Thank you to all who joined us at ALTBALL 2025 to celebrate community with joy, absurdity, and verve.
As spectacles go, we’re not sure if we could have asked for a better turnout or a better vibe. To our designers, models, and performers: bravo! To our sponsors, volunteers, and vendors: we couldn’t have done this without you. Together, we co-created a truly unforgettable evening.
And then, just one day later, the city of St. Louis experienced one of the most devastating tornadoes in recent memory. So many in our community were impacted and are still working to stabilize and rebuild.
While we’ll have plenty of opportunities to look back and celebrate all the brilliance on display at ALTBALL, this is a time for action. As you’re able, we encourage each of you to continue to support community repair efforts now and in the future in whichever ways are most meaningful to you.
DONATE TO DOORWAYS HOUSING
In the spirit of its mission, DOORWAYS is providing emergency housing for displaced individuals and working to secure permanent housing for those affected.
ALTBALL 2025: RINGLEADER
fabulous can flourish when the basics are covered
Part artistic spectacle, part fashion show, part underground ball—ALTBALL is a unique creative showcase that is both *of* the community and *for* the community.
For over 35 years, DOORWAYS has provided emergency housing and supportive services for individuals living with HIV in St. Louis and across Missouri and Illinois. Each year DOORWAYS’ programs serve over 3,000 clients facing homelessness and poverty with wrap-around services to stabilize and rebuild their lives.
ALTBALL celebrates the strength, resilience and beauty of this community—demonstrating what’s possible when everyone is free to be and express themselves at the height of their potential. Designers, artists, drag queens, circus performers, ballroom legends and community leaders will showcase inspired avant-garde creations on the runway while raising funds for DOORWAYS’ programs.
To be held at The Big Top on May 15th, ALTBALL will bring together members of our community to enjoy an unforgettable night of creativity, competition and special performances.
All proceeds to benefit the mission and programs of DOORWAYS—which improves the quality of life of people affected by HIV, illness, and poverty, advancing their stability and well-being through housing, health, and empowerment services.
DESIGNERS
AN INCREDIBLE SET OF ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO BRING THEIR DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES TO THE ALTBALL RUNWAY
BRANDIN VAUGHN
BROCK X ALEXANDRA
CALLIE COMPTON
FELIA DAVENPORT
HAIRAN ZUCHELLI
KELSI WASHINGTON
KENYA MARTIN
LUKAS ROE
MAHAGoNY STANTON
MANUEL Garcia
Mariel Reynolds
Mary Crogier
Maxi Glamour
Maxine ROeder
MELISSA HYATT
MICHAEL DRUMMOND
Michele Siler
OLIVIA RADLE
Sean Shannon
Shanna Mellnick
Tyrique Murray
Yasi Fayal
YING YING YING
Zari Black
Zeretta Young
SPECIAL GUESTS
MONDO GUERRA
We’re beyond thrilled to announce that Mondo Guerra—innovative designer, Project Runway All Stars champion, advocate and activist—will be joining us in St. Louis for ALTBALL this spring as a showcase designer and runway judge.
You couldn’t design a better fit. Mondo’s avant-garde designs and advocacy work are perfectly aligned with spirit of ALTBALL, an amazing evening of unconventional fashion supporting the critical work DOORWAYS does in the community.
And you best believe he’s ready to bring some BIG surprises to the Big Top.
See Mondo’s work at mondoguerra.com and @mondoguerra
CRYSTAL METHYD
Crystal Methyd is one of drag's most delightfully unhinged creative forces.
This Springfield, Missouri-born queen became a fan favorite on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12, where she sashayed into the finale with a mix of camp, chaos and craft-store wizardry. Since Drag Race, she has regularly collaborated with Mondo Guerra on various projects and is proud to be one of his muses.
We can’t wait for Crystal to bring her signature avant-garde eleganza to our ALTBALL runway in St. Louis!
Follow Crystal @crystalmethyd and crystalmthyd.com
JUDGES
ALTBALL IS PRIMARILY A CREATIVE SHOWCASE—BUT IT IS A BALL. OUR AMAZING SET OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY JUDGES WILL ENSURE THAT RUNWAY EXCELLENCE IS INDEED CELEBRATED.
MONDO GUERRA
SHELTON BOYD-GRIFFITH
GENNY CORTINOVIS
Dr. ROB S. HARVEY
PRINCE CARDIA
FOR OVER 35 YEARS DOORWAYS HAS PROVIDED clients HOUSING, HEALTH & HOPE
DOORWAYS, based in St. Louis, is dedicated to providing housing and supportive services for those in our community affected by HIV. Founded in 1988 as an interfaith organization offering hospice care at the height of the AIDS crisis, DOORWAYS’ programs have expanded to six platforms of housing services. Today, they serve over 3,500 individuals each year with emergency housing and supportive services across the St. Louis metro and MO/IL communities.
Their FY24 Impact Report and other information outlining their work and impact can be found at doorwayshousing.org
SEE YOU ON THE RUNWAY
WANT TO PARTICIPATE in ALTBALL 2026?
DESIGNERS, PERFORMERS, MODELS & STYLISTS — PLEASE REACH OUT TO JOIN US IN CREATING THE SEASON’S MOST SICKENING SHOWCASE
