Oh darling, itās Emma here, your very own pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling drag queen blogger! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where history meets sequins, and where a bit of glitter always brightens your day. This month, my fabulous pink tutu has whisked me back to 7th July 1926. I mean, imagine: a trip to the past, all in the name of Drag Queen history! Oh darling, the worldās a stage, and let me tell you, this trip had the most spectacular backdrop.
I touched down in New York City. Now, while New York is practically dripping with drag history, 1926 was, letās just say, āa bit more subtleā in terms of full-on drag balls. Iām not saying drag wasnāt around, oh honey, it was there, pulsating beneath the surface of a decade of rebellion and glamour. But, letās face it, the big balls and full-on performance hadnāt quite hit their stride yet. However, don't let that fool you. I felt a palpable buzz in the air, and believe me, the energy was sizzling!
Imagine a kaleidoscope of smoky cafes, dimly lit speakeasies, and, yes, the rise of glamorous dance halls - they all played host to, well, let's just say some interesting and "not quite proper" women. Oh, the stories!
On the dance floor, ladies shimmied in daring dresses, with short skirts that would make the queens of today gasp. Imagine, gasp, showing off your ankles! And the flapper girls! They were all about liberation, challenging norms, and flaunting that fierce independent spirit. A spirit that is a clear precursor to the drag scene we know and love today. I felt like I was walking right into a scene from The Great Gatsby, or maybe Chicago. I could picture flappers flailing in their beaded dresses, men in sharp suits enjoying the excitement, and the thrill of a moment where anything felt possible.
Speaking of excitement, thatās when I stumbled upon a place called āThe Club Monte Carloā. I have to confess, I felt a thrill go right down my pink tutu. The atmosphere buzzed with the music of the roaring 20s. Imagine the raucous, yet oh-so-chic, scene! Ladies, well, some ladies, letās be discreet, were pushing the boundaries, wearing daring makeup, and using a whole load of mascara - quite a shock compared to the dainty make-up trends of the time, darling. It's a sign of change! The club felt like a magnet for creative spirits, where everyone seemed to be seeking something just a little more - just like drag queens of today, honey!
To tell you the truth, my darling, I wasn't able to spot a full-on drag performance. But, the energy I found was a powerful sign of things to come. Imagine, in the next decade, those nightclubs would start buzzing with full-blown drag, and that era would lay the foundation for the drag balls we celebrate today! It's a moment, a decade, a timeline where drag history truly begins to blossom. It's the period when the idea of self-expression took center stage, and that energy resonated throughout the club scene and throughout America, for that matter.
Even though it wasnāt the big drag performance I imagined, I spent a magnificent evening soaking up the atmosphere. I mingled with dancers, enjoyed some delicious champagne (or at least, a perfectly innocent pink lemonade, dear), and let me tell you, it truly felt like stepping onto a glamorous movie set. You just know the flapper girls with those drop-dead-gorgeous bobs, and those daring gowns with beads hanging off them - it was an undeniable antecedent to what we see in modern drag today. I just knew that this era would birth some amazing trends.
Now, what was on trend for drag in 1926? Well, darling, it was a very subtle form of expression. Imagine, for example, a woman with bright red lipstick, but otherwise perfectly styled with beautiful makeup and even more stunning flapper dresses with sparkling fringes. In many ways, she looked just like any of the other women in the club. This subtle blend of high fashion and drag energy was captivating. Even today, with our more flamboyant drag styles, there is that core energy of challenging gender norms, defying convention, and celebrating individual artistry ā and it's all so fascinatingly linked to this glorious decade.
Now, imagine if the 1920s were the silent film era - you could literally see these bold, fabulous women in every shot, defying norms through their clothing and beauty. It truly laid the foundations for the more spectacular drag of future decades, just imagine, just wait, oh honey, things are about to get so much more glittery, so much more elaborate and oh so much moreā¦ fabulous!
Back in Derbyshire, with my magical pink tutu tucked away safely in my suitcase, I have a feeling this trip is going to inspire me, darling. This trip felt like the beginning of something incredible. Imagine, those smoky speakeasies, those glittering flapper dresses and those independent women daring to break free from the norms. I know, just know, I'm going to try and bring some of that early drag spirit to my next show. And who knows, maybe youāll spot me in a 1926 inspired outfit. After all, darling, the past is always a source of inspiration for the future.
Stay glamorous, my darling, and until next time, always remember to keep those tutus twirling, because drag, like pink tutus, is here to stay!
Your fabulously fashionable, time-traveling queen,
Emma xxx
