Drag is an all-encompassing platform. It merges music, movement, comedy, and fashion, among others, in just a single performance. Drag artist go through a painstaking process to hone their craft. But when it comes to style, while many can sew their costumes, others seek the help of designers and other creatives to make their visions come to life. For Filipino drag artists, one of their go-tos is a little shop in Quezon City aptly named Drag Store.

Led by drag artist and queer entrepreneur Kim Bautista, together with his husband Ian Garcia and hairstylist Aries Manal, Drag Store houses a variety of costumes and the basic things every drag artist needs. From embellished gowns and chic performance wear to padding and underwear, one can shop everything from the store and hit the stage with just a snap of a finger.

Kim’s life as a drag artist inspired the building of the store. He first joined gay beauty pageants in 2012. After a year of doing that, he found himself on the stage performing as Duedit, his drag persona. Duedit was able to perform in various clubs here in the Philippines and abroad. As per Kim, Duedit strength lies in her style. She is a look queen, always in the most glamorous garbs and the best makeup look.

“I can dance, but I’m not like the power dance queen or the stun queens,” Kim confesses to Style Weekend. “Duedit is always a beauty queen.”

Drag Store wasn’t Kim’s first foray as a queer entrepreneur. His first business was Wigaloo, a brand inspired by her time working in Qatar. As the name suggests, it offers styled wigs to drag artists, gay pageant contestants, and other queer performers. After Wigaloo, Kim and his business partners launched Hair On Point in Quezon City, next to Drag Store.

Before Drag Store became a one-stop shop for drag supplies, it was first a clothing store called Fit For You. Kim recalls how the store struggled to sell pieces. “For three to four months, we aren’t making any sales,” Kim says. “We are lucky if we manage to earn P3,000 in a week.”

With the help of his store manager Kathy, Kim took the remaining money from the store and purchased 10 drag luxe bodysuits. According to Kim, in just 30 minutes, all of the costumes were sold already, igniting the idea of turning the clothing store into what it is today. “I just woke up one day and decided to redo the store,” the owner states

Drag Store has been operating in its Quezon City location for two years now as a legitimate business. During those times, the store’s inventory has grown, from costumes sourced abroad to pieces designed in-house. During the store’s slow months, Kim and his team of sewers dedicate their time to making new costumes. Currently on display at the store are drag gowns and bejeweled gloves, which they designed. On top shelves were feathered showgirl headdresses. The racks are full of colors and textures courtesy of its rainbow-ruffled robes, pearl body armor, crystal-embellished accessories, and more. Below are rows of boots and heels ready for their time on the dancefloor. Next door, Hair On Point offers a variety of wigs and hair tools, from synthetic and human hair wigs to sculpted and bedazzled kinds, wig glues, and hair dyes.

Apart from drag queens, Kim is proud to share that his clientele also includes singers, comedians, and international stars. Among his frequent shoppers in Drag Store and Hair On Point are “Drag Race Philippines” stars Precious Paula Nicole, Bernie, and Katkat. They also supplied pieces to US-based drag artists like John Fedellaga. Apart from drag artists and celebrities, regular people also drop by his store to shop. “People go here for the pieces they need for office events,” he says. “It’s their time to fulfill their fantasy.”

One of the things that helped Drag Store’s success was its live selling session on social media. Through it, they can easily reach their market and never have too many pieces stuck in their inventory.

These days, Kim is focused on managing the store and moonlights as a drag performer when his schedule allows. His goal is to find a new space to expand the store. “This was just a dream for me before and I’m happy that I’m now able to share it with other people.” Kim ends.

Drag Store and Hair On Point are located at Centro Plaza Condominium, Scout Madrinan cor Scout Torillo, Brgy South Triangle, Quezon City. To know more about them and their products, visit @dragstoreph and @haironpointph on Instagram.

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