As a drag artist and fashion enthusiast myself, I can truly appreciate the stories of LGD and Gottmik, two trailblazers in their respective fields who are pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers within the fashion industry. Their journeys are inspiring and their dedication to their craft is evident in every piece they create or wear.
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Right from its opening pink carpet walk, DragCon Los Angeles becomes a platform for stylish displays throughout the weekend. For years, drag and fashion have been in lively dialogue – think 70s ballroom culture or RuPaul’s 90s tribute to fashion in “Supermodel (You Better Work)” – but this year’s attendees may have observed that the standards for fashionable expression continue to elevate.
It’s no wonder that the recent Drag Race event in Los Angeles (July 19 and 20) showcased high fashion alongside the usual drag styles like spooky, punky, pop-star inspired, comedic, etc., as seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race. This is especially evident in the appearances of this year’s guest artists, La Grande Dame and Gottmik, who are known for their sophisticated and stylish ensembles on the show and in major fashion campaigns.
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At only 25 years old, the fashion industry powerhouse known as La Grande Dame, or LGD (who prefers she/her pronouns when in drag), has built an impressive portfolio. Born and raised in Nice, now based in Paris, LGD (born Yannick Martin Androf) holds a design degree. She embarked on her drag career at 18 and became part of the legendary House of Gorgeous Gucci. Fast forward to today: She has strutted down prestigious Parisian designer runways, showcased Jean Paul Gaultier during the latest season of Drag Race UK vs. the World (she was a finalist on the first season of Drag Race France), and starred in the recent Jacquemus x Nike collaboration campaign, shot in the City of Lights.
LGD makes it clear that she wouldn’t be able to manage everything without what she refers to as “the drag economy” – a collective of designers, wig makers, and other artists who collaborate closely with the drag community. This group includes her dear friends like Kevin Germanier, whose feathered outfits graced the Paris Olympics opening ceremony runway, and Miss Boo, who played an essential role in crafting the eye-catching looks LGD wore at this year’s DragCon, where she was one of the most sought-after queens.
LGD and Kevin Germanier have collaborated for a long time, making it only fitting for her to don one of his sustainable outfits, specifically a vibrant, multi-colored gown crafted from recycled feather boas. To The Hollywood Reporter, she expresses, “There’s no LGD without Kevin.” He supported her on the runway even when he was still proving himself, and they have continued to progress in their respective careers in a similar fashion. Whenever something significant happens for her, like a ‘Drag Race’ event or a campaign, he also experiences success.
In another stunning display, the mini dress, a tightly-laced Yves Klein blue number adorned with feathers and matching mesh gloves, was designed by none other than Miss Boo, a renowned fashion designer based in Paris. As LGD puts it, “She creates some of the most impressive outfits you’ll see in France. Many of my best looks are thanks to her.” For custom pieces like this one, the drag artist admits she takes an active role in the design process. “I’m involved in most aspects,” she says, acknowledging the talent surrounding her in the drag community. “I leave the sewing to others because I simply don’t have the time anymore. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by so many skilled artisans who excel at what they do. They deserve the spotlight!”
Similar to LGD, Gottmik (known as Kade Gottlieb off-stage and preferring she/her pronouns in drag) has assembled a reliable group of creatives to assist in achieving her design ambitions. A FIDM graduate, Gottmik has used fashion as an outlet for self-expression since her days of jazzing up her Catholic school uniform to stand out – a talent she credits with boosting her performance during her seasons on Drag Race. Today, the popular queen can often be spotted at Gautier shows in Paris or adorning custom Loewe and fresh-from-the-runway Versace on All Stars 9. (She has also modeled for Baja East.) However, her most impactful looks are those that hold the deepest personal significance – such as the crystalized, illusion dress by Disco Daddy and a lattice leather skirt and bra by Zana Bayne, whose designs have also been worn by Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Debbie Harry. This year at DragCon, she chose these pieces to showcase.
In this latest venture following “Drag Race”, Gottmik unveiled two distinct styles specifically tailored for her debut single and music video titled “SKULLF*CKER”.
“She mentions that after putting in a lot of effort into the song and its accompanying video, she was thrilled by the fans’ positive responses, which is why she decided to share it at DragCon. As a trans man, Gottmik frequently incorporates references to her journey into her runway presentations, and she proudly displays – sometimes even embellishing them – her top surgery scars as a source of pride.”
In their recent project, she and Disco Daddy aimed to continue the theme by collaborating with Gottmik. The designer, who has previously created outfits featuring crystals for artists like Doja Cat, Madonna, and Megan Thee Stallion, had been considering designing an anatomically correct body dress for Gottmik. “I’ve been mulling over the idea of this design for a while,” she explained. She painted the body design onto the dress as Gottmik wore it, and together they brainstormed ideas for each tattoo. Some of the tattoos were traditional designs, while others were custom-made to symbolize Gottmik and herself, such as the song title, Mik’s logo, and some hints for fans about upcoming projects. Disco Daddy and their team then utilized tattoo placement and crystal colors to create an optical illusion of Gottmik’s nude body, truly honoring her physical identity.
These drag performers, LGD and Gottmik, are embarking on their post-DragCon journeys, which involve global tours, album launches, and potentially their own fashion line. They’re undoubtedly rising stars in the fashion world, but they acknowledge that gaining respect in an industry known for exclusivity isn’t a walk in the park, especially now. As Gottmik puts it, “We need to put in twice the effort to reach the same level as many artists out there.” Despite growing recognition from fashion houses, they understand that proving their seriousness and talent is crucial. They emphasize, “There’s space for everyone.”
As a fearless gamer, I understand the apprehension in the world of fashion design and media regarding the representation of drag. But here’s the thing – it takes courage, or as I like to say, “it takes gaming-level bravery.” Both art forms need to stand by each other, keep pushing boundaries, and show up for one another.
It’s amusing to notice how fashion trends have started to resemble what we’ve seen on “Drag Race” for some time now, with high-end designers drawing inspiration from drag queens instead of the other way around. This shift in direction makes me optimistic, and it seems that this trend aligns well with the ethos of the show.
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2024-08-05 22:25