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The house has made history as the first launched with the express blessing of the high-fashion label it was named for.
Since at least the 1980s, houses within the ballroom scene have named themselves after brands. But this week, the new House of Marc Jacobs makes history as the first to launch with the express blessing of the high-fashion designer it was named for.
"It's no longer just a brand it's a house," Jamari Amour, founder of ballroom's House of Marc Jacobs wrote to Instagram Friday. "Welcome to the Irresistible House of Marc Jacobs."
According to Amour, the house has the blessing of Jacobs himself. Jacobs also has commented on each post about the house's launch, writing on one post "I am honored." He also posted the announcement of the house's start onto Instagram Stories.
Amour is known to viewers of Legendary as the father of the House of Balmain, which won the show's first season. Having started voguing in 2008, the performer has played a significant role in the L.A. ballroom scene. He helped to launch the West Coast chapter of the House of Balmain, and presided over it as West Coast father, until recently breaking off to form the House of Marc Jacobs. In addition, he's performed as a professional dancer for a variety of high-profile gigs including dancing on Lip Sync Battle, appearing in Sam Smith's "Promises" video, and even dancing for the likes of Christina Aguilera and more.
The new house has launched with other former members of the house of Balmain including Gravity, who appeared on Legendary.
The house's launch comes as a new generation of houses is emerging within ballroom. Over the past few years other houses like the House of West, Gorgeous House of Gucci, House of O'Ricci, House of Alpha Omega, and the House of Moncler have all debuted. Earlier this year, Legendary host Dashaun Wesley debuted the House of Basquiat on the show's finale and has been debuting house members as the months go by. They have included Legendary cast members like Carlos formerly of the House of Lanvin, as well as Pretty, who was a part of the House of Saint Laurent on the series.
In addition, it comes as ballroom is in the forefront now, more than ever. In 2020, ballroom's Xclusive House of Lanvin teamed up with the namesake fashion brand for a first-ever collaboration. Members of the community have also appeared in ads for fashion brands like Coach as well as Dolce & Gabbana.
Jacobs, himself, isn't new to the scene. According to a post on Instagram from April, in September 1988, he walked a House of Field ball alongside stylist Elizabeth Saltzman.
"One of the most liberating and exhilarating experiences of my life," he wrote. According to him, Angie Xtravaganza, then-mother of the House of Xtravaganza, named him an honorary member as a result.
That ball is depicted in the documentary Love Is In the Legend which has its world premiere Sunday in New York City.
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Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
