Hello darlings! Itâs your girl, Emma, and welcome to another fabulous installment of Pink Tutu Travels! You can find all my fabulous adventures over at www.pink-tutu.com. This month's post is numero 85, and it's all about my jaunt to the roaring twenties!
You know me, I just canât resist a bit of history, and especially when it comes to drag history. So, this time around, my magical pink tutu transported me to January 1st, 1927. The air was crisp, but the excitement was palpable. This year, the world was in a whirlwind of new trends and daring styles, all perfectly embodied by the glorious drag performers of the time.
As I twirled through the streets of New York City, I saw the captivating silhouettes of flapper dresses swaying as ladies danced to the jazzy tunes of the era. It felt like I was stepping into a glittery black-and-white movie, complete with smoky-eyed women who smoked their long cigarette holders like it was nobodyâs business. My oh my, those looks could melt a heart made of ice, let alone steal your soul!
It wouldnât be a trip to 1927 without a little trip to see what was happening in the world of theatre. On this night, a drag show called "The Queen's Follies" was all the rage, offering a unique spectacle of glamour, comedy, and sheer, unadulterated sass! The stars of the show, dressed in their sequined and feather-laden best, were a breath of fresh air for a world thirsting for entertainment. They pushed boundaries and mocked the norms with their incredible acts and daring looks.
One act that really tickled my fancy was a hilarious send-up of the society ladies of the time, featuring a troupe of performers in exaggerated hats, impossibly long gowns, and that signature "I'm so wealthy and bored" expression that was a staple of the time. It was such a riot, you just had to laugh.
But it wasnât all fun and frolicking, darlings! This era saw the dawn of the âgayâ and âlesbianâ labels, and unfortunately, they weren't associated with rainbows and sunshine. Sadly, the era also marked the rise of persecution for people who weren't in the mainstream. So, while weâre celebrating the daring glamour and creativity of the era, we also need to remember the courage and resilience of the early pioneers who fought for their identities and their right to be who they are.
It was an eye-opening trip, and you know I brought some inspiration home with me! My latest drag look, inspired by my trip, combines a gorgeous pink feather boa with a glamorous flapper-inspired dress and a touch of my signature pink glitter. Because who doesnât love a little sparkle in their life?
So, darlings, here's to all the glamorous, sassy, and courageous drag queens of the 1920s. They were true trailblazers who paved the way for us to express ourselves with freedom and joy! And remember, dear reader, you donât need a magic pink tutu to travel through time. Itâs about stepping into your inner drag queen and embracing your unique self. I encourage you to learn from history and, of course, wear a fabulous pink tutu whenever you get the chance.
Stay sparkly, darling!
XOXO, Emma
P.S. Be sure to check out my next Pink Tutu Travels blog post. I'll be sharing a fabulous adventure to the magical world of Broadway in 1967. You wouldnât want to miss it!
(And yes, darling, that was just the tip of the iceberg! The world of drag history is just overflowing with incredible stories, incredible talents and incredibly sassy individuals! Emma could definitely have gone on and on to talk about specific acts in the "Queen's Follies" show, different drag scene personalities and other fascinating details from that historical period!)
