Alfri Mohd Yusoff

When it comes to quality drag shows in Singapore, you cannot get any more fashion-forward than the duo from the House of Haute Mess. By day, Alfri Mohd Yusoff is a visual merchandiser at a national retail institution, while Takuma Tanaka is a salaryman navigating the world of finance. But when night falls, the two transform into Sissy and Sassy, respectively, Singapore’s most electrifying drag duo, who command the stage with a clever blend of razor‑sharp‑wit and deep fashion knowledge.

Known for recreating some of high fashion’s greatest moments with only found materials, the duo paid homage to John Galliano’s creations for Dior’s autumn-winter 2006 haute couture collection by transforming discarded tarpaulin sheets into gowns and flower planters into mediaeval armour for this shoot—and in record time.

It is evident that fashion isn’t merely a tool for the pair, who are partners in life and in art, but a transformative shared experience. “We credit this love of drag and creating costumes to Halloween, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Watching the reality television series made us want to try it for ourselves,” shares Alfri. “The whole process of getting into drag is exhilarating, as well as discovering the different personas within yourself and celebrating them. Once you acknowledge this, you have the freedom to
express your creativity.”