If you’re a VIP guest at a show during New York Fashion Week, you’re all but expected to bring a statement look to the front row. And who’s better at nailing a style transformation than drag queens? Last night in Brooklyn, Drag Racewinner Sasha Colby was a special guest at Luar’s spring 2024 presentation—and she, of course, slipped into a striking look for the affair. “This is my first fashion week ever,” Colby tells Vogue. “For this week to close out with Raul Lopez, a very good friend of mine whom I’ve known for years, is a full circle moment—and goes to show how friends can stick together over the years, watch each other grow, and celebrate one another. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Given this was Colby’s first NYFW, the drag superstar—who also attended Christian Siriano’s show and the VMAs—was excited to take in all of the new clothes. “Fashion, fashion, fashion inspires me,” she says. “New York is so fun and eclectic, and I love to see all the cool street wear and New York City girl vibes. That’s what New York Fashion Week is all about.” At Luar, Colby was struck by the accessories in particular, including the sleek eyewear made in collaboration with Fellow Earthlings. “I want every single pair from the show,” says Colby. “I also love the classic bag in all different sizes—especially the steel gray croc, that was hot.” She also gravitated towards the denim looks in the show. “I definitely need some of [that]. Another favorite look was their deconstructed silk pants that look like two tails, those were great.”
Colby’s own outfit for the night, embodied Luar’s “cool Brooklyn girl” sensibility. “I really wanted that Brooklyn feeling in my look for the evening; that New York, cool girl energy that Raul and Luar love to dress for,” says Colby. The star landed on a fur coat-dress, finished off with stilettos and gold statement earrings. “This really wild tan fur moment just screams luxury, but still with a New York edge,” says Colby. “I also love a deconstructed, short, pleated mini. This ties into my personal style, because I love the idea of luxury deconstructed—of staying sexy but powerful.”
Colby’s high-fashion dressing up doesn’t end in New York, either. Next up, the star is heading to France, where you’ll see her in even more front rows. “I’m so excited to go to Paris and feel that Parisian vibe,” she says. She also has some new projects in the works, to be revealed soon. “What you can expect from me in the upcoming months is actually a lot. I have a lot of new projects in the works, and most recently have been working on some new music, which I’m very excited to share soon.”
Below, inside Colby’s Luar show day.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby1/25Starting my day off, I want to make sure to prep my skin so that tonight’s look for Luar is flawless. I love using La Mer's The Mist for my skin prep because it leaves it feeling super smooth and even.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby2/25Oh, the beauty in the chaos of glam. My best friend and makeup artist to the stars, Preston Meneses, starts off with my brows. Since I don’t actually have brows of my own, we use temporary tattoo brows to place them perfectly. Then, he fills in the desired shape.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby3/25Next, we start creating an eye shape. Preston uses different metallic shadows, warm gold and cool silver, to create a cool girl smokey eye.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby4/25After eyes are significantly snatched, it’s time to get that flawless skin.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby5/25Now the look is really coming together—pretty, beautiful and snatched. Next, we’ll add some unique touches that exude the Luar girl.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby6/25Preston chose to edge the makeup up by adding slits in my brows and using small black stones strategically placed to create some sacred geometry around the eyes.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby7/25With a matte lip set and some eyeshadow to give the lips a deep, almost worn-in feel, along with lashes really complete the makeup look. I’m obsessed.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby8/25Onto the hair! We’re feeling a sleek wet top knot. What could be more glam and real than this shot where we have made the hotel bathroom into a hair station?
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby9/25A peek at tonight’s look!
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby10/25We got our hair nice and snatched to give a lifted and pulled effect. Then we added some black strips of fabric wrapped haphazardly around the tall top knot.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby11/25Naturally, we had to do a little impromptu shoot in the hotel room.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby12/25After experimenting, the hair really gave this distressed ballet bun feel, which we are really loving. I love making a character out of a look so I can embody a mood while working the look all night. This character is that cool Brooklyn girl that Raul from Luar dresses for—the women in his life. I feel like this is my ode to that girl taking the train from Brooklyn to ballet class, but still has that hard edge that lets everyone know, don’t mess with me.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby13/25Surprisingly, we finished glam early. So, we took a moment to enjoy a beautiful NYC sunset.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby14/25It’s such a beautiful evening and I love the energy of NYFW in the city!
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby15/25In the car heading to Brooklyn for the show.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby16/25Stairway to heaven.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby17/25I cannot wait to see this presentation that will embody all that Raul is inspired by, speaking to his ascension in the industry while remaining connected to his roots.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby18/25Made it to the runway. I absolutely adore people watching, and what better place than this show? Little did I realize how much of a showstopper my look was going to be. I would like to thank the whole team at Luar for dressing me for this event. When I got this look delivered, I was blown away. What a beautiful piece.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby19/25The presentation is stunning! See what I mean—COOL GIRL?!
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby20/25Everything about Luar and the presentation screams cool and NYC.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby21/25I’m in awe.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby22/25What an amazing show! I loved all the bags, the glasses are a must (WOW!), and I definitely want some of the denim!!! Now, time to party on the rooftop and dance the night away. Special performance by Doechii!!!
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby23/25Hanging with my babes, Jack Ketsoyan, my manager and publicist, and Preston Meneses, my best friend of 22 years.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby24/25Mahalo, Raul, for an incredible show. I met Raul years ago through our mutual friend Viv. Viv and I are both from Hawaii, but she’s been a NYC fashion girlie for years, and one of Raul’s best friends and safe to say a muse of Raul’s. Raul has always been the kindest soul I have met in NYC. His love for this city, his culture, and his family is beautiful. He’s always treated me with so much love and that comes from having a beautiful, supportive family who were all there in the front row cheering him on, as usual.
Photo: Courtesy of Sasha Colby25/25Only in NYC! I loved bumping into the incomparable Amanda Lepore at Cafeteria! The dolls gotta stay nourished. What an amazing night it’s been. Thank you, Vogue, for joining me!
