Opening Ceremony’s Drag Performers on What It Means to Be at Fashion Week
“It takes one person to do drag,” RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Sasha Velour said at Opening Ceremony’s New York Fashion Week extravaganza. “But it takes a family to put on a show.”
On Sunday night, in lieu of a traditional spring 2019 runway, Opening Ceremony designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon invited Velour to play host and share the stage with a cast of 100-percent LGBTQIA+ models. Together they hosted “The Gift of Showz,” a drag extravaganza and Transgender Law Center fundraiser that brought down the house at (Le) Poisson Rouge, a cabaret club in Greenwich Village. (“In fashion shows you see clothes; in showz, you see personality,” Velour explained.) Christina Aguilera even made an appearance for a surprise finale performance, while artists like Nicki Minaj and Troye Sivan cheered from their seats in the front row.
While the room was filled with fashion editors and buyers, it was clear that the clothes were a mere backdrop to the the performers, who included Drag Race alums Miss Fame, Jiggly Caliente, and Shea Couleé. The emerging Brooklyn artist West Dakota also took the stage, along with Hungry, who doubles as Björk’s makeup artist. The rest of the cast wore the collection, but Lim and Leon gave these five queens yards of fabric to dream up their own outfits, and some even sewed them themselves.
“Whether they like it or not, Opening Ceremony has just welcomed over 40 queer artists and entertainers into their family,” Velour told the audience before the show began. LGBTQIA+ culture has long inspired fashion designers, but the community is not always invited to model the clothes. “Carol, Humberto, and the entire team told us in no uncertain terms that we belong in these clothes,” Velour continued. “That’s a great privilege, and we take it seriously. This is not a time or a country where many queer people get to feel like they truly belong; like they deserve to stand in the spotlight. … I hope this is what the future looks like.”
Family, and the cultures of acceptance and exclusion that it can create, has been a strong theme this season, from Eckhaus Latta to Pyer Moss. The Opening Ceremony show drove home the idea that family is not dictated by blood, though, and that there’s room for every individual in the fashion community. It takes a crowd to stand out — or, as Velour said: “It’s impossible to be yourself without a community that’s doing the same.”
Below, we spoke to the Opening Ceremony cast backstage about what inspires their style, how they channel confidence, and what it means to be in the spotlight during New York Fashion Week.
Is this your first fashion show?
Yes! It’s really humbling. I’ve been doing drag for a few years now and I never had this opportunity. ... Name: Momo Shade
Is this your first fashion show?
Yes! It’s really humbling. I’ve been doing drag for a few years now and I never had this opportunity. It makes me feel like damn, I’m here.
How do you stand out in a crowd?
My style is urban glam, like a hood bitch from the 11206 who’s trying to act like she’s from 10013. I’m very regal but I’m also very loud. My look today is very sporty, like I’m about to go snowboarding in the fucking Catskills!
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Be you. And be the best you. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
How would you describe your style?
Sex sells! [Laughs] Scarlet Envy is from the South with a little bit of New York grit. I’m from K... Name: Scarlet Envy
How would you describe your style?
Sex sells! [Laughs] Scarlet Envy is from the South with a little bit of New York grit. I’m from Kentucky, so.
Is this your first Fashion Week?
No, it’s not. I went to FIT, so I’ve been volunteering behind the scenes for a long time.
How does it feel to be in the spotlight now?
It feels much more natural!
What does it mean to you to stand out in a crowd?
This is a really hard crowd to stand out in, and that’s a really beautiful thing. We all stand out so much in the world that we’re in, that when we’re in a room like this, it’s a queer family. It’s not so much about standing out as it is about standing in.
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Be proud of your accomplishments, even if it’s just getting out of bed. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
What does it mean to you to be a part of this show?
I really think that Sasha Velour is one of the greatest artists of our time. No... Name: Maxxx Pleasure
What does it mean to you to be a part of this show?
I really think that Sasha Velour is one of the greatest artists of our time. Not only because she’s so talented, but also because she knows her brand and how to elevate herself, while still involving her Brooklyn family.
How do you stand out in a crowd?
My rock n’ roll charm, of course. I like to go for the just-rolled-out-of-bed-but-fashionable look. Like, oh, I just threw on my girlfriend’s clothes, and here I am.
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Reminding yourself that you’re your own artist, and that no one is going to do you better than you do you. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
How would you describe your style?
Urban chic. The streets of Brooklyn meet Soho. I feel like I look like I should be in The Sound of M... Name: Kandy Muse
How would you describe your style?
Urban chic. The streets of Brooklyn meet Soho. I feel like I look like I should be in The Sound of Music right now, though. I should be skipping down a mountain of flowers.
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Listen, I struggled with having self-confidence for many, many years. But it’s not until you put yourself out there that you start to gain it. It’s about taking risks, and not caring what other people think. I love myself!
Is this your first Fashion Week?
This is my first fashion show ever. It’s dope that I get to do it with a cast of queens and queer people. I remember in high school when Fashion Week would come about, we would get outfits together to go to school. Being here is a dream come true. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
Are you inspired by Jackie Kennedy?
I’m actually a big fan of Jackée Harry, and my legal last name is Kennedy.
And how do you feel... Name: Jacquee Kennedee
Are you inspired by Jackie Kennedy?
I’m actually a big fan of Jackée Harry, and my legal last name is Kennedy.
And how do you feel about your first runway show?
The LGBTQ representation is really cool.
How would you describe your look?
Cute.
Do you have any mantras for putting yourself out there?
I just try to look as good as I can. [Laughs] Photo: Cheryl Dunn
How would you describe your style?
Basically, the stupidest girl you’ve ever met walks into a store with her dad’s credit card and has the b... Name: Lemon
How would you describe your style?
Basically, the stupidest girl you’ve ever met walks into a store with her dad’s credit card and has the best time in the world. She doesn’t understand what’s going on, but she loves clothes.
How do you stand out in a crowd?
Honestly, I want everyone to stand out in a crowd. I want to live in the Hunger Games capitol where everyone dyes their skin purple and we all do the most. I feel like I dress this way so that everyone can.
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
No one else knows what you’re supposed to do, so just do what you gotta do. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Fake it until you make it. Own what you do and have no shame.
How do you stand out in a cr... Name: Andro Gin
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Fake it until you make it. Own what you do and have no shame.
How do you stand out in a crowd?
By just standing. I’m not trying to be different; I’m just doing what I like, and I think it looks cool. When you just own what you do, people will gravitate towards that. I don’t wake up and think, I hope everybody gags at this today. I’m very confident in my art.
How long did your makeup take?
I lost count. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
How would you describe your style?
This look is sort of Icelandic vampire who’s a DJ on the weekends. She walks the streets but still loves ... Name: Muffy
How would you describe your style?
This look is sort of Icelandic vampire who’s a DJ on the weekends. She walks the streets but still loves tea and reading.
What’s your advice for channeling confidence?
Once I get in drag, the pretension strips away and I understand that if I’m having fun, everyone is going to have fun along with me. I’m just a big dude rocking a ponytail.
How long did it take to do your makeup?
I actually sped through it today, so only an hour and a half. Photo: Cheryl Dunn
