Sweetie is one of the most fabulous drag queens you will ever meet. She is the personification of everything loved about women. Sweetie is known for her appearance on Project Runway and Oprah but is also celebrated as New York City’s Best Lipsync Artist for 10 years in a row. Most recently she was the feature of Charmed Life, a documentary that uncovers the passion, technique and commitment employed to transcend gender.

A screening of Charmed Life is being held at the Village East Cinema (181 2nd Ave), on Tuesday, Oct. 12th at 10:30pm. We’ve all seen it. It’s wonderful. We suggest you do the same. If you can’t catch the flick you can read below and get some amazing shopping tips because drag queens know how to apply make-up and shop better than most of your girlfriends.

Your most prized “deal?”
A custom made, full length, Natural Blue Iris mink coat. Fabulous! In certain light it is the color of lightest blue smoke. In other light a taupe/blonde. Extremely sophisticated amongst the sea of black and brown minks slapped on the backs of New York’s ladies. Magnificent female pelts, french hem, flawless cut. A pure vanity purchase but so well worth it. The coat retailed for over 10k, and I snagged it for just over a thousand.

Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
“Girls” of a certain size can sometimes hit road blocks when it comes to finding good quality, well thought out designs. Saks Fifth Avenue has a plus size department, called Salon Z, that can be very hit or miss. Tom & Linda Platt did an evening gown in an insane acid green silk that had these enormous color saturated butterflies in pinks, purples and oranges. The colors were perfection. That combination on an ample bodied beauty could be fashion suicide, but the design of the gown was so well done it was not only breathtaking in color but also in the fit. They had one left in my size and I walked away from it. It infected my dreams. I had to have it. I went back and it was gone. I hope that bitch Latifah was happy raining on my parade.

This season you are looking for a great deal on what item?
I’m just starving for a great pair of brown leather knee boots with a great heel. High enough to give my leg some oooomph, but not so high I feel I should be working 11th Avenue. Brown leather is so autumnal. A great tobacco shade would be heaven.

What’s your number one shopping tip?
With this incredible animal called the Internet, there is really no reason to ever have to pay full retail. Research the item you have to have. Find out where it comes from. Try to cut out the middle man if you can. In this troubled economy the deals are endless. Do your homework and try NOT to be compulsive. All good things are worth waiting for.

What’s your biggest weakness?
HANDBAGS!!! Gucci in particular. My love affair with Gucci started as a teenager when Gucci loafers were a preppy indulgence. As much as I love the bells and whistles of some of their designs, I really gravitate towards great leather pieces that I can love forever. Great shapes in buttery, Italian leather are very sensual to me. I’m a tactile person, so the feel of a good handbag is very important. I only carry top handles. Shoulder bags are rarely chic. A bag that rests in the crook of your arm no matter how large just looks better to me. I love a clutch for really dressy occasions, but they are not very practical for a drag performer. There’s barely room for lipstick, much less my electric razor!

Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
Fragrance. Scent is so incredibly personal and should be your calling card. An amazing scent finishes a person off. It’s the ultimate accessory, really. It’s where you can be truly unique. Tom Ford’s Black Orchid is so lush and perfect for this time of year. Etro’s Midnight Mass is also a favorite of mine. It’s incredibly bold when it hits the skin, but as it settles the complexities really unfold. Both Black Orchid and Midnight Mass are big enough fragrances that they can be worn by Donny OR Marie!!!