Florid torrents of sequin and chiffon, city streets steeped in electrifying beats of laughter and hoorahs – it simply must be...
PRIDE! The annual fiesta where our city blitz-and-glitzes through the streets to celebrate and be loud about our collective uniqueness in sexual orientation, gender, and gender choice. We love being a part of this brilliant, diverse and empowered community! And after the vibrant victories for the gay rights movement in the USA and Ireland this year, the 37th annual Vancouver Pride is bound to be one of the most vivacious yet!
Our creative classrooms are built upon a culture of power-in-expression and absolute self-ness, and we’ve seen some truly incredible, utterly divine individuals find their voice here in our halls. The Pride parade is strutting up fast and fabulous, and to celebrate we reached out to a FIERCE five from our Blanche family who have been taking the local drag scene by storm.
But of course, we must leave some of the introduction up to our resident Drag Queen Supreme, the terrifically inspiring, mind-bogglingly talented Jaylene Tyme, Blanche Macdonald Makeup graduate and CurliQue Beauty Q Talent Leader! Jaylene’s realm of experience in both self discovery and transformative artistry has made her a powerful role model in our family, and a maternal icon out on the Drag Queen scene of Vancouver (serving realness and wisdom as Empress a few years back) – we simply cannot think of anyone better to kick off this dazzling week!
“One of the greatest opportunities I’ve enjoyed at Blanche Macdonald is that in which I get to be part of a family that creates a safe environment for everyone to explore. I remember how important it was for me when I was in school! As artists, we need to feel free to be 100% authentic. The creative journey is all about being able to let go completely so that the only limit is our imagination! My heart has been so full being able to witness both artistry and the human spirit take flight in these halls.
“During Pride season, we celebrate the diversity in our communities. Vancouver boasts a fierce and eclectic drag community, and Blanche Macdonald alumni are at the top of this art form. Who doesn't love a good Drag Queen at Pride?! Check out these fabulous artists! HAPPY PRIDE!!”
How did Poison Apple come about?
Poison Apple really came about in my childhood. As a kid I lived in my imagination and dreamt of dressing like some of my favourite movie characters, characters like Cruella De Vil or the Evil Queen, and they all still serve as a huge inspiration for Poison Apple's looks and personality.
If you could sum up Poison Apple in an equation, that equation would be...?
She's equal parts good and evil – you just don't ever know which side you'll get.
Tricks to beat the Pride parade heat and keep fabulous into the night?
Wear the biggest, most over-the-top sun hat you can find. They look fabulous and keep your face from melting off!
One technique you learned at Blanche Macdonald that was a game-changer for your drag beauty routine?
During the course we spend a lot of time studying bone structure and the science behind contouring to alter the shape of the face, and that's been a huge help for me. I was definitely guilty of some racing-stripe contouring before learning the fine-tuning behind it, and my makeup has become so much more refined as a result!
Your fave Queen?
Always and forever, Alyssa Edwards.
If you could do any onstage duet, what would be the song, who would be your accompaniment, and what would you wear?
Obviously I'd duet with my Queen Lana Del Rey, we'd do all of Born To Die and I'd wear my favourite little 60's chiffon baby doll dress.
What are you most proud about in your life/Drag happenings/career?
I'm proud of where I've come from and where I'm going. I never thought Makeup or Drag could be such an integral part of my life, but now here I am, living in the city, going to school for my passion and being part of a beautiful, creative and accepting LGBTQ community that celebrates and appreciates diversity.
What does it mean to you to be able to express yourself like this at Blanche, in Vancouver?
Having the opportunity to expand as an artist at Blanche Macdonald has been life changing. My confidence as an artist has grown so much and the relationships I've developed along the way are priceless. It's been wonderful to learn with a group of girls just as eager as me and I can't wait to see where we all go.
What are your Pride plans?
This Pride I'm super excited to be hosting Backdoor on Friday July 31, performing for Celebrities the next day, and being a part of their float for the parade on Sunday! I'll also be starting my new job at Sephora, which I got with help from powder-puff extraordinaire (and one of my favourite instructors), Fay Von Schroeder.
How did Katy Hairy come about?
The performance and entertainment factor of Drag has always intrigued me. When I mentioned to a friend that I was interested in doing Drag in a new way – like lumberjack vs. pageant queen or a Cyndi-Lauper-George-Michael mash-up – we started brainstorming and Katy Hairy was born!
Tricks to beat the Pride parade heat and keep fabulous into the night?
x1 obnoxiously large fan for both theatrical and practical purposes. And don't forget your setting spray! I personally love Green Marble by SeLr!
One technique you learned at Blanche Macdonald that was a game-changer for your drag beauty routine?
Blending, blending, blending!!!!
Your fave Queen?
My drag idol is Grace Towers – not only is she a beautifully bearded Queen and one of my biggest inspirations, but she has also done so much for our community.
If you could do any onstage duet, what would be the song, who would be your accompaniment, and what would you wear?
Islands in the stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers – and I would do both parts myself!!! (Wearing an adorably cheesy split costume, Kenny on one side looking all dapper in his suit and tie, and Dolly in one of her MANY glamorous sequined gowns!)
What are you most proud about in your life/Drag happenings/career?
I'm most proud of the name I've created with the Community in such a short amount of time! I am so grateful for all of the support that I have been shown <3
What does it mean to you to be able to express yourself like this at Blanche, in Vancouver?
When I was Attending the Pro Hair program at Blanche I loved how the teachers encouraged and inspired creativity at all levels of learning.
Tell me a little about Sweet N Sticky!
#SweetNSticky is a monthly show that I put on in Kitsilano at Displace Hashery, Co-Hosted by Evita Versace. We are going on our 5th show and its been a smash hit since the first event! You can find pictures and vid clips on Instagram @SweetNSticky
What are your Pride plans?
I will be performing at Junction on Wednesday July 29th for the charity show Faux Girls. And on Thursday the 30th, I will be hosting #SweetNSticky! Doors at 8pm, show at 9:30-ish. EVERYONE is welcome!!
When not wrapped up in things #StickNSweet, Aaron is busy dishing out toothsome candy hues as a Master Colourist at Illusion Studio & Spa – read all about his story here: http://bit.ly/aaron-brousseau
How did Ilona come about?
I had been wanting to get into drag for the longest time. However, I didn’t want to pick some random name I would change later on. I started working with a super sassy 87 year old German lady, and her and I became really close; she was super interested in learning about queer culture and would always bring me Bobbi Brown makeup! I knew that I had to name my drag persona after her!
If you could sum up Ilona in an equation, that equation would be...?
50% of Ilona would be if you put all the Japanese street styles in a blender, and the other 50% would be very inspired by Adore Delano ripping off Kylie Jenner…LOL.
Tricks to beat the Pride parade heat and keep fabulous into the night?
Show up long enough for some selfies then head to the lake – no one will ever know. JK! Pray to the weather gods that it’s not scorching hot?? That and Green Marble SeLr!
One technique you learned at Blanche Macdonald that was a game-changer for your drag beauty routine?
HOW TO OVERDRAW LIPS AND NOT LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! THANKS JON! (+ Everything from Jaylene’s Drag demo, let’s be real here!)
Your fave Queen?
This is a tough one, so I’m gonna pick 2: Adore Delano because I LOVEEE her style and aesthetic and [local scene Queen] Jane Smoker because she is an INSANEEEE performer and I look up to her work ethic a lot!
If you could do any onstage duet, what would be the song, who would be your accompaniment, and what would you wear?
I’d love to do Genesis by Grimes with Jane Smoker, even though it would be more of performance art thing than a drag number – I just really love the outfits that Grimes wears in the vid. And who else can do Brooke Candy but Jane? Pretty much no one… bahhaa!
What are you most proud about in your life/Drag happenings/career?
The biggest moment for me so far was when my girl Frost Blossoms took me to Adore Delano’s concert and I was pulled up on stage to perform a number! It was my first time ever performing and it was randomly, accidentally, kind of opening for Adore!?
What does it mean to you to be able to express yourself like this at Blanche, in Vancouver?
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to come to Blanche was because I really wanted to get into drag and further my Makeup abilities. It’s meant the world to me having the whole Blanche family at my side through my crazy journey and I’m SOOO grateful! It feels so good to know that I’m a part of such an awesome thing at BMC!
What are your Pride plans?
Tuesday July 28th I’ll be performing at Peach Cobblah’s Shame Spiral: Peach’s Biggest Mistake, and Wednesday July 29th I’ll be performing at Faux Girls at the Junction for their Pride show (doors at 10pm, cover is donation to charity!). For the parade itself you can catch me on the float for Rent Cheque/ Babe Bang!
How did Pyxie McQueen come about?
After coming out, the first thing I did was go to Vancouver Pride in full drag! Pyxie was a way for me to show the world how happy I was to finally be able to accept myself as gay.
If you could sum up Pyxie McQueen in an equation, that equation would be...?
Confidence + Beauty = Bombshell Performer
Tricks to beat the Pride parade heat and keep fabulous into the night?
Firstly, I’ll set my makeup with translucent powder (a lot of it) and then seal everything in with a healthy layer of Green Marble FX Sealing Spray. It works wonders!
One technique you learned at Blanche Macdonald that was a game-changer for your drag beauty routine?
Blanche has taught me so many things that have helped me create the vixen that it is Pyxie. I think the biggest game changer is really the in-depth knowledge I obtained of Chiaroscuro. Without that, I would have no idea how to properly highlight and contour my features.
Your fave Queen?
My favourite Drag Queen would have to be RuPaul Charles. She’s been such a strong hand behind starting the careers of so many of the Queens I love today.
If you could do any onstage duet, what would be the song, who would be your accompaniment, and what would you wear?
I would have to break the rules and do a group number to “Lady Marmalade”. With Raja Gemini, Manila Luzon, and Raven. The song would have a Lace and Leather theme to it, and Pyxie would rock a few body chains haha.
What are you most proud about in your life/Drag happenings/career?
To date I would have to say I am most proud of making it to the final day of Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar 2015. Having never done performances of that caliber before, I was extremely proud to make it to the finale show.
What does it mean to you to be able to express yourself like this at Blanche, in Vancouver?
I am so grateful to Blanche for the platform they have given me. They take pride in their graduates and have helped me to become a stronger Makeup Artist and Drag performer within the Vancouver scene.
What are your Pride plans?
Pride is going to be a very busy time for me this year. I will be performing multiple times while taking part in as many of the festivities that I can. Be sure to come out and see Pyxie doing what she loves!!
How did Lana LoveLace come about?
Lana LoveLace came about years ago. She started when I started playing around with Makeup. I always wanted to entertain and she let me do that!
If you could sum up Lana LoveLace in an equation, that equation would be...?
I would sum her up as a Female Impersonator with a quick-witted attitude and a wicked sense of fashion!
Tricks to beat the Pride parade heat and keep fabulous into the night?
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray and a fan.
One technique you learned at Blanche Macdonald that was a game-changer for your drag beauty routine?
Setting and styling wigs and hairpieces – hair in my type of drag is CRUCIAL. If it looks like a wig, it’s a wig.
Your fave Queen?
My fave famous queen is Violet Chachki (Winner of Season 7 RuPaul’s Drag Race) and my fave local queen is either Beardonce (originality and fierceness is everything) OR Tiffany Ann Co (sister queen, fish & fabulous)
If you could do any onstage duet, what would be the song, who would be your accompaniment, and what would you wear?
I would duet with Kendall Gender – she is personally one of my good friends. We started drag at the same time and she's become quite known and successful! We would probably do some sort of Fifth Harmony or Destiny’s Child song. We would pull inspiration from a 90's girl group and wear cohesive outfits that didn't match too much, but that would let you know that they were put together for us!
What are you most proud about in your life/Drag happenings/career?
I’m most proud of myself. I'm from a small homophobic town in Ontario and drag isn't accepted. I’m proud that I have built the confidence in myself to walk the streets of downtown Vancouver alone in full face and feel loved.
What does it mean to you to be able to express yourself like this at Blanche, in Vancouver?
Blanche was an awesome environment to express my drag goals! Everyone was so supportive and always eager to see photos or come to events with Lana.
What are your Pride plans?
I’ll be working at a popular gay bar on Davie, The PumpJack Pub. I fell in love with the staff and started working there part-time to give me an opportunity to build my salon clientele when I began working professionally in a salon!
Lana Lovelace has #flawless hair for a reason – read all about Jordan’s Pro Hair success story here! http://bit.ly/jordan-nogiec