Fashionable expression has long been a staple in the Black American community. More than just clothing, the importance of dress in this community stems from a history of restriction – restriction of education, self-expression, cultural ties, and humanity itself. Camp, as defined by Susan Sontag (1964), is exactly the opposite of restriction. It is dually utilized by those who want to be seen and to subvert the typical standards of beauty, taste, dress, and value.
Through the research of textual secondary resources and cultural studies (from songs to essays to music videos), I aimed to dispel the myth that camp is only embraced by white, high-fashion society. In this project, I utilize strategic multimedia to support various “Op-Eds”, drawing inspiration from cultural artifacts such as Vibe! And WordUp magazines. Collaged “street” images contextualize the era, showing how subjects are not only creators and innovators of dress, but also reflections of how sociocultural (and political) pitfalls manifest creatively within marginalized communities.
