It's Pride Month and we're celebrating by featuring some of the members of the Queer Community in Kingston.
Felix Beaudry is a textile artist and designer creating soft knit sculptures in Kingston! He uses a programmable knitting machine to produce custom fabrics that he sews, stuffs, to create human-like beings. His work draws inspiration from mythology, embodiment, and the sensation of being held or lain upon.
Read the full interview below...
Can you tell us about how you evolved your personal style in order to feel more like yourself?
I came out as trans at 15, and throughout high school I kept my personal style deliberately restrained. At the time, wearing basics from the men’s section and appearing uninterested in fashion felt like the most masculine way I could present myself. It wasn’t until I got to college, where no one had known me as a girl, and everyone was exploring their identity very publicly, that I felt free to experiment. Style became a way to play with social expectations and try on different versions of myself.
What’s a piece of advice you wish your younger queer self could hear right now?
I wish I had known that I was cute. For a long time, I believed my transness made me unattractive, even monstrous. Looking back at old photos now, it’s hard to imagine carrying so much insecurity. I’d tell my younger self that being trans would open the door to relationships and connections that are far more joyful, expansive, and freeing than I could have imagined at the time.
What is your go-to item of clothing, and why?
One of my favourite pieces right now is a pair of green-and-white jacquard pants woven with a forest print. They might have been designed as dress pants for a classy woman, but they also read a little like camouflage. I love that they exist somewhere between those two worlds.
Being queer in Kingston...
I’m mostly involved in Kingstons queer community through local events. I love Tuesdays at Saltbox, dancing at the Unicorn, or eating queer soup. I also love that there are places like Exit 19 CrossFit. I haven’t been in a while, but everyone there is so welcoming and fun.
