By İrem Naz Duymuş (AMER/III) & Eda Emekoğlu (AMER/III)
nazduymus@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
eda.emekoglu@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
Before spiraling down to mid-term season, we had our very own “Performative Male Contest,” highlighting lots of great outfit suggestions and amazing tote bags. Very special thanks to the Bilkent Fashion Society for bringing the idea to our school and to the lovely crowd who were also the judges of the contest. Honestly, I haven’t seen that many people gathered on campus besides for the favorite meal in the dining hall: Asian chicken with mashed potatoes. I loved how everyone got a chance to reflect upon their style with fun little twists. From Labubus and carabiners to guitars, ukuleles and records, the contestants put fun emphasis into the stereotypicality of the said style. Alongside the personal accessories, contestants put on a show. Various books were thrown and showed off, and believe me when I say that books were not the most surprising objects to be thrown in the contest. Sanitary products being thrown into the air, as well as packets of matcha, was a highlight of the night, capturing the hearts and attention of the audience. There was even a dramatic theatrical act as the contest was ending. Overall, contestants really committed to the act. However, because it was a contest, there were only three who won. We asked them their feelings right after the results were announced. The third place winner reported, “Only divas understand,” emphasizing on “divas.” The second place winner said, “The competition was fierce. My friends helped,” suggesting how important it is to have friendship and how essential it is to him (as well as really enjoying the competition). Lastly, our winner of the night reported, “Life is nice and it’s even nicer to reflect our lives and identities this colorful,” emphasizing how much of a privilege it is to be free to express our identities however we desire—which is the only thing that is important, I think.
Overall, the contest was a uniting activity that the chronically sleep-deprived and overly caffeinated students of Bilkent absolutely adored—it even managed to fill up an amphi in V Building. I was cheering from wayyy back for the great outfits and tote bags that I’ll never forget (and hopefully find the links for soon). If you know where they’re from, feel free to reach out to my email address.
Until next time—reporting from the very back row in amphi, behind my tinted lenses.
