Violet Chachki, drag superstar and fashion muse, has transformed her panache for blurring the lines between performance art, fashion, and subculture into a new fashion line: DARDO. Riffing on her given surname, the brand fuses demi-couture techniques with ready-to-wear, creating a label rooted in quintessential glamour, fetish, and subcultural influences.

DARDO represents more than a decade of work developing Chachki’s persona, vision, and wardrobe. A celebration of self-expression, the collection includes belted swim briefs, trompe-l'œil printed pieces, a “Pleasure” tee, sunglasses, and a corset bodysuit. Leaning into the codes of fetish and playful subversion that have defined Chachki’s aesthetic, the collection also draws inspiration from artists Tom of Finland and John Willie. “I got to see couture-level craftsmanship up close while working with Prada and Moschino, and the designs by Jean Paul Gaultier will always be a heavy influence on my aesthetic,” explains Dardo, who began as a fashion design student at SCAD before turning to drag.

Making dressing exciting, lighthearted, and fun is central to Dardo's vision. The pieces toe the line between function and escapism, with each garment embodying Dardo’s ethos of empowering wearers and infusing liberated glamour into daily life. “We have to wear clothes, so they should be fun,” Dardo says.

DARDO is a statement of queer excellence, creative autonomy, and the eclectic fluidity of nightlife. Rather than borrowing from various subcultures, this ready-to-wear line is built for them. By pushing conversations around style and moving beyond traditional constraints, Dardo offers the opportunity to make every day a fanciful fantasy through clothing.

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