ+ community, serving as a theologian, public health practitioner, activist, artist, and cultural leader. He holds academic positions at C-RRED, The New School University, and Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Roberson is deeply involved in the House Ball Community, having founded four major houses and co-founded  The Ballroom Freedom School. He co-conceptualized the House Lives Matters National Leadership Initiative and edits the “Arts Everywhere/Ballroom Freedom School” publication. His influence extends to mainstream media, having worked as a cultural consultant for the FX series 
Pose. Roberson’s work focuses on uplifting Black/Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals through various platforms and initiatives.
Leggoh JohVera is a legendary voguer, commentator, event producer, and longtime force within the ballroom community. As the Founder and CEO of Open To All Entertainment, he has created platforms that celebrate talent, culture, and community while collaborating on major moments with artists including Beyoncé and Madonna. Known for his commanding presence, quick wit, and unmistakable energy, Leggoh brings both experience and personality to the stage as tonight’s Master of Ceremonies.

Want to experience more Ballroom? You can find more at OTA hosted at 3 Dollar Bill, 260 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206. 
Upcoming Schedule:
Sept 28
Oct 26
Nov 30
Dec 14

Image Jenna Bascom