Fans of RuPaul's Drag Race know all too well that one of the fundamentals of any strong queen is that they must have memorable looks. Whether it's on the runway or as part of a challenge, some of the looks that have debuted on Drag Race have become iconic in their own right.
Naturally, the winning queens of Drag Race never failed to deliver when it came to looks, regardless of whether they were primarily pageant or comedy queens. These iconic looks from the first ten winners blew away the judges and fans alike, whilst demonstrating the best of their signature style and aesthetics.
BeBe Zahara Benet - Raspberry Look
As the first-ever winner of Drag Race, BeBe Zahara Benet set the bar for future queens to come and has become an icon in her own right. She later returned to the show for the third season of Drag Race All Stars, where she placed t third overall.
Considering BeBe had limited sewing abilities compared to the other queens, she still managed to deliver brilliant looks. One such example was her raspberry-themed outfit in the Absolut Drag Ball challenge, in which the queens created a look inspired by Absolut's fruit-flavored vodkas. This stunning look not only won her the maxi-challenge but also a place in the final, where she went on to be crowned Drag Race's first winner.
Tyra Sanchez - Diva Hollywood Look
The second winner of Drag Race was Tyra Sanchez, dubbed "the other Tyra" by Mama Ru. Although appearing in numerous drag shows across the 2010s, fans who want to find out what Drag Race winners are up to now will be interested to know that Tyra (real name James Ross) has now quit drag and no longer wishes to be associated with drag nor to be referred to as Tyra Sanchez.
Tyra was a little hit-and-miss when it came to creating outfits but there were times where she delivered some very timeless looks, and perhaps her most iconic was her Diva Hollywood Extravaganza runway outfit. This task required three looks and Tyra did well with all of them, ultimately winning the challenge. But what makes her Diva Hollywood look particularly memorable is how not only was it a flawless look, but it perfectly embodied Tyra's drag style. The look evokes the glamor and spirit of Beyonce.
Raja - Extravagant Look
Season 3 winner Raja is without question one of the best queens to ever appear on Drag Race when it came to the runway. Almost every single outfit she bought to the runway was beautiful, well made, and outside of the box.
Because she had so many great looks, picking just one iconic Raja look is a tough decision for many fans. But one that perhaps just rises above the rest is her Extravagant runway look. Inspired by Marie Antoinette, this was at a point in the competition where Raja kept continuing to deliver outstanding and varied looks, and this one, in particular, knocked it out of the park. It was high-fashion, well-executed, and demonstrated Raja's makeup and wig skills as well as her sewing.
Sharon Needles - Apocalyptic Couture
Sharon Needles is considered by many as the first spooky queen of Drag Race. First entering the werk room in season 4 with a witch's hat and gothic make-up, she was almost immediately dismissed by her fellow queens.
But her first runway look quickly proved to the queens and the judges that she was a force to be reckoned with. The theme was Apocalyptic Couture and Sharon bowled the judges over with one of the best horror-inspired looks on Drag Race, making her the first maxi-challenge winner of the season. Whilst Sharon delivered a variety of great looks over the course of season 4, it was this look that fans mostly her for. It was a perfect example of Sharon's aesthetics whilst retaining high-fashion standards.
Jinkx Monsoon - Latina Eleganza Look
Like Sharon, Jinkx Monsoon was frequently overlooked by her fellow queens throughout her season. Yet Jinkx kept delivering each episode, finishing in a high-ranking position in almost every episode and going on to snatch the season 5 crown.
Although criticized by the judges for not bringing glamor in the first half, Jinkx delivered a number of lovely looks throughout season 5, from elegant and chic to quirky and spooky. Her most striking was perhaps her Latina Eleganza look. Whilst the other queens went for flamboyant flamenco style outfits, Jinkx thought outside the box and delivered a fun yet fabulous Day of the Dead-inspired costume. This was given high praise from the judges and helped her win the maxi-challenge of the episode.
Bianca Del Rio - Crowning Look
There's no question that Bianca del Rio is one of the most popular and successful winners in Drag Race her-story. A comedy queen by trade, Bianca never failed to deliver in the challenges and won over the judges and audiences with her sense of humor and open honesty in the werk room.
When it came to her signature aesthetics, Bianca's was retro, brightly colored dresses paired with her signature bold make-up. Whilst she had a number of fabulous outfits that bore the Bianca stamp, her most iconic look is her final outfit worn as she was crowned the season 6 winner. With flashes of bold color on an elegant black dress and a huge bright flower headpiece, it was the perfect look to be crowned in. What's more, Bianca proudly delivers her most iconic quote whilst wearing this: "Not today, Satan. Not today."
Violet Chachki - Death Becomes Her Look
Violet Chachki was season 7's winner on Drag Race. She was mostly consistent throughout the season, but it was her aesthetics and fashion looks that were her greatest strengths and what fans most her for.
Inspired by vintage and burlesque, Violet constantly delivered gorgeous looks on the runway. But one look that truly stands out was her Death Becomes Her runway look, the theme inspired by the 1992 cult classic. The outfit was simple yet very effective - her extremely cinched-in waist left the judges gobsmacked, and it perfectly embodied Violet's aesthetic while perfectly capturing the episode's theme.
Bob The Drag Queen - Night of a 1000 Madonnas Look
Bob the Drag Queen has become a firm fan favorite since appearing on season 8. With her positive attitude and sense of humor, she never failed to put a smile on fans' faces, especially when teamed up with her best friend, fellow season 8 queen and fan-favorite Monét X Change.
Whilst predominantly a comedy queen, Bob also delivered a variety of great looks during her time on Drag Race. Perhaps her most notable one was her Madonna-inspired costume. After one of the best Snatch Game performances ever (in which she impersonated two celebrities!), her Madonna look was fun, stylish, and eye-catching, which perfectly sums up Bob the Drag Queen on the whole.
Sasha Velour - Lip-Sync For The Crown Look
Sasha Velour was season 9's winner and a worthy one at that. Alongside Drag Race favorites such as Peppermint and Shea Couleé in the final, Sasha remained consistently strong throughout, growing as an artist whilst remaining true to her style.
With her bold colors. striking makeup and choice of being a predominantly bald queen in honor of her mother, Sasha has one of the most identifiable and unique aesthetics of any Drag Race queen. This might be why her most iconic look was her final lip-sync look. Taking off her redhead wig to release rose petals is one of the best Ruveals ever seen on Drag Race, and this perhaps cemented Sasha Velour's well-deserved win.
Aquaria - Mermaid Fantasy Look
Aquaria made Drag Race her-story by being the youngest ever winner of the US series of Drag Race. Despite being just 21 at the time of recording the tenth season, Aquaria proved to be a very worthy queen and an all-rounder across the many challenges.
Whilst she excelled in acting and comedy, Aquaria's main strengths lay in her fashion and runway looks. But none quite stood out like her Mermaid Fantasy look. After a winning Snatch Game performance as Melania Trump, Aquaria then took to the runway as a gothic oil-slicked mermaid that was both sinister and beautiful. Mermaid Fantasy is one of the best runway categories in Drag Race yet, and Aquaria's look was a perfect take on the theme.