Dennis Richmond Jr., right with Fatha Freddie
By Dennis Richmond, Jr.
The opening of Legendary Looks: The Art of Effects Design in House Ballroom lit up the ArtsWestchester Gallery this June with bold fashion, rich history, and undeniable energy. Running through July 20, the exhibition spotlights the artistry of the LGBTQ+ House Ballroom community through garments, sketches, flyers, and immersive media.
Curated by ballroom trailblazers Twiggy Pucci Garçon, Jonovia Chase Lanvin, and Michael Roberson Maison-Margiela, the showcase honors the creativity and cultural legacy of ballroom effects design.
A standout of the evening was Fatha Freddie Elixir, whose 2024 tribute to fashion icon Pepper LaBeija turned heads and captured hearts. “This moment isn’t just mine—it belongs to ballroom,” Freddie said during an exclusive interview. Radiating style with an all-black TELFAR bag in hand, Freddie was both gracious and grounded. “I look up to the scene that shaped me. It’s surreal to see how far it’s come.”
Attendees included Yonkers native Michael Stephens, Isaiah Latimer of Far Rockaway, and the incomparable Leiomy Maldonado, who greeted fans before entering the packed gallery.
More than sixteen visionary looks from names like DeeDee Lanvin, Miss Shalae Basquiat, Giovanni 007, and Cameo Cameo filled the space with color, texture, and narrative. Even Afrofutur1st Garçon stopped by, sharing moments from the show on social media.
Freddie’s presence in the exhibit wasn’t just personal—it was historic. “Pepper LaBeija inspired everything I do,” he said. In honoring the past and electrifying the present, Freddie proves that ballroom remains a force—vibrant, powerful, and proudly visible.
Legendary Looks is more than a gallery show—it’s a love letter to Black and Brown LGBTQ+ brilliance, and Fatha Freddie is helping write the next chapter.
Dennis Richmond, Jr. (@NewYorkStakz) is a journalist, historian, and educator from Yonkers, NY. He writes to uplift unheard voices, honor history, and inspire change.
