Hello lovelies! Your favourite time travelling, pink-tutu wearing, ballerina queen Emma is back! It's October the 10th and, honestly, I don't know where to start!
Hold onto your feathers! This month's journey took me all the way back to 1925, a glorious year of flapper dresses, Charleston dancing and - wait for it - drag!
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It was like stepping straight into a vintage musical! As I stepped out of my sparkly pink time-traveling tutu, the scent of jasmine perfume and tobacco smoke hit me, just like stepping into a 1920s cabaret! Oh darling, I am telling you, the glamour was unreal. Think dazzlingly beautiful actresses in floor-length gowns with sparkling jewels, dancers in elegant dresses, all surrounded by a haze of excited chatter and cigarette smoke.
Drag history: 1925 - The Show Must Go On!
Now, back in 1925, the drag scene wasn't quite what it is today, but there was a simmering buzz that was waiting to explode. Even then, drag was pushing boundaries, and expressing the desire to play, to transform, to break the norm. Imagine being a woman back then - you couldn't vote, let alone be openly queer!
So, drag was an act of rebellion, a chance to escape societal pressures and celebrate being you, whoever that might be. It was a hidden world full of creativity, community, and fierce expressions of self. And trust me, this scene was vibrant! Think nightclubs bustling with music and dancing, glamorous drag queens performing in cabaret halls and underground bars. These queens were pioneering. Imagine the bravery it took to express yourself against a backdrop of disapproval.
I managed to stumble upon a secret underground cabaret show in New York City - I even caught a few Charleston moves! Let's just say I found myself swaying to the music, practically channeling a flapper girl, myself. I tell you, darling, that experience truly sent me reeling back in time.
But I was also struck by the shared human desire to connect, express ourselves, and just be fabulous, something that truly transcends time!
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Shopping, darling? 1925 Shopping Shenanigans
Who can resist a good vintage shopping spree? And let me tell you, 1925 New York was full of dazzling vintage delights! From sequined flapper dresses, sparkling headbands and bold rouge lipstick to those fabulous cloche hats - it was a style overload! You can truly tell how the roaring 20s brought forth this explosion of colour, embellishment and fabulousness.
Now, if you haven't tried a cloche hat yet, you need to - they’re super chic. And speaking of chic, imagine this: I actually bumped into Josephine Baker - the legendary drag queen, dancer, and performer - on the street! She had a whirlwind energy about her and, if you didn't know better, you'd think she was a Parisian nightclub performer!
We were both wearing bright crimson red lipstick, and it was like we instantly connected - she’s a true drag icon. I think Josephine Baker definitely paved the way for so many drag queens and artists today.
1925 Drag Queens and The Fashion of It All!
Honestly, back then, drag was very much about adopting a flamboyant and extravagant style that made a statement. Think about the outfits and makeup of the queens at that time! Think about those fabulous gowns and shimmering fabrics - imagine those glitzy rhinestones - the queens of 1925 had a knack for dressing up to the nines and absolutely rocking it. It was pure theatre!
You could tell they were artists - the makeup, the accessories, the details - everything was a performance! They were putting on a show even on the streets of New York. That’s the kind of fierce and bold creativity I really love about the queens back in 1925! They made the streets their stage and brought life to their communities.
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Fashion Tips For Your Next Glam Look - A 1925 Touch!
Here are a few 1925 style tips for your next dazzling drag appearance!
- Embrace those sequins! A dazzling sequined flapper dress or a pair of glamorous sequined shorts? You cannot go wrong, darlings. Think of the glamour - the sequins on sequined dresses - the flapper girls certainly understood the allure of the shiny and bright!
- Go bold with your lip colour. Bold red is perfect - think of the timeless classics! I swear to you, nothing screams a 1925 drag diva more than a bright, vibrant red lipstick - it will have you oozing with confidence!
- Don’t forget those dazzling accessories! Let those feathers, sparkles, headbands, and bright colours bring your 1925 style to life - trust me! They really can complete your whole look, add the right flair and really stand out!
I hope you love these fashion tips, dearies!
But back to my pink tutu and 1925...
Now, as much as I loved the dazzling style and the drag scene of 1925, a girl needs her modern-day creature comforts. Believe me, a pink tutu gets a lot of curious looks back in the 1920s, and after some funny glances, I’ve always got a good story to tell.
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Don't forget, darling, I'll be back with more fabulous journeys, insights, and fashion inspiration on the first of next month - and until then, embrace those vibrant colors and fierce style, darling. After all, like drag queens everywhere - we are a community of colour and glitter, daring and individuality - through all time, we are all connected!
Love always,
Emma xxx
