Ever wondered what drag queen formalwear would look like? You needn’t anymore after catching Kaushik Velendra’s SS21 collection at London Fashion Week. Titled Romeo and Romeo, the show evolved from the myriad of obstacles and life-changing events we’ve all had to confront in the last few months, whether it be adapting to new ways of living, taking time to recalibrate and recharge, or just learning to accept and love yourself, with the designer acknowledging all of these experiences are hardly easy feats.

In Velendra’s eyes, he sees it as a reincarnation, both literally and metaphorically. On the runway, this translates into altered codes within modern tailoring, a combining of sharp jackets with bulbous shoulders, nipped at the waist beside cascading sleeves and sculpted hips. Blazers are cropped on the arm or body in bolero-esque fashion, while lightweight tulle and deep cut necklines bare all. Though the colour palette never deviates from monochromatic black and white, these captivating details show a soft side to the Velendra man, and make us yearn for an occasion we could finally bust out a caped jacket…