RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) and its many spinoffs have achieved household-name status in its 13 years, showcasing drag superstars from around the world and bringing queer representation to the main stage. Shining a spotlight on its competitors’ “charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent,” this Emmy-winning competition reality program delights audiences with a wide array of performances - but arguably the best, most gag-worthy aspect is the runway looks.
Every episode, Drag Race contestants strut their stuff down the runway, flaunting one-of-a-kind outfits, hair, and makeup. Each runway may only last a few minutes an episode, yet the performances outlive their short airtime and are celebrated by fans and drag queens alike for years to come. While the sheer number of iconic looks cannot be contained in a single article, these ten will give you a taste of what keeps the Drag Race stans coming back for more season after season.
Courtney Act’s “Animal Kingdom” Runway (RPDR Season 6, Episode 9)
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The Aussie pansexual queen of reality TV fame, Courtney Act performed well in her Drag Race season, never once hitting the dreaded “bottom two” ranking. While she was critiqued by RuPaul for “resting on pretty,” it goes without saying that Courtney’s beauty definitely got her somewhere.
This “regal eagle” look stunned from the jump as she struts the runway, unveiling a massive wingspan and triggering a cascade of gasps from the judges. While the look on its own is beautiful, the fact that Courtney managed to smuggle such an enormous prop on set without notice makes it that much more noteworthy.
Yvie Oddly’s “Orange Alert” Runway (RPDR Season 11, Episode 4)
Yvie Oddly, Denver’s “commodity of drag oddity,” brought fans on a rollercoaster of unconventional outfits from her entrance look through to her crowning finale moment. Identifiable by her bendy lip sync performances and her loud guffaw, this Dragula “Supermonster”-worthy queen flaunted her weirdness in a way that invited everyone to fly their freak flag a little prouder.
Unsurprisingly, Yvie’s “Orange Alert” runway look stood out from the rest with her literal interpretation. The outfit was inspired by the citrus fruit, complete with a slice of orange topping her head - giving the fans all the vitamin C they need.
Kylie Sonique Love’s “Frill of It All” Runway (All Stars Season 6, Episode 4)
First appearing on Drag Race Season 2 as Sonique, Kyle Sonique Love made waves as the first trans winner of an American season of Drag Race during All Stars Season 6. Kylie Sonique Love won fans over with her sweet southern charm, bringing the looks week after week.
While this gorgeous iridescent number didn’t land her top All-Star status for the week, Kylie’s “Frill Of It All” look was a complete serve. Complete with trans-representing colors and an enviable Barbie aesthetic, this flowy garment will forever remain a win in the eyes of the fans.
Gottmik’s “Gag Us With Your Bag-Us” Runway (RPDR Season 13, Episode 5)
Gottmik, a celebrated makeup artist and “gorge” heart-stealer, was the first-ever trans man to compete on the Drag Race franchise. Though Gottmik arrived in the Drag Race Werkroom with stark-white foundation and black lipstick, she quickly defied the notion that her drag could be boxed into a singular aesthetic.
What followed were weeks on weeks of widely varied looks, showcasing the broad range that Drag Race fans live for. One of her biggest wins of the season was arguably the Bag Ball challenge, where she turned out not one, but three unique looks - including the titular design piece which Gottmik constructed out of backpacks and drawstring bags.
Ra’Jah O’Hara’s “Pop Art” Runway (All Stars Season 6, Episode 8)
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Drag Race fans first met Ra’Jah O’Hara in RPDR Season 11, where she was known for her shady takes and deadly lip-syncing abilities. She returned for All Stars Season 6 after a huge glow-up, presenting show-stopping self-made looks every episode and eventually coming in as runner-up.
Ra’jah is a design queen who constructs her own outfits and manages to flawlessly translate her personality to each garment. The iconography of this pop art look speaks for itself: Nothing screams “me” more than a picture of your own face.
Ginger Minj’’s “Eleganza Extravaganza” Runway (All Stars Season 6, Episode 12)
This adored comedy queen has achieved Drag Race alumni status in three seasons, most recently hitting runner-up status in All Stars Season 6. But Ginger Minj, best known for snagging the hearts of the people with her acting in two Oscar-worthy Snatch Game performances, is not without her runway moments.
Ginger’s finale eleganza look was a gorgeous multicolored celebration, flaunting both her figure and her fashion savvy. This iconic moment cemented her elevated yet campy style, putting Ginger down in the history books as more than just a joke queen.
Kim Chi’s “Grand Finale” Lip Sync For the Crown Look (RPDR Season 8, Episode 10)
Kim Chi is the self-proclaimed “fat, femme, and Asian” queen, her Season 8 finale lip-sync proudly reclaiming the terms that had been hurtfully hurled at her as markers of pride. Kim Chi was known throughout her season for her incredible makeup skill and her quick wit, the latter earning her the nickname “Shade Chi”.
This Cinderella-inspired look lit up and immediately stole the show. Kim didn’t move much during her lip-sync performance because she didn’t have to - her dress was moving enough on its own.
Willow Pill’s “Holy Couture” Runway (RPDR Season 14, Episode 10)
Willow Pill is Season 14’s reigning queen, her well-deserved win highlighting her bizzare brilliance. This iconic trans queen (one of five to come out on Season 14) and Yvie Oddly’s drag daughter was known for her stunning repertoire of looks and her quiet humility.
Willow’s mushroom-inspired “Holy Couture” look was a breathtaking redemption after a not-so Oscar-worthy “Snatch Game” performance. This number claims iconic status for its creativity: While many queens on this episode took the religious route for their “holy” looks, Willow put her own spin on the meaning. When it came time to explain her look, she spoke to the positive influence psychedelics has had in her life, particularly in reckoning with the heavy topics.
Pangina Heals’ “I’m a Winner Baby” Runway (RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs The World Season 1, Episode 1)
The co-host of Drag Race Thailand and competitor on RPDR UK vs The World, Pangina Heals took the world by storm with her sincere smile and fresh looks. Her stunning first runway landed her in the coveted top two, her energetic lip-syncing securing her as the first-ever winner of a UK vs The World challenge.
Pangina’s first runway served gorgeous, glowing Thai-inspired realness. Though she was sent home too early due to the season’s voting process, this ethereal number gave a taste of what could’ve been expected had she stayed.
Symone’s “Fascinating Fascinators” Runway (RPDR Season 13, Episode 10)
Symone, also known as the Ebony Enchantress, is the runway-stomping queen who brought the fashion every single week. With a multitude of awe-inspiring looks, it’s hard to choose only one - but her “Fascinating Fascinators” performance really took the stage.
This all-white garment made a powerful statement, highlighting the need for an end to racial violence and police brutality. The first look as she walked the runway was gorgeous on its own, yet it was the reveal when she turned around that enshrined her iconography forever. With a fascinator reading “Say their names” and two bullet holes in her back, Symone’s look elevated the “statement” in “fashion statement” to a new level.