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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 12, 2009

Dressing a queen


By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Model Chris Latronic wears Toulouse Sultan pants in purple dupioni silk with a matching obi and a gold lace muscle corset. The choker features a black pearl; armband is faux crocodile fastened with a chopstick.

DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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MISS UNIVERSAL SHOWQUEEN PAGEANT

One of the nation's premier drag queen pageants, with contestants competing in evening gown, cocktail dress, talent and Las Vegas showgirl categories.

7 p.m. Saturday

Hawai'i Convention Center, Kalakaua Room

Tickets: $40

Purchase from Diamond Head

Video: 943-6066

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The Miss Universal ShowQueen pageant, arguably Hawai'i's premier drag queen showcase, always provides an amazing spectacle.

Last year, it brought the house down when Coco Chandelier (aka Sami L.A. Akuna) of Honolulu came on stage on stilts, in a spectacular harlequin costume created by Xie Xie LaRage and Anne Tong — and won Chandelier the crown.

This year Coco Chandelier will be dressed by Sebastien Keanu Xerxes Toulouse of Wilhelmina Rise. In addition, in the pageant's first-ever fashion show, Toulouse will debut his new line of clothing for men, Tribe.

Like designer Toulouse, who describes himself as "Egyptian, Phoenician and Native American," the collection is eclectic and unexpected.

There is Grecian draping, tuxedo tailoring, and of course Toulouse's signature bustiers adapted to the male physique. Tribe pants are inspired by many cultures: Hawaiian malos, Burmese longyi, ninja wrap pants, tuxedo sultan pants and skillfully tailored jeans fashioned from Polynesian prints.

Fabrics run the gamut from Edwardian brocades to Indian silks, silk chiffons, tulle, hand beaded dupioni, Hawaiian prints, Laotian handwovens, gold charmeuse, even chain mail. Toulouse has a new focus on accessories and the tribal beat plays through them as well.

Modeling the Tribe collection will be men from the 2010 "Hunks of Hawai'i" calendar.

To see more of Toulouse's creations, visit our online gallery or www.myspace.com/toulousestudio. Or, better yet, get a ticket to Saturday's pageant.