Star-Crossed Style: The Diva Den’s Theatrical Take on Romeo and Juliet
- Jolie Plucinski
- Mar 7
- 5 min read
By Jolie Plucinski
The Diva Den is a carefully curated vintage store located in a small corner shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, owned by Joseph Leeds and Kalysta Mallory. To celebrate their first anniversary, The Diva Den hosted a fashion show on the last weekend of February, the perfect way to end the month of love. Following the dramatic romance of Romeo and Juliet, the show reimagined the classic tale with a divisive flair and a decadent fashion show.
The show took place at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix and truly encapsulates the idea that the audience is here for a play. Before the show, guests were invited to take photos with Getty Images photographer Mark Gunter. After grabbing a drink at the bar, the band Needle Service displayed merch outside the doors, giving a glimpse of what was soon to be experienced.
Once the lights dimmed, our narrator, Raul De La Torre- performing as drag queen Poison Oshanns- adds a funny, raunchy and unapologetically queer twist to the retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Starting with Act One, Torre introduces the audience to the battle of the bands between Romeo’s Needle Service and Juliet's The Heartbreakers.
At first, it's very clear that each band despises the other. While the two bands perform, the stage transforms into a runway, which didn’t stop at the front of the stage- models walked through the theatre seats, mesmerizing the audience and allowing them a closer look at the perfectly styled 90s and 2000s punk Y2K looks showcased by The Diva Den. Tension shifts as Juliet, played by Annie Victoria, runs to Romeo's arms, portrayed by David Muñoz, mid-performance. The audience is left completely shocked at how this love will play out, while the supporting characters are enraged and disapprove. Complicating their sacred love is the fact that Romeo is also dating Jezelle, played by Shaylee Nicole.
The curtains close, and Torre reappears, making the room fill with laughter as they set up the events happening in Act Two. AsThe Heartbreakers are having a sleepover, giggling and having a pillow fight, a sexy and steamy lingerie fashion show takes center stage. Corsets, silk robes, and feather boas dominated the runway. The collection leaned unapologetically into sensuality, transforming sleepwear into statement pieces. Sheer fabrics, lace panels, and dramatic silhouettes made it clear that this was less about bedtime and more about confidence, glamour and playful rebellion. The heavy accessorizing only added to the flair of each look, whether it was an all-black leather set or a white lacy silk slip dress.
After Juliet walks the runway, she returns to her bed and drifts into one of the most vivid and outlandish dreams imaginable. A trippy collection full of whimsical fairycore looks and beautiful, flowy silhouettes dances with the models in each step. Each look is bright and perfectly laid out, as if the characters walked right out of a storybook.
Still in the dream, an angel appears, and his captivating, interactive dance transports us to Romeo and Juliet's wedding. Members from Needle Service and The Heartbreakers come together in harmony, dressed in their best to serve as bridesmaids and groomsmen. Before Juliet enters the stage again, Romeo and the rest of the cast walk the runway once again, showing off sparkling and shining elegant dresses, along with a punky, suit-and-formal-wear look. Finally, Juliet enters in a corseted mini dress with a draped tulle skirt.
Right before the two can say "I do", Jezelle crashes the wedding and turns the dream into a nightmare. Wearing her own white dress, she pushes Juliet aside and is ready to marry Romeo until the other bandmates throw her out in a dramatic chase around the theater.
When Juliet wakes up distraught, she decides she is ready for a makeover, and she knows just who to call. While the girls and Juliet run behind a privacy screen, models emerge and present the new vibe Juliet will adopt. The makeover collection leaned fully into punk rebellion. Plaid skirts clashed intentionally with oversized leather jackets, faux fur trims added drama, and studded belts stacked at the waist created a chaotic, layered silhouette. The styling felt deliberately maximalist, as every accessory competed for attention in the best possible way. Ending the collection is Juliet in a plaid skirt, fishnets, a black lace top and every accessory you can think of to make this look over the top to match Romeo’s aesthetic.
Torre walks out to describe act three and tells the audience to get ready for a karmic twist to emerge. When the curtains rise again, Romeo and Juliet are alone onstage, happier than ever and convinced they can finally be together. But the moment is short-lived, as Jezelle arrives with a group of friends and confronts the couple. In a shocking turn, she pulls out a red stiletto heel and repeatedly stabs Romeo in revenge for the pain he caused her.
Juliet is visibly upset and collapses on the ground during the funeral of her lover. The last collection emerges, and each model hands Juliet roses before walking down the runway. The looks were the darkest collection of the night, with a very Victorian feel that embraced death. Corsets, velvet, lace, and crosses were the most used throughout the looks, giving a vampire-gothic vibe.
Ending the show is the cast and production team doing their bows. Each person then walks through the theatre seats as the audience erupts into a never-ending round of applause, concluding with Leeds and Mallory giving a speech.
The pair expresses their pride in the show and what they have accomplished within only one year. They only want to keep embracing environmentally friendly fashion and help create a larger, safe space for creatives in Arizona. Lastly, thanking their sponsors, Peak Revival Peptides, The Tarot Room and Dragon's Lounge, for their support, along with the cast and crew, who they couldn't have done without.
The Diva Den's idea of mashing a play and fashion show was like no other. Both are theatrical, full of drama, and tell a story. By staging the event in a theater and having models walk through the audience, the show dissolved the traditional hierarchy between runway and spectator. The casting was also a standout element, featuring one of the most inclusive lineups seen in a fashion show in recent memory, with diverse sizes, identities, and styles represented onstage.
Overall, the production delivered a dramatic and creative love story that deserved more than just one night. If this anniversary show is any indication, the future looks incredibly bright for The Diva Den.
Those interested in following their journey can find them on Instagram at @thedivadenaz, where updates about future shows and shopping opportunities are posted.
Comments