Top 10 Fashion Drag Queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race

Long, long ago, the legendary RuPaul once said, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag.” And when it comes to turning looks, painting a face and redefining the limits of fashion, no one does it quite like a queen. RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Emmy-winning reality competition that’s been slaying our screens since 2009, has introduced us to drag superstars and given us a front-row seat to the fiercest runway on television since 2009. With over 15 U.S. seasons, it’s only natural that some contestants stand out from the rest as high-fashion queens.  

So let’s take a walk down the glittery catwalk and celebrate the Top 10 most fashionable queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Violet Chachki (Season Seven Winner)

We’re starting strong with the fetish dom queen herself, Violet Chachki. The season seven winner with an iconic 18-inch waist is known for her love of vintage glamour and old-Hollywood aesthetics, serving high fashion with a dominatrix twist, known for always rocking latex or a tiny corset. Violet made “herstory” as the first Drag Race alum to land the cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia, solidifying her as a legitimate force in the fashion world. Since snatching the crown in 2015, she’s modelled for high-end brands like Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Bettie Page Lingerie. She’s also walked runways during Milan and Paris Fashion Week and has appeared in editorial campaigns for Prada and Carolina Herrera. Her editorial work includes spreads in Numéro Netherlands, V Magazine, and Dazed, where she continues to challenge beauty norms and push gender expression. One of her most iconic moments remains her jaw-dropping season seven finale reveal: a rhinestone tartan catsuit complete with a matching cap. Or the delightfully dark “Death Becomes Her” runway look, consisting of a rhinestone corset and completed with a functioning oxygen mask. Today, Violet tours internationally with her burlesque-infused solo show, curates fashion collections and co-hosts the hit podcast No Gorge with fellow drag sister Gottmik.

Symone (Season 13 Winner)

Next up is the undeniable fashion it-girl of Season 13, Symone. The self-proclaimed “Ebony Enchantress” brought unapologetic Black beauty and culture to the runway every single week, earning her the win and the hearts of fans and fashion insiders alike. From her durag train look to her Black Lives Matter statement gown, Symone proved that drag could be political, powerful and couture all at once. Since her win, Symone has skyrocketed into the world of high fashion and even dabbled in some acting, with her most recent work being in the 2022 rom-com Bros. She’s walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in 2021, posed for editorials in Interview, Vogue and W Magazine, and starred in campaigns for Moschino and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty. Her modelling resume includes shoots with legendary photographers like Mert and Marcus, and she’s worked closely with stylists like Law Roach to craft her now-signature look: a perfect blend of ghetto fabulous and editorial edge. 

Gottmik (Season 13 Finalist)

And then there’s Gottmik, Season 13’s fashion rebel and trailblazer. As the first trans man to compete in the franchise, Gottmik didn’t just break barriers; they obliterated them in full couture. Known for their graphic white face, punk-meets-runway aesthetic and razor-sharp mug, they quickly became a fan favourite and a fashion icon in the making. Outside the competition, Gottmik is a trained makeup artist who’s worked with stars like Lil Nas X, Heidi Klum and Paris Hilton. They came into the competition with a deep understanding of fashion, makeup and overall aesthetic that made viewers instantly fall in love. From the black-and-white cartoon finale look to their fully bedazzled “Scream” dress runway outfit, every moment was a masterclass in editorial drag. Post Drag Race, they’ve flourished in the fashion world. Gottmik’s credits include being featured in Vogue, Out, and Paper Magazine, and they’ve modelled in campaigns for Valentino Beauty and Diesel. They also walked the red carpet at the MTV VMA Awards and featured in Teen Vogue’s Pride issue, representing queer visibility with style and substance. Now, Gottmik co-hosts the No Gorge podcast with Violet Chachki, serves fierce looks across continents and continues to challenge beauty norms through fashion, makeup and fearless self-expression.

Aquaria (Season 10 Winner)

For our fourth slot, we can’t talk about fashion queens without mentioning the futuristic fashion doll herself, Aquaria. Crowned winner of “Drag Race” season 10, Aquaria stunned from episode one with her editorial polish, high-concept runway looks and razor-sharp instincts for trends. Aquaria is known for her chameleon-like ability to shift between club kid chaos and sleek supermodel chic. Her fashion references range from McQueen to Mugler, and her looks often feel ripped straight from the pages of Dazed or i-D Magazine. Since her win, Aquaria has become a front-row fixture at New York Fashion Week and a favourite of designers like Jeremy Scott and Nicola Formichetti, serving as a close friend and muse to both. She made headlines walking for Moschino, modelling for Jean Paul Gaultier and becoming the first drag queen to partner with Vogue Italia for a beauty editorial in 2016. She’s appeared in campaigns for MAC Cosmetics, Diesel and Savage X Fenty, and her face has been splashed across V Magazine, Interview, and Paper. Outside of drag, she DJs globally, collaborates with cutting-edge brands and has recently starred in a futuristic editorial for the popular Apple podcast, The WOW Report.

Raja Gemini (Season Three Winner and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season Seven)

Dominating the number five spot, let’s bow down to the original runway royalty: Raja Gemini. Winner of Drag Race season three and crowned “Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses” lip sync battle on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season seven, Raja is the blueprint for fashion-forward drag on television. With a background in makeup artistry from having worked on America’s Next Top Model, Raja is no newbie to stardom. Raja redefined what it meant to be a drag fashion queen with her iconic looks from her Marie-Antoinette-meets-futurism finale look to her mind-bending Mugler-inspired runways. One of the older contestants to compete, at 47 years old, her presence on All Stars season seven was a masterclass in mature glam. With looks inspired by Hindu goddesses, digital couture and historical fashion eras, she proved once again that age is irrelevant when you have taste and vision. Since the show, Raja has graced the pages of Flaunt, V, King Kong and STUNNIN Magazine. She’s also walked in multiple fashion shows and has been a muse for independent designers, and now continues to work as a sought-after makeup artist and style visionary. Now, Raja tours globally, creates fashion content and co-hosts the cult-favorite web series Fashion Photo RuView. 

Naomi Smalls (Season Eight Finalist & All Stars Season Four)

Serving legs, luxury and editorial realness at number six is Naomi Smalls, the fashion doll that never misses. First turning heads as the runner-up on season eight of Drag Race and later slaying the competition on All Stars season four, Smalls quickly established herself as the embodiment of supermodel drag with an eye for minimalism, a love for ‘90s glam and a body-ody-ody that won’t quit. Inspired by the likes of Naomi Campbell (hence the name) and classic icons like Biggie Smalls, Prince, and Wendy Williams, Smalls’ drag is all about high-fashion silhouettes, clean lines and a razor-sharp attitude. Her unforgettable All Stars season four lip sync against Manila Luzon, where she eliminated her senior drag sister, became an instant cultural reset. Since her time on Drag Race, Smalls has been booked and busy. She’s appeared in campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Pat McGrath Labs and Savage X Fenty. She’s also walked runways at New York Fashion Week, starred in editorials for Paper, Interview, and DAZED, and even performed in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty fashion show in 2019. Smalls now continues to travel the world as a model, performer and muse for many.

Shea Couleé (Season Nine, “All Stars” Season Five  Winner, All Stars Season Seven)

Coming in with unmatched grace, fashion, and cultural power, Shea Couleé solidifies her place in the number seven spot. The crowned champion of All Stars season five and a finalist on All Stars season seven, Couleé is celebrated for her ability to turn every look into a statement, merging high fashion with fierce Black excellence and activist roots. Since the show, she’s walked in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show, recreated the iconic Vanity Fair cover for Out Magazine and stunned in editorials for Vogue, Flaunt, and DAZED. Her style draws from Afrofuturism, vintage couture and streetwear, often custom-made and dripping in detail. Outside of fashion, she’s breaking major ground within the entertainment industry. She became the first drag queen cast in the Marvel Universe, appearing as the character Slug in the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart, a spin-off of the Black Panther franchise. She’s also a touring artist with her immersive drag production, “The Love Ball,” and dropped her debut album, 8, in 2023, her first full-length release as a recording artist.

Kim Chi (Season Eight Finalist)

A true original in every sense, Kim Chi claims the number eight spot. As the season eight finalist who redefined drag, Kim Chi brought anime-inspired elegance, towering wigs and couture-level silhouettes to the runway every night and hasn’t looked back since. Her style is bold and conceptual, and it’s often compared to fashion greats like Galliano and McQueen. But Kim isn’t just serving looks; she’s built a makeup empire. As the founder of KimChi Chic Beauty, she became the first drag queen to have a makeup line sold in CVS, making high-quality, vegan and cruelty-free beauty accessible to all. Her brand is both philanthropic and powerful, donating to LGBTQ+ organizations and standing at the intersection of fashion, identity and entrepreneurship. She’s also graced stages worldwide, headlining the RuPaul’s Drag Race cast tour, Werq the World, and stayed connected to fans through digital content and community work. With ventures in book publishing, food and cannabis, Kim Chi is proving that fashion is only one part of her ever-expanding world.

Gigi Goode (Season 12 Finalist)

Next up is Gigi Goode, and, boy, is she good. If fashion and finesse had a baby, it would be Gigi. The Season 12 runner-up stormed onto Drag Race with a designer’s eye and a model’s poise. Being raised by a costume designer mom, Goode came armed and ready with custom looks she crafted herself. From her 1940s pilot fantasy to the mod Dior-inspired, beautiful black bridal ensemble that had the judges gagging, Goode is the ultimate fashion girl. Post Drag Race, Goode has blossomed into a full-fledged fashion muse. She’s walked in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show, graced the pages of Vogue, Allure and W Magazine, and was named one of Vogue’s beauty A-listers in 2020. In 2024, she launched her own fashion line, Glasse, which showcased translucent corsets and sculptural silhouettes that she’d both designed and modelled, proving that she doesn’t just wear fashion — she is fashion. From red carpet slays to self-made couture, Gigi Goode continues to raise the bar for what drag can be.

Sasha Colby (Season 15 Winner)

In our final slot, we have the icon and legendary queen, Sasha Colby. Colby, a drag superstar since the early 2000s and Miss Continental in 2023, was already a legend before gracing our screens in season 15. Known for fusing pageant glamour with editorial fantasy, she showcased her elite stylistic talent every night, from the alien goddess look to the barbed wire-inspired moment. Sasha’s looks were consistently high fashion and deeply intentional. Since snatching the crown, Sasha has gone from Drag Race royalty to fashion week darling, making her NYFW debut at Luar and sitting front row at Coach. She’s even been featured in Vogue, Flaunt, and A Book Of Magazine, serving stylish looks in everything from island goddess gowns to edgy leather. But beyond the glam, Sasha is also the first trans and Native Hawaiian winner of the show. She uses her platform to champion visibility, equity and body autonomy, and, most recently, she headlined her Stripped tour, giving crowds a one-woman show full of rich storytelling, impressive choreography and emotional depth. 

Honorable Mentions 

While these queens are just a few of our favourites, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t highlight a few honourable mentions: 

• Detox – For bringing latex couture to new levels.
• Manila Luzon – Camp with a couture twist.
• Plastique Tiara – Barbie-core beauty with Asian glam sensibilities.

Fashion Is Drag; Drag Is Fashion

The queens of Drag Race don’t follow fashion trends; they create them. Whether they’re serving gender-bending couture or deconstructing societal norms through sequins and stiletto boots, these performers prove that drag is one of the most dynamic forms of art today. So, next time you see a queen on the runway, remember: it’s not just about the outfit, it’s about the story, the power and the transformation.

Now, sashay away!