Life's A Drag... Frum Fashion, A Spanish Star & Drag Race France!

Like an 'Alien Superstar', each form of 'Drag' will forever be valid and remain ever unique! Clocking the Hasidim in NYC, those Moms kept their look Kosher! Drag Race ES needed a new vibration after their first 'Temporada', that 'Spanish Star' represented! Madonna? Yes, she will be changing those looks forevermore! Drag Race France? Oui, another season had my attention! 

From New York City's Brooklyn to Jerusalem's Harnof, mothers from the Hasidic Jewish community serve their own kind of 'Frum' style of Drag! Controversial for me to mention in this context because I know some voices have spoken out against the Jewish Law of 'Tzniut'. I want to take from those looks that I clocked during my NYC visits to Lee Avenue during 2012 and 2019 with a certain observation. Married mothers they were, I saw their hair had been covered with a number of choices. From 'Sheitals' to 'Snoods', I also noticed a few 'Tichels' being worn. A 'Sheital' is a 'wig' that a married Jewish woman can wear after her marriage ceremony, of course I passed by some seriously fancy looking 'Sheital' shops along Lee Avenue. Black is a preferred colour for the whole community to wear, women who are married especially style themselves with garments that aren't tight-fitting, they are encouraged to cover elbows and above the knee. Being 'Frum' doesn't mean these mothers can't serve modern styles whilst keeping it Kosher! Oy!

Jewish men also adhere to certain dress categories, during those cold New York winters it can be a common occurrence to see a few 'Bekishe' worn. A 'Bekishe' is a long black coat, such a garment is supposed to be worn during the 'Shabbat' and during prayer times over the holy periods. From a young age, a boy should wear a 'Kippah', known otherwise as a 'Skullcap'. Men who are going to Synagogue will most likely don a double head covering, first they will place their 'Kippah' on their head then secondly place their 'Shtreimel'. A 'Shtreimel' is a wide and thick fur hat that's worn on the outer layer of the mentioned 'Kippah'. In most cases these practicing men from the Jewish Hasidim don't need to use 'Terillin' during prayer, the combination of the two initial coverings eradicate any extra prayer garments. Finally, the 'Payot' remains an important addition, cut in as part of a male haircut post-Bar Mitzvah. Men of this faith incorporate their sideburns into curled ringlets, outside of the faith we would name them. 

The Hungriest Queen? Yes, 'Estrella Xtravaganza' won that title during the 'Reencuentro' at the end of 'Drag Race España', Temporada Dos! That's 'Season Two' to you! Bounding into the Spanish 'Werk Room', Estrella caught my attention instantly and with her authenticity, she stole my whole beating heart! She loved everything as she would constantly burst out with excitement by saying 'Me Encanta! Thanks to Estrella's expressive vocabulary, I picked up a new Spanish term, now I say 'Que Exito!' Of course, it was clear to see that her run on that Drag Race Franchise would be very 'successful!' The way she would kill the runway each week with her own interpretation of the category, everything executed by this 'Spanish Star' was done with humour and character. There's no amount of work a 'Look Queen' could do to be funny without them trying to be, Estrella served humour naturally! Her banter with 'Samantha Ballentines' had me laughing so hard, both queens knew how to read each other for filth! Bring on the talent show! 

'Gorda Y Divina?' Dressed like a whole 'McDonald's Big Mac Meal', Estrella had me translating the words of her hit song, 'Gorda Y Divina!' I lived for her showcase, serving pure 'Body Positivity' as she confessed herself to be 'Fat & Divine!' Sailing through the competition, Estrella progressed to the final of the second season for Spain. After placing as 'Runner Up', Estrella has been touring the length and breadth of Spain along with her sisters on the 'Gran Hotel De Las Reinas' tour. Her 'Twinky Winky' outfit had me loving her even more, embracing her humour once again! Her Instagram content leaves me sore from laughing endlessly! I even took a selfie with my Dürüm' during my Turkish holiday, then I sent it to Estrella! Her debut album, 'Gorda Y Divina' has had me listening closely whilst I translate the Spanish, I want the full 'Star' experience! Yes, I also take a walk around the supermarket without shame! I would pay good money to see Estrella on a future 'International AllStars', come through 'España VS The World!' 

Madonna's constant and everlasting evolution personifies the term 'Drag Queen', I will stand by that declaration forevermore! Switching looks since her debut hits, this Italian-American powerhouse of a performer even served a bit of 'Marilyn Monroe' during her 'Material Girl' video. Madonna has always kept her finger on pulse for the latest trend, embodying them during her album-tour cycles. Sure, 'Like A Virgin' caused a right old commotion as she worked a 'White Wedding Dress!' Not paying any mind, this performer has changed her style more than I have changed my underwear! I'm not joking! As the 'Ballrooms' of Harlem held their fabulous showdowns, Madonna stayed ready with one of her biggest transitions in the making. Releasing 'Vogue', well she changed the game and popularised that marginal pocket of society. Her iconic dance routine paid homage to the community, taking on tour a troupe of epic Vogue dancers to make it pop! Her 'Drag' has shocked and continues to do so, serving up 'Marie Antoinette!' Go!

From 'Hippie Chic', Madonna saw a 'Ray Of Light' but not before her 'Erotica' era brought her 'Sex Book'. Stripping down to her 'Birthday Suit', Madonna didn't give a damn what the press had to say! Moving mountains and offending some, Madonna's 'Cow Girl' era saw her bizarrely dancing with a cane alongside Ali G! Madonna's epic 'Drag' journey makes us want to think about yesterday with a whole back-catalogue of costume changes and style overhauls for the win! Stretching in her gym gear, Madonna dragged up in her 'Leg Warmers' as she returned with 'Hung Up' from her 2005 release, 'Confessions On A Dancefloor'. Every now and then, Madonna reverts back to her blonde hair with her dark roots showing as her trademark. Throughout the years, Madonna has wrote her own bible regarding style with a certain 'Lady GaGa' taking notes on her own kind of notepad. That 'Jean Paul Gautier Conical Bra' has been reimagined countless times, I'm not mad about that either! Madonna, don't stop changing your style! 'Strike A Pose!'

No, Europe had not seen its last new Drag Race Franchise because 'Drag Race France' was announced by 'World Of Wonder' in November 2021. From 'Season 12' of the original run of 'RuPaul's Drag Race', 'Nicky Doll' returned to her native France by command of 'Mama Ru' to front this new incarnation as the host! Knowing some French from secondary school, it was amazing to have the opportunity to catch several French sayings without needing to look at the subtitles. Ten queens from across France all burst into the French style 'Werk Room', I was more than ready for another 'Drag Race' season! You already know that I could say 'Bonne chance, et ne merdez pas! No, I did not forget to remember how to say both 'Shantay tu reste' and 'Sashay terminer!' Filled with a season full of 'French Fancies', it was great to see such references like the 'Can-can dancers' during the photo-shoot challenge and the baguettes during the paired mini-challenge. Of course, a Céline Dion lip-sync song had to be included! C'est parti, DRF Saison 1! 

Adding a Tunisian flare to the competition, 'La Kahena' showcased her fire but became the French 'Porkchop!' The acting challenge had 'Lova Ladiva' overact her lines in a noncoherent fashion, she was the second to 'Sashay terminer!' I personally loved 'La Briochée', her representation as the first French Transgender queen, it was a delight to see her energy! Snatch Game brought 'La Grande Dame', 'Paloma' and 'Soa De Muse' to the forefront but 'Kam Hugh' lost her footing. The 'Girl Group' challenge served tens across the board for me but as it was said, 'Elips' left fifth. Oui, that Bordeaux queen served some amazing looks! The 'Perfume Advertisement' challenge had me wowed by 'Soa De Muse's' commercial! I wanted my own bottle of 'Counia!' Mexican firecracker 'Lolita Banana' served 'Mexicana' on the main-stage with her good friend, they proved that 'Drag Race Mexico' must happen! Oh, it is! The final showdown left 'La Grande Dame' and 'Soa De Muse' as joint runners up, 'Paloma' a gagné! Oui!

Bonne Chance, Ne Merdez Pas! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure