GOING CAMP

A comedy show that nods to the Met Gala’s theme ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’

Comedian Chris Parker is set to turn a few heads at this month’s NZ International Comedy Festival while having fun dressing to “camp” aesthetics. Following on from last year’s smash hit Camp Binch his new show Iconique - the making of an icon, has turned to the greats (Garland, Streisand, Parton, LuPone...) for inspiration, including the onstage get-up. And with next Monday’s Met Gala theme Camp: Notes on Fashion inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay Notes on Camp set to deliver one of the most fashionably frivolous carpets yet, Chris could easily hold his place on the famed museum steps.

What inspired your stage look for Iconique?

Chris: Well let’s make one thing clear, I will not be performing in this see-through plastic jacket and shorts — the material was sourced from Bunnings and I sweated buckets shooting that image. My onstage look is inspired by the great late Elaine Stritch. In the later years of her career, she dressed exclusively in a white silk shirt, and black pantyhose. No pants. A true icon. I’ve set out to dress the same in homage.

What would you wear to The Met Gala?

Something by Palomo Spain. The incredible queer designers bring an almost regal Elizabethan sensitivity to fashion. It’s very sexy too, but I think I would rise to the occasion. Famously Beyonce wore one of their looks in an Instagram post to debut her twins. But often the looks are seen on men and non-binary icons.

What are you hoping to see on the carpet?

Something extremely bold. An incredible Molly Goddard dress or one of the fun Viktor & Rolf spring 2019 couture collection dresses with words on them.

How else can the “camp” theme be achieved?

A sense of humour is important. Camp doesn’t take itself too seriously. One of my favourite RuPaul’s

Drag Race queens was Manila Luzon. Her looks were cheeky and funny, as well as elevated. I want a little tongue in cheek on the red carpet. Maybe a dress made out of red carpet!