In the world of RuPaul’s Drag Race, aesthetics are serious business. Violet Chachki, one of the most iconic fashion queens in the show’s history, has taken this ethos to new heights, earning her place in the pantheon of legendary drag performers. Chachki’s latest achievement, a dedicated cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia’s March 2023 issue, marks the first time a RuPaul’s Drag Race alum has graced the cover of a Vogue edition.
Appearing on the magazine’s 50th edition, Chachki’s inclusion is a testament to her status as a fashion icon, built over years of sitting front row at shows, walking the runway in latex, and developing relationships with designers. Her work has earned her an audience of over two million followers on Instagram, while her close friend and collaborator Gottmik recently appeared on a cover of British Vogue, one of the “Big Four” editions.
In the interview, Chachki notes that appearing on the cover of Vogue was always on her list of things to achieve, and now that she’s accomplished it, she must come up with a new set of goals. The theme of the issue is identity, which is fitting given Chachki’s transformative performances on the show, and her ability to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
While Queens have received attention inside the pages of Vogue before, with RuPaul making several appearances, Chachki’s cover marks a historic moment for the drag community. With non-Drag Race performers like Pabllo Vittar and Gloria Groove covering Vogue Brazil, and Bimini Bon Boulash appearing in side issues of British Vogue and Vogue Italia, it’s clear that the world of drag is finally getting the recognition it deserves in the mainstream fashion industry.
