Post by Mia Daher

“If they feel uncomfortable, they’ll look uncomfortable.” I recently had the opportunity to interview Ingrid Heskett, a UK-based designer known for creating bespoke pieces for Drag Race UK finalists and performers across stage, television, and live events. Ingrid shared valuable insight into what drives UK clients to invest in bold, custom garments. Many commission statement pieces for specific events or competitions like Drag Race UK, where finale looks and high-impact moments justify larger investments. She highlighted how the level of detail, engineering, and ambition behind a piece often shapes the decision, and the budget. Comfort, she explained, is essential: even the most dramatic silhouettes must be technically built so performers can move confidently. Her active-performance background informs the structural work that allows clients to look powerful without feeling restricted. Ingrid also spoke honestly about the challenges: clients expect each piece to top the last, timelines are tight, and pricing high-craft work is rarely straightforward. Word-of-mouth and Instagram remain the strongest channels through which performers discover her work. My interview with Ingrid was inspiring, a reminder that bold design relies not only on creativity but on precision, structure and understanding the client’s world.