Introducing PANSEy: MHN’s Latest Fashion Column
The name of our up-and-coming fashion feature was pulled from the pansy flower. The term “pansy” was also historically used to label men as overly feminine, extravagant and generally too comfortable expressing themselves outside the social norm. In time, the term has brought representation and liberation. In time, many have chosen to reclaim the term as a form of representation and liberation: a form of resistance against society and those who marginalized them for their queerness. Although the term “pansy” derives from the queer experience under Western patriarchy, our column does not exclusively present queer fashion or culture. Instead, it celebrates fashion on and beyond Mount Holyoke College’s campus and comments on pieces and events that, just like the pansy flower, are vivid, vibrant and unforgettable.
Photos courtesy of Lex Canon ‘26 and Graves-Young ‘26.
By Seray Ajei ’27 & Ahmaya Graves-Young ’26
Fashion Columnists
This first edition of Pansy spotlights Drag Ball 2024, FAMILIA’s annual event meant to uplift the Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color community. It is important to note that this event was created to serve the QTBIPOC community, and how one navigates its categories and space should be done with care, especially if one does not identify as QTBIPOC. This year's theme pays homage to the ballroom dance scene, a staple of queer culture that originated in Harlem. Three “Houses” will compete against one another to achieve a ‘clean sweep,’ or try to get ‘10s across the board.’
A note from the writers: While the images from the student photoshoot below aim to embody the spirit of the Houses, Pansy urges you to remember that they are merely a result of the directors’, photographers’ and models’ creative interpretations of the categories. Familia, Mount Holyoke College’s QTBIPOC organization, has posted on its Instagram page about what each House aims to represent. You can find these posts @mhcfamilia.
Dwollhouse
“Dwollhouse” was created to pay tribute to the Black trans femmes that created Ballroom culture. Without Ballroom icons such as Crystal LaBeija, we would not have the foundation of the Ballroom scene we celebrate today. This is why it was important to FAMILIA to start Drag Ball with a House that connects to the roots of the Mothers who paved the way for the QTBIPOC community as a whole!
This category is about confidence and embracing your features to command the crowd! Although being a dwoll is rooted in femininity and softness, this category is accessible to all; it is what you choose to make it. If you want your 10s across the board,” then don’t come to play; come to serve.
Wondering what ways you can make the Dwollhouse your own? Here are some takes from some of our models below! Dwollhouse is not monolithic, so embrace yourself and dare to be the best dwoll in the room. Click here to look this House’s official Pinterest board.
House of Reign
“House of Reign” was created by its House Mother, Campbell Waters ’25. It is the category of coquette and royalty, and is meant to have a fun, over-exaggerated twist. House of Reign encaptures any drama you might picture when you hear the phrase “let them eat cake,” so do not take this category lightly. It is absolutely about the face and the accessories.
How can you elevate your look and become the diamond of the season? Take a look at some of our models and see if they inspire any ideas that will be the icing on top of the cake for your look. Click here to look this House’s official Pinterest board.
Editor’s Note: according to EBONY “House” is a term rooted in the queer ballroom dancing culture. It refers to an intentional community of queer people, often Black, Indigenous, or otherwise persons of color. A “mother” in this context is one who mentors and cares for the members of her “House.”
Funkadelic Mothership
The name “Funkadelic Mothership” encompasses this House perfectly. This category is about being fun, funky and outlandish. It encourages its members to be anything but ordinary. In fact, the further out of this world they dress, the better.
It’s no coincidence that the members of this House affectionately abbreviate it as “Funk.” Many of Funk’s characteristic elements — like its colorful makeup and grunge outfit pieces — draw inspiration from underground punk-rock bands of the ‘60s. Artists include Sun Ra and primarily the Parliament/Funkadelic (or P-Funk) collective founded by George Clinton. This collective of rotating performers has been releasing music for over 59 years.
Over this time, they have revolutionized the music industry with their eclectic approach to costume, performance and sound, all of which feed into Funkadelic Mothership’s Afrofuturistic elements. In 1997, Prince inducted them into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for their influence.
Like the many icons who inspire it, this House urges all who would like to participate in it to alienate themselves from the social conventions that restrain them. According to one post on FAMILIA’s Instagram page, the goal is to “connect with your inner extraterrestrial.” Members of this House won’t hesitate to show up dressed like the world revolves around them. In this category, it does. So brace yourself for when the Mothership descends on the stage. Click here to look at this House’s official Pinterest page.
Editor’s note: Ahmaya Graves-Young ’26 is a member of FAMILIAs Executive Board.