Kirsten’s got drag stitched up

Four years ago Gold Coast drag queen and costume designer Kirsten Damned packed her make-up bag and sewing needles to take on Sydney’s showgirl circuit.

Since then Dammed has won Diva Awards for her outfits and has dressed the heavyweights of Sydney drag such as Minnie Cooper, Mitzi Macintosh, Benita Devito and Irish delight Babooshka.

I got into drag on the Gold Coast and got into it because I needed the money and it was fun, she told Sydney Star Observer.

I never used to sew until I came to Sydney and helped my grandmother. I used to do wigs but when I came here I started to make my own clothes because I didn’t know any of the drag queens yet.

Once she paraded her designs on various Oxford St stages and caught the eye of drag acts, she became one of the scene’s most in-demand seamstresses.

A dress has to fit the personality of the drag queen because every single queen I sew for has their own personality and style, Damned said.

The thing I prefer is when a drag queen comes to me with two fabrics and they want to make an outfit. I love the challenge to make an outfit out of what they want.

While busy with the demands from her drag pals, Damned is hoping to break into the mainstream theatre circuit -” only for an over-the-top and fabulous production of course. People have also been urging her to audition for Project Runway.

The next time you see a showgirl on stage, make sure you examine the outfit -” it’s most likely been conjured up by Kirsten Damned.

info: If you’d like a drag outfit or a costume made, email Kirsten Damned on [email protected].
Kirsten Damned … an in-demand seamstress.