General
voguing
What does voguing mean?
Voguing is a highly stylised dance born in the Harlem ball scene of the 1970s–80s, created by Black and Latino LGBTQ+ performers. It steals from high-fashion poses, runway angles and even ancient Egyptian art, then snaps them into rigid lines, dramatic arm and hand movements, and floor work. Named after Vogue magazine — you're literally throwing the poses from the pages. Madonna borrowed it; the ballroom built it.
"She started voguing the second the beat dropped and cleared the floor with one dip."
Origin
Harlem ball culture, 1970s–80s. Named after Vogue magazine, whose model poses the dance imitates. Predates Madonna's 1990 hit by years.
Frequently asked questions
What does voguing mean?
It's the Harlem ballroom dance built on sharp poses, model-like lines, and dramatic hand work.
Where does voguing come from?
It originated in the Harlem ballroom scene, with its poses inspired by fashion-model poses like those in Vogue magazine.
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