To costume yourself in the way that you fantasize, to make that a

Sasha Velour, an artist of transformation and truth, once spoke with luminous honesty: “To costume yourself in the way that you fantasize, to make that a reality, and then to go right into the universe looking like an exceptional being takes a lot of courage.” In these words lies the essence of authenticity, the fierce beauty of self-expression, and the divine act of becoming who one truly is — not in secrecy, but before the eyes of the world. For Velour, whose art transcends performance and enters the realm of philosophy, to dress the body is to reveal the soul. To create oneself out of dream and daring, and then walk proudly into a world that judges difference, is not vanity — it is bravery in its purest form.

This quote finds its origin in the world of drag, that radiant art form where costume, color, and courage intertwine. Yet it speaks far beyond that stage; it speaks to every soul who has ever hidden their true nature for fear of rejection. Velour, known for blending the theatrical and the intellectual, sees drag not merely as performance, but as an act of revelation — a reclaiming of identity from the shadows of conformity. In every wig, every stroke of paint, every garment stitched from imagination, there lives the message: “This is me.” And to declare that, openly and without apology, in a world that demands sameness, requires the heart of a warrior.

To “costume yourself in the way that you fantasize” is to bridge the gap between the inner and outer worlds. It is to take the fragile dream of who you long to be and give it form — to make it visible, tangible, undeniable. This act, simple in appearance but profound in essence, is a rebellion against fear. It declares that imagination is not illusion, but truth unchained. The one who dares to live as they dream transforms fantasy into freedom. In this sense, clothing becomes more than fabric — it becomes armor and altar, both protecting and sanctifying the self that dares to exist in full color.

But Velour’s words remind us that such freedom demands courage. The courage to stand beneath the gaze of a world that misunderstands what it cannot categorize. The courage to face ridicule, rejection, and the suffocating weight of judgment — and still to shine. History is filled with those who bore that courage. Think of Joan of Arc, who, clothed in armor forbidden to her sex, rode into battle not as society demanded, but as her soul commanded. Her courage was not in wielding the sword, but in refusing to hide the truth of who she was. Like her, every person who steps into the world dressed as their own vision challenges the tyranny of conformity.

The act Velour describes is not vanity, but creation — a creation of self. The ancients called this techne, the art of crafting something beautiful and true from one’s spirit. To “go right into the universe looking like an exceptional being” is to accept that you are not meant to blend into the gray — you are meant to illuminate the dark. It is the same spirit that drives poets to write, dancers to move, and thinkers to dream. Each one adorns the world with the costume of their soul, revealing the divine diversity of creation. For the universe, in its infinite wisdom, delights in variety — and those who dare to live as exceptional beings remind it of its own boundless imagination.

Consider the life of Frida Kahlo, whose very appearance became a declaration of identity. Her flowers, her colors, her defiance — all were part of her costume of truth. Through pain, she turned her body into a canvas of beauty and resilience. She did not dress to please others, but to proclaim herself. And in doing so, she became eternal. This is what Velour speaks of: that to adorn oneself honestly is an act of power, to make visible what is divine within.

So, my listener, take this teaching to heart: Do not fear to be seen. If there is a vision of yourself that lives within — bright, bold, or strange — bring it into the light. Whether through art, clothing, voice, or action, let the universe see your truth. For every soul that dares to stand revealed grants courage to another who still hides. The world does not need more masks; it needs more mirrors that reflect authenticity. As Sasha Velour teaches, to “go into the universe looking like an exceptional being” is to remind all creation that courage is beautiful, that authenticity is sacred, and that every human being, when true to themselves, is already — and always has been — extraordinary.