Hello my darlings, Emma here! Back from another dazzling trip through time, this time landing right in the heart of August 1926, and let me tell you, it was a real peach! 💖
Now, before I get into the details of this amazing journey, a quick announcement for all you gorgeous souls: www.pink-tutu.com is thriving. My drag queen time travel blog, lovingly chronicling all my fabulous adventures, has been steadily gaining traction. It's so wonderful to see so many of you enjoying my musings, and I'm constantly adding new posts for your perusal! Don't forget to keep those pink tutu pictures coming - I've been loving all the submissions and sharing my favourites on the site!
Right then, on to my adventure. This month, my pink time-traveling tutu deposited me in a truly captivating era, the roaring 1920s! Oh darling, just imagine, the flapper dresses, the jazz music, the smoky underground speakeasies... What an incredible time to be alive and serving looks. And of course, there was drag - it was flourishing even then, just in its own way, often behind closed doors and whispered about in hushed tones.
My journey began in New York City, and the city itself was absolutely electrifying. Think towering skyscrapers, the roaring sounds of motor horns and the pulsating rhythms of jazz emanating from speakeasies on every corner. And let me tell you, the fashion... It was simply incredible! I'm talking glamorous gowns with plunging necklines, bobbed hair, sparkling jewellery... everything shimmered!
I did a bit of scouting - looking for whispers, signs, anything about drag. I found out about places called "drag balls," where members of the LGBTQIA+ community would gather in secret to celebrate their unique identity. These balls often featured elaborate costumes and makeup, and they were truly the genesis of the drag balls we know and love today.
You can't visit New York City without checking out the Theatre District! The legendary Ziegfeld Follies was in full swing, offering lavish spectacles that included female impersonation acts! And you just know these fabulous divas were giving it their all with every feather boa and tap dance!
After my American escapade, I hopped back into my time-traveling pink tutu and arrived in London. The vibe was altogether more sophisticated, but still incredibly vibrant! There was a real underground scene that included female impersonators, often appearing in intimate nightclubs or cabaret venues. It was a clandestine world, but it's where so much creativity was fostered, setting the scene for the more prominent and daring drag artists we know and love today.
What I truly found intriguing was how women's fashions started adopting more masculine styles, a trend I suspect influenced drag. Those shorter hemlines, bobbed hair and trousers for women made a bold statement and, in some ways, reflected a movement towards blurring gender lines. It's clear to me that the 1920s was a pivotal decade for drag, with its rebellious spirit and desire for freedom of expression.
Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and glittery boas! My time traveling also brought me face to face with some serious hardships, such as discrimination and violence often faced by drag queens in those days. However, they endured! The very fact that drag continued to flourish despite those challenges speaks to the sheer force of artistry, creativity and sheer grit of these trailblazers.
But my adventures don't end with my own explorations! This is a Drag Queen Time Travel Blog, so naturally, it wouldn't be complete without highlighting a real gem of the period:
Meet Evelyn Nesbit.
Oh, she was a vision of beauty! Evelyn Nesbit was a model, a singer, an actress... but to me, her most remarkable talent was being one of the most prominent and influential female impersonators of the era.
Think flawlessly smooth skin, captivating looks and effortlessly chic style. Her performances at the prestigious Ziegfeld Follies were wildly popular, drawing in crowds from across the city and even further afield. They say she was known for her wit and stage presence, but I was truly enthralled by her legendary wardrobe! They say it was utterly divine, bursting with glamorous gowns, dazzling jewellery and feathered boas...
I can still vividly see those feathered boas, flowing down her perfectly-coiffed hair, the glitter and shine that shimmered with every stage spotlight, and the dramatic entrances she used to completely captivate her audiences. Evelyn Nesbit's contribution to drag is simply undeniable, a testament to the impact one talented artist can have on the world stage!
However, my dears, my travels weren't solely about the glamorous events or star-studded performers! I truly love going to local drag shows! The passion and individuality you find in these venues truly make for some of the best entertainment on this planet.
This trip, I popped into a few little speakeasies to watch the talent! Let's just say, they had some absolutely ridiculous costumes, darling. Think boas made of old velvet, sparkling costumes cobbled together with feathers and sequins, and, my favourite, wigs styled in truly bizarre ways, the wilder the better, as far as I'm concerned! It was simply hilarious! But even those crazy creations had heart, spirit, and the most delightful theatrics.
I think what truly amazed me about these drag performances was how the drag queens in those days were finding ways to express themselves despite the very real restrictions. Their determination to show their unique flair was palpable, a truly moving sight.
My darling dears, one of my goals in life, you know, apart from collecting an impressive array of tutus of every possible hue, is to inspire others to unleash their inner fabulous.
It is so important to own our unique personalities and to embrace all the incredible facets of who we are! After all, life's too short to be anything but your most authentic, glamorous, and truly outrageous selves.
As you continue on your journey of self-expression, darling, I encourage you to remember this important message from Emma herself, a message from the very heart of your most favourite pink tutu wearing ballerina: Don't be afraid to be you! Unleash your inner diva! Strut your stuff and live your life to the absolute fullest! Let your creativity shine and celebrate everything that makes you fabulous!
That, darling, is what makes this world, well, truly a fabulous place to be! I'm off on another exciting journey, and I hope to catch up with you in another month with a fresh dose of Drag Queen Time Travels. Keep your pink tutus ready and let your individuality shine!
Until then, take care and, darling, never, ever let anyone tell you that you are anything but a total masterpiece!
