Lamar is a muse for the ages, a lens through which we can explore the love within both our hearts and others'.
Check out the video and photos below.
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As this year’s official eyewear partner, the brand released a limited-edition style designed exclusively for Tribeca Festival’s 20th anniversary to honor the community built between the two brands.
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As we pivot into the cusp of a vaccinated country, these collectives rise to their usual hype, and the difference between the ways we’ve engaged with our social circles over the past year becomes evident. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Kenni Javon, an Ohio-bred DJ, began enveloping his experiences into Dick Appointment’s party series. He specifically produced these events for friends in hopes for them to feel at ease in these spaces of familiarity. Caroline Leopold, a New York City native, has been a queen of the party scene for years now. Once she and her friends began to get tired of the scene she decided to take matters into her own hands. Her motto? Who needs a reason to throw a party!
How have you been as of late
Caroline Leopold- Never better!
Dick Appointment- We all went through with COVID. But as of now, things are going great. I'm booked every weekend.
Tell me about the genesis of your brand, where you’re from, what you do, all of that.
CL-I was born in Manhattan and grew up here. Everyone knows there’s no place like New York, so I haven’t left much. I’ve been going out in the city for years and started making friends in fun places who looped me into some of the exciting stuff that goes on in nightlife here. Originally, I had just wanted to throw a birthday party and dodge the thousands of dollars in rental fees that that usually entails. I figured I could throw something together with one of my contacts and arrive at a win-win, and a free party! When all of the venues I approached said “yes,” I realized I had stumbled upon a really cool area of opportunity.
DA- New York lacks a black party. There's nowhere a black girl or black boy can go and feel liberated feel queer, be comfortable and be surrounded by people that look like them. I'm from Ohio and the music that we play- no one else plays that music. I'm a ghetto girl. I like Trap, I like bounce music. Now that I'm grown, I feel like I can be the person I've always wanted to be. And there are so many more people who feel that way.
Tell me about how your party came to fruition.
CL-Once it became clear to me that my favorite spots were open to collaborating, I decided I wanted to do more. I certainly wasn’t going to wait around until my next birthday, so I coined “A Party For No Reason.” An “Unnecessoirée,” if you will.
DA- It’s just a party for black people to be liberated. I find that the name is kind of what gets everyone's attention. We're black fab girls so it’s like, who are these bitches? What is this?
What did nightlife look like pre-COVID?
CL- Nightlife in NYC has always been sensational, in my opinion. It was never bad, but we can probably all agree it’s better now. Things used to be a little snobby at times, a little picky. Now we’re all on the same team, I think. We want to meet new people and dance with our friends. It feels simpler and like people are nicer to each other. I also think there’s a huge amount of way cooler stuff going on. People have ideas and have created incredible things over the past year, and we’re seeing that all over the city in the form of experiences for everyone to enjoy.
DA- It wasn't what it is now, but it was definitely cute. People wanted another one. So we gave them another one and that's kind of what it was. It was never supposed to be this big party series. Before you know it, it was like okay, bitch, they keep topping each other somehow.
What do your parties look like now?
CL- The first party back was April 24th when stricter regulations around COVID-19 were still in place. We were able to use RSVP methods that involved verifying a negative test within 48 hours of the event or proof of full vaccination. That level of control around guests isn’t needed anymore, and now that all restrictions have been lifted in NYC, the opportunity to make things happen in this space is quite literally endless.
DA- A lot of the girls and boys came out wearing sexy clothes. It was dry for the first hour, then it was at capacity. We opened the basement and then the basement was at capacity. She gave.
How do you feel now that everyone is able to congregate again?
CL- Lucky to have the opportunity to create joy after such a difficult period. Thrilled that I can organize events with no fuss. Proud of what Unnecessoiree is in this moment and excited about what it will become!
DA- I’m here for it. A lot of people went through so much that we don’t know about or talk about during the pandemic. I feel like we can go and be brothers and sisters or niggas and bitches and have fun- let your hair down, be liberated.
How are these parties important for people during this time?
CL- I’m trying to create a reliable option for people when they just want to get out and have fun. Unnecessoiree is a simple formula for that. I think it’s important for people to feel true excitement again. Looking forward to something is such an optimistic and happy thing, and if I can make my community experience that kind of anticipation every other weekend, I’m doing my job!
DA- There’s nowhere a black girl or boy can go to feel liberated, queer, and comfortable. I can be the person I’ve always wanted to be at Dick Appointment.
Where do you see these parties going in the future? How do you see them growing safely?
CL- With COVID restrictions fully lifted, there is practically nothing stopping growth. I’m in major “say yes” mode right now, so I’m exploring tons of different kinds of experiences. The best part about Unnecessoiree is that no two are the same. Some have been small and divey, some bigger and more glamorous, and now some with varied kinds of musical artists. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me and I take it.
DA- My team is tight with each other. We’re tight with the venue security. I’m taking training for narcotics just in case of an overdose. Just trying to be prepared for the worst.
When is the next Unnecessoiree event?
CL- Earlier today I would have said a date in July, but now we’ve thrown another one in there for the last week of June. Like I said, I’m just saying “yes.”
Demi and Michael met briefly at Demi’s first New York DJ gig with Telfar in 2019, and their bond was palpable. Following a successful Valentine’s Day event they hosted together and a transcendent tarot reading, Perez and Andres felt that they were destined to share space with each other and curate environments for queer people to feel nurtured, uplifted and celebrated in the same way. The two parted in tears, with plans to host parties and mutual aid events in the city, until the pandemic hit. After feeling alienated from their senses of belonging and purpose, their mission became more vital, and Angelito Collective was born.
You and Michael have a magical friendship. How did you two create the Angelito Collective?
Demiyah— After our first successful party, ‘Tentación,’ on Valentine’s Day of 2020, Michael and I knew we were destined to hold space for our community to come together and tell our story through our talents. The euphoria of this night truly inspired us into the next chapter of our lives. When the lockdown began, we recalled this evening as a means to hold onto hope and remind ourselves of our innate ability to foster community through radical acts of love and connection.
You both have created space for other queer people to feel community and warmth. How have you cultivated a home for yourself?
D— Growing up in Canada, going to a Catholic High School, being the only trans woman, there was a lot of ignorance projected onto me. My biggest strength was transmuting all of the negativity of those projections by stepping into my light and responding through love and compassion as well as embracing my role as a pioneer.
I began my public transition in high school, where I developed a strong bond with my vice principal who was an advocate for queer youth. Without her, I wouldn't have believed in my worthiness to exist and take up space. She held space for me to embody leadership in a way that I always aspired to. Her impact inspired me to want to be that change for others. I am a product of her legacy and I want to be able to show up for trans women and let them know they’re worthy of everything this world has to offer because we are the world.
What has been your process with unlearning ignorance?
D— My process of dismantling ignorance has also been affected throughout the early phases of my transition when I had to detach completely from my dad's side of the family who are Jamaican, Jehovah's Witnesses, and were never accepting of my truth. There was a lot of ignorance that came from them that I think I've had to do a lot of deep shadow work, especially in moving back home, of really confronting those experiences of not feeling like I was loved, and not feeling good enough. But in moving to Toronto, the pace of life was just so different. I was transitioning throughout University [and] everything was happening so fast. I didn't really have a moment to process my life and really understanding my life independently from all the things that have influenced me. So now returning back home during the pandemic, to a loving family, that is my mom's side of the family, everyone is extremely accepting. I get to now exist in a communal space with people that have been on this journey with me and that showed me, unconditional love. But because of the negative experience of my dad's side of the family, I refuse myself from accepting their love. It’s something I'm still working through- being open.
Michael, tell me about the time you stepped into your queer identity?
Michael — When I was 18, I moved to Florence, Italy to study abroad. After arriving at my residence, I was introduced to my roommate Mars, who was the first non-binary person I met. Although this was new to me, I recognized how important it was to them that we respect their pronouns.
Sharing space with Mars allowed me to step into my queerness. We would discuss gender all the time [and] share makeup and nail polish- forms of expression I didn’t allow myself to experience when I lived in the states. Back home, I was lucky enough to have the support of my family, but I saw this as an opportunity to experiment with my look and get in touch with my femininity.
How did you get into the Ballroom world?
M — I was introduced to Ballroom By Jason Rodriguez, who plays Lamar on the FX series Pose. Jason invited me to my first ever ball, OTA weekly, produced By Leggoh JoVera at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn, New York. Jason ended up missing the ball due to work, but I was already there and I thought I might as well have a ki'. But luckily I was there with my friends and the next category was face. I was like, ‘I should walk,’ and my friends were really supportive. So I ended up stepping into the light, walking the category, and getting 10s by some of the panel, but also getting chopped by some of them because I wasn’t smiling. They ended up cutting the music and saying, ‘If you did not do your research coming to the ball, make sure you do your research before you come to the ball.’ They were telling me to smile and that was the reason why I didn’t get my 10s. Luckily they let me walk again. I had my second chance and I ended up getting Grand Prize that night. After that night, I was just like, ‘I have to be back.’ Then I went back every single Monday.
Tell me about some of the members of the Collective
M— Last June of 2020, when the Angelito Collective came into conception, we were introduced to Alfonso Estrada. At the time, they were organizing their first-ever birthday fundraiser to support the community in Corona, Queens during the pandemic. Alfonso helped Demi and I curate our first, digital fundraiser in support of La Red Comuntaria Trans in the Red Light District of Colombia.
D— With this fundraiser, we were able to raise 17,000 dollars that provided on-the-ground resources as well as supported costs towards housing for trans women.
M — Sinn had painted my face a couple of times before she officially joined our team. We knew Sinn’s innovative makeup style would be perfect in the development of the ‘Toxic’ characters, a short film we shot in the fall of 2020, inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller. After her exceptional work on set, and her commitment to help us create space for members in the community, we knew we needed a star like her in our team.
M— Cheyenne and I go way back- we met in high school. Early on in our relationship, we enjoyed imagining all that our lives could be and how excited we were to attain those things for ourselves and others. One of the things we dreamt about was making a short film. Her background in screenwriting and her excitement to direct made her the perfect fit to help us bring ‘Toxic’ to fruition.
D— When we finalized the script for ‘Toxic’ we were in search of a videographer that could execute our vision. By the divine synchronicity of the universe, we were guided to have Jordan Shelwood, who shot and edited ‘Toxic.’ Jordan’s interpretation of our story was perfectly translated to telling the story of a black trans woman struggling to navigate the social barriers and challenges of a heteronormative world.
Any future projects from the Angelito Collective?
D— During the pandemic, I was able to do my 200hrs Yoga Teachers certification and this journey has inspired me to set renewed intentions for how I can create spaces of healing in the community. As I return to New York this Pride weekend, I will be leading the Angelito Collective’s first Heal In community yoga class.
M— As for creative projects, the Angelito Collective is working on a fashion film campaign with an NYC Femme footwear brand. We are also in the process of planning our first in-person community gathering and other mutual aid programming. This year we are also being highlighted in the We The Collective documentary, centered on NYC’s nightlife economy and the black and brown LGBTQIA+.
