A year ago, I got to do my absolute dream job: being a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars! I’ve been a massive fan of the show for over 15 years, and I’ve seen every episode multiple times. I love all the queens, have had many perform at my events, and some have even become dear friends over the years.
Going into this, a major component for me was my outfit. Right away, I knew I had to reach out to Garo Sparo, designer to all the stars and drag royalty. I also knew I wanted a butterfly-themed look to represent a metamorphosis from caterpillar to glamazon. While butterflies are famously a “cursed” topic on the Main Stage, I knew we could find a way to pull off a fabulous ensemble! In fashion, a butterfly represents transformation, rebirth, freedom, femininity, joy, and hope, carrying deep meanings of personal reinvention and resilience.
I sent Garo a few photos of old Moschino butterfly-themed looks I loved, and we brainstormed how to make it chic for the runway, yet fabulous while sitting at the judging panel.
He sent back a sketch that was exactly the vibe I was looking for, and we took off from there!
We picked fabrics for the skirt, capelet, and other detailing, and I loved getting progress videos of the masterpiece coming together.
Everything Garo creates is special, and the tiny baby caterpillar he made me was no exception! We talked endlessly about where to place it on my outfit, and I think he ended up in just the right spot. Did you catch him on the episode?!
I love when I get a custom piece because it is truly art created just for me, my body, and where I am going. This was even more special because Garo continued to send me progress videos and we tweaked and played around as each step unfolded to ensure the skirt, bustier, cape and headpiece were all just right!
I knew I wanted a fascinating fascinator and this butterflies in motion piece was truly everything I could have ever dreamed of!
The finished ensemble was so fabulous I couldn’t wait to get to set. What was I most excited about? Meeting the queens? RuPaul? Seeing the workroom and the Main Stage? Getting to wear this look? All of the above!
I got up early on the day of filming and drove to the set. “Hello, Hello, Hello” as RuPaul would say!
I could not have been more excited to be in the room where it all happens!
While I got glammed, I watched old RuPaul talk show episodes and the queens’ lip sync reinterpretations from the challenge.
During filming, I referenced a dress Ru wore that I had copied for a high school dance. It wasn’t spoofed on the show, but it was fabulous—a clingy, hot pink midi with orange lace that my mom made me, which was very risqué for little high school me!
Working with my LA glam squad was an absolute dream, and this was one of our first shoots together. I had just come from a trip to Mexico, and something didn’t agree with my skin and my whole face had swollen up! I spent the entire day before filming at an LA spa with face masks, ice, and massage therapy trying to get the swelling down. They managed to make me look presentable and found a way to secure the butterflies to my ever-bobbing head!
After reviewing my feedback for the queens, it was time to film!
Being on the judging panel, watching the runway, talking to the queens, and seeing that amazing lip sync was truly a dream come true. It will forever be one of the best days of my life!
Did you love the episode? What was your favorite part? Who was your favorite queen? What do we all think will happen after “The Merge”??? Let me know in the comments!
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