Dardo began performing in drag as Violet Chachki at the age of 19. The name "Violet" was inspired by Jennifer Tilly's character in the film Bound, while "Chachki" is a variant of the Yiddish word tchotchke, a small object that is decorative rather than functional. Violet first performed at the bar LeBuzz in Marietta, Georgia. He used a fake ID to perform in local drag shows, eventually winning Miss New Faces at Friends on Ponce in Atlanta. Later, the drag queen and Drag Race Season 8 contestant Dax ExclamationPoint adopted Dardo as his "drag daughter". Dardo was enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design at the Atlanta campus for fashion design, but dropped out to focus on drag. He became a regular cast member of The Other Show at the bar Jungle in Atlanta which gave him exposure locally and allowed him to perform with Drag Race Season 5 contestant Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Amanda Lepore, and Lady Bunny. In 2013, Violet was photographed for "Legendary Children". The project focused on Atlanta's drag scene and was exhibited at Gallery 1526. Two photos that featured his penis and gaff were covered up after complaints. Later, the censorship controversy caught the attention of Vice. In 2014, Violet appeared on the cover for the single "Cosplay" by Captain Murphy. He also appeared in a commercial for the single on Adult Swim. Flying Lotus recorded the song as Captain Murphy for Adult Swim's Single Series. Violet was a contestant on seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, after having unsuccessfully auditioned for season six. On the show, Violet was noted for excelling in fashion and design related challenges and their focus on aesthetics and confident demeanor. On June 1, 2015 Violet won the competition and received a cash prize of $100,000. Violet Chachki is known for her burlesque performances and aerial work, including aerial silk and aerial hoop. In January 2017, Dardo joined The Art of Teese, a neo-burlesque show headlined by Dita Von Teese. In November 2017, Dardo became the first drag queen in a major lingerie ad campaign, for Bettie Page Lingerie. In January 2018, Dardo walked for Moschino in their Fall 2018 Collection at Milan Fashion Week. In May 2019, Violet attended the Met Gala, where the theme was , wearing a glove-shaped Moschino dress which was altered by Jeremy Scott.
Music
On June 2, 2015, Dardo released the lead single from his upcoming EP, "Bettie". Their debut EP Gagged was released on June 30, 2015. In May 2018 Dardo released their fourth single, "A Lot More Me", a burlesque track independent from an album.
Artistry
Violet Chachki's style is characterized by her "obsession with vintage glamour". She has been referred to as "the living embodiment of a 1950s female archetype" and has cited designers Christian Dior, Thierry Mugler and John Galliano as inspirations, as well as "style icons" such as Lady Miss Kier, Dovima, Dita Von Teese and Raquel Welch. The influence of fetish fashion and art is a staple in Chachki's aesthetic, with references to the bondage and latex subcultures, John Willie's illustrations, dominatrix imagery and Bettie Page. She told Design Scene in 2016: "I think drag in itself is kind of a fetish, it’s kind of uncomfortable and I think bondage and latex are uncomfortable and they have that same feel... I think especially when you’re really feeling it and feeling your look and you’re willing to suffer through the pain to kind of present yourself the way you want to present... I think that’s kind of a fetish. I think it’s exhibitionism almost." Chachki is known for her tightly-laced corsets.
