If you’ve never heard of LGBTQ+ collective and performance act Sink The Pink @sink_the_pink, then let us have the honour. Founded in 2008, Sink The Pink is a drag show like no other. Known for their legendary parties and creative performances, Sink The Pink has transformed entertainment culture and become the destination for inclusive and diverse nights out.
To celebrate the launch of the iets frans… unisex collection, we caught up with former stylist and Sink The Pink’s very own Jonbenet Blonde @jonbenetblonde to talk about the relationship between fashion and identity, having the confidence to wear what you want and his best ever charity shop find.
Drag, Fashion And Fluidity With Sink The Pink’s Jonbenet Blonde
How has fashion helped shape your identity?
It’s definitely a big part of me, my history and my DNA. It made me think a lot more and strive. People I worked for [in the fashion industry] made me hard as they were strong characters that knew what they wanted and didn’t let anything get in their way. There was no time for crying. You had to get on with it, it made you think a few steps ahead because you always had to have sussed out what they wanted even before they knew.
It also made a lot freer in the way I dress. Coming from Northern Ireland, if you wear white jeans you’re going to get called a p★★★★ in the street, well in 2006 you would. Fashion is like an armour, it can change your emotions and personality. If you feel amazing you feel you can do anything and that’s why I wear what I want now.
What advice would you give to those who lack the confidence to truly express themselves through experimental or unconventional looks?
Everyone is different, “experimental” and “unconventional” can mean different things to different people. So I would say apply it to yourself, as long as you're comfortable in your own skin and aesthetic, then who is anyone to judge? Remember you're not doing it for other people’s approval, you're doing it to make yourself feel good. You’re the important one - as long as you're not wearing a jacket made of steel nails on the central line at 5pm, obvs.
What role do you think fashion will play as we begin to emerge from lockdown life?
I think a lot more people will dress up, we’ve all been in lockdown and haven’t been able to go out for dinner or to clubs. So even popping out for some nut milk, I want to see people in ball gowns and high heels, CAPES… everyone in a chiffon cape and a swimsuit!
How important to you think unisex collections are in terms of fashion fluidity and inclusivity?
In my eyes clothes have always just been clothes, the difference is not gender it’s the fit. Sometimes you want a big puffer jacket and a straight-leg jean, which is genderless – it’s society that has placed these conventions. A lot of people don’t know this but pre 1950s pink was for boys and blue was for girls, if they can change it then why not stir it up now? We love to see it hun.
It’s definitely a big part of me, my history and my DNA. It made me think a lot more and strive. People I worked for [in the fashion industry] made me hard as they were strong characters that knew what they wanted and didn’t let anything get in their way. There was no time for crying. You had to get on with it, it made you think a few steps ahead because you always had to have sussed out what they wanted even before they knew.
It also made a lot freer in the way I dress. Coming from Northern Ireland, if you wear white jeans you’re going to get called a p★★★★ in the street, well in 2006 you would. Fashion is like an armour, it can change your emotions and personality. If you feel amazing you feel you can do anything and that’s why I wear what I want now.
What advice would you give to those who lack the confidence to truly express themselves through experimental or unconventional looks?
Everyone is different, “experimental” and “unconventional” can mean different things to different people. So I would say apply it to yourself, as long as you're comfortable in your own skin and aesthetic, then who is anyone to judge? Remember you're not doing it for other people’s approval, you're doing it to make yourself feel good. You’re the important one - as long as you're not wearing a jacket made of steel nails on the central line at 5pm, obvs.
What role do you think fashion will play as we begin to emerge from lockdown life?
I think a lot more people will dress up, we’ve all been in lockdown and haven’t been able to go out for dinner or to clubs. So even popping out for some nut milk, I want to see people in ball gowns and high heels, CAPES… everyone in a chiffon cape and a swimsuit!
How important to you think unisex collections are in terms of fashion fluidity and inclusivity?
In my eyes clothes have always just been clothes, the difference is not gender it’s the fit. Sometimes you want a big puffer jacket and a straight-leg jean, which is genderless – it’s society that has placed these conventions. A lot of people don’t know this but pre 1950s pink was for boys and blue was for girls, if they can change it then why not stir it up now? We love to see it hun.
Share 3 of your favourite looks and tell us through the inspiration, occasion and how each look made you feel...
1. Gareth Pugh Fall 2016
This was at the Boombox 10 Year Anniversary party and Gareth Pugh loaned me this sensational look. When you put on clothes from Gareth you feel like a piece of walking art, the clothes are perfect, the cut is exquisite. It really was a show stopping lewk.
2. Iceberg SS2020
Sink The Pink performed with Melanie C on The Graham Norton Show NYE special. We were performing the song Melanie wrote, which was inspired by her experience of a Sink The Pink show. For a pop music obsessive and a diehard Spice Girls fan, this was the ultimate moment for me and STP. To be wearing James Long’s designs, who is Creative Director at Iceberg and a long-time friend of mine, was so special. He has done an amazing job there and made us feel sexy on the BBC - as we were told “no bums out!” The stars had aligned and I wasn’t a kid in my bedroom pretending anymore, it was real life and it made me probably the happiest I’ve ever been.
3. Self Portrait April 2020
When we went into full lockdown and were only allowed out for an hour a day, I started experimenting with old bits of drag. I have a lot of stuff from my styling days and a lot of drag, so I spent a few days trying on things and coming up with new concepts. I would spend a day creating two to three looks to keep me sane. If I'm honest, in a time where we didn’t know what would happen, this was my expressive outlet and escapism. I finally found my light.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You do you, hun.
My last save on IG was… Midnight Sky by Miley Cyrus – quarantine video perfection.
Top track for Pride… Freedom 90 by George Micheal.
Drag makes me feel… Invincible.
Emerging drag artists we should know about… If you don’t know John Sizzle @johnsizzle you don’t know East London’s finest LEGEND. Also Heather Duster @heatherduster who is newish on the scene - I adore such a camp name and she is CAMP.
Sink The Pink shows are… Pop culture history.
Best find in a charity shop was… Bum enhancing bleached Levis for £5.
A look on my list to create is… Final Fantasy Disco Angel.
What impact do you think the drag scene has had on mainstream fashion and streetwear?
I think it's really changed the face of everything, the Kardashians and Jenners are drag, Miley Cyrus is drag, Harry Styles is drag… to be honest it's all drag really. When a mechanic puts on their overalls, that is drag, you’re changing and morphing into your own being. When you put on a piece of clothing that makes you feel good and you step out into the big world, that is drag in itself.
1. Gareth Pugh Fall 2016
This was at the Boombox 10 Year Anniversary party and Gareth Pugh loaned me this sensational look. When you put on clothes from Gareth you feel like a piece of walking art, the clothes are perfect, the cut is exquisite. It really was a show stopping lewk.
2. Iceberg SS2020
Sink The Pink performed with Melanie C on The Graham Norton Show NYE special. We were performing the song Melanie wrote, which was inspired by her experience of a Sink The Pink show. For a pop music obsessive and a diehard Spice Girls fan, this was the ultimate moment for me and STP. To be wearing James Long’s designs, who is Creative Director at Iceberg and a long-time friend of mine, was so special. He has done an amazing job there and made us feel sexy on the BBC - as we were told “no bums out!” The stars had aligned and I wasn’t a kid in my bedroom pretending anymore, it was real life and it made me probably the happiest I’ve ever been.
3. Self Portrait April 2020
When we went into full lockdown and were only allowed out for an hour a day, I started experimenting with old bits of drag. I have a lot of stuff from my styling days and a lot of drag, so I spent a few days trying on things and coming up with new concepts. I would spend a day creating two to three looks to keep me sane. If I'm honest, in a time where we didn’t know what would happen, this was my expressive outlet and escapism. I finally found my light.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You do you, hun.
My last save on IG was… Midnight Sky by Miley Cyrus – quarantine video perfection.
Top track for Pride… Freedom 90 by George Micheal.
Drag makes me feel… Invincible.
Emerging drag artists we should know about… If you don’t know John Sizzle @johnsizzle you don’t know East London’s finest LEGEND. Also Heather Duster @heatherduster who is newish on the scene - I adore such a camp name and she is CAMP.
Sink The Pink shows are… Pop culture history.
Best find in a charity shop was… Bum enhancing bleached Levis for £5.
A look on my list to create is… Final Fantasy Disco Angel.
What impact do you think the drag scene has had on mainstream fashion and streetwear?
I think it's really changed the face of everything, the Kardashians and Jenners are drag, Miley Cyrus is drag, Harry Styles is drag… to be honest it's all drag really. When a mechanic puts on their overalls, that is drag, you’re changing and morphing into your own being. When you put on a piece of clothing that makes you feel good and you step out into the big world, that is drag in itself.