"WE ARE BEAUTIFUL"

This spring we teamed up with Dr. Martens to create a unique project.

Sandra Hilaerts

The second of four to be introduced.

ballroom name: SUZUME 007
category: Old Way
pronouns: she/her

THE BALLROOM SCENE ORIGINATED IN THE 1960's AND GREW TO PROMINENCE IN THE BLACK AND LATINX LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITIES IN HARLEM, NYC.

A short performance interview, 2/5 in a series of a video and photo project called “WE ARE BEAUTIFUL”⁠

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Celebrating communities and their strength. Honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. ⁠

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This performance interview has been realized
in collaboration with
@drmartensofficial and ⁠@monar_antwerp
with special thanks to ⁠@lynnandries
produced and directed by ⁠@indiraoskanova
camera ⁠ @ceuppensbrecht
photographed by ⁠@volt._photography
styled by @larsmathijs
MUAH @stev.hairandmakeup
and assisted by the lovely @jvnxce and @evelien_vde.⁠
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#drmartens #monarantwerp
#belgianballroomscene
#voguing #lgbtqia+

"Old Way liberated me from constructions I thought I had to follow in society as a woman."

ABOUT SUZUME 007

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

A: I'm Sandra, in ballroom I'm known as Suzume 007. My pronouns are she/her and I'm a dancer, performing artist for a living. I am part of the Belgian/Dutch ballroom scene and my main category is Old Way performance.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE BALLROOM?

A: For me, ballroom is a space to celebrate the full potential of people. To celebrate and create visibility for the ones considered a minority in society based on their gender identity, skin color and sexuality. It's a place where people can be who they really want to be and develop their authentic selves. We amplify these values in the community and let society know we are here and that we don't need to hide ourselves from the world.

Q: HOW DID OLD WAY INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE?

A: When I got into ballroom I first started doing Vogue Fem, because I'm a woman. And because I'm a woman I needed to be more feminine. That's what society was telling me, although I always knew I never desired to express myself that way all the time. Later on I decided to do Old Way performance which liberated me from constructions I thought I had to follow in society. I learned I can be any type of woman and femininity doesn't per se define me as one. Old Way is the authentic performance style in voguing. It has a more classic approach, which is based on precision, style and grace. It is more contained in movement than Vogue Fem and people might say it has a more "masculine" vibe to it, but that also depends on how you perform it. That specific style came more natural to me and I deeply fell in love with it. I made it my own by exploring what being a woman means to me in my performance without being pressured into being feminine.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MISSION IN BALLROOM? ARE THERE GOALS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

A: I try to provide a safe space for people to discover their beautiful selves and introduce them to different ways to do that. I mainly teach Old Way but I also offer an introduction to other categories in ballroom. I love to see people flourish, bloom and really become themselves by being able to express themselves in a performing style or other category in ballroom. My mission is to create a loving, safe space for those who need it. I'm very grateful to be a part of this beautiful community that takes a stand in raising awareness about important values as a human being and uses performance art as a form of activism to amplify these values.

The Ballroom Bible: (some) terms explained

Category: Categories are created based on various themes, skills, and techniques. Some are open to all performers to compete in, depending on the type of ball.

Old Way: Old way is the first style of vogue. Originally called “presentation,” old way emphasizes creating straight lines and angles.

The Ball: An event where competitors face off against their rival houses for money and glory.

House: An organization within the ballroom community that serves as a system of support, provides resources, and enters and throws balls. A traditional house is headed by a mother and father of the house.