Goldsmith was thrilled to have the privilege of dressing the cast of Death Drop with fabulous vintage clothes in its recent run in the West End. We are just sad the show has come to a close! To cheer ourselves up we caught up with Holly Stars, Death Drop's writer and show performer, to find out what's next for this multi talented drag queen.
What three things do you always carry in your bag?
I’ve always got chewing gum, moisturiser and a throwing egg in case I happen upon a Tory MP on my travels.
Sum your personality up in three words
Sexy, noisy and I don’t take any shit.
Surprising fact nobody knows about you (you’re willing to make public!)?
I can speak fluent French – I’m a cunning linguist
On your Instagram you share your transformation from office wear model to international style sensation; did you always dress vintage or did you start to shop more vintage for drag?
I’ve always enjoyed vintage clothes and usually wear a mix of vintage and high street. Most of my drag is vintage because it’s easier to find fun, unique looks. I love an ‘80s shirt dress or a good ‘90s shell suit. I tend to aim for looks that straddle the line between fun and grotesque.
There were amazing vintage looks in Death Drop – why was it important in incorporate your vintage style into the costume design?
The show is set in 1991 so most of our costumes are vintage or bespoke drag pieces. Each character has a very distinct look and colour story and I know that the costume designer had a lot of fun searching for the perfect garments for each performer. It was important to incorporate vintage pieces so that the costumes look and feel authentic but also so that the audience aren’t seeing clothes that they just picked up themselves in the H&M sale.
Favourite piece of vintage you own of all time?
Ooh, it’s tricky! Can I pick two? I’ve got a blue satin shirt dress that I found in the €1 bin of a vintage shop on rue de Rivoli in Paris – I wear it all the time and cinch it in with a sequin bumbag. One of my followers called it a “shapeless, era-less, BHS uniform” and I love that description. The other one I love is an ‘80s American canary yellow ski suit – I had to take out all the lining because it was
too hot to wear otherwise, but it’s so hideous it’s perfect.
Why did you decide to set Death Drop in 1991? Was it the style, or nostalgia for the 90s?
A combination of all of the above. One of the main reasons was to take us out of the present day – given the year we’ve all had I thought it would be fun to take us into a pre-covid world so that the audience could have full escape from the troubles of 2020/21. Also, I’m a sucker for the styles and shapes of the 90s – I love a perm and a hefty shoulder pad.
What three iconic looks would you steal of divas from ‘her-story’, and why?
Oh, the first look I’d choose is Bet Lynch’s fur coat and birdcage earrings that she wore when she left Coronation Street for the first time in 1995 – who doesn’t love a leopard print coat?!
Second I’m going for Whitney Houston’s Queen of the Night outfit from The Bodyguard – so fun and camp and shiny.
And finally, anything and everything worn by Kathy Burke as Lynda La Hughes in Gimme Gimme Gimme. What an absolute LEGEND.
Second I’m going for Whitney Houston’s Queen of the Night outfit from The Bodyguard – so fun and camp and shiny.
And finally, anything and everything worn by Kathy Burke as Lynda La Hughes in Gimme Gimme Gimme. What an absolute LEGEND.
For those leaving the theatre wanting more, what's next for Holly Stars and the stage?
Well hopefully there will be more Death Drop in the future, but in the meantime I’m still running my monthly cabaret, Holly Stars’ Time of the Month, and the second season of my TV series, Holly Stars: Inspirational has just been released on Froot.tv.