Person with intricate makeup and costume, featuring blue face paint, blue lipstick, and silver jewelry, wearing an elaborate headpiece with multiple faces and geometric decorations, outdoors with trees and blue sky in background.
A person with elaborate makeup and hairstyle, wearing dark glossy lipstick, intricate accessories, and a patterned outfit illuminated by vibrant purple and pink lighting.
An elaborate tribal or ceremonial mask surrounded by pink and white flowers, feathers, and foliage.
A person dressed in elaborate costume with a large feathered headdress, metallic jewelry, green body paint, red painted hands, and artistic makeup with dark lipstick and colorful face details, striking an expressive pose against a purple background.
Person with elaborate Day of the Dead style face paint, wearing a headdress with black and pink feathers, and adorned with rhinestones and jewelry.
A person wearing elaborate, metallic costume with a face mask, large black curly hair, and layered necklaces. The costume includes a metal headdress with intricate patterns and circular rings above their head.
A person with dramatic makeup and glitter on their face, wearing a headpiece made of twisted dried branches.
Person dressed in an elaborate gold costume with gold sequined clothing, golden headpiece with rays, and metallic blue and gold face makeup, standing outdoors against a clear blue sky.
Split image of a person dressed as a sci-fi character, with one half showing a natural face with moss and plants, and the other half showing a glowing, futuristic costume with neon lights and metallic details, standing against a dark background.

Meet Darrell Thorne

Darrell is a force of creativity and connection. The founder and creative director of Darrell Thorne Studios, he discovered his primary loves of costume and transformation, and the joy of hosting gatherings and events at a very young age. A completely autodidactic artist, he honed his unique skill set through 15 years of experimentation and performing in nightclubs and theater, while working full-time as a hospital administrator.

With the launch of Darrell Thorne Studios a decade ago, he realized a lifelong dream of creating art combined with performance and connecting with people, while uplifting parties and events.

Black and white portrait of a man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a patterned shirt, crossing his arms and looking at the camera.
A futuristic mannequin with a mirrored, reflective helmet and matching mirrored body, showcasing an artistic, science fiction-inspired costume.
Person dressed in an elaborate, colorful costume with a large, bejeweled headdress, makeup, and accessories, striking a dramatic pose in a vibrant, neon-lit setting.
More Looks
Person with elaborate makeup and body paint, wearing a headdress made of flowers, plants, and twisted branches, resembling a nature-inspired costume or art piece.
Person wearing a skull-shaped face mask covered in rhinestones with black painted features, standing in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky.
A person with green body paint and metallic makeup, wearing a large ornate headpiece with wings, beads, and gold accents.
A person wearing an elaborate, futuristic headpiece with mirrored panels and multiple faces, adorned with metallic and gemstone accessories, displaying bold makeup with bright colors and gold lips.
Person with elaborate colorful body paint, wearing a large headdress made of pink, white, yellow, and purple flowers, with a matching floral necklace, makeup with bright colors and streaks, and staring directly at the camera.
A person wearing an elaborate headpiece made of shiny, reflective geometric tiles and golden spikes.
A person with elaborate gold and metallic makeup, a large gold headdress, and glittery gold body paint, striking a dramatic pose with glittered gloves and bold jewelry.
A person in a blue striped outfit with tall pants, holding a blue hat, stands in front of a thatched structure under a sky with clouds, with a man sitting on the sand to the right.

Selected Exhibitions/Performances

2023 Cirque Gala, ArtPark, Lewiston, NY
‍ ‍Golden Goddess, WIN, Nile River, Egypt

2022      Darrell Thorne at the Warhol, Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
‍ ‍Feast for the Eyes, National Arts Club, NY
‍ ‍Mother Earth, Father Industry, WIN, Antarctica

2021      PRIDE Open House, Trigonal Gallery, NY
‍ ‍Light Warriors, Illumination NYC, NY

2020     Under Glass and In Color, Chashama, NY (NEA Grant Recipient)

2019      Mila, The Great Sorcerer, Prototype Festival, Gerald W. Lynch Theater, NY
‍ ‍Armory Iridescent, Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY
‍ ‍Blunderland, BGWMC, London, England
‍ ‍Frye Fest, Avant Garde, Munich, Germany
‍ ‍The Love Ball, New York, NY
‍ ‍RuPauls Drag Race, VH1
‍ ‍Tribeca Ball, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY
‍ ‍Mila, The Great Sorcerer, Prototype Festival, New York, NY

2018      American Horror Story Season Premier, Los Angeles, CA
‍ ‍Iconic Apex, Rubulad, Brooklyn, NY
‍ ‍High Maintenance, HBO  

2017       Child/Warrior/Ego/Divine, Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY
‍ ‍Golden, Late Thursday, Newark Museum, Newark, NJ
‍ ‍Life Ball, Vienna, Austria

2016      Jupiter, Bloomingdale’s, New York, NY
‍ ‍East, Miami, FL
‍ ‍Armory Electric, Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY
‍ ‍Rites of Passage, Dzul Dance, New York, NY
‍ ‍Cocoa Dios, New York, NY

2015       Fashion Underground, Museum at FIT, New York, NY
‍ ‍Falcon, Lower East Side Film Festival, New York, NY
‍ ‍Golden Gods, Life Ball, Vienna, Austria
‍ ‍Living For Love, Madonna

2014       Broken Totem, New York, NY

2009 Ascension No. 1, Arena Studios, New York, NY

A person dressed in elaborate, ornate costume with metallic jewelry, dramatic makeup, and an intricate headdress against a dark background, posing with arms raised and fingers in expressive positions.
A person with elaborate makeup and headpiece adorned with pink flowers, driftwood, and greenery, resembling a fantasy or costume display.
A colorful and elaborate face mask sculpture with three faces, mostly featuring a smiling woman with blue and red face paint, metal chains, and metallic components as adornments.
Person wearing elaborate floral headpiece and vibrant makeup, dressed in green and purple, with a dark background.
Person wearing an elaborate, spiked headdress with a unicorn horn accessory and dark makeup, sitting in a dimly lit room.
A person with elaborate, colorful makeup and costume inspired by pop art and surrealism, surrounded by a vibrant, graffiti-style mural with hearts, faces, and abstract designs
A person in a futuristic, metallic costume with a reflective face mask, standing with crossed arms in a vibrant, illuminated environment
Darrell Thorne in elaborate makeup and a headpiece made of various flowers, leaves, and branches, reaching out with hands that have painted nails.

Bibliography

Aniftos, Rania: “Elton John Co-Signs Stunning, Must-See One-Man Duet of ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’”, Billboard, November 2, 2020

Samhan, Jamie: “Elton John Praises ‘Fantastic’ One-Man Performance..”, ETCanada, November 2, 2020

“Darrell Thorne Takes ‘Window Dressing’ To New Heights”, The Village Sun, July 1, 2020

Staley, Willy: “’High Maintenance’ and the New TV Fantasy of New York”, The New York Times Magazine, January 30, 2020

Oelbaum, Jed: “The Chameleonic Craft of Darrell Thorne”, GOOD, February 27, 2018

Piepenburg, Erik: “Garbo, Gloss and ‘Hir’”, The New York Times, September 11, 2015

“OUT 100: Darrell Thorne & Bright Light Bright Light”, OUT Magazine, November 10, 2014

A person with blue makeup and lips, wearing an elaborate, colorful headdress with red feathers, pink and blue accents, and jewelry
A person with elaborate makeup and an ornate headdress resembling multiple faces, decorated with feathers and gemstones, wearing jewelry and a choker with a flower pendant, with a regal and theatrical appearance.
A split face sculpture of a woman, with the left side featuring a cityscape and silver jewelry, and the right side adorned with floral elements, greenery, and makeup, set against a green background.
Person dressed in futuristic costume with lit-up cat-themed headpiece, face painted white with dark eye makeup, and blue body paint, under blue lighting.
Person dressed in an elaborate, colorful fantasy costume with a large feathered headdress, blue painted skin, floral and feather accessories, holding a hand fan.
Person dressed in elaborate silver costume with skull face paint, adorned with feathers, jewels, and decorative elements in a festive setting.
Person dressed in elaborate, futuristic costume with metallic and jeweled accessories, face painted with blue and green makeup, wearing layered chains and a headpiece with metallic spikes and crystals.
A sculpture of a woman with a head made of purple rhinestones and wearing a dark purple, shiny, textured fabric garment.

Teaching

2022, Guest Lecturer, Carnegie Melon University, Pittsburgh

2014, 2015, 2016, Sessional Instructor, Makeup Forever Academy, NY

Grants

2020, National Endowment for the Arts  / Enlivening NYC Grant

Residencies

2016, Studio Residency, Park Avenue Armory, NY

2019, Studio Residence, Park Avenue Armory

A person with blue body paint and elaborate headdress made of tree branches, flowers, and greenery, styled in a fantasy or artistic costume, against a wooden wall background.
A person dressed in elaborate, avant-garde fashion with an intricate curly wig, dramatic blue makeup with face jewelry, a metallic jacket with feathers and chains, and holding a black fan with gold dragon design.
A shirtless man with long, curly hair, wearing a large horned headdress, a bead necklace, and dark gloves, posing with an intense expression in a room with a plain wall.
Person with blue Painted skin, elaborate gold and gemstone headdress, and colorful costume, posing with hands crossed and fierce expression.
Person dressed in elaborate costume with face painted like a skull, wearing a large ornate headpiece with crystals and a reflective circular element behind, body painted red, and adorned with a black beaded necklace.
A person dressed as a fantasy or mythological character with elaborate green and colorful makeup, adorned with a large headdress resembling a peacock with feathers and metallic details. The character has body paint, jewelry, a backpack, and a gesture
A person dressed in elaborate costume with a headdress decorated with large white feathers, gold accents, and silver embellishments. Their face and body are painted silver with detailed face makeup, wearing layered jewelry.