What We Saw At The Crystal Ball 3.0
Camp costumes, wild stage antics, and unbridled pride overflowed at the recent ball by collective Vogue In Progress
The background: The third iteration of The Crystal Ball, Singapore's most prominent ballroom event, took place recently. Started by the Vogue In Progress collective in 2018, it debuted what is considered the first vogue ball here. Ballroom culture, rooted in fashion, art, dance, runway walks, and nightlife, primarily serves as a supportive space for marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ communities to find acceptance beyond rigid gender constructs and social conventions.
Judges for The Crystal Ball 3.0 were familiar names in the ballroom scene in Asia. They were (standing from left) Aurora Labeija, Koppi Mizrahi and Vanda Miss Joaquim.
What went down: Thirteen diverse categories, showcasing the event's growing reach, drew participants not only from Singapore but also from across the region. True to the local spirit of The Crystal Ball, a strong Singaporean narrative permeated the experience, exemplified by runway categories like Sang Nila Utama Reimagined and Singapore Girl, both offering reimagined takes on iconic local references. The event also transcended the catwalk. Performance categories like Marina Slay Hands demanded displays of dexterity and illusion, inspired by the dazzling light show at Marina Bay Sands, challenging participants to vogue with just their hands.
Two participants in the Sang Nila Utama Reimagined runway category facing off.
When it happened: February 3, 2024
Where it took place: The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, located at the home base of a homegrown theatre group Wild Rice in Funan
Up next, photos showcasing both the action on stage and the energy of the audience.