Origins of CAMP Culture: Why Lady Gaga is the Perfect Example

The word camp is essential vocabulary for the queer community and almost anyone who believes in the importance of EXTRA. The word “camp” is thought to have originated from a French-derived word that means "to pose in an exaggerated fashion."

The way I feel the word or action ‘camp’ is used, especially in my generation, is to describe something of extreme exaggeration or spontaneity, but in the best and largest way. CAMP in queer dialect is a way in which we express our admiration of one’s fashion, style, attitude, personality, etc. Being called camp or described as “campy” is nothing less than a compliment. Knowing this information, I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions on how and why Lady Gaga is justifiably a perfect example of ‘Camp’ and what camp culture represents. 

Lady Gaga is a queer icon and is inevitably recognized by millions of people worldwide. Yes, her music is very fun and lyrically beautiful. Still, she has gained most of her recognition for defying the limits of stage presence, show quality, and iconic fashion statements never seen or worn by anyone before. 

Gaga’s ability to push boundaries has paved the way for creativity for hundreds to thousands of other artists and people in general. Gaga is unafraid of difference and if anything embraces it. A community such as the LGBTQ+ that was established on our people being labeled “different” and “not normal”, we thrive in someone such as Gaga. We have found comfort in her developed chaos and why she had adopted the name of MOTHER. She gave us the approval that we needed to be the extravagant, spontaneous, “campy” people we know we all want to be. 

In the early stages of Gaga’s career, she really used the ideologies of ‘CAMP’ to her advantage to help build her success. She adopted camp culture to help create some of the most iconic songs, music videos, stage performances, and fashion styles. In Gaga’s probably most well-known music video, Telephone ft. Beyonce, she showcases some of the most legendary and most unique outfits that the music industry had seen at that time. From the diet coke cans as curlers in her hair, to a bodysuit made entirely of yellow yielded caution tape, to sunglasses made from lit cigarettes, she built the foundation of what it meant for an artist to showcase ‘CAMP’. 

Gaga found this loophole in fashion that everyone knew existed, but never actually acted upon it to highlight one’s creative abilities. She used items that could have been seen as trash or disposable and converted them into top-tier fashion in a way that presented extravagance. This is quite literally what “camp” is. 

The ability to use what you have and artistically create something new, upscale, extra, different, weird is “camp” and camp culture. Lady Gaga knew what she was doing and did it well. Now, our society cannot think of “camp” or being “campy” without thinking of Gaga, the queen of camp herself. 

Written by KateLynn Herrera

Directed by K Pereira @kaleb.pereira922

Photography by Mark Bluemle @barks.mindd

Styled by Margaret Wells @margymarg_

MUA: Alex Venus @alexv3nus

PA: Amanda Manson @_.amanddaaa

Talent: Alexia Hill @aaalexia23

Talent: Kira James @kiraystalmeth

Talent: Zuri Palmer @zuri.palmer