This is your second MET GALA! How does it feel to be here?
Chi— “It’s exciting! I think I might feel more comfortable at this one, as last year I was a little more nervous — almost like a fish out of water. That said, it’s always super exciting to go to fashion’s biggest night.
In terms of young people becoming comfortable in, not only their careers, but also in their own skin, what role do you think fashion can play in this — in terms of gender, race, and political relations?
[Fashion can serve as] one’s physical statement to the world in showing others how they want to be perceived for specific events or just who they are as a person. Fashion is so powerful and fun; it can be boundary breaking and not always in-terms of what’s being worn, but who’s wearing it and what they do.
What do your fashion choices say about your identity?
I think my fashion choices range. I mean, professionally, I do wear a suit and tie and I do enjoy that — I call it ‘Council Member Drag’ [laughs]. RuPaul says we’re all born naked and the rest is drag, and I mean that’s real! Everything we put on is a declaration of who we are and what we do and it’s fun sometimes to dress like a politician, but it’s also fun to be a politician and not dress like one. Fortunately, I have the freedom to dress freely, because I got here through the mandate of the people. It’s natural for me to highlight emerging black designers and to represent my queerness, through accessories.