Drag Queen Uropa’s Yarn Wigs: Taking Over the Stage, One Skein at a Time.

13 July 2022

Sponsored in part by:

Ad description: Cover of the book Sheep, Shepherd & Land, and the words, "THE book about Canadian Wool, by Anna Hunter. Photos by Christel Lanthier. Buy now."

Ad description: The words, "The socks you knit won't last forever, but you can make them last for years and years. Shop now." Also featuring the cover image of the Sock Mending Guide.

We recently had the chance to meet Canadian drag queen extraordinaire—and unconventional crafter—Uropa.

Jeffrey, the originator of the Uropa persona, chatted with me about his journey to drag.

At age fourteen, Jeffrey watched the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Seeing a world where people looked like him and had the opportunity to be celebrated for their art enchanted him.

Growing up singing in church and with a passion for performing, the choice to study musical theatre was an easy one for Jeffrey. After finishing the theatre program at Sheridan ColIege in Toronto and unsure of his next move in theatre, Jeffrey moved into the drag scene in Toronto.

He found his way back on stage when he entered the drag world with a production of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert in Calgary. It felt like Jeffrey had found his niche as a drag queen who could act, sing, and dance. This year, he took on a role in a staging of Kinky Boots in Vancouver.

The journey to discovering Uropa has been an amalgamation of years of inspiration, from the shows he watched to the art he made. Jeffrey chose the name Uropa because Europa is one of the moons of Jupiter. The name was unique, celestial, and a bit absurd—which suited him perfectly.

So, why we are interviewing a drag queen for an article of Digits & Threads? In a very unconventional way, Uropa and Jeffrey are intertwined with the fibre world.

Image courtesy of Jeffrey Follis/Uropa Queen.

Copyright © Zoë Desborough except as indicated.
Image description: Zoë Desborough sits on a settee in a yarn store, working on a yarn project.

About Zoë Desborough

Quitting their PhD due to toxic work environment and relationships, Zoë decided to take on the challenge of becoming a first-time business owner: a yarn shop owner! Obsessed with crochet and fibres, and then knitting, the transition seemed perfectly logical, but somewhat risky. Flash forward to today, and their shop Crochet & Co. just celebrated its 2 year anniversary amid the global pandemic. Crochet & Co is not only a local yarn shop, but also a safe space for all; a place that promotes open-mindedness, support, and inclusion. Their academic background in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and their activism for the LGBTQIAAP community has allowed them to work with several organizations and businesses to better their D.E.I. practices and policies, as well as guest speak on different panels in the fibre community.

Related Posts

Sleeves Part 3: Raglans. (Part Two of Two)

Sleeves Part 3: Raglans. (Part Two of Two)

[For Armchair & Studio Members] Kim McBrien Evans continues her series on sweater size and fit, addressing the issue of raglan garment structure. In this second installment, she explains specific alterations – both the rationale and the calculations.

The Quiet Language of Joanna Rogers

The Quiet Language of Joanna Rogers

[For Paid Members] Profile of textile artist Joanna Rogers, who uses traditional surface design techniques such as hand dyeing, shibori, and hand weaving to express the deep connection between people, language, and our environment.

Get 10% off!

Join our mailing list to get special Studio Membership pricing! PLUS hear about new Digits & Threads content and community news.

Subscription success! Well done, you.