- Words William J Connolly
- A Wolf & Badger Studios Production
- Photography and Art Direction Giada Frassetto
- Fashion Ignacio de Tiedra assisted by Beca Montenegro
- Hair Ross Kwan assisted by Amy Luthwood-Graham
- Makeup Rocio Cuenca assisted by Faye Bluff and Simona Svantnerova using Mac Cosmetics
- Nails Edyta Betka
- Set Design Barbara Klekowska
- Location Wolf & Badger Studios
In a world where you can be anything… be camp. Be camp as f**k. Thankfully this group of breakout bop droppers and drag slayers don’t need to be told the brief twice.
As the world marks Pride Month this June, it seemed only fitting to celebrate some of the UK’s finest and most unapologetic stars that are no stranger to breaking boundaries, serving lewks and making us gag on their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. And by talent… we mean T-A-L-E-N-T.
From the Drag runway to your favourite 3am live venue, they’re no stranger to the spotlight or attention – and the spotlight they are here to claim.
With the term drag moving from queer spaces directly onto mainstream television and the world of pop, there’s no denying there’s a revolution happening of epic proportions. And it’s a queer revolution at that!
But what even is drag? Who is drag for? And isn’t drag anything and everything each of us individually make it? Well don’t ask us, but this group of top-tier gender-f**kers that have become something between national treasures and runway slayers.
Category is… fierce as hell.
- TAYCE wearing
- Suit Patrick Garvey
- Gloves Marco Tullio Siviglia
- Jewellery Vintage
- Dress MISTY COUTURE
- Jewellery VINTAGE
- Armour SELFHOOD OFFICIAL
TAYCE
Tayce, Tayce, Tayce, Tayce… hi. When legend asks who Tayce is… what should the answer be?
I’d say I’m a camp bitch – an absolute hound. The Queen of Wales. A bad bitch. A sweetheart. (laughs)
From one cocky sl*g to another… what is drag for you?
Drag to me is an extension of my being. Not a character, not a facade or a veil – just another side of me. That’s why I never chose a drag name and used my own birth name. But to some I know it’s a means of escapism and I love that drag has that duality and can help people.
And I hear you’ve a rather exciting new collaboration coming up…
My lips are sealed… (winky face!)
- TAYCE wearing
- Dress MISTY COUTURE
- Jewellery Vintage
- Armour Selfhood Official
A’Whora labelled you ‘Tayce, the queen of face’. Do you accept your charges?
Guilty as charged!
As the UK can’t go on holiday abroad, is Barry Island *the* place to be this hot girl summer?
Barry Island on a smoking hot day does have its charms. The arcade, chips, ice cream, camp rickety rides… maybe a plaster floating around the ocean. I mean, who doesn’t want that?! (laughs)
- TAYCE wearing
- Suit Patrick Garvey
- Gloves Marco Tullio Siviglia
- Jewellery Vintage
A’WHORA
When legend asks who A’Whora is… what should the answer be?
A wise woman once said… ‘she’s an icon, a legend, now come on now… she is the moment!’ A’Whora is a whore that nobody can afford. She’s that label you see and put the dress back on the rack because it’s not even within question. You see a hoe that you get for free, but a whore you need to pay for… but A’Whora you could NEVER! (laughs)
Click-click, bitch. What is drag to you?
Just like Dorothy, there is no place like drag! Drag is everything and anything. Nobody can say what drag is as it’s continuously evolving and ever-changing. Drag to me means one thing today and another tomorrow, but what I will say is that drag is survival and gives me purpose to keep pushing. To keep fighting and to never stop trying every day when I wake up and slip on those ruby slippers and call the service to bring me champagne.
- A'WHORA wearing
- Jacket Jean Paul Gaultier
- Accessories Vintage
- Head Piece, Jacket & Trousers Alvaro Mars
- Cape Patrick McDowell
- Boots Natacha Marro
- Necklace Alighieri
- Gloves Vintage
- Rings Jessica Pass London
As the fas-HUN queen, what’s the hardest fashion serve that’s left you gagging?
Aside from the iconic ‘chipgate’ with she-who-shall-not-be-named, there’s been many times I’ve seen the work we have done on RuPaul’s Drag Race then be used in the mainstream media or culture. For instance, I recently did the Little Mix music video for their track Confetti and then a few weeks later I saw they were all wearing hair and wigs curated by one of my stylists in Paris called Pariz Hair. Both my finale hair and my Meet The Queens hair were by them, so it was very interesting to see the girls rocking the couture hair soon after! (laughs)
As the queer liberation continues, what would you like to see happen next for our community?
I really want to neutralise the bathroom, like I’m so over it! I know it may not seem like such a big deal to other people but this is something that is everywhere. That one moment of being stood not knowing where to go or questioning yourself about where you belong doesn’t need to happen. I’d love to just make it open and have us all kiki together with no-fucks given because – and let’s be honest – the party usually starts in the toilets! We’ve all seen what’s down there so who cares, move on and just accept everyone.
- A'WHORA wearing
- Dress
- Headscarf
- Jacket Jean Paul Gaultier
Wish list in hand, what’s on the list for A’Whora?
My own fashion haus for sure. I’d love to get into some makeup collabs, potentially neutralised lingerie and body shapewear for all of us in-between. Hopefully more cover shoots and editorials. I just love dancing around and playing dress-up while I have my picture taken. I wanna keep pushing more with my modelling and take to some more runways and hopefully eat it all up – taking over the world one designer bag at a time.
- A'WHORA wearing
- Head Piece, Jacket & Trousers Alvaro Mars
- Cape Patrick McDowell
- Boots Natacha Marro
- Necklace Alighieri
- Rings Jessica Pass London
- Dress
- Headscarf
FANCY SHEWS!
How would you describe who Fancy Shews! is?
I’m a shape shifter, an artist, a parody of my own experiences of the world. All frills and all thrills. Fancy Shews! is just another facet of my personality.
The big question… do you think we’re closer to a place for a cis woman to be among the contestants on Drag Race?
There will be cis women on Drag Race… that’s all I’ll say. (laughs)
- FANCY SHEWS! wearing
So what’s on the list for Fancy Shews you just have to tick-off?
I’ve never liked being told I can’t do anything – I don’t believe it. My dream is to shoot with Tim Walker someday and to realise my ideas more outside of my head. My goal is to forever be happy, however that comes.
Who inspires your drag aesthetic?
I take my inspirations from people I meet and people I’ve actually been.
AARON PORTER
Who is Aaron Porter?
A reflection of the future we hope for? An icon whose voice, words and performance made change. A full on MOOD!
Who is your biggest inspiration for performing live?
It’s got to be Prince! The way the music takes full control of him, it’s intoxicatingly infectious.
You push against your music being labelled or put into a specific genre. What motivated this and what’s the reaction been like?
We’ve all been put in boxes that we don’t belong in. I’d always rather secure my own place, allow myself to change and to grow. The music I’m working on right now has fully evolved. The genre moves. I am fluid.
So how would you describe your aesthetic?
My aesthetic is giving futuristic, non-binary, sex glam. (laughs) I’ve never said that before but I’ll keep it!
Wish list in hand, what’s on the list for Aaron Porter?
Secure the bag that means all I have to do is create, perform and make change. May it be to do with race or gender – and look after my family and health. Stay cute!
