Pantala - Blog Posts

In your Jewel redesign, you said that Wasp probably wouldn’t let her get away with full drag, but that does make me curious. What would a dragon in drag would look like?

you will not BELIEVE how much I've thought about this, both during and after designing her. I can answer your question and beyond!!

The (Drag) Queens of Pantala

In order to properly explore Pantalan drag, I first looked to the (cultural) definition of drag itself, as well as learning some brief history. With the first known preformance occurring in 1867 (Although not truly popularized until the 19th century,) Human Rights Campaign and other LGBTQ+ organizations describe drag as a preformance art form that uses costumes, makeup and other tools to illustrate exaggerated expressions of gender identity, intended to critique gender inequality or other social justice issues. Drag has traditionally been preformed/pioneered by members of the LGBTQ+ community, predominantly gay men and/or people of color.

With this in mind, Pantalan drag was most likely created and developed by Silkwings (especially in jewel hive) as a form of protest art. I imagine the movement was later popularized by hivewing audiences, becoming more palatable to the wider public after being endorsed by a privileged group as art movements often are. While there are a myriad of social justice issues Pantalan drag could have originally meant to critique, the loss of Silkwing rights and deforestation of Pantala were probably the two main driving topics.

Their Artistic Process

As for the actual production of drag costumes or makeup, Silkwings would have had to work with what was available to them - fruits, vegetables, basic dyes/craft materials and their own silk. They would construct their own jewelry using beads instead of gold, weave their garments, and grind mica with pigments and oil to make eyeshadow.

Leaves, roots and trees would be frequent design elements of early drag: with the eye-catching glamour of a dragon working to simultaneously distract detractors and seek out supporters. Heavy accessorizing and imagery of wealth would also be important to presenting Silkwings as equal to Hivewings, through metaphorical sense. The processes of creating Pantalan drag is what leads me to believe it would prosper best in jewel hive: outside of their relaxed rules and support of Silk/Hive equality, they would also have easiest access to craft materials, dyes and a lively art scene.. endorsed by Lady Jewel herself.

Just a few thoughts on drag. Thanks for asking this question! I was looking for a chance to spill and you gave it to me ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡