Valenciaga – Born form love, dressed in power

Brussels is well acquainted with queer creativity, but sometimes a voice emerges that leaves a lasting mark on the scene. That’s Valenciaga: drag performer, storyteller, and living proof that queer art can be both a mirror and a megaphone.

Valenciaga recalls being born in 2019, “a little by accident and a lot out of love.” What began as nights out with friends-who would later become their drag collective-transformed into a space for expression, visibility, and transformation. “Getting on stage was more than just a show. Drag gave me a language I couldn’t find anywhere else.”

From sold-out performances, like the one with Charli XCX at Ancienne Belgique, to the spotlight of Drag Race Belgique, Valenciaga’s journey is filled with moments of grace and celebration. But beneath the glitter lies a path forged by perseverance, self-discovery, and the constant challenge of visibility in a world that often misunderstands non-binary and trans identities.

“The drag scene in Belgium is rich, alternative, and bursting with talent,” Valenciaga explains. “But finding your place in it means constantly reinventing yourself-and learning to believe that your story is worth telling.”

Their aesthetic? Vibrant glamour: “It’s classic meets contemporary, camp meets haute couture, always with a political edge. Every look, even in silence, tells a story.”

Beyond the stage, Valenciaga dreams big and internationally. They’re preparing for the Queen of the North Prelim Continental in Rotterdam, aiming to participate in the legendary Miss Continental in Chicago. “To represent Belgian drag, and my trans and non-binary community, on that stage? That’s not just a dream. That’s a statement.”

Valenciaga’s art is rooted in beauty, but also in politics, especially in light of recent anti-drag and anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in the United States. “Drag has always been political, even when it doesn’t shout it,” they say. “Today, we can’t just be ‘pretty on stage.’ We have to educate, resist, support.”

In a context where drag is under attack, Valenciaga uses performance as both resistance and refuge. “My art is a tool for empowerment. I’m not just here to entertain. I want to offer recognition and joy to those who feel invisible or unsafe.”

That’s also the purpose of Madame X, their artistic club night, a tribute to both Madonna and John Singer Sargent’s portrait. “Madame X is more than a party: it’s a love letter to our community. A space of freedom and full presence.”

Valenciaga curates each event with care, inviting artists like Paula Roïd and Amanda Tears to create a living celebration of queer talent. “This isn’t just a show-it’s a laboratory, a platform, a home. I want Madame X to be a place where we support each other, surprise ourselves, and create something truly our own.”

Looking ahead, Valenciaga sees the Belgian drag scene as part of a larger whole: a tapestry of queer voices across Europe, each thread strengthening the next. “We’re a small country, but we’re loud with love, creativity, and vision. The more bridges we build-between aesthetics, cultures, disciplines-the stronger we become.”

Valenciaga’s journey reminds us that our stories are valid, our spaces precious, and our art powerful enough to change the world, one performance at a time.

Their path hasn’t always been paved with glitter and applause. Since 2019, Valenciaga has faced inner doubts, social pressures, and the ongoing need for self-affirmation. “Believing in your own story is already a radical act,” they confide. “It’s what keeps me going when the stage feels intimidating or when visibility feels like a double-edged sword.”

Their beginnings in drag were shaped by close friends who became chosen family. “I didn’t plan to become Valenciaga. It happened naturally, with people who loved and believed in me.” That support remains the foundation of their creativity, from local gigs to international ambitions.