GAY PRIDE-AMANDA LEPORE

We always hear of our brave trans brothers and sisters of yore, and how trailblazing they were and what they did to get where they were. But what of the current trailblazers? Amanda Lepore for me is definitely a trailblazer, and one it seems I have seen many times over the years and into the carnation she is now. No way could you go out in NYC clubbing in the late 80's and 90's and beyond and not seen or met Amanda Lepore. You would not forget her eye-popping looks and style. To me she was brave. She made and set her mind to be who she wanted and no denying she forged her own signature style. Growing up in suburban NJ during the 70's while often being bullied at school for being different, Amanda left home, and at 17 she used a legal loophole to marry a male bookstore owner who helped her get and pay for her early gender-affirming surgeries. However, the relationship, was unhappy and turned abusive, as her husband wanted to keep her locked away. Over time she would stash grocery money to escape and eventually did and move to NYC. By the early 90's she was swiftly embraced by the city's most out there nightlife and fashion scenes. She freaked out America on the talk show circuit when many trans would not even still come out in the light so to speak. Proving she is not just a Warholian embodiment of famous for being famous, hard-grafting Amanda started getting paid to just show up at clubs and parties, and appeared in the music videos of other artist, while breaking into a spokes model position with MAC and the Heatherettes, not to mention became a huge muse for David Lachapple. It was soon after her appearance with surgical enhancements would eventually morph into a more extreme vision of an old Hollywood, high glamour prototype. And a body akin to a work of art. But it works.

Spending the past 28 years gracing or performing her own music and cabaret routines at just about every notable niterie in NYC and beyond, she also found time to write a bestselling autobiography in 2017, entitled Doll Parts, and launched her own line of infamous lipsticks. I have the upmost respect for her and admiration for being that brave, leaving home with almost nothing, and NOT HIDING she was trans. Normally I'm also not into plastic surgery on people, but for some reason her Marilyn Monroe meets Jessica Rabbit works, I mean, only Amanda can pull this off. Such dedication to style and image...I mean her wigs are absolutely stunning and she always does her own make up btw. I had the pleasure to meeting her in NYC and New Hope on several occasion and she is about the most approachable, gentle and good-humored natured person you'll meet. Our clan's own Preston was even in the same yoga classes as her and said you wouldn't believe it...Amanda was there in sweats and her own hair and still looked glam! Not bad for a scared, picked on trans sister with a few bucks starting out huh? Think of the roads and inspiration she gave to future scared trans people and youth.

That is all to say, Amanda is such a fabulous one -off.

HERRERA'S SPANISH SPIN

Of course I love fashion!! And spring is my favorite season. If I had been a woman with unlimited money...I'd be bedecked in all Carolina Herrera this spring and summer! This season's offerings of wears that drew me in was indeed that of Carolina Herrera, a stunning woman herself. The house fashion and design now over saw by the talented Wes Gordon, was presented in Madrid's historic Plaza Mayor, celebrating the city's vibrant energy. The collection features high glam couture to more pieces of ready to wear all in a bold palette, including saffron, yellow, signature Carolina red, white, and violeta lilac. alongside floral embroidery, jacquard, and dramatic silhouettes and poufs! The embroidery was exquisite. The colors sang. The point of view never wavered. The show started with a bang of a big gown. Wes Gordon proved that Herrera doesn't need to shout to command attention- just the right balance of restraint, seduction and silk. This is making me want a few pieces and head off to Spain with our dear Jon.

What a showing!

MOOD BOARD

 

It looks as though spring is coming. While not too many garden delights yet...the lawn crocus came out from nowhere it seems overnight. I like spring but could have used a few more weeks of it getting dark early. Helps to wind me down to relax when it's dark. When it's still light out, I feel as though I should still be doing some chores or things around the house. And of course, with the spring and warmer temps arriving, that means the Mistress's libido will be going into overdrive. On to Monday....

Spring appears to be coming, things could be looking up!

Happy Monday all.

IS THAT MY CAMERA?

Jinkx Monsoon season continues....

Broadway star and drag legend Jinkx Monsoon who has appeared to be the first big Broadway babe in the land of drag and set to play the legendary role of Dorothy Gale in next years, End of the Rainbow musical has now entered the fashion world, with another outspoken favorite of mine...Patrick Church! And she entered the Jinkx way; boldly, theatrically and with heart. Jinkx has partnered with the trendy designer and painter Patrich Church on a limited capsule for his collection, bringing together two artist whose work thrives on self-expression. Titled Patrich Church loves Jinkx, the collection merges Churches signature visual language with Monsoon's distinctly camp stage persona. It's a collection to be mixed and matched and worn with current closet pieces and designed to be worn, lived in and seen. Each pieces seems to have Church's intimacy and celebration of queer connection while channeling the fun, witty and presence that have made Jinkx a huge hit across the drag kingdom and theater. A win -win you ask me. I have several of Church's square cuts...but I already need a new umbrella...so I see at least the Jinkx Umbrella entering the house soon. You can view the collection here.

Not too bad she is doing considering all the queens used to ridicule her.

Now who's laughing?

WUN DELIGHTS

 
 People who have seen the Mistress in drag will understand why I love designer Robert Wun. One of my trademarks was either always big hair or hair accoutrements. And if you want drama, then you came to the right place. His 2024.2025 showing during Paris week was nothing short of jaw dropping and unexpected delight. To celebrate his tenth anniversary, he presented a stunning collection called "Time". The collection was a meditation on the acceptance of finitude; a concept this designer embraces to fuel his creative process. And it came through in this elaborate and flamboyant showing, not to mention each piece testifying to his craftsmanship and visionary approach. I adored the progression of the season too and it was artistically done...right down to the visible burns on the hems to symbolize the inevitable erosion of time. What a showing to create for his 10th year.

Spectacular!

LEGENDARY SCHIAPARELLI

As always, the brilliant man behind Schiaparelli does it again in another stunning collection this past Paris Fashion week. I would so be wearing any of these as the Mistress approves. Daniel Roseberry unveiled the collection in a show that was as visually assertive as it was conceptually charged. Again, against the picturesque and opulent backdrop of the Petit Palais, Roseberry delivered a cinematic study in contrasts, futurism intertwined with historical codes. Eroticism layed beneath craftsmanship, a collection that felt like both a homage and a defiant leap forward, showing promise for a famine of fashion. Always a standout here. Stripping the palette down to stark black, silver and gray, seems fitting for the time were in, Roseberry emphasized surface over color. Reflective embellishments took center stage. And the venue is so great from the fashion goer to view and see multiple models walking the curved walkway.  As fashion braces for a generational shuffle, Schiaparelli stand as both culmination and catalyst...and he does this legendary fashion house proud, still letting Elsa Schiaparelli's surreal fashion still shine through. The gowns and suits are to die for, and I would so wear the winter coat with the fur trim embellishments!!!!

I swear, the minute his shows start, I get chills.

SYMPOIESIS

How do you do top couture?.....

You bring it to life. While watching some of the fashion shows recently, one that I was in awe and completely blown away by was one by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen. Granted, I don't know where one would wear these except a red carpet or the Met Gala perhaps, but remember , many fashion designer and buyers and for retail fashion brands will get inspiration by the color, materials, silhouettes and so forth to bring the influence from a runway show to the masses. But as far as a runway show goes, my jaw dropped at the creativity, showmanship and couture of this presentation, and the garments, maybe since the legendary Alexander McQueen. Iris van Herpen opened her latest collection, Sympoiesis at Paris Coutre week with a jaw dropping, show stopping "living look"  inhabited by 125 million bioluminescent algae.  Nurtured in seawater and encapsulated in a nutrient gel...the dress wasn't constructed, it was cultivated! Iris is known for bringing inspiration from the world we inhabit. Her fashion isn't just about clothes; she treats it perhaps like a science project. And for this show she created the runway into a living reef. The opening look worn by model Stella Maxwell emitted light every time moved. I have my favorite designers for shows, but this.... this was couture and art at a whole new level, I've never seen....very magical. The one dress at the 6:01 mark reminds me of a stunning jellyfish, or a heavenly angel the way the fabric flows. And the flesh tone ensembles at the 3:05 mark?

 STUN-NING! Brava!