Photographer: Tanner Abel - @tannerabelofficial
Look: Nymphia Wind
In a dazzling display of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, Nymphia Wind, the Taiwanese-American drag performer and dressmaker, graces the cover of Hooks Magazine's highly anticipated "STARS" edition. Currently captivating audiences worldwide as a contestant on season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Nymphia brings her unique blend of cultural influences, fashion expertise, and boundless creativity to the forefront of the drag scene.
Off the stage, Nymphia is a master seamstress, holding a Bachelor of Arts in fashion atelier from the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester. Her journey from Taiwan to New York has been nothing short of extraordinary, fueled by a passion for expression and a desire to push the boundaries of drag artistry.
Drawing inspiration from her Taiwanese heritage, Nymphia infuses her drag with elements of traditional temple fairs, Peking opera, and electronic flower car shows. Through her performances and productions, she aims to shine a spotlight on Taiwanese culture, bringing its richness and depth to the forefront of the drag community.
Inspired by the fairy-type evolution of Eevee, she embodies the whimsical yet powerful essence of a fairy, fluttering effortlessly across the stage with a punch of undeniable charm. With a background in fashion and a keen eye for design, Nymphia's drag creations are a testament to her eclectic tastes and inventive spirit. Drawing from iconic designers such as Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent, she seamlessly blends high fashion with cultural references and eccentricity, creating looks that are as bold as they are beautiful.
But for Nymphia, drag is more than just a form of self-expression— it's a platform for breaking stereotypes, promoting diversity, and inspiring others. Through her participation on Drag Race and her unwavering commitment to authenticity, she hopes to empower members of the Asian community to embrace their heritage and pursue their dreams with confidence.
CHECK OUT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NYMPHIA:
1. How do you use your Taiwanese background and your experience in New York to influence your drag art?
I mainly focus on my Taiwanese background and use its cultural significance and aesthetics to inspire my drag, for example traditional temple fairs and Peking opera. I also produce shows back in Taiwan that are based on Taiwanese culture, like electronic flower car shows and banquets, and held in traditional settings, such as Taoist temples. I think it’s important to let one’s background influence their drag because that gives it depth and richness and makes the drag so much more unique. I want to bring these elements of my drag to performances in New York to make Taiwanese culture more visible.
2. You mentioned that Nymphia is an evolution of the fairy-type Eevee. How does this inspiration manifest in your drag persona and performances?
Just by being a fairy type, flying all around, kinda cute but also packs a punch.
3. Does your fashion background influence your artistic approach in the world of drag? How do you incorporate this experience into your creations?
Growing up, I found a world of wonder and fantasy within fashion magazines like Vogue Italia, and these fashion images just stick in my mind. At a young age, I was absorbing all the great works from Madeleine Vionnet, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Hussein Chalayan, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more, and it really created a vast database I can reference from. Since I’m also a very visual person, a lot of the creative process happens in my brain. I visualize how I want to look and start from there. So, drag for me is a place I can explore, create, and make beautiful things inspired by art, fashion, and nature for Nymphia to wear.
4. You talked about blending your traditional cultural background with fashion references and eccentricity. How do these elements merge in your drag aesthetic?
I feel all these things are very different but also very connected and reference each other in many different ways. I think everything must have some sort of balance, and drag is the perfect medium to bring everything together. Because, for a look to work, you must embody it and you have to believe in what you are doing to bring out the harmony in something that is referencing a lot of things all at once. I guess in a way how I reference and incorporate things, how I do drag is a manifestation of my taste, and being consistent in that matures and solidifies my drag aesthetic to be what you see on Drag Race.
5. In your opinion, what role does drag play in breaking stereotypes and promoting cultural diversity?
Drag is for everybody and everyone. Anyone can do drag. Drag is political, it’s a statement, it’s rebellion and freedom to its core. Simply existing and expressing is already breaking stereotypes and promoting diversity. To me, drag is not about how beautiful you can look (of course it’s a bonus if you’re beautiful), but about letting that inner diva come out, believing you are and can be beautiful, and having the courage to stand on stage and just be and express how it is to be free. Drag has taught me so much about self-confidence. It’s a journey that one experiences with themselves. Drag is for you. It’s a YOU kind of art. The most beautiful moments I’ve experienced with drag are seeing someone simply just BE on stage, turning pain into joy, sharing themselves so purely and genuinely, putting in the work, and cherishing every opportunity on stage to express themselves. In those sort of moments, you really see the soul, and how drag is a fight and how drag can heal.
6. How do you hope your participation will inspire other members of the Asian community?
I hope by them seeing me on the mainstage, it inspires them to dream big and to know that there is Asian excellence out there. Because when I was growing up there was not a lot of Asian representation in Western media, a lot of times I didn’t feel confident in my Asian features. Just seeing people that look like you I know can make all the difference. Drag has taught me to appreciate and embrace my Asian-ness, and hopefully that can inspire people to do the same.
