“Fashion is my escape but at the same time, the armor I use when the world is putting too much pressure on me,” said Augustine L. Élégance, a drag queen and model in this shoot. “Fashion is my outlet to show the world that they can’t take me down so easily.”
Drag fuses performance, fashion, storytelling, and family. As an outlet for creativity and joy, drag encourages people to embrace outlandishness and connect to their silliness without fear of rejection.
Silliness, no matter who you are, speaks to everyone. Whether it be gigantic wigs, a dress made of sponges, or a sung parody about a bug, silliness and joy will always have the power to disarm hate.
“Drag gives me a silly, joyful outlet to be myself and to be surrounded by community. To remember that there is community, joy, abundance, and prosperity all around, even when it’s scary,” said Dharma Delahantey, a marketing student and model in this shoot.
Drag is storytelling. Queens and kings dramatize their performances through exaggerated acting and fashion. From drag brunches and storytimes to bingo and club shows, every performance is built around bringing joy and entertainment to audiences in unexpected ways.
Susanne Bartsch, a prominent figure in the New York club scene in the 1980s, is renowned for her avant-garde fashion. Embracing more whimsy than imaginable, she hosted parties that challenged attendees to reach within themselves and discover their “alter ego.”
“Costumes can even do things beyond what the script can do… [they] can demonstrate where the character is headed, where the character has been, or suggest connections within the storytelling,” said DeMara Cabrera, a senior instructor of theatre arts and costume designer at Oregon State University.
In the late 1980s, Susanne Bartsch hired RuPaul Charles as a performer in her iconic New York nightlife scene. In many ways, she mentored RuPaul, encouraging her to embrace the avant-garde and push weird into weirder territory. RuPaul took this opportunity to transform drag from traditional costume impersonation into high-fashion art.
Miz Cracker, a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, came to OSU for Drag Bingo on January 16. Drawing nearly 300 OSU students to the recurring annual event, the night served as a reminder that drag plays a significant role in connecting the queer community, especially at OSU.
“The OSU community shone brighter than I’ve ever seen it at Drag Bingo. All the tables were loud, cheering, and interactive with the performance,” said Delahantey, who also attended the event. “When Miz Cracker gave her speech about coming together, the queer joy in the room was palpable.”
As we move through our day-to-day lives, remember that joy and silliness are powerful tools against the issues that scare us.
