March 14, 2021
Frayed or Fab? 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fashion Recap, Episode 10
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 9 MIN.
And then there were eight. This week, Ru tasked the queens with meta makeovers, pairing them under the advisement of psychic Char Margolis. All eggs were in the maxi challenge basket as contestants learned to sissy their competitors' walks, both in style and substance. Some had an out-of-body experience, while others were merely ghostly interpretations.
While our usual "frayed" or "fab" assessment doesn't apply this week, we've decided to rate the looks as "RU-velation" for our favorite doppelgänger queens and "Regret" for those who might want to reconsider stepping into another queen's well-worn heels. Let's take a look!
Rosé as Tina Burner
Ever the actress, Rosé stomped and lumbered down the runway a la Tina Burner in a fire-engine-red wig and smokey eye, wearing a 1950s housewife dress that she tossed off to reveal a leopard print lingerie one-piece. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Tina Burner as Rosé
Burner went blush in a signature Rosé wig and porcupine spike-sleeved mini-ensemble of questionable taste. Instead, Burner dialed back the camp, pirouetting her way across the runway, embodying Rosé's theatrical flair. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Olivia Lux as Denali
Poor Olivia looked like a box of Kleenex gone awry in one of Denali's ice skate-inspired outfits, complete with an Elsa ponytail extension. Verdict: Regret
Denali as Olivia Lux
Perhaps the most confusing look of the evening, Denali's blood-red off-the-shoulder rhinestone evening gown and fur stole could have been any pageant queen. But Denali could only work with what she was given, which begs the bigger question, what do the judges see in Olivia Lux? Her bright smile might be fading into the background as the other queens continue to refine their drag aesthetic. Verdict: Regret
Symone as Utica
Wearing a champagne-colored Martha Graham amoeba shawl, flower headdress and painted unitard, Symone fearlessly embraced Utica's quirky drag style. "I feel powerful but in a different way," said Symone of her contorted Utica-inspired runway walk. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Utica as Symone
Thankfully, Carol Burnett was not in the house this week as Utica crawled into Symone's stylish skin. Initially worried about "appropriating" her teammate, Utica, instead shed some of her own inhibitions, embracing Symone's powerful runway walk and, in turn, discovering another facet of her own style. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Gottmik as Kandy Muse
Gottmik and Kandy found synergy in their differences, each channeling the others' attitude as much as visual identity. Gottmik, proving, once again, that Season 13 may be hers to lose, sported a flame-detailed motorcycle one-piece with plenty of Bronx face. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Kandy Muse as Gottmik
In the final look of the evening, Kandy Muse delivered the most dramatic transformation, deliberately slowing down her runway walk to slither into Gottmik's harlequin-structured topless dress. A neon wig, face paint and nipple accents completed the outfit. Verdict: Ru-velation!
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.