CONQUEER, a night of LGBTQ+ Fashion, Live Music, Rave and Performance Art took Bristol by storm

CONQUEER returned to Bristol with a bang, the event that connects the alternative queer art and music scene and continues to develop radical safer-spaces together across Bristol.

A unique event that fights for individuality, rebels against heteronormativity, and that’s exactly what they did. Focusing on talent outside of London, the night saw a host of incredible queer designers from North England, the South West and Wales. Xenolith, Woerms, Empty Brains x Angel Brains, Latex Velma and Abi Hubbard presented their work in CONQUEER’s subversive fashion show, showcasing their distinct creativity and talent.

The next chapter of the night involved the UK’s vanguard and live music and performance artists subverting stereotypes and pushing the limits of what queer art and sound can achieve. Submerging the crowd into a trance like state of wonder. The fast, blaring, hard sets that followed shattered this illusion, going on into the early hours of the morning, no one wanted to leave, this was their space.

As they say, WE ARE HERE. WE ARE QUEER. AND WE WILL CONQUEER.

Xenolith

‘Xenolith is a conceptual fashion brand based in Cardiff, founded by University of South Wales Graduate Paige Leach. Gaining experience working for designers such as Gareth Pugh and Givenchy, Xenolith has become a brand known for pushing the boundaries of the body and blurring the lines between fashion, art and politics. Originally founded as an anti-fashion brand, Xenolith has become a space for inclusion by designing garments that allow the wearer to fully express themselves. Xenolith’s aim is to regenerate the authenticity of fashion as art and to cause a little stir along the way. Xenolith’s values are diversity, community, collaboration, integrity and craftsmanship and are excited for you to join us on our new journey for design.’ – Paige Leach @xenolith_

Latex Velma

‘Queer Trans designer, artist and performer based in Manchester heavily influenced by lived experiences as a trans person and discussions with other trans folk who are marginalised by wider society and directly within fashion too. Reflecting on intersectionality and sustainability in my practice, trying to be as socially and environmentally ethical as possible. T4T kinkwear is my in progress work focussed on making clothes & accessories specifically for sexy cool hot trans and non-binary people including the wider queer community.’ – Jo Sillars @latexvelma ‘

Abi Hubbard

‘Abi Hubbard is a queer multidisciplinary artist and designer. She has created costumes and wearable art for multiple performance artists, films and community projects including Megan Broadmeadow and Rhiannon Lowe. Her inspiration comes from science fiction, mythical creatures and monsters. The fun and bold designs are made to transport the wearer away from everyday identity into a world were being “other” or “alien” is celebrated and enjoyed. Having studied fine art sculpture and prop making Hubbard adds sculptural elements and headpieces to her designs, form and proportion becoming vital to the process. The pieces distort the appearance of the wearer simultaneously empowering and protecting them- the clothing acting as armour.’ – Abi Hubbard @abi_hubbard_creative

Empty Brains x Angel Brains

‘Empty Brains is a punk protest inspired label that was established in response to the current political and environmental crisis by Jay Sebastian Williams. Handmade using a sewing machine and a home print studio in Herefordshire, UK. Created from 100% salvaged material with sustainability and a DIY punk attitude at the heart of it.’ – Jay Sebastian Williams @emptybrains_

‘Angel Brains founded by Apple Blossom is a kawaii-punk, sustainable fashion and accessories label, specialising in products made from scrap, waste, second-hand and recycled fabrics. Angel Brains celebrates everything femme and cutesy and recognises kawaii culture as a powerful political, anti-establishmentarian and postgender tool. Aesthetically Angel Brains serves a queer-femme-fantasy and at it’s core shares an important message to decorate your body in a way that empowers and comforts you.’ – Apple Cousins Scovell @angel_bra1ns

Woerms

‘Woerms is a queer creative conveying an exploration of identity, queerness and the (in)human(e) experience whilst finding safety in fashion and art to externalise creativity. Creating conceptual looks using a mixture of found/reclaimed materials and objects, and wearable art pieces aim to alter the body to become non-human as a way of dealing with the discomfort of having to exist.’ – Staar @woerms_