I held on to this fabric for years without knowing what to do with it—but I’ve learned that if you’re patient, the fabric will reveal what it wants to become. I wore this to the NYC movie premiere of Kinds Of Kindness and added this custom hat by the amazing @theemodernhousewifeny — now I can’t ever imagine this dress being separated from the hat, as if the fabric just wanted the hat all along.
The Natchez Steamboat needed someone to lead their tourist parade and since I was appropriately dressed as the Pied Piper I took on the reins. This vest used to be a tapestry that hung on the wall in my tiny Brooklyn apartment. I reckon everything is always changing and evolving.
I’ve been collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for years—and what better way to show off the collection than part of my Fat Tuesday fit! I took a few dozen, destuffed them, and strung them together as a vest, and stitched their outfits together as a skirt. Mardi Gras is pure magic.
Honored to share a birthday with Saint Joan of Arc, who would be 614 today, and to live in a city that celebrates her in such a special way… a day that coincidentally also marks Epiphany and the official start of Carnival season (and the first day you can eat king cake). Joan was burned at the stake at 19 (19!!!), but was not scared: “I was born for this,” she said.
Spent New Year’s in Splendora, the little east Texas town where my dad lives. Growing up, I loved the name of this town—and it eventually became my drag name. Even the grocery stores here offer a little something special.
Living out my Mary Poppins fantasies with my trusty roadtrip parasol atop these sugar white sand dunes in New Mexico. Speaking of umbrellas, I learned today that it rarely rains here but when it does, the rain can cause eggs from brine shrimp to hatch after being dormant for up to a hundred years. 100 years! This world is amazing.
Someone at a fleamarket in New Mexico gifted me this blazer. It’s 100% silk (!!) and from the 70s. She was preparing to donate it to a thrift store but said she thought I would put it to good use. So grateful to be giving this coat a new life and to show it off to fellow travelers during this road trip.
Right after this pic was taken, an Italian woman on vacation told me I was beautiful. I think she was struck by my parasol, which has really been helpful with this Southwestern sun. I only saw one other umbrella, but did see a woman with a lovely large sun bonnet, the likes of which I’ve never seen in public. She was also wearing a ditzy floral dress—very Oregon trail-esque. I loved her look. I was also proud to show off my kerchief on this hike, which I bought just days before at a thrift store for only 50 cents. Such a deal!
Another film in the can, and @alexbovairdsprouse gifted me the sweetest wrap gift: a custom @scooterlaforge shirt, like the ones Chelsea and Chloe wear on the #whitelotus. I’m never taking it off. Thank you, Alex!! 🤗
Saint Anne’s Ball is what I always imagined Mardi Gras to be. It’s my favorite part of Carnival season and I’m so grateful to @marcelalineirosingleton for being my perennial date. All year long, I look forward to seeing what she creates. In 2018, we created near-identical white gauzy looks by “sheer” coincidence.
I’ll miss you, JOANN Fabrics… You’ve given me so much over the years, including the fabric for these pants—and the collar and hat. The shirt was an old bedsheet but the thread I used to sew it together? That came from JoAnn’s too. You were a good collaborator. I thank you and wish you well. 💫
