In each episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, there is a mini challenge, a maxi challenge, and a runway (where contestants have to present looks on a runway). After they walk the runway, they are critiqued by the judges. It is typically judged on the appearance and construction of the look(s), relation to the runway theme, and the overall runway presentation.
The Death Becomes Her theme was taken to such unique heights with this look. Violet knew just how to merge her aesthetic in with the challenge, and really showed off how tiny her waist was. The concept was beautifully executed, not to mention the thought of asphyxiation really did the job of creeping everybody out.
In this sewing challenge, the queens were instructed to use random fabrics and clothing pieces to create garments they would wear during the drag apocalypse. And while many made very beautiful garments, Sharon Needles took it in the opposite direction in this thrilling sci-fi inspired garment that still makes us think. Her win in this first challenge not only cemented this to-be winner in the competition, but also opened America's mind as to what the possibilities of drag were.
The episode's runway challenge had the competing queens pay homage to their mother through style. Kim Chi did so by sporting her version of a traditional Korean hanbok—bringing a dash of cultural flair and pride to the competition.
The way that Aquaria's top hat bounces on top of her bunny ear is one for the books. Delightfully and effectively playing with androgyny is very Aquarian, indeed, and we live for a cane. Turning looks. Stunting pretty. All hail the bitch from New York City, who absolutely goes down in the record books as one of the top runway queens to ever appear on this show. You heard it from us, and also RuPaul!
Somewhere over the rainbow lies … fashion. Naomi was giving you fashion here, and this was her breakout moment. More breakout moments followed, and then, before you knew it, Naomi was one of season eight's stars. If this didn't slay the way it did, she wouldn't have made the finale.
Whipping out the stilts this early on was a bold move for Ivy, but the botanic gardens pageantry of the entire look made it impossible not to love. These days, Ms. Winters will wobble out with the stilts on any old DragCon floor, but this was an initial charm offensive that paid off handsomely
Everyone's big hang-up was that she was “resting on pretty,” but barely any of her looks used her natural beauty as a crutch. Whether or not lookism truly played a part in her journey isn't for us to say, but in any case, this aquiline ensemble is one for the Audubon Society books. The wingspan demanded a more pulled back camera setup, but a DP's headache is an audience's gag, to be sure. Fly away, bitch. Fly away.
Leave it to Aquaria to leave her competitors in the dust and legitimize this whole theme. Not only was it visually startling to see her mermaid caked in oil, struggling and sick, but it was refreshing to see Aquaria make a comment on beauty damaged by man (something she had also done with her Feathers runway). But it's fun to think of Aquaria as a world-weary drag activist. Conscious, concerned queen! You know she could have turned out a gorgeous, straightforward mermaid look, but she didn't. Aquaria never went the easy route.
