PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN

Sad news arrived to hear that beautiful queen Pepperica Swirl has passed on unexpectedly, a queen who designed wigs and costumes for many of us queens. A stunning and talented queen herself, she became known as a fixture in the New York City queer life and theater communities. Pepperica was known for her sharp wit, high camp, and immaculate costuming, not to mention her perfect hip pad business in later years. Other words that come to mind are generous, hilarious, compassionate, and shady in the best possible sense. She made quite a few of my pool gowns too. Always the fun one at a drag show, and she had a little bit of that Anna Nicole Smith vibe going on. Perpperica also had the privilege to attain a post on the college of monarchs of the Imperial Court of New York. She served as Empress XXV and her empress tile was "The Empress of Caftans and Cocktails." If you have never been to a Night of Thousand Gowns...go once! It makes a drag show look amateur.  She's survived by her sweet teacher husband, Vincent. Very sad to say goodbye to yet another legend and fun sister this year. She has left a massive mark on the city's drag scene, and a huge hole within the Imperial Court community. Arise for the Empress!