Title: Drag Race Winner Tia Kofi Reveals the High Cost of Drag Fashion
Drag queen Tia Kofi, who recently won Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, has opened up about the increasing costs of drag fashion in the industry. Tia, also known as Lawrence Bolton, spent thousands of pounds on her winning looks after initially doing her first season on a budget.
In a recent interview with BBC Newsbeat, Tia explained how the pressure to have bold and extravagant outfits for runways and TV screens can come at a high price. She admitted that for her first season, she did not have the budget to buy extravagant outfits, as she had to cover rent and living costs in London.
However, when Tia returned for the spin-off, she was determined to impress RuPaul and save herself from elimination, even if it meant spending more than £20,000 on her fashion glow-up. Tia acknowledged that her extravagant spending may have set a bad example for aspiring drag queens.
The high standards set by shows like Drag Race are pushing up costs for performers, according to Tia. She mentioned that the prices for outfits have inflated significantly, especially for those who cannot sew or make their own costumes.
Other drag performers, like Kane who performs as Raiine in Brighton, have also felt the financial strain of keeping up with the high expectations of drag fashion. Kane revealed that a full look, including outfit, wigs, makeup, shoes, and accessories, could cost thousands of pounds, while earnings from gigs may only amount to £100-200.
Despite the financial challenges, drag queen Dannie Aston from Brighton emphasized that there are ways to keep costs down, such as using cheaper materials and customizing second-hand outfits. She highlighted the importance of creating robust and wearable outfits that can be worn multiple times.
As the new season of Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs The World airs on BBC Three and iPlayer, the conversation around the cost of drag fashion continues to be a relevant topic in the industry. Drag performers are finding creative ways to navigate the financial challenges while still delivering fierce and fabulous looks on stage.
