AN INTERVIEW WITH
Dee Finn (she/her) in conversation with Haus of Schiaparelli
But we are always inspired firstly and foremost by the rich tradition of ballroom culture which encourages pushing the boundaries of artistry and self-discovery. Much like a majority of queer culture, ballroom influences everything that we do from the categories to the themes. The flamboyant self expression is something we aim to recreate through all our events. The Haus started very small. When throwing out first ball Royalty in 2023, we noticed that there was something missing from queer nightlife in Dublin, it was a bit of a gamble because ballroom isn’t that heard of in Ireland, However, the more we got into it the more fun we started to have and we wanted to keep going. We became passionate about bringing ballroom to Ireland in a way that is enjoyable for our community and we still very much are.
Red Umbrella Eireann. Alongside the balls we’ve also been able to host a few classes and we have definitely noticed an increased interest in ballroom amongst our community. We plan to continue developing with exciting events outside of the balls but also more balls, with newer themes and greater vibes. We have a good team and support system in place. We are constantly developing our skills and hoping to widen our reach across Ireland.
What is the Haus of Schiaparelli? Haus of Schiaparelli, a Kiki House founded on the rich tradition of Ballroom culture and the queer desire to push the boundaries of artistry and self-discovery. We are an organisation dedicated to bringing queer ballroom culture to Ireland. Where did it get its name from? The name itself, Haus of Schiaparelli, came from the legendary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, known for her avant-garde designs and fearless approach to fashion. Voguing is intimately connected to luxury and fashion. Many vogue houses have historically named themselves after iconic fashion designers; we are simply following tradition. What inspired the creation of the Haus and how did it get started? It’s safe to say we take inspiration from a few different places whether speaking to our events or us as a house. We obviously take inspiration from Elsa Schiaperelli, we always draw inspiration from her audacity and flair.
What happens at Haus of Schiaparelli events? What can a new attendee expect?
We always aim to try something new, meaning that no two events will ever be the same! But to give a run down of a “Typical” Haus of Schiaparelli event, We usually start the night with a market, our last three markets have included vendors who donate a portion of their earnings to a charity we support. Then, the MC will introduce themselves and tell the audience to sit down and prepare the first category which typically introduces the house and the judges for the evening.
How has it developed since it started?
We would say we have achieved so much in so little time. As of now, we are going into our third year as a Haus! Since our first ball, we have thrown 2 more, one being a collaboration with
34 34 corkpride.com corkpride.com
#CorkPride2025 #CorkPride2025 35 35
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker