Armourca:
Armoured Orca Drag Costume for Gaia Lacandona
Inspired by the theme "Find Your Pod" for the queer youth summer camp UBC CampOUT! in 2025, the Armoured Orca unites, protects, and fights for her community among the waves of the Salish Sea. As the Camp Director, Vancouver-based drag performer Gaia Lacandona welcomed the campers to the camp's Celebration in the commissioned drag costume.
Design Process
Based on Gaia's garment and texture preferences, I referenced a variety of inspirations to generate ideas—this included historical fashion plates and extant garments, how queer tastemakers (such as Chappell Roan and Jean-Paul Gaultier) styled armour, and of course, the markings on an orca.
Prototypes and Preparations
Paper was used to prototype an initial pattern for the shoulder pauldrons for Gaia's body, bringing the proof of concept to life. The shaping was refined after fitting and revisions were completed in muslin. To ensure the materials met Gaia's sensory and performance preferences, we visited Our Social Fabric to upcycle secondhand textiles for this project.
Final Reveal
Feeling confident and powerful in Armourca, Gaia Lacandona delivered a high-energy and passionate performance to a remix of "A Deeper Love" by Aretha Franklin to kick off Celebration at UBC CampOUT!
