FAST @ UCLA: Make Kitsch Happen, 2025

This editorial project explores the critical intersections of kitsch (its etymology being from the word "trash" in German) and camp aesthetics with second-hand fashion as sites of radical queer self-expression. Both fashion aesthetics are often historically associated with traditionally feminine qualities, gaining traction from middle-class consumption throughout the 20th century. By centering UCLA student models in thrifted garments, the work deconstructs normative narratives of consumption, gender, and class dynamics, transforming "trash" into a powerful medium of resistance and self-determination. This project not only reflects on the historical associations of kitsch and camp with middle-class consumption but also engages with current discussions on sustainability and identity in fashion.

Models: Gage Garduno and Axel Paulk │Stylist: Gage Garduno│Makeup: Tea Wagstaff