Hiya darlings, it’s your girl Emma, back for another instalment of your favourite drag history travelogue – Pink Tutu Time Travels! 💅✨
I've been whisked away to another fabulous era in my trusty, shimmering pink tutu (it’s magical, you know), this time to a July 7th long ago - 1922, to be precise! Oh, the glamorous escapades I've had!
First off, imagine a London where you can't even buy a cheeky drag queen on every street corner – wild, I know, right? 😱
But alas, it's a fact, my dear friends, that in 1922, drag performance was practically a whispered secret in the city's underbelly. Of course, this didn't mean that fabulous people weren't out and about expressing themselves! Think colourful, gender-bending styles that had just emerged from the flapper movement and a blossoming fascination with the arts! The city was teeming with vibrant and flamboyant individuals embracing their uniqueness. And that’s exactly where I, with my love of a good dramatic pose and a shimmery tutu, made myself comfortable.
Now, even though proper drag performance was largely out of sight (not out of mind!), I stumbled upon something that completely floored me: a real-life, bonafide “drag ball” - a glittering gathering in a secret basement! Think underground jazz clubs mixed with a touch of Prohibition-era speakeasy, all set alight with the fierce glamour of dancing, music, and theatrical costumes! This was, let me tell you, a real throwback to the true origins of drag: expressing oneself in extravagant dress and dancing with infectious joy and pride! And darling, this underground scene felt so deliciously illicit and exciting. Imagine being part of something so secret and subversive! It really fuelled that rebellious spirit of self-expression – something we, as drag queens, know and embrace so well. 💖
While we were dancing, I got chatting with one of the local boys dressed in his best (or should I say her best!) flamboyant attire - a gentleman, or lady, or…well, we can't be sure now can we! He - I mean she – was such a darling and so full of stories. This was back when "drag queens" as a concept were yet to emerge as we know them today. People would often wear costumes as a part of a performance, not to fully embody another gender but rather as part of a show, or as an act of self-expression! Isn't that just delightfully liberating?!
My time travelling led me to an incredible display of what would come to define drag – creativity and bold choices! I learned that, even back then, these incredible drag ball hosts were pioneering a hidden world of self-expression and empowerment - paving the way for what would become modern-day drag performance. Their outfits - those elaborate dresses, dazzling jewels, and flamboyant hats - spoke volumes! Each garment a a flamboyant expression of rebellion and the refusal to conform! These rebels were so brave, my dear, breaking out of the stifling norms of society and carving their own path! 💪
I can't help but marvel at the resilience and self-expression displayed even back then, knowing how long the fight for drag's place in the world would take. I got to hear how hard they had to fight for even the tiniest bits of freedom to express themselves - how many times they were shut down, hushed up, and even persecuted for who they were and what they dared to represent! 🥺
This time-travelling, darlings, is truly a trip! Every era has its challenges, but the desire to express ourselves with freedom and fierce creativity shines through every generation. ✨
But back to my 1922 escapades! It’s not all dancing in the basement with these brave, spirited souls – it's important to embrace the full beauty of every period. Let's face it, in this particular era, fashion had reached peak decadence and grandeur, and my love of pink and everything extravagant could barely contain itself!
London was exploding with colourful, geometric designs! From flapper dresses in shimmery beads to elegant and daring short dresses, it felt like an era of pushing boundaries and embracing new silhouettes. Now, if that's not something a pink tutu-clad drag queen can get behind, I don’t know what is! 🤩
Even in this more "conventional" sphere of London’s style, it was the boldness, the experimentation, and the sheer desire to express oneself that captivated me. Think hats perched upon impossibly perched up-do’s and extravagant jewellery sparkling like a million stars, it was like walking into a fairytale come to life. 💫
For someone who lives for vintage glamour and everything a bit extra, the era of flapper dresses and feather boas was pure magic! I’m pretty sure I went completely overboard, filling my bag with a selection of shimmering sequined scarves (imagine how many outfit changes those provide! 🥰) I even treated myself to a stunning art-deco flapper dress! You’ll be seeing it on my next Pink Tutu fashion blog, darling! The vibrant, daring hues were chef’s kiss fabulous, and even though the styles might be slightly different, I’m totally feeling the vibes of a ‘20s drag queen today.
You see, darling, what we, as drag queens, do, isn't just about make-up and sparkles – it’s a celebration of individuality, pushing boundaries, and finding freedom in our own expressions! We've inherited a vibrant heritage from countless “Drag Balls" throughout history and pioneers like those who defied norms in 1922! 🙌💖
Even today, that drive to embrace self-expression is a common thread in drag. No matter where we’re from or where we travel to, our community comes together with the courage to stand out, be noticed, and create magic – it’s the spirit that flows through the vibrant history of drag. ✨
Oh, and did I tell you about the most amazing show I saw? It wasn't a typical drag show like the ones we have now – but it was something else, let me tell you! It was this incredible, avant-garde performance with breathtakingly gorgeous, dramatic costumes and theatrical moves. 🤯 Imagine swirling silks, dancing flames, and mesmerizing music – I’m talking full-on theatrical, dramatic glamour with a touch of a Parisian cabaret thrown in! I swear, darling, I haven’t been so swept off my feet by a performance in ages.
It wasn't just about the stunning theatricality but the bravery and resilience of the artists. To imagine these individuals taking centre stage in 1922, expressing themselves without the usual constraints - wow! That is the legacy of drag, darlings! The never-ending courage and ambition to tell stories, entertain, and be ourselves, in all our unique glory. It's a reminder that self-expression is never just about fashion, it’s about breaking the mould and telling our stories through artistry! 👑💖
So, my lovelies, I hope this little peek into the 7th of July 1922 has been a treat for your soul and has ignited that inner spark of drag fabulousness in all of you. Next month, I'm whisked off to another time – can you guess where?! Let me know your ideas! 🥰
Until then, remember to always strut your stuff in that pink tutu with pride and remember – the only limit to what you can achieve with a pink tutu is your own imagination! 🦄✨
Catch you all on the other side of the rainbow, darling,
Emma xoxo
Pink Tutu Time Travels - www.pink-tutu.com
