Fashion Designer: Renacio ( @Renacio.designs )
Sewing Assistants: Quinn Cox and Sophie Astro ( @quinnisgone and @sophie_astro )
Photography: Jaudon Morris, Victoria Nguyen, Robynn Aviles, Tania Chavez, Nic Iparraguirre ( @Jaudonmarkyll @Victoriadventues @oopsrobynn @cryptwaves and @nic_wbs )
Models: Arielle Espana, Ava Weissgarber, Carley Roxann, Dru Holiday, Evah Destruction, Kathy O'Connor, Kylee O'Hara Fatale, Dalton Rawson, Mulan Alexander, Siggy Sauer, Siobhan Linnane, Wesley Woods ( @arielle.espana @ava_weissgarber @Carleyroxann @Druholidaydtx @Evahdestruction @thekathyoconnor @kyleeoharafatale @mazi.body @mulanalexander @Siggysauer @siobhanlinnane @thewesleywoods )
Assisting: Thomas Truong and Luke Gonzales ( @thmastt and @luke_gonzaless )
Makeup and Hair done by Haunt Noir Staff Interviewers: Anastasia Logan, Don Davis and Kaitlyn Ingram ( @Luna_Bane @breaking_don_ and @kaitlynxingram )
Editing: Anastasia Logan and Nate Bishara ( @Luna_Bane @Naturally_Natey )
NSFW WARNING
This post contains slight nudity.
Renacio (Carlos Reyes)
By: Don Davis
Overall, how do you think the show went?
I had a few important objectives for the show, for the most part, I checked all the boxes. Some of these include: growing my client base, selling garments, gaining more traction in the fashion industry, etc…
What was your reason for putting on a show like this, what were you trying to say?
My brand revolves largely around inclusivity, my model's sizes range from 00 to 20, all gender identities and sexualities as well as color and race. I don’t think I can appropriately answer the question because I would say that just having the models feel comfortable in the garment is my main priority, so as long as that’s done then my message is communicated.
What were some of the struggles or hardships that you had while putting on a show of this magnitude?
Too many to express within this space. Aside from the difficulties of having to put on a whole fashion show production by myself, finding the right assistants, models, makeup artists, hairstylist etc is a nightmare in itself. Not only do I have to worry about sewing up all of these looks, but sourcing the right supplementary variables is extremely time-consuming.
Why did you choose The Lizard Lounge, also known as “The Church,” as the place for your venue?
Angela Ryan (@AngelaRyan), the producer of the show, reached out to me about 3 seasons ago when my brand was in its infancy. Without knowing me or my skill level, she believed in my aesthetic and was one of my first big industry supporters. I am very thankful for her intervention. My brand ‘Renacio’ also fits in with the dark fashion represented by the event as well.
Wesley Woods in Renacio Shot By Jaudon Morris and Victoria Nguyen for Over Magazine
You had celebrities in the audience watching your designs and your fashion show, how much did that mean to you, and what was it like having the stars there?
Interestingly enough, I am actually personal friends with a lot of the big names that came to watch the show that night. Being apart of this industry, it forces me to go out of my comfort zone and reach out to influencers and celebrities to help broaden the reach of my brand
.
You chose professional adult entertainers and escorts as models for your show, what kind of statement were you trying to make?
Porn stars, burlesque dancers and sex workers were some of the first people that reached out to me in support of my brand so I have a very special place in my heart for these individuals. Wesley Woods has been a supporter/ customer of mine since my first show and we have maintained a great rapport. There has been a great deal of discrimination that adult entertainers have dealt with in the past and this is just one way I can help to normalize their presence.
Siggy Sauer, Arielle Espana and Siobhan Linnane in Renacio shot by Jaudon Morris and Victoria Nguyen for Over Magazine
Can you walk us through your process of first finding inspiration, sketching, actually making the garments then making adjustments, to the final and finished product?
Being that I am very busy, I will usually skip the sketching aspect of this process and go straight into designing. My main method of dressmaking is draping so the creation of silhouette and fabric choice will happen all at once. The model that I have booked to wear the piece is also a huge source of inspiration.
Are there any couture designers who helped inspire your line or who are a huge inspiration to you?
Having worked backstage at Paris Fashion Week this summer, I got first-hand interaction with clothes made from Ralph Rucci. Working with a client base that is a bit more avant-garde, the Guo Pei show I saw was also a great fountain of inspiration.
Which look(s) were your favorite?
I have mixed feelings about the outfits in the show, but I am absolutely in love with the olive gold and black lace bustier gown that Carley Roxanne wore. This is a great example of the ideal situation for me where the gown, model, and scene are all cohesive and work great.
Carley Roxanne in Renacio shot by Robynn Aviles and Jaudon Morris for Over Magazine
Why did you choose the last look as the showstopper?
This look took almost a week to complete, this tuxedo dress was originally a commissioned piece for Kylee O'Hara Fatale, the drag host of ‘The Queer Off’ in Dallas. I loved the design for the very beginning and had to have her come show it off, she was elegant and gave the massive gown graceful walk it deserved.
Kylee O'Hara Fatale in Renacio shot by Tania Chavez and Jaudon Morris for Over Magazine
What’s one thing you would like people to have taken away from your show?
The message of inclusivity. I think the fashion industry focuses too much on an unrealistic body type and ‘look’. I try to break that mold as much as possible, making sure that I represent as many types of real people as possible within a 12 look collection.
Evah Destruction
By: Kaitlyn Ingram for Over Magazine
So I was watching during your practice session and I noticed that you had on a Hogwarts shirt.
I did yes.
What house are you?
I’m a Hufflepuff out and proud. I’m a Hufflepuff, yes all day.
I know that you’re a Dallas queen, so how does it feel to perform in Dallas again after being on the show [Dragula]?
You know what, I am not above like performing locally or anything like that. I think people always need to remember where they come from, especially when it comes to their hometown. No, but it’s always good to have a home base and Dallas has always been home for me since I was younger. I was born and raised here for 11 years before I moved back last November and honestly, it’s one of the best cities for drag and I absolutely love it.
Why do you say that it’s the best city for drag?
Well because you kind of have a mix of everything. You have alternative, beauty, glamor, and you have a lot of the transgender drag and all of that representation. Non-binary, A fab ( born female at birth ) and it’s all represented, celebrated and to me that is extremely important in a drag scene that trying to cover all of the bases I guess is a good way to put it? Because I feel like a lot of scenes, especially in the south, limit themselves in what they represent and I think that it's important that you know? I feel so diplomatic right now just talking like blah blah blah blah blah.
Evah Destruction in Renacio shot by Victoria Nguyen for Over Magazine
No, no, no I love it!
No but honestly it's extremely important. You know honestly, I was extremely surprised coming into Dallas because this is the first time that I’ve ever been gay in Dallas and seeing all of the different types of drag in the scene coming in here, I was very pleasantly surprised.
Didn't you move back from Atlanta?
Correct. Yes, I had been there for 12 years.
So how is the scene there different from here?
Well, it’s very glamour heavy, but they do have an Alternative scene. I will say, it’s difficult for a new girl to work in Atlanta. It’s very much set in its old roots. Not to say that that’s invalid, but I think that they’re stuck in one place as far as progression goes, but at the same time I have a lot of respect for all of the entertainers and show directors there and all of the hard work that they constantly put into the stage, but it’s very different as far as where they are opening-up. Even the spaces that are allowing the type of drag to be seen at their space as well.
Dru Holiday and Dalton Rawson in Renacio shot by Robynn Aviles, Victoria Nguyen, and Tania Chavez for Over Magazine
Do you plan on moving again any time soon?
Yes, I am definitely looking to move to Austin by the end of the year.
Why Austin?
Because my boyfriend is there. Yeah, and Austin is just a really cool scene, but I think just because of my current relationship, I’m looking to just nurture that and see myself closer to him so that way I’m not having to drive three hours to see him every time you know?
So, I know the term alternative queen is used, is that something that you choose to describe yourself as or is that something that was pinned and stuck?
Well, the term alternative is definitely subjective and it’s definitely something that I’ve always seen myself being even from the very beginning because even when I was glamorous; I still felt like a weirdo to all of the other queens that were doing top 40 gown numbers while I was pretty, but I still made it ugly. I made it my own art. Alternative queens have their own way of making their art is something that isn’t the norm or what people expect drag to be. I think it's a badge that I wear proudly even though, for a long time people probably noticed that before “Dragula” I was definitely more glamorous. I was definitely more conforming to the other side of drag, but it was because of something that was laying dormant for a long time because I was taught that alternative was not bookable and that the crowd ain't gonna buy it. I was taught to keep that for the other clubs because that's not what we do here. But now I get to actually be something that I’ve always wanted to and learned a lot in the process.
Mulan Alexander in Renacio shot by Jaudon Morris and Victoria Nguyen for Over Magazine
How do you define yourself as a performer?
I’m definitely versatile – in both aspects. I see myself as more of a chameleon type of queen. I don’t like sitting in one place. A lot of people know me for the fact that I’ll be pretty one day and then a monster the next day. I profess myself to be kind of a glamour sasquatch clown sort of entity. I don’t know; I don’t really like being boxed into one thing because y drag is so relatable to my ADHD that I have and having being medicated for, for a very long time. But I’m all over the place and whatever I’m feeling is what my drag is going to be. So, this is just one of my many eras that I go through where I’m just feeling my natural body and I’m just discovering this whole alternative self that I haven’t in a very long time.
Carley Roxanne
By: Anastasia Logan
What are you most excited about for this show?
What I’m most excited about is working with a new designer who is really creative and bringing a bunch of ideas back to life that are modern and that also have a classic twist. So it’s really cool to see those two worlds collide. Some f****** fabulous talent. I mean rockstar, all age, all sexes, all races. It’s just going to be fun. Fun sexual energy, playful, and I mean it's just going to be crazy. It’s going to be a crazy, crazy night. Stunts, reveals, tear-aways. The Church is very iconic, this is a very iconic club and it’s been around for so long that to be a part of the movement and be a part of the people who keep this community alive is very, very fun for me.
What interested you in wanting to be apart of Renacio’s show?
I’m moved by his clothing. I really am. I love dark, macabre, velvety textures that are sensual but classic and classy. He really, really melts those two together and integrates them really well. He is the perfect designer for me to walk for ‘cause I’m both of those two.
Siggy Sauer, Dalton Rawson and Ava Weissgarber in Renacio shot by Victoria Nguyen for Over Magazine
How will this show impact your career as a model?
I think just networking and being able to build different spots in the different worlds. This is a world where you can really feel the emotion and really, really, bring out your inner darkness and I think it is important for people to be in touch with that and not all models get to experience that sexual energy and that darkness that they wanna bring out on stage.
What is it like modeling at such an iconic venue like The Church?
I mean like I said earlier it is a piece of history as part of the club scene goes, especially the goth scene in Dallas. It’s been a staple for many, many years. I grew up coming to The Church. When I was 17, this was the place where I came to express myself so it’s very surreal to be up on that stage and maybe being able to motivate someone to maybe design or feel their creative energy and not be afraid of what everyone else thinks. You want to be fearless at The Church. I have never been at The Church and I have never felt judged here, ever.
Thank you to everyone who participated, the Over Magazine team appreciates you. Don't be scared to break boundaries, express yourself through your art.
-Nate Bishara, Editor-in-Chief of Over Magazine