The Art of Drag

Take a peek into the cultural phenomenon that is Drag, in this lusciously illustrated guide to the history of the phenomenon, from ancient theatre to the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Lights. Glamour. Action!

The history of drag has been formed by many intersections: fashion, theatre, sexuality and politics – all coming together to create the show stopping entertainment millions witness today. In this lusciously illustrated guide, journalist Jake Hall delves deep into the ancient beginnings of drag, to the present day and beyond. Vibrant illustrations enhance the rich history from Kabuki theatre to Shakespeare, the revolutionary Stonewall riots to the thriving New York ballroom scene. The book also comes with fascinating glimpses into the future of drag with insights from personalities including The Vixen, Crystal Rasmussen, Sweatmother and Don One.

From Paris Is Burning to Pose and from Lady Bunny to Victoria Sin, nothing will go untouched in this must-have documentation of all things drag.

Jake Hall is a freelance writer who has written for Dazed Digital, i-D, VICE, Highsnobiety, INTO, Refinery29 UK, and British Vogue, among others. They have written on topics from sustainability in fashion and body-shaming in queer communities, to government crackdowns on queer people, and intersex genital mutilation. Alongside this work, they are studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham. Jake's research aims to illuminate the link between high fashion and queer theory, as well as arguing the potential of clothing to radically challenge and subvert the social constructs of gender, sexuality, and race.

Helen Li is an Australian illustrator based in Warsaw, Poland. She has worked with Google, Facebook, Dropbox and Redbull.


Sofie Birkin is a British illustrator based in Denver, USA. She has worked with Cosmopolitan UK and BOA Technology.


Jasjyot Singh Hans is an Indian illustrator based in Chicago, USA. He has worked with Google, New York Times and Vogue India.