Black, queer & creative
➔ An introduction
Lisbon's creative scene owes much of its vibrancy and innovation to the contributions of queer pioneers and forerunners in the city's entertainment and creative industry. From fashion, music, and art to other cultural domains, Lisbon is home to a plethora of tastemakers who are setting the pace for this scene. Alero Helena, Head of Arts & Culture at London's GUAP Magazine, recently met with some of these trendsetters at Factory Lisbon, where they offered a genuine insight into what the creative scene in Lisbon currently has to offer.
Among the collective of creative polymaths was Raquel Borges, a multi-talented fashion designer, makeup artist, model, and content creator, who recently launched her latest bespoke denim collection under her brand, Mystirgo. Beyond her explorative upcycled pieces, Raquel joyfully shared with the group how Lisbon's creative scene is expanding with the help of black culture and people.
Also present was Jesualdo Lopes, the founder of The Black The Berry (TBTB), a cultural curator, model, and filmmaker, who encapsulates a fun, creative, and spontaneous spirit. Jesu is well-known in Lisbon for his curation of community-soothing parties and is now expanding beyond the borders of Portugal.
The creative scene is very white. It lacks diversity, and many people that should be given credit and the spotlight aren’t given that attention. The scene takes a lot of inspiration and copies what black creatives are doing. We are not valued for our work. And while all that is happening, they are appropriating what black people and black queers are doing. They then disguise this appropriating as a “cultural celebration” while not crediting the real creatives.
The Princess of Lisbon herself from the Kiki House of Bodega, Lola Maria, a transgender model and drag queen, shone as a pillar of light for transgender women and LGBTQIA+ people in and outside Portugal. Meanwhile, Mario Quimua, a creative performer, and dancer, known for his vibrant voguing from the Kiki House of Bodega, shared his detailed insight into Lisbon's creative scene.
Herlander, the music producer, and performer, emanated warmth and peace as he spoke about his experience with TBTB and his current creative projects in the works. Artist Liana Bernado confirmed that Lisbon's creative scene isn't just expanding but also moving more underground, focusing on curating the works of friends and the creative community.
Last but not least was Cyber Tokio, the fun, fashionable, and chaotic fashion designer, and stylist, who turned heads with their style at every party. Like everyone else in the collective, Cyber is a creative polymath with several projects and passions in their pursuit.
It is truly heartening to see the global appreciation of the local queer creative community, particularly in light of our efforts to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for their activities. Our venue has been privileged to host a diverse range of events, from fashion film screenings to album launches, and we were deeply honored to serve as the backdrop for GUAP Magazine's interview sessions.
