100 Most Stylish dapperQs 2021

In July 2013, dapperQ published our first ever list of 100 Most Stylish dapperQs. This was by far one of our most popular posts, but was by no means exhaustive. Since the original post was not comprehensive enough to capture all of the amazing dapper style that exists in our communities, our team decided to compile an annual list of 100 most stylish dapperQs. This year is our NINTH anniversary of this piece! That means 900 images of queer style in the dapperQ digital archives.

Important things to know about this list (notes from our Editor In Chief, Anita Dolce Vita)…

You may have noticed that dapperQ paused on publishing since January 2021. Our website team is primarily volunteer and it has been a mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally difficult time for many of us during the pandemic. Speaking for myself, I am an essential worker (researcher) who was tasked with going into a hospital every single day in NYC throughout the pandemic. My job: research the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. During this time, I worked long hours, feared for my health and life, witnessed friends and families lose their jobs and lives to COVID, and mourned illness and loss in my family that was not related to COVID,  all while attempting to create my own space for healing after witnessing continued violence against Black bodies. My team and I just had to take some time to self-care.

The pandemic impacted LGBTQ+ communities in many ways, including how we express ourselves through fashion and beauty. The inability to leverage fashion as a means of self-affirmation for our communities was explored in a USA Today article titled “Many are more comfortable in their bodies during the pandemic. For some LGBTQ people, it’s the opposite“:

For most people, beauty and grooming regimens have changed drastically during the pandemic, but for some members of the LGBTQ community – and particularly transgender people – makeup-free and natural hair trends have, at times, felt less freeing and more restrictive.

“I hadn’t even realized how important it was to me that my hair looked a certain way, until I couldn’t go to get it cut for a really long time,” Evan Greer, who is transgender and non-binary, says.

Kate Mason, an assistant professor of sociology and women and gender studies at Wheaton College, adds: “I know for a lot of people who are masculine-presenting lesbians or people who are non-binary or trans-masculine, early on in the pandemic, a lot of people were really panicked about their inability to get a haircut.”

Some members of the LGBTQ community already grapple with gender dysphoria – psychological distress between someone’s birth sex and gender identity – and appearances can make a difference.

“(In the queer community) gender presentation is a little bit different, which is to say it’s driven less by dominant social norms for femininity and more by, ‘How can I present myself in a way that telegraphs my gender identity or sexual orientation or both?'” Mason says.

For organizational consultant Van Bailey, his inability to express his gender has been jarring. He is trans-masculine and queer.

“Part of my ways to combat dysphoria is the ability to have control of my body,” Bailey, 37, says. “What that means for me is the ability to go out in the world and dress how I want to dress or, even in a sense, create space for myself.”

That is why it was so important for us to continue the tradition of making space for and celebrating queer style by publishing a 2021 “Most Stylish 100.” This year, we are expanding the style we feature to range from feminine to masculine and everything in between and outside of. Those on the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 20182019, and 2020 lists are not, for the most part, eligible for the 2021 list. This helps us ensure that we can feature as many members of the dapperQ community as possible. Our goal is to continue this tradition for many more years, so if you do not see someone on the previous lists or the 2021 list that you believe has amazing style, please recommend them in the comments section for future consideration.

We understand that having the access and safety to photograph and publish one’s most authentic personal style has always been a privilege, and has only become more of a privilege during the pandemic. As such, this list is not meant to serve as a standard of queer style, but rather an archive of queer fashion and beauty during this difficult time, and a Pride resource for those who want and need to see themselves represented in the pages of print and digital fashion and beauty magazines.

More notes from the team:

This is NOT A RANKED LIST!!

This list is not based on sexual orientation, but rather style and expression.

 

1. Fran Lebowitz
Author, Speaker, NYC Icon, Aggravated
[Netflix Special]

Photo: Catherine Servel

2. Omar Ahmed
Content Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

3. Amanda Grace Jenkins
Actor
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

4. Ashley & Chinaza
Organizer, Activist (Ashley) Engineer (Chinaza)
[Website]

Photo by @iso_vphotography

5. Alok
Author, Performer, Speaker, Fashionist@
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

6. Laverne Cox
Actor
[Instagram]

Photo by Sequoia Emmanuelle

7. Jacob Tobia
Author, Speaker
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

8. Ylenia Riniti
Traveler/Public Figure
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

9. Kim & Ajay (Stylish Wives)
Navy Vet/Teacher (Ajay); City Planner/Creative (Kim)
[Instagram]

Photo by @the96twinz

10. Lavon Caeli
Digital Creator/Style Influencer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

11. Karen Roberts
HauteButch Founder & Designer
[Instagram]

Photo via Pgh Lesbian

12. Alithea Castillo
Social Strategist
[Instagram]

Photo by @thestreetsensei

13. Lil Nas X
Musician
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

14. Denise D. Hernandez
Attorney
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

15. Gabby Horner
Founder of The Butch Boudoir Project
[Instagram]

Photo by Graciela Valdes

16. Nik Harris
Attorney
[Instagram]

Photo via @amaniphotos_

17. Karen Prescod
Clothing Brand
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

18. Beau
Academic
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

19. Slay
Artist
[Instagram]

Photo via @jpeg.zen

20. Melanie
Style Influencer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

21. Yasmin
Fashion Influencer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

22. Debbiejean Lemonte
Photographer
[Instagram]

Photo by @melanieriveraphotography

23. Laura Du Vè
Photographer, Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

24. Angelica
Mental/Sexual Health, & Inclusivity Advocate
[Instagram]

Photo by @molliepie

25. George M Johnson
Award Winning Author
[Instagram]

Photo by @seanhowardphoto

26. Lisa and Bianca
Digital Creators
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

27. Nathaniel
Community Builder, Identity Artist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

28. B. Glover and Adrienne Michelle
Entrepreneur (B.) & Licensed Therapist (Adrienne)
[Instagram]

Photo by @theslimcreative

29. Alba Paul Ferrer
Actor
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

30. Jannah Handy & Kiyanna Stewart
Co-Founders of BLK MKT Vintage
[Instagram]

Photo by @hideexdee

31. Kye
Dancer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

32. Hayden Tricker
Reiki Energy Practitioner
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

33. Jari Jones
Model, Public Figure
[Instagram]

Photo by @nelsonncastillo

34. Kristen Kish
Celebrity & Professional Chef
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

35. Nat
Digital Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

36. Gabrielle Korn & Wallace May
Author (Gabrielle) & Artist (Wallace)
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

37. B. Hawk Snipes
Public Figure, Activist
[Instagram]

Photo by @iamtrevonjames

38. Kai Isaiah Jamal
Poet, Model, Activist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

39. Michele Lundy
Photographer, Public Figure
[Instagram]

Photo by @adventurelustphotography_

40. Julian Gavino
Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

41. Alysse Dalessandro Santiago
Model, Travel Content Creator
[Instagram]

Photo by Preserved Media Haus

42. Billy Porter
Actor, Singer, Writer, Director
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

43. Maya
Model, Activist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

44. Papi Juice Collective
(Oscar Nñ, Mohammed Fayaz, and Adam Rhodes)
Art Collective & Creative Studio
[Instagram]

Photo by @micaiahcarter

45. Alex Berg
On-Air Host & Journalist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

46. Sonia Guiñansaca
Poet & Cultural Strategist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

47. Pansy St. Battie
Model
[Instagram]

Photo by @jaynafoto

48. Yaz
D&I Professional
[Instagram]

Photo by @shotbymae

49. Smart Rule
Legal Practitioner
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

50. Dominique T.A.R Jackson
Model, Actor
[Instagram]

Photo by @marcus.branch

51. Yin
Video Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

52. Tash Marais
Comedian
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

53. Whitney & Megan
Content Creators
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

54. Adrian Matthias Stevens & Sean Snyder
Two-Spirit Artists, Public Figures
[@adstevens & @seanqsnyder]

Photo by @ceylongrey


55. Rox & Maartje
Bloggers
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

56. Lilly Rose
Model, Musician
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

57. Indya Moore
Actor, Model
[Instagram]

Photo credit: Getty Images

58. Cade Russo-Young
[NY Post Feature]

Photo by Zachary Krevitt

59. Elaine McKenzie
Lesbian Event Producer (Former Venue Owner)
[The Sunday Times UK Feature]

Photo via The Sunday Times UK

60. Zully & Olivia
Fairy Plant Mothers @ La Selva De Dos Mujeres
[Instagram]

Photo by Aurelio Cortes

61. Annie Guglia
Professional Skateboarder
[Instagram]

Photo by Kelly Jacobs

62. Amy Stretten
Plus Size Blogger, Consultant, News Producer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

63. Corey Daniella Kempster
Public Figure
[Instagram]

Photo by @joannatotolici

64. Supe
Fashion, Fitness & Travel
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

65. Aaron Rose Phillip
Model, Speaker, Public Figure
[Instagram]

Photo by @davidslijper

66. Alex Koones
Formerly: Founder of Babetown
Currently: F&B Director, Ace Hotel
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

67. Mariam Adams
Financial Advisor
[Instagram; dapperQ Feature]

Photo courtesy Mariam Adams

68. MAC
Actor, Teacher
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

69. Aden
Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

70. MJ Rodriguez
Artist
[Instagram]

Photo by Lili Peper

71. Britt Kusserow
Artist
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

72. Isabella Anastasia
Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

73. Stif
Blogger
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

74. Angelica Love Ross
Actor
[Instagram
]

Photo by @scrilldavis

75. Atlas
Freelance Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

76. Genevieve
dapperQ NYFW Production Assistant
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

77. Brianna Mills
Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

78. Samantha Marie J.
Event Producer & Project Manager
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

79. Angelica Torres
Model, Actress, Activist
[Instagram]

Photo by @devdoee

80. Izzy
Musician, Singer, Artist, Model
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

81. Danni Parr
Digital Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

82. Starley
Artist/Songwriter
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

83. Ivanka Dekoning
Social Media Coach
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

84. Naya’Hri
Healthcare Worker, Music Journalist, Activist
[Instagram]

Photo by @iamcoopernicus_

85. Fatima Khalique
[Instagram]

Photo by @lucid_imagery

86. Natasha Espinoza
Custom Suit Clothier
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

87. Pope
Barber
[Instagram]

Photo by @lkbphotography

88. Avery Cyrus
Digital Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

89. Danielle
Style Consultant
[Instagram]

Photo by @susuvie

90. Raquel Willis
Activist, Writer, Cultural Organizer
[Instagram]

Photo by @kingtexas

91. So Lazo
Illustrator, Tattoo Artist, and Author
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

 

92. Blair Imani
Educator, Historian, Author, Influencer
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

93. Ady Del Valle
Model, Author, Speaker
[Instagram]

Photo via Hollywood Digest

94. Megan Mitchell
Anchor, Reporter
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

95. Dennise Y.
Digital Creator
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

 

96. Janet Mock
Writer, Director, Executive Producer
[Instagram]

Photo credit: Getty Images

97. Alex Stefan
Educator, Advocate
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

98. Lexie Peterss
Creative Director
[Instagram]

Photo via Instagram

99. Feruza
dapperQ NYFW Model
[Instagram]

Photo by @nokatyurnal

100. Katya Moorman
Digital Creator, Publisher of No Kill Magazine
[Instagram]

Photo by Karen L Dunn

More from Anita Dolce Vita

Play Out: Gender-Neutral Underwear

One of the biggest complaints that our readers have is that it...
Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.