Jan 6
Lydia B Kollins and Ava Grace Unveil 'Lydia Lydia Lydia' Photography Book Documenting Drag Race Journey
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Lydia B Kollins, known for her breakout performances on "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 17 and the inaugural "All Stars 10" Tournament, has released "Lydia Lydia Lydia: A Collection of Photographs" in collaboration with photographer Ava Grace. The book, published before the end of 2025, documents Kollins's journey through over 300 photographs capturing nearly every runway look from both seasons, alongside never-before-seen design sketches, sewing notes, conceptual drawings, and journal-style entries from both creators.
This physical photography book stands apart from social media carousels or videos, offering an intimate exploration of drag artistry for fans and newcomers alike. Kollins, who also started a relationship with fellow contestant Kori King during Season 17 filming, describes her "Drag Race" experience as a "complete blur" and credits Grace for delving into behind-the-scenes archives. Grace, a Pittsburgh-based photographer with Ava Grace Studios , has been involved in the local drag scene since 2011-2012, performing as "Ava Lunch" at venues like the Blue Moon bar, a historic spot for artists including Alaska and Sharon Needles.
The collaboration began when Grace heard rumors of Kollins attending "summer camp," a nod to the secretive "Drag Race" filming. Grace, who works in LGBTQ+ healthcare and is pursuing a master's in public health, proposed a single photoshoot but ended up documenting almost every runway look. Kollins arrived with a mood board, sparking shoots that recreated "Drag Race" aesthetics in Pittsburgh locations. One notable session, "The Scissoring of Lydia Kollins," was shared as a YouTube video and inspired by German Expressionist styles, leading them to a skate park instead of a sewer pipe to avoid hazards.
The book is structured in two parts: Part 1 covering Season 17 across twelve chapters, and Part 2 for All Stars 10. Each chapter pairs a story from Kollins with one from Grace, tied to specific days or events. Kollins includes sketches of her designs, while Grace provides high-gloss portraits in color and black-and-white, plus candid behind-the-scenes shots. Their first meeting occurred at P Town Bar during Another Party Pittsburgh, a drag night hosted by Indica, where Grace photographed Kollins as a "skinny creature in black and white ripped fabric."
Challenges marked several shoots, adding authenticity to the narrative. In "Chapter 15: Little Shop of Whores," inspired by "Little Shop of Horrors", Kollins posed as Audrey II in a downtown Pittsburgh alley mimicking L.A.'s Skid Row. She removed an orthopedic boot for a broken foot hidden under her green gown, only for it to be stolen by a bystander, yet the session yielded striking images blending the man-eating plant with Poison Ivy vibes. Another highlight, "Chapter 9: Heavens to Betsey," features Kollins and Kori King in a pretty-in-pink 1980s prom setup with silver streamers, gold balloons, and a soft pink filter, capturing their post-"Drag Race" relationship.
Grace's background enriches the project; her drag past and current healthcare role in serving LGBTQ+ communities underscore the book's affirming lens on queer creativity. Kollins, a Pittsburgh native, celebrates Grace as her top choice for "Drag Race" documentation, noting in a YouTube promo, "I knew there was one person that I'd want to take my pictures for the show and I knew it was Ava Grace." The book is available on Amazon .
Lydia B Kollins and Ava Grace will make their first joint appearance on January 24, 2026, at a one-night-only event in Pittsburgh. The evening starts with a drag show featuring Kollins's drag daughters Gwendolyn Kollins and Zelda Kollins, plus local performer Indigo Sparks, followed by a moderated discussion by drag pop star Joey Young. They will share favorite photos and memories from their year-long collaboration, highlighting Pittsburgh's role in fostering drag talent.
This project not only archives Kollins's achievements—top 4 in the Tournament of All Stars and her unprecedented back-to-back seasons—but also spotlights collaborative artistry within drag and photography. It affirms the vibrancy of LGBTQ+ creators, particularly from regional scenes like Pittsburgh, bridging performance, personal narrative, and visual storytelling for broader audiences.
