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RuPaul's DragCon NYC: Photos Of All The Queens We've Seen

By Kristy Puchko | Celebrity | September 11, 2017 |

By Kristy Puchko | Celebrity | September 11, 2017 |


RuPaul’s DragCon hit New York City for the first time this weekend. And I’ve given you a rundown of what it was like to sashay through the show floor, and shante to panels and the press lounge. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words. So here’s a bunch of snapshots that’ll give you impression of being there, bustling along with freaking out fans and stomping queens.

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Here’s two shots of the show floor from above. Yes, that is a giant inflatible Trump Rat. Photo ops abound at DragCon.

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Not pictured, immediately behind me I could see out the next occupied Javits show floor. It was ornate carpet displays, wall to wall. Imagine what the oriental rug conventioneers thought when they rolled up and saw towering drag queens pouring out of cabs. I bet they were disappointed when they realized they weren’t there for the same convention.


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There were scads of cheeky merch on sale. Swish Embassy caught my eye with this drag take on Disney princes. The booth worker pointed to Gaston, and said, “He didn’t get the girl, but he gets the gown!”

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The designer of Sasha Velour’s Drag Race-winning “I Get So Emotional” look had a booth, which naturally sold gloves, but also let fans snap shots of THAT DRESS. There were even roses to pose with!

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If you threw a party, the Golden Gays would bring the tea, then spill it.

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I also came across Cory Harris, the ingenious inventor of Zip My Dress, a necessary device for tackling that irksome backzip you (normally) can’t do alone. Props to Harris, she not only had a dummy to display the device on, she spun around and gave me a demo with her own dress.

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Which fan is your favorite? I dare you to choose.

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A burly man with a cookie in his mouth pointed at me. Pointed at my skirt (a dinosaur bone print, skater skirt), then pointed at his booth. He didn’t say a word. But I followed. He had my number. Pretty Snake gets my idea of fashion.

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Peppermint, who Bob The Drag Queens says has the “shiniest tits in the business,” had fans lined up and gagging to get buy her t-shirts and get pics with her. I am short, and was short on time. So here’s a picture taken from as high as I can reach to cut over the crowds. You’re welcome.

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I spotted Tempest DuJour as she was prepping to host a Runway event. She’s roughly 900 feet tall, give or take a yard.

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Club kid Vivacious upgraded her Ornacia look, and was even selling the accessory.

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I’ve never been a fan of Kimora Blac’s brand of drag. Which I guess explains why I stopped at this less than stellar shot. #norupologies

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Alyssa Edwards, not here, but her presence was felt.

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G-G-Gia Gunn and Laganja Estranja tagged teamed with a shared booth.

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Mimi Imfurst might be infamous for her dangerous Lipsync for Your Life. But on the show floor, she was all smiles.

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I’ve seen Amanda Lepore with my own two eyes. I’m still not sure she’s real.

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You know Broadway queen Alexis Michelle was there giving curves and swerves.

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Pageant queen turned cosplay queen Phi Phi O’Hara was there. Embracing her reputation as a Drag Race baddie, she had a shirt for sale that read “FCK PHI PHI.” Tyra’s gonna be pissed she’s stepping on her Beyonce game.

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Hey look! It’s the best shot I managed to get of Sasha Velour! The reigning queen’s booth had a dizzyingly long line, so this picture of her on the pink carpet is the best I managed. That’s her in the red and blurry!


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Never forget, before there was Sasha Velour, there was the bald queen who was everything, Ongina.

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I caught Ginger Minj in a spin!

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After her UNHhhh panel, Trixie Mattel hit the press lounge.

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And we have talked about little miss thing, Lactatia.

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The always inventive Kim Chi offered a dreamy set dressing for fans to step into.

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Acid Betty’s shop was showing wigs, and admirers were showing more.

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Naomi Smalls got intimate with fans in her own lounge.

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As I snapped this shot of Farrah Moan, a young woman next to me screamed, “OMIGOD IT’S FARRAH.” Farrah winked at her. “OMIGOD FARRAH WINKED AT ME!” DragCon is magic.

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My favorite booth design was Bob The Drag Queen’s. It was simple, fun and irreverent, cleverly commenting on how putting the queens in boxes made the event a bit of a side show circus.

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But Bob’s always game to give you glam clown realness.

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Michelle Visage had a booth right across from Ru, and the line was always LONG. But it was easy to see why, every time I walked by she was dolling out hugs and love, love, love.

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The line to meet Mother Ru starts here.

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RuPaul’s gowns flanked her signing area as if there were guards. I didn’t get to see Ru in person, but the gowns were startlingly long, and that waist so cinched it’s sickening! (Like I thought I’d pass out if I tried it.)


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It was here that I spied the winner’s crown and scepter, so shiny, so behind protective glass! But I had to try it on. So I did!

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The only way I could. WERK.