Hello darlings! It’s your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, Emma, back with another time-traveling escapade for your delightful perusal. January the 1st, 1921 – a truly iconic year for the world, and of course, a momentous one for drag, my dears! This time, I’ve taken my fabulous pink tutu on a journey to the roaring twenties. Imagine, darlings, flappers, jazz, and the dazzling dawn of a new era for all of us fabulous beings. Let's hop into the Time Traveling Tutu and explore this fabulous moment in drag history!
The Time Traveling Tutu is a beautiful pink thing, you know. It’s the perfect shade of flamingo pink and all swishy and floaty, with a shimmer that just shines. Every month I put on my Tutu, give a little twirl, and I’m off. It can take me anywhere I want, right into the past, future or somewhere else! The thing about travelling back in time in my sparkly pink tutu, darling, is that I have to be sneaky about it. You can't exactly explain to the 1921 fashion police that your tulle and feather headdress are just from a future trend, so I tend to pick an empty street to make my grand entrance!
Dancing into 1921Stepping out of the Time Traveling Tutu, I found myself amidst a whirlwind of bustle and energy in a 1921 New York City street. The air crackled with the energy of jazz music, and stylish flappers, in their impossibly short dresses and bobs, glided past with a chic, rebellious swagger. I, in my fabulous pink tutu and sparkling tiara, was undoubtedly a vision of campy delight amidst this world of modernity.
My oh my, you can truly feel the sense of excitement in the air, like the world was breaking free of old restrictions. Fashion had gotten SO much more daring – the era of flappers and all those fabulous skirts above the knees were absolutely groundbreaking for women, let alone a flamboyant drag queen! Of course, I was dying to find out what the world of drag looked like back then. This is what makes traveling in the Time Traveling Tutu so amazing, we get to be a part of this!
Seeking Drag Jewels of 1921My first stop? The world-famous The Strand Theater, New York’s entertainment hub. Back then, the vaudeville circuit was bustling with acts, some flamboyant and even, shall we say, "campily" leaning toward the fabulous. Now, you know my favourite things in drag: glitz, glam, sequins, and, of course, dance, dance, dance! Vaudeville had it all! They used elaborate sets and dazzling costumes. I'm talking boas, feathers, sequins galore, it was a dazzling explosion of colours. They even had dancers with a flamboyant flair and incredible costumes! Talk about an explosion of colours and feather boas, it was spectacular!
It’s no surprise that vaudeville stages often saw the beginnings of many LGBTQ+ performers finding their voices and expression. The vibrant atmosphere of this artistic space created an opening for flamboyant acts and characters to emerge. While the world was evolving to accept more progressive ideas of freedom and gender expression, it was still a world of mystery, and that's where the allure of drag thrived, as much back then as today!
A Glittering Night at the TheatreAs I walked into The Strand Theater, the air was thick with anticipation. Lights dimmed, and I was immediately transported to a dazzling, glitzy world of fabulousness. I was met with an eclectic range of talent. There were song and dance numbers, juggling acts, and acrobats doing daredevil feats! In the mix were acts featuring fabulous performers pushing the boundaries of gender expression. Think dazzling women dressed in lavish drag who performed daring dance routines.
The crowd erupted in laughter and applause after each act, eager for more. The whole show oozed an excitement that felt like pure drag magic! The flamboyant acts pushed boundaries, defying norms and showcasing an acceptance of a unique expression of self. The audience seemed captivated by their charm and charisma. The audience just wanted to dance and let their inner selves free! It truly made me wish I could have grabbed a microphone and sashayed on the stage myself, but I think I’d probably scare the poor patrons.
1921 – A Fashionista's DelightSpeaking of fabulous, 1921 fashion was a complete dream, darlings! Everything was streamlined and modern with just a touch of rebellion – imagine a fashion runway exploding with shimmering drop-waist dresses, sequined flapper dresses with fringe galore! And let’s not forget about the dramatic makeup. Think bold red lips, daringly rouged cheeks, and mesmerizing winged eyeliner that really accentuated the eye!
Every piece I saw had this daring attitude that simply screamed ‘let’s get wild!' You couldn’t walk down a street without catching a glimpse of shimmering, glamorous dresses and dazzling jewels. It was like everyone was in a party and wanted to celebrate life and the newfound freedom! The vibe was pure sparkle and fun, making it an amazing journey through a period in time where bold style ruled the streets!
It is true what they say; there's something deeply enchanting about fashion from every era. This trip just cemented the undeniable influence of this glamorous, fashion-forward decade on the history of drag. I mean, we’re talking about an era where it was perfectly acceptable for women (and drag queens, of course!) to embrace audacious cuts, glitter, sequins, and a sprinkle of glam to their daily ensembles. I, for one, have a fabulous new appreciation for the fashion that ruled 1921!
A Drag Queen’s Reflection on 1921The most important thing I learned on this journey through the Time Traveling Tutu was the undeniable and beautiful strength that emerges when someone dares to express themselves. Even back then, during this vibrant and fast-changing period, drag was present and performing in ways that brought joy and laughter to everyone around!
Even though the world looked a lot different back then, the heart of drag, the pure fun, excitement, and rebellious joy remained strong, proving that drag is timeless! Drag is truly for everyone, in every generation, in every era, in every world, darling!
See you next month for my next escapade in the Time Traveling Tutu, where we’ll be traveling to the land of [spoiler alert]. Remember, darlings, if there's a will, there's a way! Stay glamorous and embrace the extraordinary!
Until next time, darling,
Emma, your time-traveling drag queen
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to check out all the amazing drag events, shopping and tips, including a behind-the-scenes look at the Time Traveling Tutu and my life as a traveling drag queen!
