Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen and purveyor of all things pink and tutu-tastic! I hope this new year finds you fabulously fabulous and ready to sparkle like the disco ball that is life itself! 🎉✨
This month, I'm taking my time machine, er, I mean, my sparkly pink tutu, to 1925! Ooh la la! Just imagine - flapper dresses, Charleston dances, and all those glamorous jazz bands! 🤩 My excitement is reaching levels I didn't even know existed. Get ready, loves, because it's about to get super glamorous.
Before we jump through time, I have a treat for you: Did you know that this very day in 1925, a legendary cabaret opened in Paris called the Moulin Rouge? Yes, the famous windmill! 💖✨ Can you imagine all the dazzling costumes and captivating performances? My dear, my darling! My inner ballerina is practically having a nervous breakdown with all this excitement. Let's get those leg warmers out and prepare for the ultimate sartorial journey, shall we? 💅👠
First things first, fashion! 1925 is all about embracing the bold, the shimmering, the absolutely, positively fabulous! Think knee-length dresses with delicate beading and feathers, a touch of flapper fringe here, a bit of shimmering sequin there, and lots of loose, flowing lines to allow for the most captivating Charleston movements! Think Coco Chanel in her peak, darling! You want a silhouette that moves, that shimmers, that screams: "I am here and I am glamorous!"
Of course, the showstopper of 1925 has to be the headwear. Fascinators, berets, even feather boas all become incredibly popular! This was an era of extravagant style, so why not match that headpiece to your lipstick and handbag? Don't be shy, darling. This is the year to wear your personality like a statement necklace!
Of course, no drag queen history adventure is complete without a mention of the performance scene, my loves. Imagine the roaring 20s! What a vibrant, exciting, glamorous era to be a part of, especially for a performer. While drag wasn't quite the cultural phenomenon it is now, some of the earliest drag balls in the United States began happening in these years, paving the way for the dazzling world of drag that we know and love today!
I can practically imagine it, can't you? A smokey nightclub, a hidden underground venue, the smoky scent of incense and sweat mingling with the aroma of forbidden liquor... a hush falls over the room as a shimmering figure takes to the stage. Feathers flutter, beads gleam under the dimmed lights, and then, the music kicks in. Suddenly, the entire room erupts in cheers as the dazzling drag artist delivers a showstopping performance, pushing boundaries and demanding acceptance through every movement and every perfectly placed line.
Oh, darling, how I would have loved to see those early drag queens, to experience their art and the spirit of that rebellious, yet dazzling time!
Speaking of spirit, 1925 marked a time of incredible societal change and revolution in many parts of the world, with some countries still grappling with social restrictions and others on the precipice of radical shifts. It was also a time of groundbreaking artistic developments, the roaring 20s saw jazz blossom, art deco become fashionable, and artists experiment with modernism.
Of course, dear readers, no drag journey is complete without a bit of shopping and self-indulgence! This year, my list is overflowing with delightful pieces to fill my pink tutu wardrobe. My inner diva is positively screaming for a flapper dress with those shimmering sequin tassels, a fabulous feather boa for a touch of dramatic flair, and a selection of colourful feather headpieces - think emerald, ruby, sapphire, honey yellow! We’ve got to be bold, darlings! And just because we are wearing headwear that looks good on our heads, let's match them to a beautiful vintage handbag, a shimmering clutch to be exact! We're aiming for bold fashion, we want the bold colours, we're on the top of the fashion world. I can't imagine walking down the streets of Paris without those sparkly details. Can you? ✨
My dears, 1925 is calling for you to unleash your inner fabulousness. Channel your inner flapper, don your most captivating sequined dress, and dance the night away!
Until next month, my loves, stay safe, stay sparkly, and remember: life's a stage, so own your moment, shine like a star, and always wear your pink tutu with pride! 💖
Your fabulous friend,
Emma ✨
