DESTINATION

Naomi Campbell, Amanda Lepore, and All the Drag Queens Turned Vienna Into Europe’s Party Capital This Weekend For the Life Ball

by Steph Eckardt
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Courtesy of @naomicampbellonline.

Vienna’s city hall, in all its 1800s, neo-Gothic glory, may not seem like the likeliest locale for one of today’s liveliest parties, but every year it comes to life for one of the biggest benefits in Europe: the annual and always exuberant Life Ball, which supports those with HIV and AIDS through benefiting the organization AIDS LIFE. Which is exactly how Naomi Campbell found herself jetting off to the Austrian city this weekend, taking the place of past year’s stars like Mary J. Blige and Charlize Theron. Noted Life Ball alum Amanda Lepore also came along for the ride, camera-ready from the moment she stepped off the Life Ball plane with her impeccably outfitted coterie of drag queens, who were later joined by Thorgy Thor and Violet Chachki. See how they turned Vienna into Europe’s party capital for the night, with help from singer Dionne Warwick, models Andreja Pejic and RJ King, plus the Dsquared2 designers Dean and Dan Caten, who could be found roaming the city in towering platforms, here.

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Courtesy of @naomicampbellonline.

Naomi Campbell stealing away to lounge in a strapless Roberto Cavalli couture gown.

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Courtesy of @thorgythor.

Drag queens Thorgy Thor, Pearl, and Violet Chachki arriving at the Life Ball.

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Courtesy of @giizeleoliveira.

Brazilian model Gizele Oliveira making her way through the city to the ball.

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Courtesy of @amandalepore.

Amanda Lepore immediately blending into the scenery as she descends on Vienna.

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Courtesy of @violetchachki.

Amanda Lepore cozying up to Violet Chachki and Love Bailey.

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Courtesy of @gossipqueen.

Model Andreja Pejic posing with the Swiss drag queen Gossip Queen on the red carpet outside the Life Ball.

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Courtesy of @thevillbergs.

The Villbergs duo posing with Naomi Campbell.

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Courtesy of @riccardosimonetti.

Designer Michael Michalsky doing some pre-ball wandering of the city with Riccardo Simonetti.

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Courtesy of @marysemenchenko.

Model Mary Semenchenko refueling in DSquare2.

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Courtesy of @dsquared2.

The Dsquared2 designers Dean and Dan Caten looking ever identical (even in flared pants and platform shoes) outside the Life Ball.

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Courtesy of @conchitawurst.

Singer Conchita Wurst arriving to the Life Ball in Versace.

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Courtesy of @riccardosimonetti.

Model Andreja Pejic and Riccardo Simonetti at a well lit portion of the Life Ball.

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Courtesy of @eva_cavalli.

Eva Cavalli, partner of designer Roberto Cavalli, arriving at Vienna’s city hall.

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Courtesy of @theobattaglia.

Theo Battaglia and models Andreja Pejic and RJ King calling it a night at the Life Ball.

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Courtesy of @gerykeszler.

Life Ball CEO Gery Keszler pausing for a selfie with singer Dionne Warwick.

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Courtesy of @francescoscognamiglio.

Ladyfag and designer Francesco Scognamiglio inside Vienna’s city hall.