Nothing like an impromptu weekend jolly. My friend Ryan from Rochester had called me last week to see if I wanted to catch an art exhibit with him as he had tickets to see a fashion exhibit, but a friend of his couldn't make it. So he called to see if I'd be interested. Turns out it was Homecoming Queen, and it came back for a five-day revisit to the Rochester Art Center. I wanted to see this the first time it came around but missed due to scheduling and timing and a little thing called the pandemic. Rochester is the closet it came to me, so I said yes. Mind you, I should have been in the garden tending to it, but no way was I missing this again. Homecoming Queen was the exhibit of Ethan Mundt, aka Utica, a very talented drag queen who appeared on the 13th season of Drag Race and who in my ever-humble opinion should have won. She was by far the most creative and the performance queen of the season, but alas, we know the deep conceptual does always win. The exhibit was 4,000 square feet of orgasmic dream for me and featured mannequins dressed in Utica's most stunning garments from the season and further, her original design sketches, large scale editorial photos of the Drag Race alumna and a swell video highlighting Utica's background, growing up, and her thought and creative process. I'm here to tell you, the screen does nothing for these looks the queen's wear. To see the wardrobe up close and the details was something. But Utica is also not your average Drag Race queen. These garments were practically like couture. Easy to see why she is leaning into fashion design. All created, designed and hand made by Utica herself. She should be proud. To my knowledge she is the only drag queen, even over RuPaul herself, to ever have a whole exhibit of her wardrobe to be featured as an art installation, made with her own hands. Is it any wonder Lexi Love wore so many of Utica's creations this season, and other queens are flocking or is it frocking, to her? Another plus? We got to see Kasha Davis performing later that night out.
What a fabulous show. I'd see one look and think, "Oh that's the best," and then I'd scroll down to another amazing creation. Such a gifted designer.
ReplyDeleteLove his story.
PS He needs to take his drawings and make them into a coffee table book that I need to buy.
DeleteI tell you he truly is one hell of an artist. Between drag fashion and his art...Utica is amazing. One of the biggest surprises to come out of drag race.
DeleteWhat a great video, I enjoyed watching it. So glad you finally got to see his exhibit!
ReplyDeleteUm.... Wow!!! What else can one say?
ReplyDeleteFascinating
ReplyDeleteHe could design for Lady Gaga!
ReplyDeleteI'd be highly surprised Kirk if Utica doesn't end up becoming a couture designer like Christian Siriano.
DeleteOh how I wish I could be there to see that in person. Wow!
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE those Creations!!! I had some Fun myself, and amused The Man by taking him to our fav Asian Supermarket, he always gets a kick out of the packaging and products they Sell. We took a few Pixs of him holding such things as Packets of Cock Flavored Soup! Yep, did a Blog Post of it and Yes we bought the Soup Packet, gotta see what that tastes like and compare it with the authenticity of... well... you know... *Winks*
ReplyDeleteI must admit Dawn that your post title caught my eye in my reader. I haven't made it there yet but I thought please tell me she's not making soup out of cocks!!!
DeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteNow, which of those fabulous creations did you sneak into your tote bag for Pam Demic to wear? Hmmm? Jx
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. You know she pilferred something out of there.
DeleteSome of those are absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteMonsieur Mundt a le cadeau du fil et de l'aiguille. Il est très talenteux qu'il devrait sérieusement envisager la haute couture. New York et Paris l'attendent :)
ReplyDelete-Beau Mec à Deauville
That is a phenomenal exhibition. And you're right I can't think of any drag queen who's ever had a whole exhibit of their ensembles. And she certainly had the looks that season. That's a lot of creativity in one person. I recall season 13 was a legendary season, I thought one of the most talented seasons they had. I can only imagine if she came back for another season she would probably clean the Slate.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been amazing to see Utica's designs come to life in that exhibition! Parsons or any other Design School would welcome him with open arms. The video clip was fascinating too... and of course, you must tell us how you smuggled that huge black & white polka dot chapeau out of the show, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Utica could have won that season.
ReplyDeleteAnd this exhibit was EVERYTHING. I'm so glad she's getting her flowers! The creativity, the talent, the imagination! Not every Drag performer needs to go shablam on everything. Is it fun to see that? Yes. But THIS kind of Drag gives us a little bit more: it gives us art.
XOXO
This is so beautiful I'm so glad you got to see it. I remember a lot of those very well on her season. The big black gown was breathtaking , and the religious one .. the gold gown with headdress, I've never seen anything like that on drag race. She was by far my favorite, especially just for her being quirky. The most misunderstood ones are usually by far the most creative and talented. I'm so glad she got to show her art like this.
ReplyDeleteA unexpected outing is always fun.
ReplyDeleteThese are really wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love an over the top talented queen like Utica. Even now her ensembles are phenomenal!!!! Have you deen her insta?!?
ReplyDelete