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New York's Only Drag Outfitter Gets Ready for Pride

By DNAinfo Staff on June 25, 2010 4:03pm  | Updated on June 26, 2010 10:24am

By Yepoka Yeebo

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

GARMENT DISTRICT — Manhattan's only clothier for drag queens is gearing up for the Pride Parade on Sunday by designing and making dresses for one of the largest LGBT organizations in the state.

"The theme for this year is 'Flights of Fancy,' it's all in pastels," said Vincent Cuccia, marketing director for the Garment District's Planet Pepper. "It's very different from last year, when the theme was Italian American."

Planet Pepper is designing the costumes for the Imperial Court of New York, a charitable organization that holds lavish drag balls to raise money for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender causes.

Alex Bartlett, a costume designer for Broadway shows who creates outfits and gowns for Planet Pepper, was sewing the buttons on to a jacket embroidered with dragonflies on Friday.

Dirty Martini arrives at the Palais du Festivals during the 63rd Annual International Cannes Film Festival wearing a wig styled by Planet Pepper
Dirty Martini arrives at the Palais du Festivals during the 63rd Annual International Cannes Film Festival wearing a wig styled by Planet Pepper
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Stephane Kossmann/Renault via Getty Images

"I'm pretty much done. I did a pink Arabian silk jacket, a long tunic jacket with beaded sleeves, these pastel chiffon butterfly wing dresses with belts and butterfly broaches," said Bartlett. "Everything's really flowy."

He said the light colors were chosen to match the fresh flowers that will adorn the Imperial Court's float.

The 24th Empress of the Imperial Court, drag performer Farrah Moans, chose Planet Pepper because Bartlett, who still performs in drag, knows how to create the right look.

"I'm a man, and I need clothes built for me that make an illusion," said the Empress who stood over 7-feet tall in thigh-high white 4-inch boots and a Swarovski crystal crown. "There's not a lot of people out there who understand construction for all body types."

Bartlett and Cuccia started Planet Pepper a year ago. It is currently the only incorporated business in New York that makes clothes for drag queens, according to Crain's New York Business, although they also dress the occasional full-bodied female performer.

"You'd think that there'd be a lot of this in New York, but there really isn't," said Bartlett of his business.

Organizers for Sunday's Pride March expect half a million spectators to join the 350 groups slated to march in the West Village.

"It's about visibility, being in public, and being out there looking good for a good cause," said Bartlett. "I'll be wearing a lavender and yellow chiffon baby-doll dress, and my hair will be a bright yellow up-do with a huge purple butterfly in it.

"It's very subtle."