"Just don't rely on drag to support you, because it never will."
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A well-meaning and experienced drag queen couldn't have given newcomer Prada Clutch a more motivating piece of advice back in 2008.
"I kind of went 'you know what? I love it when someone says you can't do something, let's tackle it and let's do this'," Prada said.
"It's been nine years now and I've successfully lived off drag ever since."
Hundreds of events, parties and corporate gigs after first donning a sparkly dress, heels and a very expensive wig - "let me tell you, I learnt to style that thing 100 different ways" - Prada Clutch arrives in Canberra on Friday for a one-off performance of her new all-male revue, Prada's Priscillas.
It's a line-up of incredible costumes - ostrich feathers, diamantes and long silver glitter wigs in one number - set to a soundtrack of Abba, Frankie Valli, Lady Gaga and drag queen favourite, Cher.
While loosely based on the Priscilla Queen of the Desert story, it's just a night of good old-fashioned singing, dancing and glamour, according to Prada.
"I was doing what I do in the corporate world and I was like 'you know what? I want more'," Prada said.
"I don't think people dream big enough and I've always said I want to be massive, I want to be as big as Michael Jackson - but alive.
"I wanted more, I wanted bigger, so I decided to extend my smaller show and make it an actual theatre show, and make it big and fabulous."
Prada grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney in the 1990s, with a dad who was obsessed with The Eagles and a hairdresser mum who did the housework to Celine Dion.
Prada "could always sing", she said, but when her music teacher tried to force her to imitate Elvis, she broke out in Whitney Houston instead.
"I always have and always will love the divas," she said.
"And then I just started winning talent quests and performing in musical theatre and mum just pushed me and pushed me to sing."
While studying a bachelor of music at The Australian Institute of Music, Prada saw her very first drag show. It was intrigue, awe and love at first sight.
"I remember going to a gay club and saying 'oh my God, how amazing, I'd so love to do that but I could never do that'," she said.
"I was like 'I've got so much respect for you guys, I just think you're incredible' and the drag queens there were like 'uh-huh, we'll give it six months'.
"Well, within two months I was in drag and whirling around Oxford Street."
You won't find Prada on Oxford Street these days. She credits being a disciplined performer who avoids the party scene as part the reason for her long-term success. She's also one of only a handful of drag queens who actually sing during their shows and avoid miming.
Prada spends her days brushing wigs for her online wig store Clutching at Curls - "I love it because they don't talk back, I could never work in a real salon" - and her nights performing at private functions.
"My night starts at 6pm when I get my drag on and go out to perform," she said.
"I have hair and makeup down to about an hour now. It's definitely a job for me, but it's a job I absolutely adore."
Prada's Priscillas, Friday September 1, 8pm, Canberra Theatre Centre. Tickets and further info at www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
