RuPaul’s Drag Race is one of the world’s most beloved reality shows, inspiring a whole generation of drag queens with its daring looks and fashion references. It’s no wonder this series has become so beloved – from its exaggerated looks to its frequent pop-up references throughout each episode.
We spoke with Zaldy, the designer behind RuPaul’s stunning dresses, about styling her for Drag Race. He shared his expert tips for crafting the ideal look.
Zaldy
RuPaul’s fashion style may be the best in drag, but behind it lies Zaldy – an experienced costume designer who’s been working with her since the ’90s. As a three-time Emmy winner for outstanding costumes on RuPaul’s Drag Race, he has also designed outfits for Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and various Cirque du Soleil shows.
For over a decade, he has seamlessly combined fashion and costume design to craft timeless masterpieces. His pieces are renowned for their vibrant color palettes, regal silhouettes and intricate detailing.
Zaldy, a New York City native, grew up in an energetic downtown scene that fostered clubbing culture. This exposure has given him insights into women and personalities which he now incorporates into his artwork.
As a fashion designer, his goal is to craft pieces that are both effortlessly chic and regal. He uses cutting-edge technology for his designs to ensure they’re breathable, washable and versatile.
In addition to RuPaul, he’s designed for other pop stars such as Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears and Michael Jackson. Additionally, he collaborates with Guy Laliberte – founder of Cirque du Soleil – on two more projects.
He’s responsible for designing almost every look Ru has worn since the show began, from her 90’s-inspired feather boa gown to the mermaid-seaweed coat she donned at VH1 Fashion And Music Awards. As long as Ru’s tastes align with his vision, he’s happy.
Zaldy values this alliance as a seamless combination of intuition, history, innovation and curatorial excellence. It is an emblem of trust that has been developed over time – something she holds dear.
Through the years, RuPaul has donned an array of dresses designed by Zaldy. Some of his most memorable looks include a gown made from one of the show’s Emmy statuettes, a striped cotton gown and a red mermaid-seaweed ensemble.
Some of these designs were inspired by the challenges the queen had to complete each week, while others were more free-form. There was even a season 10 catsuit inspired by Burning Man – an annual community art event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
RuPaul Charles
RuPaul Charles is an American drag queen, singer-actor, television personality and fashion designer best known for his role on RuPaul’s Drag Race and his daring style. Additionally, he is a passionate supporter of the LGBTQ community and supports various charities throughout his career.
He was born and raised in San Diego, California but moved to Atlanta with his sister when he was 15 to pursue performing arts. Ultimately, he settled in New York City where he quickly gained notoriety on the LGBT nightclub scene.
After his international success, he became the first drag queen to be a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics and appear on television. Additionally, he featured in several films such as Starbooty! (2007) – a playful take on the genre that received critical acclaim.
RuPaul, a drag performer, has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ community, releasing numerous albums and movies as well as hosting shows and competitions. Additionally, he launched his own clothing line and created several games shows and trivia programs such as Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul (2016-2018).
In 2009, RuPaul created the reality television show RuPaul’s Drag Race. This show, featuring challenges and eliminations, quickly became a staple of contemporary television.
It has earned multiple Emmy awards and boasts an estimated audience of over 100 million viewers worldwide. Furthermore, it helped bring drag culture into the mainstream.
But in all his success, RuPaul has never forgotten his core identity as a gay man. He has been open about his sexuality since high school and is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community.
RuPaul is best known for his role as host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, an influential show that brought drag culture into the mainstream. Aside from his work on the show, he has also acted in films and authored three books.
The show has received widespread acclaim for both its production and subject matter, making it an influential tool for activism. The drag queen cast represents a diverse group of people and have endured various difficulties throughout their lives.
RuPaul’s wardrobe
Drag queen culture has long had a major influence on fashion, but in the last decade it has become more mainstream thanks to RuPaul’s Drag Race. This reality show provides drag queens with an outlet to express themselves while uniting the LGBTQ community.
In addition to their on-screen performances, the queens also take part in a series of fashion challenges. They are divided into houses based on Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Michelle Visage’s aesthetic, and must create an ensemble using materials provided.
Each house has a distinct style that reflects the host, and queens must mix and match elements within their room to achieve an eye-catching aesthetic. From Ivy League-inspired looks to leather accents, each season has featured unique fashion trends from which contestants have drawn inspiration.
Queens can take their fashion game to new heights when they have access to designer clothing. That’s why RuPaul’s Drag Race provides such an amazing platform for these queens to have pieces tailored specifically for them.
These designers are renowned for their bold, creative pieces as well as high-quality fabrics.
Zaldy has created some of the most iconic fashions on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and his designs have earned him two Emmy awards. Plus, he’s been working with RuPaul for over a decade!
He has an intimate connection to the queen, and he strives to make her look her best every time she steps onto the runway. Knowing how fiercely competitive this industry can be, he strives to guarantee that each queen looks her best at all times.
Fashion on RuPaul’s Drag Race can be expensive, and some queens have even admitted that they need to keep track of their spending. With prices like these, there’s certainly a risk involved.
RuPaul’s style
RuPaul’s style is as iconic as her persona. As a drag queen herself, she’s revolutionized how we view fashion with her daring and glamor.
Throughout her time on Drag Race, she launched the careers of many renowned and beloved queens. These five ladies are true fashion icons in their own right.
Jackie Cox has an eye for taking inspiration from various sources when creating her ensembles. For the season 15 premiere of RPDR, she donned this blue 3D star cutout dress which Michelle described as “Hassidic meets Jean Paul Gautier.”
Nicky Doll is another queen renowned for her style. She draws inspiration from current couture and glitzy Bob Mackie-esque looks to create stunning outfits that showcase creativity and flair. Her looks always look stunning, no matter the season!
Her daring looks on RPDR have also inspired some of her own clothing collections. One recent offering, a series of dresses honoring drag queens, features vibrant colors and daring silhouettes.
When it comes to RuPaul’s fashion, she collaborates closely with costume designer Zaldy. Their partnership dates back to Ru’s first appearance on Supermodel (You Better Work), and their collaborative design has earned them two Emmy awards together.
Zaldy’s vision for RuPaul’s fashion is an amalgam of intuition, history and curatorial excellence. Together they’ve designed outfits that are both flattering and iconic.
Zaldy has the unique talent of bringing out RuPaul’s inner-diva and making sure she always looks her best. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Zaldy discusses his drive to make RuPaul the best-dressed woman on TV and the clothes he designs specifically for her.
Ru’s style is what defines her authentic self and allows her to compete in an intensely stressful competition.
For the upcoming season of RPDR, she’s collaborated with two designers who have a well-deserved reputation for creating stunning costumes. Marco Marco is known to be one of drag’s best dressed queens and his creations are sure to leave viewers in awe.
