In between a packed schedule of panels, podcasts, and performances, attendees shopped stands selling drag queen essentials including glamazon-size costume jewelry, travel-friendly wigs, vegan boas, and giant pots of glitter. As for the queens themselves, outfits, hair, and makeup had been storyboarded to within an inch of their lives, referencing everything from Natalie Portman’s Avengers: Endgame premiere red carpet look (Femminem), to Belle from Beauty and the Beast (Plastique Tiara), to Hajime Sorayama–style cyborgs (Aquaria). And while the theme was largely “more is more then add one more accessory,” there were exceptions. The Brooklyn-based HaraJuku stood firmly in the less-is-more camp, sporting nothing except a duct tape tuck and a cape for modesty.

Willam and A’keria Chanel Davenport Photographed by Hunter Abrams

In the spirit of the reality competition’s challenges, meet-and-greet exhibitor booths had also been given extreme drag makeovers. Latrice Royale received fans sitting on a glam USS Enterprise–style galactic throne; Milk had installed a mini ice rink in tribute to her youth spent as a competitive figure skater; Peppermint served up milkshakes to fans in a ’50s-era diner, and Miss Vanjie held court in a blood red laundromat. Unlike the show, however, there were no winners or losers at DragCon; instead, it was all about the taking part. “What is so great about this event is that within these walls, everybody can unapologetically be themselves,” said Milk. “They don’t need to worry about name calling or being beat up. All weekend is about love, acceptance, freedom.”

Jewelry vendor Amped Accessories Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Wigs by Tips and Creme Fatale Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Waylon Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Shuga Kane, Josie Azocar, and Balexeii Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Milk Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Aquaria Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Manila Luzon Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Glove vendor Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Brooke Lynn Hytes Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Peppermint Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Acid Betty Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Glamda The Fabulous Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees

Trixie Mattel Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Katya Zamolodchikova Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Detox Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Miss Fame Photographed by Hunter Abrams

Attendees Photographed by Hunter Abrams

HaraJuku Photographed by Hunter Abrams

RIVES - Tailor made suits Paris.