“Opulence”- Dustin Thierry’s Photo Series of Europe’s Ballroom Scene.

KIARA SCARLETT BANKS MOTHER OF THE KIKI HOUSE OF MERMAIDS. MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF BALENCIAGA.

In 2013, after establishing himself as a prominent nightclub photographer in Rotterdam, Dustin Thierry met Amber Vineyard- the mother of House of Vineyard. She was in the midst of organising her first ballroom event, and the two decided to collaborate on a project that would capture and document the ballroom scene. The result? An ongoing photo series called Opulence.

RITCHY PRINCESS OF THE HOUSE OF LADURéE AT THE 'ON THE COVER OF VOGUE' BALL UNDER DIRECTION BY ZUEIRA MIZRAHI. BERLIN 2018

FETSAYY 007 AT THE 'WE ARE THE FUTURE AND THE FUTURE IS FLUID' BALL ORGANISED BY LEGENDARY MARINA 007 AND MOTHER AMBER VINEYARD. AMSTERDAM. 2018

For Thierry, the opportunity came at the right time: he was working the grief of losing his brother to suicide as a result of struggling with his sexuality. “As a visual artist I work very intuitively, and after my brother's suicide I felt the need to use my platform to promote real change. I wanted to create a project that would address issues of representation, exoticism, toxic masculinity, the importance of safe spaces and family structures,” said Thierry in an interview with i-D. “Opulence is at the intersection of documentary and fashion photography, but it's also about enforcing structural change in the art world by creating community and paving the way for others to enter.”

WOLKOFF AND WICKID FROM THE HOUSE OF GARçON WITH THE GRAND PRIZE FOR TAG TEAM ALL AMERICAN RUNWAY AT THE UNITED STATES OF AFRICA BALL PT.III

Dustin Thierry - Opulence will be showing at The Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven until 4 April 2021. According to the museum, “ His photographs are not the only subject of Thierry's keen eye: the artist will also challenge the museum on issues of diversity and representation. A number of prints will be enhanced with a special ink that is only visible under UV light. With this gesture, Thierry makes reference to discrimination and marginalisation, and his mission to “make visible that which is invisible, and to give a voice to that which is often muted”.

All images by Dustin Thierry.