Violet Chachki Steps Out of Drag for Nasty Pig's Bold "Mergers & Acquisitions" Campaign

Violet Chachki, the acclaimed drag performer and fashion icon known for transformative looks and gravity-defying silhouettes, has made a striking creative choice with Nasty Pig's latest campaign. In an exclusive partnership with Out Magazine, Chachki appears completely out of drag in the "Mergers & Acquisitions" campaign, marking a significant departure from the hyper-feminine aesthetic that has defined much of the performer's public persona.

This decision represents far more than a simple styling choice. In statements to Out Magazine, Chachki explained the personal significance of this presentation: "I've spent years giving the world hyper-feminine glamour, impossible proportions, and silhouettes that defy physics. For this one, I wanted to remind everyone that underneath all the lacquer and illusion, there's a very real, very fine tuned body that does all the heavy lifting. " The performer's willingness to step outside the drag persona reflects a deeper conversation about identity, authenticity, and the multidimensional nature of queer self-expression.

For Chachki, the campaign serves as a platform for reclaiming personal agency over masculine presentation. "Nasty Pig has always celebrated sexuality without apology, and I love that. Doing this campaign out of drag felt like reclaiming my own masculinity on my own terms," Chachki stated. This framing is particularly significant within queer culture, where drag performers often navigate complex relationships with gender presentation, femininity, and the expectations placed upon them by both audiences and the industry.

Central to Chachki's vision for the campaign is the idea that confidence transcends appearance. "Confidence is not a look — it's an attitude. I've built a career on extreme transformation, but confidence is the through-line whether I'm in six-inch fetish heels or leather chaps," Chachki explained. This statement challenges the common assumption that drag performers derive their power solely from transformation and costume, instead positioning confidence as an intrinsic quality that remains constant regardless of presentation.

Chachki's perspective also addresses a broader conversation within LGBTQ+ communities about the spectrum of identity expression. The performer emphasized the importance of refusing to be confined to a single aesthetic or identity category: "For my fans, I want them to see that you can be glamorous, filthy, polished, perverse — all in the same breath. You don't have to pick one lane." This message resonates particularly strongly in an era when queer individuals are increasingly claiming the right to express multiple facets of their identities without apology or explanation.

The campaign's broader message extends to Nasty Pig's audience as well. Chachki hopes the campaign "pushes the aesthetic forward a bit: Yes, we're sexy, but we can also be fashion, art, and a little bit dangerous." By positioning sexuality, artistry, and danger as complementary rather than contradictory elements, Chachki and Nasty Pig challenge conventional boundaries around queer presentation and expression.

The "Mergers & Acquisitions" campaign represents more than a single collaboration; it is a deliberate celebration of interconnected facets of queer culture. Beyond Chachki, the campaign features Diego Miyake-Mugler, a prominent figure in ballroom culture and winner of season 2 of HBO Max's Legendary, and David Alcocér, representing the sex work community. This strategic casting reflects a commitment to representing diverse expressions of queer identity and resistance.

David Lauterstein, Nasty Pig's CEO and co-owner, articulated the significance of bringing these three figures together. "Violet Chachki was an obvious choice, well at least to me. His personal style is a blend of fashion, fetish, and streetwear. Those three elements are the pillars of the Nasty Pig style we have curated since 1994." This statement positions Chachki not merely as a celebrity collaborator but as a natural embodiment of the brand's core values and aesthetic philosophy.

Lauterstein further emphasized Chachki's capabilities as a model: "Violet is also an incredible model in and out of drag. He's very editorial, and that was the exact vibe we were after for our latest content shoot 'Mergers & Acquisitions.' " This recognition of Chachki's modeling abilities outside of drag contexts validates the performer's multifaceted creative practice and professional range.

The campaign's title itself carries symbolic weight. "Mergers & Acquisitions" speaks to the bringing together of different communities and aesthetics. According to Lauterstein, "Individually, they represent different facets of queer culture, drag, ballroom, and sex work. Considering we had all three of those facets represented in our very first photoshoot back in 1995, it felt totally on-brand to do it again." This historical reference positions the current campaign as a continuation of Nasty Pig's longstanding commitment to celebrating and centering marginalized voices within queer communities.

The campaign showcases key pieces from Nasty Pig's Fall/Winter 2025 collection, each designed with specific attention to detail and silhouette. One featured piece is a structured shirt that exemplifies the brand's approach to contemporary queer fashion. "The shirt hugs the body and is finished with holster shoulder seams and metal collar details, "Lauterstein explained. "The tie features our logo woven into the material. It's incredibly subtle, yet very Nasty Pig."

Another standout piece is the Logan Jacket, which represents an editorial reimagining of a classic design. According to Out, "The Logan Jacket — an editorial update to the classic motorcycle jacket crafted in wool and leather with intricate seaming details and a half-zip waistband that beautifully crops the silhouette," provides both functional style and artistic detail. These pieces reflect Nasty Pig's broader design philosophy that merges fashion, fetish, and streetwear into cohesive garments that serve both aesthetic and practical purposes.

Ultimately, Chachki frames the campaign as an act of empowerment and visibility for the broader queer community. "If my presence in this campaign makes someone feel empowered to show up as their fullest, freakiest, hottest self? Perfect, then. That's the whole point," Chachki declared. This statement encapsulates the campaign's deeper significance: it is not merely about fashion or celebrity collaboration, but about creating space for queer individuals to express themselves authentically and without constraint.

The "Mergers & Acquisitions" campaign represents a significant moment in contemporary queer fashion and culture. By bringing together Violet Chachki, Diego Miyake-Mugler, and David Alcocér, Nasty Pig has created a platform that celebrates the diversity, complexity, and power of queer expression. Chachki's decision to appear out of drag challenges assumptions about drag performers'identities and capabilities while simultaneously affirming that confidence, artistry, and sexuality remain constant across different modes of presentation. As the campaign launches in December 2025, it stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution of queer culture and the importance of creating spaces where all expressions of identity are celebrated and validated.