Voguing

What Is Voguing?

Voguing developed in the LGBTQ+ African American and Latino ballroom scene in New York from the 1960s onwards, reaching global visibility through Madonna's 1990 hit and the documentary Paris Is Burning. The style takes its name from the fashion magazine Vogue and involves angular arm and body poses, fluid runway walks and floor performances.

The main categories include Old Way (angular, geometric poses), New Way (more fluid and contortionist), Vogue Femme (graceful and theatrical), and Runway (performance walks and fashion presentation). Each is practiced within the competitive context of the ballroom.

Ballroom culture is a complete social world with its own vocabulary, houses (chosen families), competitions and codes of recognition, rooted in the experiences of Black and Latinx queer communities.

Voguing in London

London has a growing and passionate ballroom and voguing community, with balls, workshops and community spaces that connect LGBTQ+ dancers and performers. The scene has expanded significantly in recent years through increased cultural visibility.

London balls celebrate the categories and competitive spirit of the original New York ballroom culture while developing their own character.

Voguing Classes in London

Voguing classes in London are available at select studios and through community organisations connected to the ballroom scene. Sessions cover categories, movement techniques and the cultural context that gives voguing its meaning.

The style is celebrated as an expression of identity and community as much as a technical discipline, making cultural immersion as important as technical training.

Studios That Teach Voguing

The following dance studios and academies in London offer Voguing classes.