Hello darlings! Welcome back to my monthly adventures through the glamorous history of drag! This month, my darling Pink Tutu has whisked me back to the 4th of April, 1926, and let me tell you, the 1920s were just everything! So buckle up your sequins and get ready for a fabulously fabulous trip down memory lane, right here on www.pink-tutu.com!
Now, as you all know, my life's work is to get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu. Iām just that obsessed, babes! You could say my Pink Tutu's my trusty companion, my portal to all the glamorous history this world has ever seen! So, picture this, me in my sparkly pink tutu, feeling every bit the ballerina queen as I land in 1926. The air is thick with the intoxicating scent of jasmine and vintage perfume.
But you know, 1926 was a real whirlwind. Itās hard to believe the Jazz Age is going strong in the USA while Europe is still rebuilding after the Great War. Imagine the incredible variety of looks, darling!
Oh! I can already hear you thinking, āBut darling, wasn't drag banned back then?!ā Well, yes, sweetie pie, things were a bit moreā¦conservative. But, look, don't let anyone tell you drag was a non-existent phenomenon. Oh no, darling! Drag thrives on creativity and defiance, no matter the era!
Iāve heard whispers that a few daring soulmates were brave enough to cross-dress in the Roaring Twenties. You know those hidden speakeasies were the perfect place for secret drag parties, a world away from the strict, proper, societal expectations.
As for drag shows? Well, those are much more recent developments! Back then, imagine our fierce sisters performing in secret salons and back rooms, all fueled by their love for the art of self-expression. I'm thinking all flapper dresses, cloche hats, feather boas and a whole lotta makeup! Imagine, dear reader, the thrill of performing to a room full of equally liberated souls!
While I'm on the topic of fabulous fashion, darling, let me tell you about some 1920s looks that just made me swoon! Oh darling, I just canāt help but channel my inner flapper when I think about the knee-length, flowing, sequined gowns. What elegance, my love, what elegance! Donāt forget about the gorgeous Art Deco designs and patterns that popped up everywhere ā fashion was an art form then!
From the London streets to New York, a world in motion.
And donāt even get me started on the world of dancing, honey! The Charleston! The Foxtrot! Itās hard to imagine a more joyous time for movement! It was the time of The Black Bottom dance and jazz music took America by storm. Think Josephine Baker, darling, strutting her stuff with that fabulous flair! So chic, so sassy, so fierce!
There was also the famous revue āMidnight Frolicsā playing in New York Cityās Palace Theatre at this very moment, oh the glamour, the stars, it's like being on Broadway! And it had some of the most iconic figures, and that was just the tip of the iceberg! Iāve been told they have women who were already a force to be reckoned with like Ethel Waters, a talented performer known for her voice! Then youāve got actresses who were taking a break from their dramatic roles to shimmy on the stage, and not to forget the comedic actresses who had you doubled over with laughter. Oh, just picture it, the roaring laughter, the sparkling drinks, and the dancing all night. Simply decadent!
Speaking of performing, I've gotta talk about one of the most famous drag queens to ever grace the stage - Julian Eltinge! Oh, this queen was a force of nature, a pioneer! Not just a drag queen but a superstar with his own Broadway shows! Imagine performing in shows like āThe Ziegfeld Folliesā, with amazing choreography and dazzling costumes! Can you imagine?! The crowd would roar! It must have been electric! Eltinge was considered to be such a perfect imitation of a woman that even actresses were paying him for acting lessons. I know weāre all fierce queens here, but we're gonna give him his due respect!
Darling, 1926 is overflowing with stories just begging to be told. While the world was dancing its way out of the darkness, I feel like there were some really remarkable women of colour emerging on stage, like Ethel Waters who started at a very young age, a trailblazer at the peak of her powers!
But back to me, you see, 1926 also presented its own challenges! It's so important to remember the courage of those who bravely crossed gender lines in a world that often didn't quite understand, darling. This period wasn't all glamour, darlings, and you know what, that's part of what makes it all the more fascinating, even more important. This is what drag is about ā expression, celebration, and breaking the mold, always!
This visit to 1926 is one that will stay with me for a while! The 1920s - all flapper dresses, smoky eyes and an atmosphere full of laughter. Honestly, if youāre like me, and canāt wait to get your hands on a fabulous time-travelling pink tutu, keep watching this space, darlings. Who knows where my pink tutu will take me next month?! Until then, darlings, keep fabulous! And remember - don't be afraid to twirl!
Love, Emma
P.S. Follow my social media and share your experiences, darlings! I'd love to hear what makes you tick, whether it's your love for drag, ballet, or simply rocking a fabulous pink tutu! Let's create a community of love, laughter, and the art of fabulous! š
