"Icy with that cicle WHOA! its that next sh*t. I be getting several, you be zero bet you pressed b*tch. I be looking very heavy metal & reflective."
Guess who walked into RuPaul's Drag Con looking like a black Parisian Jetson this weekend?
It me!
Skirt & Beret set: Tigris New York
On this episode of LOOKZ! we wont be diving too deep.
Details about the skirt/hat set and hair can be found on the last LOOKZ!
Like a true drag queen, I cut up an old shirt and I wouldn't be me if I didn't have a pair of Converse to rock with it. This time around I just want to share some cute shots of the outfit and gush about my love of RuPaul's Drag Con and drag culture.
Discovering the world of Drag and more specifically "RuPauls Drag Race" is what inspired me to take a wack at actually designing and creating my own clothing. I've always been a creative, Ive always loved alternative fashions and I've always been a plus-size girl. The dreams of starting my own plus-size fashion line go all the way back to an 11 yr old me struggling to find the cute clothes all the skinny girls wore in my size. Even then, I thought the clothes I dressed my "Bratz" and "Flavas" dolls in were way cuter than anything available for actual people to buy, skinny or fat.
The desire to wear attention grabbing fashions was always present, the confidence was not.
On the rare occasion I would find a "Barbie-like" fashion, it either didn't come in my size, didn't compliment my shape, or was considered a costume. Before Drag Race all I knew about drag queens was what I saw in movies and on the streets late night, men dressed as women. Drag Race introduced me to multi-talented, like-minded, pop culture enthusiasts with a brash sense of humor who love to get lost in their alter egos. Drag Queens affirmed my "anything to achieve the look" mentality, kind of giving me the idea to use unconventional materials to achieve silhouettes I wasn't blessed with naturally.
Basically, I found myself and got the courage to be even more myself at the same time.
RuPaul's Drag Con is like my mothership or something. Every where you turn there is something to see. Creative indie clothing brands, sex toys, pole dancing demonstrations, go-go boys with their tight little booties hanging out, custom crowns and tiaras, make-up, wigs, there's a kids section, I even saw a guy who makes mini messenger bags out of Broadway Playbills, free liquor, and of coarse drag queens galore.
I love the fact that "performing" isn't restricted to the paid entertainers. Random people in any random space at any random time will put on a performance, from a strip-tease, to a lip-sync number, I even saw a man with 10 spider like legs with heels on them, on his stomach rolling across the floor last year.
Another thing I love is that while the convention is VERY sex-positive, and sexual themes are displayed throughout the entire convention, they are also adamant about the importance of consent and safe sex. Using free merch and sex toys with these messages printed on them was a great idea. Not to mention unlimited free condoms EVERYWHERE.
People get really creative with the looks too. Last year, I saw a queen who slightly favored Grace Jones, dressed like a high fashion Devil with a computer keyboard as a clutch. This year was no different. So many different creations I can't even begin to describe them all.
Funnily enough, I never formally meet any of my favorite drag queens. I see them in passing, sometimes they stop to have a short conversation, sometimes they stop me to compliment my look (I die everytime). In my opinion, Drag Con really isn't the place to meet Drag Race queens, especially when you live in New York City. There is so much to see from the guests and exhibitors alone, that you really don't have the time to stand on lines and definitely won't have the funds. Last year, I was so pissed when I walked up to Shea Coulee's booth and found that it would cost me $60 just to meet her. Later on I realized that even with a $60 fee, her booth line was still wrapped around a corner. That's because they charge fees to minimize the crowd and to pay for the booth and all the interior design they had to come out of pocket for. Drag Queens perform night after night for a living, being that I live in NYC, even when a queen I like isn't readily available they always have a stop here on their tour. Buying merch and watching Drag Race is great, but if you want to support a drag queen, go to their show. That is not only where they make their money, but also where you get to see them in ALL their glory. Not just some edited PG-13 version.
I had a great time, even better than last year. Next year, I will be upgrading to a VIP ticket for sure.
Tips for a great RPDC experience? Sure!
1. Yes, "sissy that walk" but please, wear comfortable shoes.You are on your feet for hours walking around and standing in lines and such.
2. Bring friends! Last year, I was so focused on networking, I had fun, but it was 10 times better with friends.
3. Break the bank! Trust me, you won't take more than 3 steps in any direction without wanting to buy the whole booth.
4. Camera ready! Make sure the face is beat and you know your angles. When popular drag queens are not at their booths, you'll find them pretty much anywhere. Walking around, getting food, waiting in line for the bathroom, perfect time to ask for a selfie.
5. Brush up! Drag Race is everything, but there is so much more to drag. Watch other shows like "Dragula" or get out and attend a local show. You'll see a lot more familiar faces, understand the references, and learn about the very many different types of drag.
Til' next year.
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