Last Thursday, RuPaul crowned Yvie Oddly as the winner of Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race with runner up Brooke Lynn Hytes. Oddly captured the hearts of viewers all over the world with her unique and exciting looks that constantly brought smiles to the judges’ faces. Not only did Oddly and Hytes serve some gorgeous looks on the runway each week, but the other queens prepared looks that were out of the box as well. Take a look at these five drag ensembles from Season 11 that caught the attention of many viewers worldwide.
- Vanessa Vanjie Mateo – What’s Your Sign?
-
Episode 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race was based on the zodiac signs in which the queens were required to bring to life. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, also known as Miss Vanjie, walked down the runway wearing a look inspired by an old-fashioned balance scale. The outfit was a ravishing red color and consisted of roses and an intricate headpiece that really was the center of attention. Miss Vanjie appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, but was eliminated during the first episode after critiques from the judges about not having a defined silhouette. Miss Vanjie was brought back to the competition for Season 11 and did extremely well, making it all the way to the top five.
- Brooke Lynn Hytes – Farm to Runway
-
During Episode 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queens were tasked with creating a look using solely organic materials which were provided to them. Hytes created a denim look with orange accessories. Not only was this look made organically, but Hytes was able to make it chic and high fashion. Hytes is the first ever Canadian queen to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race and made it all of the way to the finale, placing as the runner-up. In addition to Hytes’ exquisite looks, her ballet background helped her throughout the competition by giving her an edge that the other queens did not have.
- A’keria C. Davenport – Facekini
-
A’keria Chanel Davenport made it all the way to the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Coming from the pageant world, Davenport has been trained to be poised and graceful. Davenport is a seasoned queen, but the judges wanted her to loosen up on the runway and let her personality shine through. In this look from episode 9, Davenport designed a facekini inspired by plastic surgery and all of the markings that take place before a procedure. This look spoke to members of the audience, as it brought the reality of unrealistic body standards placed on women in today’s society to life.
- Nina West- Caftan Realness
-
Nina West is a seasoned queen and is highly respected by the drag community for her personality and poised looks. On episode 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queens were asked to create a caftan, and West absolutely rose to the occasion. Her pink and white caftan was absolutely stunning, and it’s flowiness worked flawlessly with her proportions. At the Season 11 finale, West was awarded with Miss Congeniality by the other queens, and that came to no surprise for those who had watched West throughout the competition.
- Yvie Oddly – Fringe
-
During episode 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queens were asked to create a fringe look for the runway. Oddly is a unique queen in the sense that her drag is not your usual, pretty dresses and wigs, but instead, it tells a story. In this look, Oddly brought a jellyfish to life with wavy pink fringe. Not only was the outfit gorgeous, but her paint was done to brilliantly. Oddly was crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11, and took home a cash prize of $100,000 and a year supply of makeup provided by Anastasia Beverly Hills.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has had so much success over the years providing members of the LGBTQ+ community with representation on such a large scale. Not only does drag allow participants to express their creativity, but it allows them to go against society’s standards and be who they truly are as well.