Drags, Bags, Beats, & Butchish.
Drags, Bags, Beats, & Butchish.
Ballroom Culture.
“Ballroom culture, drag ball culture, the house-ballroom community, and similar terms describe an underground queer subculture, founded by black trans and queer folks, in which people "walk" (i.e., compete), perform, dance, lip-sync, and model in different categories, which are designed to simultaneously epitomize and satirize gender constructs, occupations, and social classes, while also offering an escape from reality. Category participants are required to “walk” one by one to receive full approval from all judges, known as ‘receiving your 10s’. Competitors are judged on their abilities, “effect” (costumes, appearance, theatrics, presentation), and perceived “realness” (embodied and/or visual believability, authenticity). Those who make their 10s battle one on one against each other for trophies, prizes, and glory.”
“Ballroom Culture.” VAN VOGUE JAM, www.vanvoguejam.com/ballroom-history. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
STREETWEAR – SERVING WITH STYLE
Hetrick-Martin Institute Awards Ball January 2025
$250.00 + 2 Trophies (Male Figure + Female Figure)
At the 2012 HMI Awards ball, the renowned King of Fashion, Alex Louboutin, stunned everyone with his militant-inspired ensemble titled “Ready for War.” This evening, we honor all the fashion veterans! It's time to equip ourselves and conquer the fashion battlefield!
In this category, you are invited to showcase a military-inspired look of your choice. Whether you opt for a street-savvy edge or elevate military aesthetics into high fashion couture, this is your opportunity to display the rugged elegance of military style.
DJ Butchish.
Born and raised in Chicago Butshish, also known as Golden Mulan, is a DJ and ballroom Participant known for pumping the hottest jams at balls and for walking the Drags and Streetwear categories.
Golden Mulan / DJ Butchish taking pictures after the grand prize win at HMI held at Terminal 5 in New York City. The C-shaped spiked bag, the CTRL Bag, was a crowd favorite.
After the Grand Prize
Bags, Beats... ButchishAfter winning the grand prize for streetwear with house member Rogue Mulan, Golden received many praises about the bag that was worn for the category. After a few weeks it dawned that recreating the bag to sell would be a wonderful idea, after all, have commissioned clothing for artists of the like of Coi Leray, Tinashe, Tia Corine and models like Tiana Parker.
DESIGN IDEATION
