As we begin a fresh, new year, we look forward to some fabulous collaborations from our favorite queens. One of the most anticipated drag releases of 2014 is THE GORGEOUS PROJECT, a photography book which tells the stories of influential LGBT icons through images and interviews. The project originally stemmed from drag's empowering message as it takes modern culture by storm! A collaboration between Rob Lebow and Masha Kupets, the photographs in this book challenge the audience to question and discuss the definition of beauty, gender, and what mainstream culture thinks of as ‘gorgeous’.
"Initially the GORGEOUS project grew out our fascination with today’s emerging 'drag' culture and its prevailing influence on our society. Turn on your television: RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag U (drag queen “teachers” coaching straight women to regain their power through beauty and performance). Go see live theater: Kinky Boots currently on Broadway, or La Cage aux Follies. Vintage Vogue, glam rock iconography, Diana Vreeland, and Film Noir were also inspirations in our process. GORGEOUS channels these themes and brings you our unique interpretation."
By the end of 2013, THE GORGEOUS PROJECT had collaborated with a number of hugely talented drag artists including RuPaul's Drag Race season 6's Laganja Estranja, season 3's Delta Work, season 1's Tammie Brown, Drag Official Queens of the Week Miss Fame and April Showers, and drag king Landon Cider.
Drag Official had the opportunity to catch up with the creators of the project (Photographer Rob Lebow and Creative Director Masha Kupets) to discuss how drag is influencing THE GORGEOUS PROJECT, and what direction the project is going in for the new year!
By the end of 2013, THE GORGEOUS PROJECT had collaborated with a number of hugely talented drag artists including RuPaul's Drag Race season 6's Laganja Estranja, season 3's Delta Work, season 1's Tammie Brown, Drag Official Queens of the Week Miss Fame and April Showers, and drag king Landon Cider.
Drag Official had the opportunity to catch up with the creators of the project (Photographer Rob Lebow and Creative Director Masha Kupets) to discuss how drag is influencing THE GORGEOUS PROJECT, and what direction the project is going in for the new year!
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Drag Official: As we near the start of the new year, what type of direction is the project taking?
Gorgeous: Our primary objective and direction for January is to continue our campaign for additional funding to help us complete the book and launch the exhibition. Once we reach our funding goal, we will have a solid photo shoot itinerary that includes more shoots in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and possibly Miami. Anyone interested in donating, can do so online or get in touch with us on Facebook, we appreciate your support.
Drag Official: What was it like working with the newest drag queen additions (Delta Work, Tammie Brown, Landon Cider, Miss Fame) during shoots for the Gorgeous project?
Delta Work, Tammie Brown, Landon Cider and Miss Fame are true professionals at the top of their game. It was fantastic to work with them, at our last shoot, we created some beautiful images and had a blast. When we all get together to shoot there is a feeling of a community that comes together to tell a beautiful story that celebrates individuality, inspires and entertains. Our entire cast has graciously donated their time to support our project and we are beyond grateful. We have also received support from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center and we really appreciate the fact that they've expressed their confidence in this project, we'll be donating a percentage of the proceeds from the exhibition to their efforts.
Are there any drag queens that the Gorgeous project is hoping to add to the book in the future?
THE GORGEOUS PROJECT is story of self discovery and empowerment expressed through iconic imagery. We continue to seek out artists and performers that have found success in overcoming their obstacles. That being said, we are actively reaching out to other artists daily that we would love to have join our cast and share their experiences with us. We would love to have artists like Carmen Carrera, Chaz Bono, RuPaul, Raja and others in the final cut, but who knows what will happen. We're constantly looking for GORGEOUS faces with inspiring stories -- so anyone interested in participating should send us a message on our Facebook page.
Below are some of the beautiful portraits that GORGEOUS has produced so far, including some behind the scenes shots at the photo shoots:
Gorgeous: Our primary objective and direction for January is to continue our campaign for additional funding to help us complete the book and launch the exhibition. Once we reach our funding goal, we will have a solid photo shoot itinerary that includes more shoots in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and possibly Miami. Anyone interested in donating, can do so online or get in touch with us on Facebook, we appreciate your support.
Drag Official: What was it like working with the newest drag queen additions (Delta Work, Tammie Brown, Landon Cider, Miss Fame) during shoots for the Gorgeous project?
Delta Work, Tammie Brown, Landon Cider and Miss Fame are true professionals at the top of their game. It was fantastic to work with them, at our last shoot, we created some beautiful images and had a blast. When we all get together to shoot there is a feeling of a community that comes together to tell a beautiful story that celebrates individuality, inspires and entertains. Our entire cast has graciously donated their time to support our project and we are beyond grateful. We have also received support from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center and we really appreciate the fact that they've expressed their confidence in this project, we'll be donating a percentage of the proceeds from the exhibition to their efforts.
Are there any drag queens that the Gorgeous project is hoping to add to the book in the future?
THE GORGEOUS PROJECT is story of self discovery and empowerment expressed through iconic imagery. We continue to seek out artists and performers that have found success in overcoming their obstacles. That being said, we are actively reaching out to other artists daily that we would love to have join our cast and share their experiences with us. We would love to have artists like Carmen Carrera, Chaz Bono, RuPaul, Raja and others in the final cut, but who knows what will happen. We're constantly looking for GORGEOUS faces with inspiring stories -- so anyone interested in participating should send us a message on our Facebook page.
Below are some of the beautiful portraits that GORGEOUS has produced so far, including some behind the scenes shots at the photo shoots:
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Make sure to check out THE GORGEOUS PROJECT’s donation page and Facebook to help bring this amazing project to life..
Stay Gorgeous in 2014!
Stay Gorgeous in 2014!
