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Ethan Mundt, better known by his drag persona Utica Queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race, made fashion TV history by becoming the first drag performer to compete on Project Runway. Season 21 saw him not only break boundaries but also excel, landing in the final three of the competition and winning the season’s opening and closing challenges.
A Drag Queen Walks Into the Fashion World
When Ethan Mundt received a personal invitation to join Project Runway, it wasn’t just another competition—it was a turning point. Known for his imaginative and technically flawless garment construction on Drag Race, especially the unforgettable sleeping bag gown from Season 13’s Bag Ball, he came in with a clear message: drag artists belong in fashion.
Still, going into a show like Project Runway came with risks. “This is the first opportunity that a queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race gets to go and showcase the work,” Mundt said. For him—and, frankly, for queer visibility in mainstream fashion—it was huge. Yet he admitted fearing that he might be judged only through the lens of drag, not for his raw talent as a designer.
That fear quickly turned into motivation, and the result was undeniable. Mundt consistently impressed the judges, proving that a drag queen’s perspective can bring something bold, emotional, and technically strong to the design table. To read Pluribus finale shocks fans as season 2 faces long wait
Not Just Presence, but Performance
Season 21 of Project Runway was a landmark in other ways too: the final three were all queer designers, including Jesus Estrada and winner Veejay Floresca. Mundt’s placement among them felt like a victory not just for drag performers, but for the fluidity and richness queer creators bring to fashion.
His standout looks throughout the season helped shape his journey. Among the most memorable:
- A dynamic cape design that played with volume and movement
- An athleisure-inspired look marked by a striking red stripe
- A Wicked-themed avant-garde ensemble that balanced fantasy with structure
- A butterfly-inspired piece created from unconventional materials
Those designs weren’t just stylish—they were moments. Watching them walk down the runway, you could feel the care, the concept, and the heart behind each stitch. And as a fan of both Drag Race and sewing challenges on Project Runway, I found myself genuinely excited with each runway reveal. This wasn’t novelty. It was fashion with point of view.
The Finale and the Politics of Presentation
For the finale challenge, designers had limited time to prepare a full collection. Mundt, always thoughtful in his choices, included a male model and at one point considered appearing in full drag to close out his journey. But in the end, he opted not to.
“I did not come on this show to have my character critiqued in this way,” he explained. “Critique the clothes, critique the moments of the show, but I will not gift my art of being presented in drag [under these conditions].” There’s something powerful in that—a reminder that drag isn’t just a costume; it’s performance, identity, and emotion. And demanding that it be respected on those terms matters. To read Taylor Swift opens up in final Eras Tour docuseries episode
Personally, I found that choice incredibly moving. It showed depth and fought against the idea that drag must always be spectacle. Sometimes restraint speaks louder than glitter, and in this case, it allowed his fashion to stand alone—and be celebrated.
What’s Next for Ethan Mundt?
While he’s open to returning to the Drag Race universe via All Stars, Mundt says he wants the Project Runway moment to breathe first. Let it land. Let people take it in. That makes sense, because what he achieved wasn’t just a good run on a design show—it was a cultural moment. And if there’s one thing reality competitions love, it’s someone with both talent and a voice.
From here, Mundt is looking at other fashion shows that celebrate creativity, like Netflix’s Next in Fashion or Amazon’s Making the Cut. And if it were up to him, he wouldn’t mind coming back to Project Runway—not as a contestant, this time, but as a judge or model. After watching his fashion journey unfold, I honestly hope he does.
Project Runway season 21 is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
