Oh, darling dears! Emma here, back from another fabulous adventure through the shimmering mists of time, all thanks to my magical pink tutu. And let me tell you, January 1st, 1926, was an absolute riot of glamour!
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, January 1st? Surely nothing happens on New Year's Day." But darling, that's where you'd be mistaken. It's all about perspective, isn't it? Even 1926 wasn't a total drag (pun intended, of course!).
This month, my pink tutu took me to the heart of the Roaring Twenties. Oh, the jazz! The flapper dresses! The scandalous short bobs! Even in the early hours of a new year, the atmosphere was electric!
I landed right smack dab in the middle of a New York speakeasy. It was all hushed tones and hushed whispers, everyone sneaking behind swinging doors, but I saw the sparkle in their eyes, the mischievous grin. It was a world full of excitement and a craving for something different, a longing to break free, to express themselves. Sound familiar, darlings?
But even in a world with more hidden secrets than a drag queen's makeup kit, there were those pushing boundaries and challenging norms. And one such individual caught my attention… a vision of grace and grit, with a captivating stage presence that could charm the feathers off a peacock.
Her name was Kiki Dee – oh, she was the real deal! She sashayed on stage, dripping in sequins and diamonds, and owned that spotlight. I mean, we’re talking proper theatrical glamour. It’s as though Marlene Dietrich stepped out of the silver screen and onto that tiny speakeasy stage, complete with that signature smokey eye and scarlet lips. Kiki Dee was performing alongside her troupe of talented dancers, their energy, like mine when I perform, just captivating. It felt like the birth of a revolution right before my very eyes, a time where individuals weren't afraid to embrace the flamboyant and the fabulous.
My darling, don’t let anyone tell you that 1926 was a simple time for a drag queen. Just a peek into Kiki Dee’s performances made it clear – that era was about expressing yourself freely. I’m talking dancing on tabletops and shimmying across bar counters, and let’s not forget, those daring, flamboyant outfits! These were the true drag icons of their day, and even with the whispers of the underground scene, they were spreading a message of acceptance and self-expression through their performances, their laughter and their glamour.
Oh, the dresses! Long, sparkling gowns, slashed with sequins and fringe. Every move sent shimmers across the floor like a hundred little galaxies.
Back then, those who dared to be different would hide their true colours, tucked away in dimly lit corners of society, a hushed secret shared between friends. They were a hidden revolution, a shimmering rebellion against the constraints of the ordinary.
But I, Emma, in my fabulous pink tutu, can bring them back to life. It's not just about dressing up in sequins, dears. It's about using every glimmer and every flourish to celebrate our diversity. To bring to light the courage of these forgotten figures and celebrate the beauty of self-expression. To make it known, to everyone, that we can, indeed, express ourselves through fashion, through performance, through who we are, however we are.
I feel like a conduit, carrying those moments through time, ensuring that the spirits of Kiki Dee and so many other bold performers are remembered. Their courage inspires me every day.
I mean, how fabulous would a vintage, New York speakeasy drag night be? I'm talking glitzy flapper dresses and feathery boas, all bathed in the dim glow of a lampshade hanging over a bar. Maybe a few sneaky gin and tonics while we shimmy to some 1920's jazz? Just imagine!
This trip was such a whirlwind of joy, but before I get carried away with the glamour, remember to visit the Pink-Tutu.com site. My new post for this month is all about Kiki Dee’s life and how you can bring a touch of flapper style to your drag shows! It’s full of photos and insights on how we can still get the vibe in modern-day performance. I'm also featuring my own interpretation of a flapper costume, just to give you all some inspiration!
So darlings, keep your eyes peeled and keep those pink tutus shimmering!
Until next time, darling, Emma sending you all a pinkly fabulous month!
