As a journalist, I have experienced the gift of perfect timing. I’ve written about trends right before they got picked up by other news outlets. I’ve had inklings to interview celebrities and then discovered they were coming to town. And I once discovered I lived 20 minutes away from an elusive source.
Earlier this year, the day that Chicago drag queen Utica was named a “Project Runway” contestant, I found myself again in the right place at the right time: the North Side apartment of Miss Toto. It was Pride Month, and I was observing a fitting for the doyenne of the Haus of Gaynz drag family for a story about Chicago drag designers. Miss Toto relayed the news.
Reporting on the local drag design scene gave me helpful context for my call to Utica about “Project Runway.” Utica is part of and nurtured by a creative community of artists who are pushing the boundaries of fashion. And their dazzling looks have been featured everywhere from nightclubs to art exhibitions.
But Utica, also known as Ethan Mundt, is unique.
Originally from Minnesota, Mundt competed on Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He was the first alum of “Drag Race” to appear on “Project Runway.” And the 30-year-old Uptown resident had a mission to open doors for other drag performers, who are often dismissed as too over-the-top for the fashion industry.
Mundt’s passion to represent his community came through in our interview ahead of the “Project Runway” premiere in July. He also talked about his love for creating avant-garde eveningwear, which has been worn by many other “Drag Race” contestants.
Mundt translated those looks for the world of high fashion each week on “Project Runway.” His diverse ensembles included a Disney villain-inspired gown with a matching glove and cape; an Alexander McQueen-esque dress made of butterfly magnets, zip ties and straws; and a white minidress featuring a hand-painted inkblot design.
One standout creation was a challenge-winning avant-garde gown inspired by “Wicked.” Accentuated with a veil, the flowing emerald dress was made from a combination of crystal fabric, feathers and satin. Mundt said he wanted to pay homage to the Elphaba character and capture the dichotomy of restraint and power, as well as sexiness and modesty.
Mundt became a fan favorite on social media and often received praise from host Heidi Klum and judges including Law Roach and Tyra Banks. He won two challenges and progressed to the finale, where he created his first-ever collection. While he didn’t win the overall season — that honor went to Veejay Floresca — fashion designer Michael Kors described a bright future for Mundt in the industry.
“I can see that Ethan could actually be out there and really be front and center,” Kors said.
I recently visited Mundt at his home studio to get a behind-the-scenes scoop on the designs and drama featured on the show. And I learned that the exposure has allowed him to take another pivotal step in his career: creating a ready-to-wear fashion line and working to secure distribution.
Mundt said he demonstrated his talents as both a seamstress and artist on “Project Runway,” which he credits with changing his life.
“I love to sew, and I love to create a big showstopping moment,” he said. “And I feel like on the show I swung really big each challenge.”
One of Mundt’s more difficult days on the show happened on the third episode, when he was nearly eliminated while appearing in drag as Utica. The judges made comments about wanting to see “Ethan” instead.
“They made it really personal,” Mundt said. “You have to be careful because this is not something that someone who does drag just puts on. It’s an identity. It’s a truth. It is a way that they live their life.”
Mundt said another challenge was presented ahead of the finale, when mentor and former winner Christian Siriano encouraged a pivot from his original collection of elegant, jewel-toned gowns.
“I had to completely shift and basically do a whole collection in under five days,” said Mundt, who ultimately created an all-black selection of eveningwear. “I’m really proud of myself.”
Mundt said he has plans to finish and find distribution for his initial finale collection. And he would jump at the chance to return to both “Project Runway” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” if asked.
“Now I have two choices of ‘All Stars’ I could choose from,” he said.
But his fashion goals are bigger than advancing his own career.
“Ultimately I’m trying to grow the Midwest into one of the fashion hubs of America,” he said. “We have so much opportunity here. It is just good people trying to do good work and really show the world what we’re made of.”