Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back from another adventure in the wondrous world of time travel! My latest escapade whisked me back to 12th December, 1920. Honestly, I felt like I'd stepped out of a flapper film - oh, the glamour! It was truly a delight to find myself transported right into the heart of the Roaring Twenties, with a vintage feather boa and a sassy bob for good measure.
Speaking of feather boas, darling, they are truly back in fashion this season, aren't they? Now, we know all about the glamour and fabulousness of the Twenties - the era that saw flappers shake off societal constraints and jazz their way into the spotlight, and, of course, the era where drag, bless its sequined soul, really started to blossom. But hold your sequins! Itās about to get even more interestingā¦
I popped into a swanky Speakeasy on that breezy December night in 1920 and got the gossip. A big hoo-hah was brewing because it was the date that the āQueen of Dragā, as I like to call her, Julian Eltinge, opened in New York in āThe Cocoanutsā ā a vaudeville musical. Julian, of course, was a show-stopping trailblazer, known for his ultra-feminine and polished style, and it seems that everyone was out in force for the opening night! They were queueing up just to catch a glimpse of his fabulous costumes, with their daringly low necklines and the incredible shimmer of iridescent fabrics. It's no surprise he went down as the āMost Perfect Womanā, darling! It makes me thinkā¦ a shimmering evening gown, a glittering diamond tiara and an immaculate performance? Now that is a fabulous way to steal the show!
My dear reader, let me tell you ā Julian Eltinge and his divine fashion had the 1920s under their glamorous spell, leaving me speechless! But it didnāt stop there, because in the heart of the United States, I heard whispers of a young fella named William āBillyā Thorne, already showing early signs of becoming a big name in drag. Heād hit the stage in Washington DC that same day ā can you believe it? Apparently, heād taken the drag scene by storm by then! He'd already bagged himself the role of the āWoman with an Unexplained Pastā in the Washington, DCās New York Theatre. Billy Thorne? Oh, I must take a peek at his stage attire ā you know how I am about historical costuming. A big girl needs a research missionā¦ and a vintage gown, I mean!
Honestly, all this excitement had me twirling in a whirl. My heart practically danced the Charleston! The glamour, the dazzling performers, the sheer energy of the whole drag scene... it really did have me on the edge of my sequined shoes! Oh, and letās not forget my little helper: the time-traveling pink tutu that transported me here! (I wouldn't trade it for all the sequins in Paris.) It seems as though, even then, the drag world was all about having fun, breaking barriers, and most importantly, putting on a good show.
Now, while the drag queens were taking the spotlight, I canāt talk about 1920 without a quick peep at what was happening in the world of high fashion ā as we all know, a little bit of fashion history goes a long way, especially when it comes to understanding the world of drag! Now, 1920, darling, saw fashion designer Paul Poiret ā the one, the only, Paul Poiret ā absolutely captivating everyone with his amazing and eccentric creations! And this fashion forward man, with his own āOrientalistā flare for the dramatic, brought us The Dress of the Future, a dramatic, bold, and absolutely glorious flowing gown designed to showcase women's figure.
A beautiful fashion history lesson with a side of drag?! Yes please, my darlings! Can we all take a moment to soak up how incredibly connected fashion and drag are, like peas in a pod! (Just imagine! If it wasnāt for those fashion trends, we might have to wear the same drab garments every single day. Oh, the horror!)
Anyway, back to the glitter. In 1920, it felt like drag was gaining its own unique identity, leaving its mark on history and becoming a genuine force in entertainment. And remember my darlings ā no matter where youāre in the world, drag is there to spread a message of self-expression, empowerment, and a whole lotta love and joy ā and the 1920s are a truly excellent example of this.
Now, Iām off to pack my glitter-infused suitcases and polish my dance shoes in anticipation for my next drag history adventure! If youāre as obsessed with drag history as I am, make sure you subscribe to this blog to find out what fabulous antics await me. Remember, if you see a shimmering pink tutu whizzing through time, know itās just me. Iām off on my merry way ā and if you ever catch me, just remember... wear the pink tutu. Donāt fear the feather boa. And above all... never be afraid to be yourself. See you soon!
Love and glitter,
Emma
P.S For more historical adventures and pink-tutu glory, be sure to head on over to my website at www.pink-tutu.com! It's filled with sparkly tales, drag gossip and a touch of pink (because it's a beautiful thing!). See you there, darling!
