Cameron Pinto

The Frill of It All

“The Frill of it All” is an auto-ethnographic collection of editorials that offer a window into my personal experiences as a brown queer man growing up in western society. Through extensive research of a slew of queer theories and the combination of introspective exercises I have compiled a series of editorials all produced and creatively directed by myself, that each tackle complex themes of how the western gaze affects or influences the experiences of south asian diasporic queers. I also used this opportunity to investigate how technology and social media have been used as an avenue for queers to create their own fantasy in order to achieve their individual resilience. It was by this process that I came to the realization that life is what you make of it, and anything truly is possible if you push your own limits and harness the audacity to do so. I would like to send out a huge thank you to my professor Mic Carter,I could not have accomplished a project of this size and scope without their undying support and mentorship.

Tom of Finland Inspired Photoshoot starring myself, Exposing the erasure of BIPOC individuals from the struggle of the HIV/AIDs pandemic.

Depicted here is the Divine feminine, queering South Asian beauty standards by exaggerating them on a male form

Inspired by Sodom and Gomorrah, I question if and why the Catholic Church deserves the respect it has failed to give BIPOC/marginalized communities.

Using fashion as an act of Rebellious self-presentation. I employ "emo" aesthetics to showcase the mask of armour queers create in order ensure survival and resilience

Introducing my Drag Character "Vicious", the personification of the complex themes discussed in this project

Bringing to life the entanglement of all-consuming technology that queers find themselves in as they strive to create their own queer fantasy in a digital world.

Closing Statement

The past four years have been challenging to say the least. I have changed so much, and grown even more, not only as a designer but as a confident queer man as well. I think back to the version of myself that entered this program and I am more than proud to say that I am currently the person I dreamed of being. With the strength and resilience of a community that has always been there for me and the courage to live authentically, I have come to a point where I can use my skills as designer as an advocate and ambassador for the queer community and I plan on keeping this call to action central to all my work moving forward.