Homo-Harlem Moves Downtown: How Malcolm Harris Hung Up on Angelina Jolie, Twice!

Initially saddened that my glamorous friends had moved from uptown, I now realize that it's not so

by Sarah Grossman

much that K. Tyson Perez and Malcolm Harris have actually abandoned Harlem, as that they have magically managed to somehow transport a colorful bit of Harlem downtown! That is to say, in more precise terms, they manage to exemplify all the easy fabulousness of yesteryear that the wonderful Homo-Harlem Film Festival. series at the Maysles Cinema celebrates.

Bombarded by unrelenting, even contradictory intelligence from the media, one is not always certain where hype ends and genuineness begins. Recalling Malcolm Harris' clever marketing coup a few seasons ago one wondered. A blizzard of T-shirts showered on the most acclaimed fashion editors, emblazoned with the legend

"Naomi Campbell Slapped Me/And I Slapped The Bitch Right Back",

gave one pause considering his reportedly having hung up on a telephone call from Angelina Jolie?

Heralding Harris' September 2005 spring-collection showing held in the reception rooms of the Convent Avenue townhouse in Harlem, where he then lived with his charming boyfriend, this shrewd gambit proved to be highly effective. It worked so well, in fact, that even Ms. Campbell's office had called,

requesting tickets to the show whose confirmed guests-list included Ivanka Trump, Andre Leon Talley, Kim Cattrall, and me.

by Sarah Grossman

Beauty, talent, creativity---what precisely is it that inspires the adulation we lavish on certain outsized personalities; those deemed to be 'stars'? Surely we admire celebrities like Fashionista Malcolm Harris and actress Angelina Jolie, not purely for what they do but for who they are.

Stills from Steven Watson's movie Prepare for Saints: The Making of a Modern Opera, 1999, about the 1934 premiere of Four Saints in Three Acts

When first embarking on the Homo-Harlem project, it seemed imperative that black lesbians and gays, be enabled, like others, to discover ourselves in the past. At least equally important, however, is the necessity of showing others the lgbt identity of many whose exploits and accomplishments they know and admire already or those that they should at any rate learn about.

Reading about Malcolm Harris' latest escapade, following the opening of the Maysles Institute's Homo-Harlem Film Festival at the Museum of the City of New York Friday, I raced downtown to get the scoop. Cute and endearingly sweet, K. Tyson Perez, is the editor of Un-Vogue. He and Malcolm now

by Sarah Grossman

by Sarah Grossman

by Sarah Grossman

by Sarah Grossman

share a sun-filled one-bedroom loft up three dizzyingly steep flights on Spring Street. One's laborious approach is announced well in advance of actually reaching their far-away landing. Their decorative pair of toy poodles makes sure their masters know someone is coming.

by Sarah Grossman

by Sarah Grossman

Of the moment and wonderfully chic, in its deft juxtaposition of old and new, far eastern and western art, their flat is not so different in this regard from Billy Strayhorn's, Bayard Rustin's or Marvin Smith's. Determined to be successful at what they do, for both Malcolm and Tyson this means much more than merely making more money or acquiring additional lovely things. Much like all the other various subjects of the Homo-Harlem Film Festival, poet Audre Lorde, writer James Baldwin and 90-year-old performer and activist Storme DeLarverie, who movingly serenaded the festival audience on Monday night, they too intend to assure that whatever they do 'makes a difference.'

by Ves Pitts

Dred: a gender-bending performer at Saturday's Homo-Harlem Film Festival www.DredLove.com

by Philip Friedman

One common denominator Harris shares with Angelina Jolie, beyond considerable ability, is an aura of mild controversy, caused, ironically enough, by his penchant for doing good works! Famously wild party animals in extreme youth before they settled down to domesticity, both he and Ms. Jolie now seem to take every opportunity to assist others, acting to enhance the planet whenever they can.

Harris' charitable reputation preceding him, must have appealed to the equally altruistic Jolie. At any rate, last week she called his SoHo atelier, to order three of his 'One Dress' frocks. The MalSirrah designer, a frequent victim of elaborate pranks played by 'friends' in the past, didn't at first believe it was Jolie on the line. Indeed, Harris hung up on her, not just once, but twice.

Finally, she convinced him. Jolie explained how they were both participating in World Refugee Day on Saturday. Only then did an embarrassed Harris finally allow the understandably amused diva to order three dresses for $225 each.

Harris, a founder of Designers For Darfur, has committed a generous percentage of the profits from the sale of this model to United Nation's refugee work. He confirmed to me what he told the New York Post's Page Six about Jolie, that he was, "so flattered. She enjoys such popularity," he said, "She could literally patronize whomever she likes, and she's chosen me."

Promotion is often propaganda and flash sometimes turns out to be mere trash, but as for Malcolm Harris, Angelina Jolie and K. Tyson Perez, sure, they're fabulous alright, but they are also the real thing: about as nice and sincere people as one is ever liable to be privileged to meet.

by Sarah Grossman

Follow Michael Henry Adams on Twitter: www.twitter.com/harlemhellion

Comments

[haroldbolton]

thank you so much for this. i was looking to be inspired today and this is what i needed.

[Victory Brito]

What an amazing story! I loved reading each piece of it - and the photos are absolutely amazing. Bravo!

[MrHearst]

What an amazing and compelling piece you have presented this week Mr. Adams - this was truly one of your best posts to date. As a New Yorker also living and working in the Soho area, your subject Mr. Harris has become a very interesting personality in the downtown creative community. Originally I thought he was new to the scene, however, after eavesdropping on a few conversations as he cuts a striking figure either sipping champagne at Ciprianis or sitting on the steps of the Deitch Gallery, I have learned this enigmatic character is a bit of a downtown legend. Therefore, I thank you for giving the rest of us a snapshot into the life of this extremely intriguing and provocative character. Job well done Mr. Adams!

[RosieLee]

Hello from England, Michael Henry. Thank you for this vibrant piece about Harlem and its celebrities. You always have lovely pictures too, which makes your blogs that much more interesting. I love the pseudo-gothic appearance of those houses.

Some of your pictures take me back to the American films of my youth, though I've not yet seen a water hydrant: the iconic American image here. It's amazing how many generations of English people have grown up with American imagery as the haunting memoir of our youth, thanks to your wonderful film and music industry which were, and still are, so massively influential and popular here.

However, fair exchange is no robbery, as they say, we're letting you borrow our lovely Prince Harry from time to time. Isn't he lovely? Didn't I tell you he's stunning and so much like his dear mother. Now why would we want to abolish our monarchy, Michael Henry, when it gives us two gorgeous princes like Harry and Wills to drool over?

[Michael Henry Adams - Huffpost Blogger]

You must never do so, it would kill tourism revenue----yet , they mus reform! I saw a BBC-special in which a royal footman at Buck House wore a pre-tied necktie with his dress livery, absolutely shocking, moreover , their Royal Hignesses never wear hats and only infrequently don gloves----what will come of that besides cols and soiled hands?