“Ballroom runs on its own clock. Like ‘Fiji Time’ or ‘Fem Queen Time’, it’s about two or three time zones behind, and as a result, balls almost never run to schedule. West Ball III is no exception. All the action is happening backstage. Houses have flown in from across the country and the Tasman Sea to snatch trophies and thousands of dollars in prize money. Meanjin’s House Of Alexander are sweetness personified in powder pink. The OG house of Ballroom Australia, Slé, are sleek and sexy in Matrix-inspired looks of black leather and Bantu knots. Between air kisses and screams of delight at seeing our Kiwi sisters again, everyone is furiously steaming, moisturising and beauty blending their way towards Grand Prize glory. West Ball is the brainchild of House of Silky Father Xander ‘Xaddy’ Khoury and rapper extraordinaire Jamaica Moana 007—who wore nude ensembles made custom by Naarm designer Wackie Ju. Mother Bhenji Ra of The House of Slé introduced Ballroom culture to Australia in Western Sydney—but Vogue traces its origins to New York as far back as the 1960s. The pioneering black and Latinx trans women of Harlem created Ballroom out of survival and necessity—building community for those who need it most.” @api.vwr takes us to Sydney’s West Ball III, with photos by @rocketweijers and fashion by @miguelurbinatan. See it all on Coolpretty.cool