Image via Ella Emhoff’s Instagram
Hello fashion clowns!
Welcome back to The Deviant Dispatch. It’s Mo, your guide to the underground world of Brooklyn and beyond. On Wednesday I write about events for free. On Friday I gossip for you, my paying subscribers. Thanks bbs! Don’t feel shy about forwarding this email or posting it on the socials to give me a boost.
Ella Emhoff, our fave Vice President’s stepdaughter, is now a signed model with IMG. This is the big bougie model firm, and thus a big deal.
“It’s not really about shape, size or gender any more,” said Ivan Bart, the president of IMG Models, as he signs a thin cisgender white woman to his agency.
Emhoff herself is aware of how bizarre this is, telling The New York Times “I was pretty surprised when everything with IMG was happening because when I was younger, I never saw that as being part of my timeline.”
This paragraph from the same profile is particularly telling
“As someone who, like a lot of young girls out there, had self-confidence issues, it is intimidating and scary to go into this world that is hyper-focused on you and the body,” she said. What changed her mind was seeing the diversity of models working today and the opportunity to be “part of that change,” as an artist with a creative passion beyond simply being a mannequin — as well as “really weird tattoos and kind of a funky haircut.”
Semi-funky haircut / stick-and-poke tattoo acceptance is not the change the fashion industry needs, but work that angle sis!
What this whole scenario really shows is
1) how being a model is now about being a “brand ambassador” AKA influencer. It’s not about taking killer photos or strutting a catwalk. (Kendall Jenner proved this already.)
2) how the white artsy Bushwick style that Emhoff rocks can’t be described as meaningfully “alternative” when it’s being sold by the fashion establishment.
3) how mainstream culture industries are falling over themselves to ingratiate themselves with our new political leaders.
I like Ella Emhoff. As a former-resident of Bushwick with green hair, I have a soft spot for her aesthetic. I think it’s nice to see someone “cool” be associated with the White House and DC for a change. I love the idea of her subtly mocking homophobic politicians. But this signing with IMG shows how quickly the industry opts for shallow representations of diversity. This veil of diversity is being used to frame casting another thin white woman as change. Meaningful change would be racial and size inclusivity and a more sustainable / eco-friendly business model. All this shows is how far being a political insider will get you in creative fields.
Alaska Thunderfuck has announced a new installment of her competition Drag Queen Of The Year Pageant Competition Award Content Competition. Alaska told the lamestream media (Entertainment Weekly) why she’s bringing the pageant back:
“The world as we know it came to a halt shortly after the time we announced the 2020 pageant, and we had to postpone it indefinitely. But luckily, thanks to Sessions Live, we now have the perfect streaming platform to put on a digital version of the pageant."
Yay! The cast looks fucking sick: BK’s own Chiquitita, LA’s Tito Soto, Chicago’s Tenderoni are among the 8 performers competing for some flowers and a $10,000 check. It’s going to be March 7th, and you can head here for all the details.
Until next time,
XOXO
Mo
That’s it for this dispatch. If you liked it please consider hitting the heart button on this post or forwarding this email to a pal! If you’re the pal please subscribe. I write twice a week: once about upcoming worthy events (for free subscribers) and once about underground news and gossip (for paying members). You can send me tips about either by emailing thedeviantdispatch@gmail.com . If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, independent music/art/film/fashion, Charli XCX, and rebellion, you need to read The Deviant Dispatch.