Queer AF fashion show — nicknamed 'The Queer Met Gala of Mass' — set for Mechanics Hall

WORCESTER — Queer AF XXIII — nicknamed "The Queer Met Gala of Mass" — is one of the most highly anticipated events of Worcester Pride. The fashion show features local and international designers, artists and models who will show off their work on the runway to raise money in support of LGBTQ+ youth. Hosts this year are Mariah Balenciaga and Jackie Cox of the popular reality television series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

This year's theme for the fashion show is, "I am a galaxy," which according to the website of Love Your Labels, which organizes the event, "represents a celebration of the multifaceted nature of identity, where each individual is a unique constellation of experiences, emotions, and dreams. Just like galaxies, we are composed of countless stars, each representing a different aspect of who we are. Together, we form a breathtaking tapestry of diverse stories."

The show is a fundraiser for Love Your Labels, which is a nonprofit that serves LGBT youth in Central Massachusetts.

“At Queer AF, we work toward building a world where each person is celebrated for being their authentic selves through expressive arts; fashion, drag and music,” said Love Your Labels president Joshua Croke.

The event take place this year at Sept. 8 at Mechanics Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. During that time, Washburn Hall will host a number of local vendors selling fashion, jewelry and art, along with live music and an art installation.

Anyone can be a model

Since its inception in 2019, one of Queer AF’s standout features has been the community modeling — drawing a diverse cast of models from the local community to challenge conventional beauty standards, for both the audience and the models.

“That first year we realized the impact it had on those who modeled,” said Croke. “Some had never been told that they were deserving of modeling or could be in a fashion show because of the beauty standards depicted by the media.”

Since then, community modeling became a core focus of programming for the event, he said. This year there will be between 50 and 60 models, gathered at a modeling call held at the White Room this past June. In preparation, participants have done two runway workshops organized in partnership with Mass Talent and Development.

“I can’t wait to walk down the runway and see the audience’s reaction to all the different looks,” said Charlie O’Donnell, co-chair of the committee, event logistics director, as well as a model for the show. “I’m so excited to see the audience members’ faces when they see what we’ve created.”

Fun for the whole family

This will be the first year that general admission will be open to all ages. There will be special family seating but also a youth section called Mercury, for children ages 13 to 17, free of charge with a permission slip from a parent or guardian. “This is a fundraiser for our youth, and we realized they should not only be able to participate but be involved in and at the show,” said Croke.

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The change is only logical, especially considering some of the designers being featured would not have been able to attend the event in its original 21+ incarnation, being graduates of Love Your Labels Threads Youth Fashion and Identity program, which provides high school age youth with fashion design education.

Almost a year in the works

As the event has grown in scope, more than doubling every year since the first at Electric Haze with (100 people) then Bull Mansion (250), and last year at Worcester Palladium, (more than 500), so too has the associated planning and preparation.

“It’s a part-time job,” said O’Donnell, though with the planning committee also growing proportionally, “it’s been easier to get things done.” Despite this, planning has been underway since November, he said, starting with meeting once a month until this summer, then twice a month, and now once a week for the past month, with this last week before the show being the most hectic.

Between 500 and 700 people are expected at Mechanics Hall.

Queer AF XXIII

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8

Where: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester

How much: $25 to $75, with youth tickets and runway tables available. Visit https://mechanicshall.org/queer-af-xxiii/ for more information to purchase tickets.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Drag and fashion on display at this year's Queer AF fashion show