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Cesar Valentino

Cesar Valentino began vogue dancing in NYC in 1983 after visiting the legendary Christopher Street Pier.  In 1988, he quickly became a fixture in the underground ballroom and club scene where he won several coveted trophies. His classic vogue style with grace and precision continues to earn the respect of his peers as he has been presented the Marcel Christian Legend Award, Red Era of Ballroom 1986-1990 Icon Award, Paved The Way Award, Gatekeeper Award and Lifetime Achievement Gag Award.

A sought-after educator, speaker and performer, Cesar has been asked to participate regularly in panel discussions and workshops at Pace University, SUNY Purchase andIndiana University, as well as the International Ballroom Convention and Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC).  He has also led vogue workshops at Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts (EMIA), Vibrant Flow Escape (VFE) Dance Festival in Dominican Republic, Cultural Arts Center of Washington Heights, Harlem Dance Club, Brown Girls Burlesque, Berlin Vogue Out, Pride for Youth, Advanced Street Style Lab and The Ailey School’s BFA students.  Worldwide performances also include Japan, Italy and Germany, with invitations to judge, perform and teach workshops at Funkin’ Styles Berlin, Meeting Hip Hop in Sao Paolo, Brazil and back home at NYC’s House Dance International Festival, Men in Skirts at Tompkins Square Park’s Howl Festival, Back to Tabac NYC Pride Extravaganza and the Bronx Museum.

Truly a seminal vogue figure, Cesar debuted vogue for the first time on national TV with an appearance on The Latin Connection in 1988, dancing with his daughter and vogue protégé Michelle Visage.  Cesar was also featured in one of the first articles about voguing in the Village Voice and in the documentary The House Of Tres (Directed by Diane Martel), as well as the highly authentic limited print book Voguing and the House Ballroom Scene of New York, 1989-92 by photographer and documentarist Chantal Regnault.  He also appears in Jennie Livingston’s Paris is Burning documentary,  Frameline’s Voguing: The Message, Walk for Me Wednesdays’ Vogue Classique and Absolute Vogue and has interviewed for staple publications Dance Magazine, The New York Times and AM New York.

Cesar performed with Malcolm McLaren and Willi Ninja for the Deep in Vogue tour throughout Europe in 1989, with Latin superstar Anais, and appeared in music videos with artists Toni Braxton, Carmen Electra, and K7.  He has choreographed for recording artists Tony Terry and Sweet Sensation, as well as for students participating inPeridance’s Spring Performance Showcase 2014 and The Ailey Extension’s Winter Performance Showcase 2016 (for which he also created the light-up costumes!).  In addition to dance, Cesar is also a master craftsman and designer, creating an array of exquisite one-of-a-kind garments, costumes and accessories sought-after by high-end boutiques as well as friends, fellow performers and celebrities alike. Specializing in stunning, flawless, remarkable hand-beading, each and every breathtaking Cesar Valentino design is a wearable work of art.

Truly transmitting the essence of vogue, Cesar has modeled for fashion publications Gear, Details, Vanity Fair, Spanish Vogue and Blue Magazine. He has worked behind the scenes at New York’s Olympus and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and served as casting and wardrobe supervisor for BET’s Rip the Runway. Cesar continues to work as a runway and performance coach for both established and upcoming models and performers.

His powerful yet delicate vogue skill has also been seen on Good Day New York, True TV w/ Seth Rogen, and the Simply Be commercial campaign in the UK, as well as theNetflix original series The Get Down and the upcoming film Live in Manila shot on location in The Philippines. Stay tuned!