Blane Charles of Chelsea on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Blane Charles shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Blane, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Being nominated to compete in Elton John’s Style Icon
https://styleicon.org/2025/blane-charles

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Blane Charles is a queer artist, activist, and founder of BCD (Blane Charles Design), Blane Charles Media, and the daily inspiration vlog LIFE! (Living It Fiercely Empowered). Their creative and activist journeys have always intertwined: in 1989, Blane became the last person ever body painted by Keith Haring for the “ACT UP FOR LIFE” benefit featured in the issue of Andy Warhol’s INTERVIEW MAGAZINE (November 1989) and collaborated with DIFFA and Susanne Bartsch on the first LOVE BALL, featured as the centerfold of People’s Magazine(May 29, 1989). That same year, they helped build ACT UP Montreal, beginning a path that carried them through Paris and London’s queer nightlife before returning to New York to shape communities through fashion, design, and performance.
As the first African American Non-Binary board member of Callen-Lorde and brand ambassador for The Phluid Project, Blane merges artistry with queer advocacy. Their work resists erasure through visibility, resilience, and joy, while their upcoming book Lula’s Pearls reflects on survival and transformation.
Blane’s contributions have been featured in The New York Times, Interview, GQ, and more, embodying a life lived fiercely empowered and unapologetically queer.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My Aunt Lula Henry who believed in me when I was excommunicated from my family and community of Jehovah Witnesses at the age of 13. I made my father pay to this unwanted child back to New York as soon as I finished school where my Aunt Lula lived. I’m in the process of publishing my first book in her honoré.

. LULA’S PEARLS, within its pages, celebrates African-American women who have conspicuously or inconspicuously mentored us to follow their lead in living lives of powerful fortitude. For the conception of this effort, artist Blane Charles examines the powerful metaphors his aunt’s string of pearls conjures in so many Black men. While interviewing his many friends, represented here, he has found and articulated a golden bond that transcends the mundane.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
As a two time suicide and rape survivor, suffering has taught me the power of gratitude and forgiveness. It has taught me to be compassionate and have empathy for others. Something success never could!

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me! I live in my authentic self unapologetically and that’s what others love about me and are inspired by. Each day, through my Human Revolution, I strive to be a better version of myself. This process inspired me to start a daily YouTube vlog entitled “LIFE!” (living It Fiercely Empowered) and I’ve been vlogging daily since July 31, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/user/hotmochaflava

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That Blane Charles was committed to the happiness of each person he encountered. That Blane helped others live their Best Life! He was a stellar design guru and joyologist all wrapped up into one!

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Image Credits
BCD

Drew Geraci

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