About Me
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In 1982, Darcelle XV, a Portland Oregon Cabaret, decided to start a pageant for female impersonators. An outlet for up and coming drag entertainers in the Pacific Northwest was needed. In 1981 "The Northwest Fountain" tagged Portland "Drag City". In this atmospher, La Femme Magnifique was born and it didn't take long for the idea to catch on beyond the Pacific Northwest.During the early years of La Femme, five Pacific Northwest cities held contests. As time progressed, other cities, such as Denver, Honolulu, Los Angelas and Las Vegas Started holding local La Femme pageants. Winners from the various cities migrated to Portland over the Labor Day weekend annually to compete for the International title of La Femme Magnifique, Proclaiming "The most glamorous female impersonator in the Universe".The first title holder to the coveted La Femmme crown was Portlander, Loreli Lee, whom the local press hailed as "a haunting expression of Marilyn Monroe".The rules for entering La Femme are simple. When in orientation phases, prospective contestants are programmed with a key word-GLAMOUR. Talent also is a prerequisite for those who aspire to the "La Femme Hall of Fame". At the conclusion of each year's international pageant, held the Sunday evening of the Labor Day weekend, the next years theme is announced. Themes from tthe past range everywhere from the days of Civil War, "Tara", with drag Scarlette O'Haras Parading in hoop dresses, to "Oriental Fantasy" where budding Geishas strut in high fashion. In past years the pageant has been held in the awesome atrium of Montgomery Park in Portland Oregon. In 1999 the pageant moved to the opulant ballroom of the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach. Spacious and comfortable, the ballroom overlooks the Columbia River. On the 25th year the pageant and all it's glamour moved to the award winning Oregon Covention Center in it's largest venue to date. The Pageant completed it's 26th anniversary on September 2, 2007.Contestants are judged in four categories: Formal Wear, Theme Look, Talent and Showgirl Look. Contestants are told that merely "passing" as a women isn't the key rather Glamour, stage pressence, and showmanship with the ability to hit the stage with the ease of a "Jubilee" showgirl, while wearing Las Vegas style Showgirl costumes and headgear are the key elements. These elements plus a dynamic charisma that wows the audience are what it takes to be proclaimed La Femme Magnifique International.Since 1982, the La Femme Magnifique Pageant has become a legend. Each year the contest becomes more popular and expands to more cities. Will your city be next???? There are not Franchise fees..........
