Fidel Couvertier

Fidel 'Field' Couvertier was an internationally recognized and celebrated Voguer and Ballroom member. He was seen as one of the best and traveled to The Netherlands in 1989 where he showcased his craft, judged Balls and met people from the Dutch Ballroom scene, such as Charl Landvreugd. 

Some things that were written about Fidel in Dutch newspapers:

"America's most famous voguer Fidel Couvertier was also in the Roxy, to show how it's supposed to be done. He was dressed fully in white, a cute white dress, pinned up hair and a white hat. He is eighteen years old, was dire poor, but is now often asked to do fashion shows. Or walk in the expensive warehouse Harrod's for a few days." (Het Parool, 25th of november 1989 https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=roxy+vogue&coll=ddd&identifier=ABCDDD:010846275:mpeg21:a0452&resultsidentifier=ABCDDD:010846275:mpeg21:a0452&rowid=9)

"Fidel 'Field' Couvertier, the legendary star-voguer from New York, who was in the judges panel, thinks the vogue-level in the Netherlands isn't comparable to the level in New York. Over there it is not just dancing, but a way of living. 'Also for me, I am a professional dancer'." (De Telegraaf, 25th of november 1989
https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=roxy+vogue&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010645953:mpeg21:a1189&resultsidentifier=ddd:010645953:mpeg21:a1189&rowid=10)

"Eddy de Clercq: I have experienced a lot, but this is absolutely the most glamourous dance of the past 10 years. I truly get chills when i see Fidel Couvertier, the best at the moment from New York. A boy of 18 years old who can hit about 250 diffferent poses on a record of three minutes. That's really amazing to see. Once you've made it in America, the fever kicks in." (De Telegraaf, 23rd of september 1989 https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=fidel+couvertier&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010645925:mpeg21:a1270&resultsidentifier=ddd:010645925:mpeg21:a1270&rowid=4)

(Original texts in Dutch, translations mine)

He was buried against the family’s wishes before they were even given a chance to claim his body. He went under several possible pseudonyms as he was a ballroom performer in the queer club scene. He was a young black gay man who died prematurely and allegedly without any identification on him. Unfortunately the city does not have the best history of keeping track of or respecting the bodies of young black gay men.