The Unsung Royalty of Drag Race: The Designers Behind the Looks We Love

RuPaul’s Drag Race, the drag reality and competition show that took the world by storm back in 2009 was groundbreaking in many ways. Drag Race was one of the first instances where out and proud queer people were showcasing the art of drag on national television. Lip sync showdowns and comedy challenges gave audiences a glimpse into the hard work and talent that goes into being a drag queen in a new way. However the most iconic aspect of the show is arguably the fashion. From spectacular campy gowns to chic avant garde outfits Ru girls know how to turn it out. And the level (and price) of these looks have only been increasing season after season. Vice’s article “Shantay, You Pay: Inside the Heavy Financial Burden of Going On ‘Drag Race'” by Rachel Miller gives a look into the unbelievable cost of competing on Drag Race. And the largest chunk of this investment? The clothes. No wonder the $100,000 cash prize for winners mostly goes back into their drag, save for Kandy Muse the season 13 runner up who said she wanted to buy a boat with her money. 

The “Fashion Queens” of Drag Race (like Violet Chacki, Bimini Bon Boulash, Naomi Smalls, and Plastique Tiara to name a few) have been consistently upping the level of expected quality, originality, and knowledge of fashion every year. Other than queens like Ivy Winters, Monique Heart, or Roxxy Andrews (or Gigi Goode’s mom) most queens don’t sew and design the majority of their outfits. And in recent years it has become increasingly common to hire designers to make custom looks no matter the cost. 

So who are these designers creating the looks we love? 

Marco Marco

Marco Marco is an American designer who has become one of the most influential and successful costume designers of the last ten years working with pop stars like Cher, Nicki Minaj, Kesha, Katy Perry, and Britney Spears for their half time shows and Las Vegas residencies as well as working with just about every Ru girl. Marco Marco’s extravagant silhouettes and use of color draw inspiration from classic glitzy and glamorous Bob Mackie esque and current couture from designers like Jeremy Scott or Marc Jacobs. On the podcast Sibling Rivalry with Bob the Drag Queen and Monet Exchange, the girls keep a tally of all of the designers from Drag Race episodes and every season Marco Marco wins by a landslide. And it’s no wonder queens love him, his designs encapsulate the drama and artistry of drag.

Zaldy

In a close second to Marco Marco in creating the most Drag Race looks Zaldy, the Filipino American designer, is to thank for almost every single one of Ru Paul’s looks since 1992! Zaldy also designed multiple Michael Jackson and Britney Spears tours but is most well known in the fashion world for dressing the most famous drag queen of all time. Zaldy’s style are full of fun color and flair while still maintaining a regal and put together ensemble fit for a queen.

Abraham Levy

An original member of the house of Xtravaganza, Abraham Levy got his start in the ballroom scene walking and making outfits for his sisters before finally deciding to turn his passion and talent into his career after the death of his best friend and house member turned him away from the ballroom world. Levy, like all of these designers, has worked for basically every pop diva and queen out there and has had his work featured on FX’s Pose. Levy’s specialty is creating “armor” made with a multitude of materials that creates a coreseted, defined shape and silhouette with all of his pieces.

Diego Montoya

Diego Montoya is an American visual artist and fashion designer who specializes in “larger than life” designs, usually with large head pieces and props. His work perfectly fits into the regal nature of the many queens he creates for, most notably his muse Sasha Velour.