What do Bob the Drag Queen, Kerri Colby, and Kim Chi have in common? Besides being sickening drag artists, their favorite designer and seamstress is Mexican-American Danny Godoy.
But, as is the case with any great artist, Godoy’s greatness came together stitch by stitch—or, rather, zipper by zipper. In other words, drag queens didn’t straight away ask him to design grand garments for them. “It was more like, ‘Hey, we’re on tour. We’re stopping in LA, and one of our zippers popped. Can you fix it for us? Can you replace it?,’” Godoy tells Remezcla.
Almost a decade—and countless zipper replacements—later, Godoy is a sought-after designer, seamstress, and drag queen. In addition to the queens mentioned above, Godoy works with drag icons like Lexi Love, Monet X Change, and Salina EsTitties. He also designs costumes for Drag Race, Drag Race All Stars, and Drag Race Live.
Remezcla sat down with the drag queen and designer, who uses he/they pronouns out of drag and she/her pronouns in drag, to talk about the artistry behind his work.
Not Always What It Seams
Before all the glitz and glamour, Godoy was just a Mexican-American kid in Inglewood, California. Around the age of five, he was introduced to transformismo—a Latine performance art where performers impersonate celebrities. And while his family wasn’t at home he would play dress up with his cousin, try on his sisters heels, and dance around the house.
Fast forward a few years and Godoy tuned in to season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race. “My older sister and I would watch Drag Race on Logo. That’s how long it was,” he laughs, referring to the series’ original network.
Between the transformistas in Inglewood and the drag icons on his screen, Godoy knew this art form was his destiny—and that design was the way to get there. For Godoy, working with top drag talent isn’t just about sewing gowns; it’s about honoring the artistry behind the work.
Sensing a Pattern
As a folklórico performer since age eight, Godoy is no stranger to the spotlight—but his genius is loudest in the quiet moments of creation. He thrives in the problem-solving nature of the craft. “Clothing is like a puzzle,” he explains, “and every piece must fit perfectly.”
To be clear, the seamstress’s love for design and drag goes beyond fashion. It’s about representation, community, and creating a legacy that uplifts others. As a queer Latine individual, he’s proud to embrace both aspects of his identity without compromise.
For that reason, Godoy’s drag and designs are inextricable. He’s not just shaping garments; he’s shaping culture. “I have always said that my design career would not exist without drag, and drag would not exist without my design career,” he says. “I can never pull them apart from each other.”
Seamstress Rising
Throughout his career, Godoy has made it clear that the work of a seamstress deserves respect. “A seamstress is an engineer,” Godoy declares with conviction. “They’re engineering clothing, engineering art pieces. And it takes a lot of intelligence to put these pieces together.”
Society often overlooks the talent required to sew and create garments, but Godoy is on a mission to change that. The person who knows most at any fashion house, says Godoy, is not the CEO or creative director. It’s the 75-year-old seamstress—who’s often a woman or person of color, because they’ve worked with the pattern makers and other artists for decades, he adds.
Godoy wants people to know that seamstress’ work isn’t just about creating visually stunning garments—it’s about preserving culture, elevating the art, and empowering the drag community. His story beams with resilience, talent, and an unshakable pride in his roots. And as he continues to build his legacy, his journey proves that when you combine confidence with craftsmanship, you can truly create something everlasting.
