The Drag Queen. The outlandish, amplified, exaggerated emulation of womanhood. An art form that has gone from having to be tucked away (if you’ll pardon the pun) in underground gay clubs, to being booked as acts in the most famous clubs in the world. Slowly, but surely, it has grown and is now recognised as a highly influential craft that has altered main stream culture forever.

Almost exactly a decade ago, on February 2nd 2009, a TV programme aired on the American Channel Logo. A TV show that was initially just a show to find the ‘next drag super star’ is now seen as the undeniable ‘Big Bang’ in the evolution of negative attitudes towards diversity.

That revolutionary TV show goes by the name of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and was created by none other than the reigning monarch of drag, her Royal Highness RuPaul Charles. A show that due to its nature began life having only a very niche, cult following is now considered a staple of modern television, winning countless awards.

Drag Race would have probably had the same success had it simply stuck to showing the superficial side of drag, as the creativity and talent the queens possess is undeniable. However, what gives the show its heart are the back-stage sections that reveal the queens out of their strong drag looks and personas. We see their vulnerability, as they tell their heartbreaking personal stories of having to face constant and sometimes brutal oppression simply because of who they are. It is this raw, unadulterated part of the show that has given visibility to issues such as racism and homophobia, causing a revolution in the way diversity is accepted today.

A wise drag queen once said ‘we’re all born naked and the rest is drag’. Tampering with your own identity is something everyone does. From the hairstyle you choose, to the scarf you throw on when it’s a bit nippy outside, we all want to be perceived in a certain way, and so make conscious efforts to achieve this. Drag Queens have built their reputation on playing with the gender norms society has created, and so are the leading pioneers of experimenting with identity. According to RuPaul, the term ‘Drag’ applies to us all, regardless of our race, gender or social background. ‘Drag’ is how we choose to present ourselves to the world, and which personas we adopt as we move through life. Everyone is in drag to a certain extent.

This is perhaps why in today’s society where the lens on gender identity is ever- broadening, Drag Race and Drag in general has become such a popular culture obsession. Inspiring people to express themselves and not give a damn, because, (as Ru says at the end of every episode of Drag Race),

‘If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?!’

Now, it has by no means been ideal, but it has been bearable having to spend extortionate amounts on Netflix subscriptions or trawling for hours to find a working link to illegally download the weekly episode (only original Drag Race fans will empathise). However, these hardships we have had to endure as UK Drag Race fans have all been worth it, as on the third of October at 8:00pm Momma Ru gave us the gift. A gift we have all been patiently waiting for for nearly a decade; Drag Race UK. The excitement of Drag Race fans across the UK was palpable, as drag Race UK aired on the BBC.

True, our British Drag Race hopefuls aren’t famous for their put-together pageantry like their transatlantic sisters. But for what they lack in that area, they more than make up for in what British drag queens are famous for; quick, outrageous humour and a shining passion for creativity.

From Crystal’s edgy, East London style of drag that challenges gender stereotypes, to the brash humour of Baga Chipz who bases her drag act on a young Princess Diana – and the Coronation Street cast circa 1970 (how very British). We finally have a celebration of camp, creative and comedic British drag at it’s finest, and long may it continue!

In light of this, we’d like to take the time to shout out to all the drag queens out there, from the UK and across the seas! Thank you for daring to be different, and in doing so representing the underdogs and cast-offs of society; all the people who are scared to be themselves. We thank you for enabling people, whether gay, straight or trans to express who they are. Rather than having to t into an identity that society finds acceptable. But most importantly, you have shared the almighty secret of how you keep your foundation in place for over twelve hours without having to pritt-stick your face prior to application. So, from us all, thank you. Long live the queens!

Words by Ella Winfield

Graphics by Fiona Campbell

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What you see before you is an imagination far beyond anything you’ve scrolled past, visualised in the most captivating form of drag. This visual insanity you see before you is Hungry, known as @isshehungry on Instagram.Through her artistic creations you see an alternate reality: explained on her website as a reality where ‘a human body was forced to adapt to new surroundings’ therefore humanity has adapted a new visual identity. No longer human, but at the same time still holding onto humanity, Hungry creates believable illusions of self titled ‘distorted drag’.

Over 4 years ago Hungry started her journey to the stars, creating a name for herself as an intergalactic individual who expresses herself through various types of performance such as; make up, photography, modelling, stage performance and more. Her talents and imagination surpass many who claim the word individuality as their own, reminding us to not be afraid to express who we are.

She has amassed a large following on social media of people who are captivated by her dramatic and otherworldly creations. Next time you think your blue eyeshadow is too much, be sure to remind yourself that this Berlin-based artist would tell you to go for it. Listening to the ill will of the negatives is something we’re sure Hungry wouldn’t pay attention to. Collaborating with Bjork on her album ‘Utopia’, Hungry is continuing to rise with her talents, creating a successful career from her creativity.

Hungry is a beacon of the strange and unusual but beautiful that this world needs: for all the creative kids out there debating whether to unleash their thoughts onto themselves visually: to start painting a character on their face or to discard gender norms. Hungry gives off an aura of rebellion and excitement: ‘Drag is a megaphone. It’s not only a voice, it’s an echo that will get you heard’. (www.isshehungry.com/interview)

Hungry has reminded us to stay creative, stay individual and stay fierce.

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The post We’re Hungry For Hungry: A Drag Queen From Another World appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The line between fashion and art has officially blurred into oblivion after New York Fashion Week. The most important week in NYC erupted with applause and adoration after the House of Velour took the opening ceremonies to a whole new level.

The spectacular Sasha Velour and her court of queens put on a cabaret composed entirely of LGBTQIA+ individuals. From the heights of glamour to the most minimal, models and queens brought their own unique identity to the runway. Velour has been a loud and proud supporter to the New York community that has shaped her. “My drag was born in a community full of trans women, trans men, and gender non-conforming folks doing drag. That’s the real world of drag, like it or not. I think it’s fabulous and I will fight my entire life to protect and uplift it.” From her monthly cabaret show “Nightgowns” to winning season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she has strived to create a platform for queens and queers to express themselves.

Sasha wasn’t the only queen strutting her stuff for Fashion Week. The surreal artist Hungry and Patrick Starr both walked in the over-the-top The Blonds show. You couldn’t find two totally different people walking on the same runway. Patrick Starr’s fierce femininity and voluptuous figure couldn’t do Ursula the Sea Witch more justice, while Hungry’s otherworldly makeup and haunting beauty brought us chills. To top it off Dominique T.A.R Jackson absolutely SERVED us Maleficent realness.

The Marco Marco show featured an all-trans cast of models, the first NYFW show to do so.“It became apparent to me that trans and non-binary people’s presence was often overshadowed by cis gay men or cis gay men in drag. I wanted to create a space to celebrate trans bodies.” Marco Marco has taken inspiration from the LGBTQA+ community and featured queer icons such as Sasha Velour and Dominique T.A.R Jackson.

It seemed as though one of the most major fashion queens was missing from the front rows of NYFW. The one and only Violet Chachki was far to busy on tour to grace New York with her presence. She did, however, make a splash at Milan Fashion week at the Marni show in her signature raven hair paired with a sleek green PVC coat. After being a staple of the NYC fashion scene, she’s spread her wings to fashion weeks all over the globe. We’re excited to see where she lands next.

What can we say, it’s an epidemic! The queens and queers are taking over to make the world a more strange and spectacular place. Representation of all walks of life is needed now more than ever, especially in fashion. If NYFW was a taste of what’s to come, we at Voir are ready to be served a full course.

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