Backstage at the Mother Fashion Show for Trans Justice

SATURDAY 6:05 PM MARCH 29, 2025 MIDTOWN

On Saturday night, celebrities, artists, and activists packed into a dimly-lit basement in Midtown to witness a runway show—part one of a fashion fundraiser (led by Bobbi Salvör Menuez and John Mollett) titled Mother, Daughter, Holy Spirit—in support of the Trans Justice Funding Project. Inside, Julia Fox and Indya Moore bantered with downtown artist-types, but when a Willy Chavarria-clad Madonna strolled in, the space became so quiet that you’d think it was Sunday mass—and in some ways, it was. During the show, the crowd shared a collective deep breath while models including Alex Consani (in Valentino) and Connie Fleming (in a suit donated by Pedro Pascal, one of the many items available at auction later this week) delicately tip-toed to Zsela’s somber live rendition of “Goodbye Horses.” Backstage, however, the talent were basking in the moment. As they danced to Fergie and worked the camera, we pulled a few of them aside to talk trans justice, the power of community, and their Holy Trinity counterparts.

———

CONNIE FLEMING

 

EMMA STOUT: Miss Connie Girl, how are you feeling?

CONNIE FLEMING: I’m feeling really great. This event has eased my mind in our current political conundrum of stupidity. I needed this to replenish me and to strengthen me for our marching orders.

STOUT: Yes. How have you been finding joy throughout this?

FLEMING: How I’ve always found it—through art, through fashion, through expression and protecting my psyche from the barrage. We really have to be mindful of that because it is their plan to make it seem like an overwhelming task. But it’s not. We just have to band together.

STOUT: Is that how you would describe the vibe tonight? 

FLEMING: Yeah. Banding together, showing we will not be silenced. We will not be put into a corner and be beaten down.

STOUT: Can you describe your look? You look gorgeous.

FLEMING: I think it’s Pedro Pascal’s suit from the Oscars. It’s incredible that artists are coming together in this way and giving so that there can be a future.

STOUT: Of course, you have the suit but also the glam.

FLEMING: Yeah, the glam by Jimmy [Paul] and Yadim.

STOUT: I love the red lip.

FLEMING: Hello! I’ve worked with Jimmy, but we’ve known each other as friends and residents of the East Village back in the day. We were talking about this, how we grew up learning to come together and be one in our community for the betterment of everyone. Because when our community bands together, it’s an equal force to what they’re trying to push on us. We just have to keep on doing the work.

STOUT: Do you think that solidarity has strengthened from the nineties until now? 

FLEMING: The 80s diminished the community in numbers, but for the generations that came after and who survived, the fight has continued. It isn’t weakened. It’s made stronger because there is a wealth of experience from those who’ve passed, and in that awareness is power.

STOUT: Yes. Do you get any pre-show jitters?

FLEMING: Yeah, that’s why I have my vape.

STOUT: Love it. Are you giving mother, daughter or Holy Spirit tonight?

FLEMING: It’s sort of like that scene in Chinatown. “No, I’m her mother. No, I’m her sister. No, I’m her mother. No, I’m her sister.” It’s that, and I think we all have to do that. We all have to cover all sides and be like an octopus: pull in, push back, cover, protect, soothe. All our tentacles have to be moving.

———

ZSELA

 

STOUT: Describe your look tonight. 

ZSELA: It’s giving Liza Minnelli in Chicago slash band conductor. You know what I mean?

STOUT: It’s a very cunty little bob. I love it. How do you think the show went? 

ZSELA: It was really beautiful and special. The energy in the room was giving me everything. It felt so New York, and I miss New York.

STOUT: Yeah, like downtown meets Midtown.

ZSELA: Which is great. It’s kind of my vibe. I love Midtown. My grandmother lived in Times Square, so I would stay with her sometimes. It’s one of my favorite places.

STOUT: What’d you do before the show?

ZSELA: It’s been a rush. I literally learned one of the songs today.

STOUT: Give her her flowers. 

ZSELA: We did a Q Lazzarus song, and I love the song but I did not know the lyrics until tonight. It’s all a bit improv. We were riffing.

STOUT: Were you nervous at all for that turnaround?

ZSELA: There were jitters, but also just so much love. Everyone’s doing this out of love, and they’re putting so much passion into it. I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of it. I was supposed to leave New York yesterday, but I stayed because I had to be here. 

STOUT: You did so great. How are you celebrating Trans Day of Visibility?

ZSELA: I’m spending every day with my community and my friends. It’s a really insane time. You can really feel in the room tonight how much we need this. 

STOUT: I love the energy you brought.

ZSELA: It makes me want to go home and watch Chicago. 

———

MARTINE GUTIERREZ

 

STOUT: What’s the vibe tonight?

MARTINE GUTIERREZ: I feel like it’s chicer if you don’t get a quote from me. I thought about evading you.

STOUT: [Laughs] Describe your look.

MARTINE GUTIERREZ: I’m leaving with the hair and makeup post-show, but I feel like a different girl. It’s very naughty librarian.

STOUT: Yeah, with the beehive.

GUTIERREZ: Someone was saying Amy Winehouse earlier, and I won’t knock it. Personally I don’t see it, but it’s the height of the hair.

STOUT: The eyeliner, too.

GUTIERREZ: Oh yeah, I forgot about the eyeliner. But I have glasses on.

STOUT: Whoa, glasses off. Who is she?

GUTIERREZ: It’s Amy, I guess. And then the glasses go on. Is it Fran Drescher? Oddly, she doesn’t wear glasses but that is kind of what happens.

STOUT: How do you think the show went? Describe your walk.

GUTIERREZ: Reflective. Contemplative. A little sad, honestly. I usually don’t associate that with feeling powerful but—

STOUT: All eyes were on you.

GUTIERREZ: You thought so? Did you watch?

STOUT: Yes.

GUTIERREZ: You saw my titties were out, right?

STOUT: Well, you had those crazy shoes. What were they?

GUTIERREZ: I think they were Jimmy Choos. I’m personally a sneaker girlie, my ankles are happy to be out of glamour’s way. Nothing’s as pussy as a stiletto. You stand differently, you walk differently, you talk differently.

STOUT: It gives attitude.

GUTIERREZ: Yeah, because you’re in a little bit of pain, so you’re kind of a bitch.

STOUT: How would you describe the energy backstage before the show?

GUTIERREZ: Honestly, the most beautiful girls you’ve ever seen in your life. I understand why they’re scared. Everyone was getting their beats done, and everyone’s sharing tea.

STOUT: It was a joint slay.

GUTIERREZ: It felt like we were in some kind of supermodel heyday. We’re surrounded by all this content from the past. This night feels very present.

STOUT: Agree. Last question: are you giving mother, daughter, or Holy Spirit tonight?

GUTIERREZ: On the runway? Mother. But off duty, I think it’s daughter. I’m looking for dinner. Who’s going to feed me?

———

PRECIOUS OKOYOMON

STOUT: How are you feeling? 

PRECIOUS OKOYOMON: I’m excited. 

STOUT: Describe your look tonight.

OKOYOMON: It’s ethereal goddess vibes. 

STOUT: Ethereal goddess meets flapper. What’s the vibe backstage?

OKOYOMON: It’s very fun, like a chill party. 

STOUT: We have music. Fergie’s on right now.

OKOYOMON: Some throwback songs I haven’t heard in a while. Everyone’s dancing. Everyone’s singing. It’s ultimate cutie vibes. 

STOUT: There’s so many It Girls congregating. Speaking of, are you giving mother, daughter or Holy Spirit? 

OKOYOMON: Oh, it’s giving Holy Spirit. It’s giving divinity. Soft pious-core. Close to god.

STOUT: Can you describe your walk?

OKOYOMON: I’m skipping in the garden, frolicking.

STOUT: Amazing. What’s your pre-show routine? 

OKOYOMON: I smoke my little vapey.

STOUT: Is this a Juul? 

OKOYOMON: It’s my little THC vape. And I’ve got some celery juice. 

STOUT: That’s why you’re glowing.

OKOYOMON: Yeah, skincare tip: a little celery juice and a little ginger shot. 

STOUT: You’re regulated. How are you celebrating Trans Day of Visibility? 

OKOYOMON: Rebelliously being joyous. I’m gonna go to my friend’s 60th birthday party, an iconic trans party. It’s the day to celebrate aging gracefully. 

———

CYNTHIA NIXON

STOUT: Hi, Cynthia. Can you describe your look for me? Is this what you’re wearing for the show?

CYNTHIA NIXON: This is what I’m wearing for the show. They said I could bring my own fuzzy slippers, so I brought my own fuzzy slippers. Julie [Ragolia], the woman who was doing the looks, she said it’s like what a New Yorker would run to the bodega in.

STOUT: What’s your go-to bodega order? 

NIXON: I’m trying to be healthy nowadays, so nothing.

STOUT: Do you think Miranda would wear this look?

NIXON: I don’t think she would. Not in these colors. It’s much better with the blonde hair, but the red, I don’t know if it would be so good. 

STOUT: Describe the vibe tonight in three words.

NIXON: Excited. Glam. Proud. 

STOUT: How are we celebrating Trans Day of Visibility?

NIXON: I’m still thinking about it. We might be delivering some letters to NYU to complain to them about their stoppage of NYU Langone gender-affirming care, to express our disappointment and our displeasure. 

STOUT: Great. Last question: are you giving mother, daughter, or Holy Spirit tonight? 

NIXON: Mother. 

———

ALEX CONSANI

STOUT: What’s the vibe tonight? 

ALEX CONSANI: The vibe tonight is transsexual. It’s powerful, it’s chic, it’s fashion, it’s relaxed, it’s chill, it’s fabulous. It’s all the good things that we need in this world. 

STOUT: Exactly, and you’re the closing model. 

CONSANI: I’m wearing Valentino. It’s gonna be really, really gorgeous. The look is chic. I’m just happy because it’s a gorgeous group of girls and we’re all excited to be here.

STOUT: What’s your pre-show ritual? 

CONSANI: Usually, it’s chopping it up with my girls, but I’ve been chopping it up with my girls all day. So for this, it’s really just relaxing and chilling. The energy isn’t stressful. It’s not as bad as some have been.

STOUT: Also, side note, I saw you yesterday shooting in the West Village. 

CONSANI: Girl, that’s me. I’m here, and I’m in the same Valentino gloves that I was wearing yesterday. 

STOUT: So chic. How are you celebrating Trans Day of Visibility? 

CONSANI: I’m celebrating by being around my dolls and making sure that everybody knows that they’re loved. I mean, how does anyone else celebrate?

STOUT: Who’s the doll du jour?

CONSANI: All the dolls are du jour.

STOUT: Yes. Are you giving mother, daughter, or Holy Spirit tonight? 

CONSANI: I’m gonna say daughter because I’m here with the real dolls, the actual mothers. These girls, like Connie, have been in this. Also, Holy Spirit because it feels emotional to be here. I feel connected with myself and my community.