Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing time-travelling drag queen. Buckle up, babes, because today we're taking a trip back to the fabulous 7th July 1925! Now, if you've been following my adventures on www.pink-tutu.com (and if you haven't, darling, you're missing out!), you know I always say, "Every day's a drag show!" But this day, my dears, was something truly spectacular!
A Dash of 1920s Glam
So, I twirled into 1925 in my pink tutu, ready to experience the history of drag as it was then, you see? Imagine: flapper dresses, Charleston music, and a world where wearing your own unique expression was becoming oh-so-en vogue! Imagine: a society embracing women with short, boyish hairstyles, and yes, darling, men who adored cross-dressing and celebrating female liberation, a society just begging for fabulousness to unfold. That was the vibe. And who better to experience this cultural renaissance than your fabulous time-travelling pink tutu queen?!
The energy was electrifying, just like my own sequin-laden pink tulle! It was the roaring 20s and this period, well, darling, you couldn’t have wished for more vibrant expressions of the individual, a real cultural revolution, it was like everything just shimmered and sparkled! And I, with my dazzling pink tutu, was right at the centre of it!
Paris: Where Art and Fashion Meet
Of course, my first stop was the city of lights, Paris! What better way to begin my adventure than amidst the bohemian streets, filled with artists, writers, and those beautiful Parisian ladies with their stunning flapper dresses.
This period in history saw a real focus on artistry. There were so many artists working together and being inspired by the glamour around them. As the night went on, I saw cabaret shows with women, who were in essence drag queens, performing. The costumes were bold and colorful, and their performances were absolutely breathtaking!
I popped in at one charming cabaret and sat at the bar. Imagine, my dears, a stage lit with warm spotlights, with swirling smoke and decadent red curtains as an exquisite Parisian lady began a song and dance routine that was truly divine. The costumes, well, darling, were something else. It's all about expression and individual styles and finding yourself within that context. And they all had this energy about them, and it felt just so wonderfully free. There's an iconic elegance to that era that's simply unforgettable.
But you see, darling, the true beauty of this time, was in its bold individuality, its expression. There was so much talent on display and there was a real sense of pushing the boundaries of what drag could be and how far it could go. We still celebrate so many aspects of that in modern drag today, especially through performance style. It's truly the root of the glamour of our wonderful art form today.
The American Vaudeville Scene
And after a little shopping for vintage accessories (yes, darlings, I snagged myself a dazzling feather boa in a most elegant shade of lavender - ooh la la), it was off to the US of A! New York City, that is, to discover the vibrant world of vaudeville. Now, you might think vaudeville, well, maybe a little old fashioned for our taste but trust me, darlings, it was an exciting time. These performances, with a wide array of talent, and sometimes involving elements of the unusual or offbeat, would often showcase entertainers like cross-dressers, a forerunner of modern day drag, alongside comedians, magicians, singers, dancers, and animal acts. Imagine the fun!
The audiences at the theatre that night were ready for anything. The energy, you see, it was different, exciting and fresh, very much the beginning of what was going to happen. It was all a very clear sign that our artform, the glorious art of drag, was a vital part of the entertainment and societal landscape.
Sharing My Pink Tutu Magic
Of course, my travels weren't just about enjoying the show. This was my opportunity to spread my pink tutu gospel!
One dear chap, sitting at the theatre, he saw me and just stared, oh, I swear, my dears, with absolute wonderment! Then he approached me. His eyes were so curious and, well, just sparkling. His name was Henry, and I don't think he'd seen a tutu quite as flamboyant as mine before! I explained to Henry all about the wonders of my time-travelling pink tutu, about how drag has always been around, expressing individual expression, even before he was born. Well, darling, by the time I was finished with my grand discourse, he was totally on board with embracing the fabulous!
And who knows? Maybe this is how the future unfolds! Maybe a new generation of drag queens are born right then and there! The idea, you see, of someone who dared to be different, to find an expression beyond what society deems as normal? Maybe, it planted the seed. It made him question everything, even if he wouldn't dare try the pink tutu, yet. Well, we never know, darling, do we?
The Future of Drag: A Bright, Sparkling, Pink Tutu Future!
I think it’s clear that drag has a rich history, much richer than some of our contemporary peers may be aware. I know a lot of people think of drag as just a modern phenomenon, something of our generation. But that’s just wrong! We are carrying on a glorious history of incredible talent and creativity, of people willing to wear their hearts on their sleeves, of individuals with daring individuality who weren’t afraid to wear something different, and be a little fabulous, a little unconventional.
So, the next time someone asks you when drag started, darlings, tell them: "Drag has always been here! Since 1925 at least. Or perhaps even before!" Because as for me, I'm on a mission. A mission to share this glorious history with the world, one pink tutu at a time. And trust me, my dears, the pink tutu will always prevail!
Now, do get your own pink tutu, wear it with pride, and have a fabulously dazzling day! I'll be off on my next adventure! But until then, I’m going to twirl my pink tulle right back into my dressing room and go prepare for my drag performance this weekend! Be sure to come and see me. And maybe you’ll see me somewhere else in time?
Until then, darling, stay fabulous and stay sparkling!
Emma xoxo
