#DragQueenHistory during 1927 07 July

Hiya Darlings!

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! This month I'm taking you back to the glorious summer of 1927, specifically the 7th of July. Grab your favourite pink tulle (or whatever fabric tickles your fancy!) and get comfy because this month's jaunt through time is gonna be a right good time!

As you know, my dear readers, I'm always on the lookout for a bit of sparkle, a splash of glam, and a whole lot of fabulousness. And when it comes to the history of drag, this particular date in time just happens to be teeming with some pretty wonderful moments!

Let's hop in my trusty pink tutu time machine - who else time travels in a pink tutu? No one? Exactly. So buckle up, buttercup, and let's zoom back to the 1920s.

Now, this era - we all know it as the "Roaring Twenties". Think flappers, gin joints, jazz, and yes, drag! It was a time of massive social and cultural change, especially for women. Hemlines were climbing, women were smoking and drinking in public, and they were generally breaking the chains of tradition - a truly exciting period!

And with all these exciting social changes, guess what? Drag thrived! Now, think back to the shows you've seen, or the stories you've read. What do those early drag queens look like? I’m thinking glittery dresses, bold makeup, maybe a little feather boa or two, and of course, the iconic bob haircut. Yep, 1927 was a time of trailblazers, creating bold and exciting looks that would pave the way for future generations of drag stars.

The fashion, darlings! I mean, think "Great Gatsby," just a hint of the decadence but with an undeniable, glamorous edge! A bit like if you dressed in pink tulle but with the attitude of a silent film actress! You just gotta adore it, darling.

And talking about Gatsby, we've got a date to go to in New York City! It was in 1927, that the iconic film based on the book, "The Great Gatsby," debuted on the big screen! This iconic piece of American cinema showcased fashion and flamboyance, and well, the movie was full of those daring, bold characters who would definitely have a place in any drag show today! Now, I wouldn't mind strutting out of the cinema looking like a cross between a flapper and an elegant leading lady with a healthy dose of feather boas, but that's just me.

On Broadway, New York City was the heart of entertainment and drag played a massive part in it. Shows like "The Follies" (the pinnacle of New York Vaudeville), "George White’s Scandals," and "Ziegfeld Follies" - were overflowing with dazzling performances! You know, the kind that involve lots of sequins, feathers, and more leg kicks than you can count! Can't imagine the shows back then - I’m not surprised they are called “the golden age of entertainment" or that it is known as “The Great White Way".

Paris - the city of lights, romance, and the glorious Moulin Rouge! A venue for extravagance and glamour, it’s still captivating to this day and imagine the energy in the air during the roaring 20s. Drag was a huge part of their performance, blending dance and the spectacular! Think about the Moulin Rouge as a Parisian cabaret show but even bigger. More sequins, feathers, high kicks, more fabulousness – can you imagine it? I’ve always adored cabaret! It's a combination of music, theatre, dance, all coming together in this explosion of pure entertainment - a bit like drag but with a whole lot of French flair! The Parisian crowd were mesmerized by these bold and glamorous performers. They pushed boundaries with their makeup and costuming and I reckon that would be the same for a drag queen on that day. I am totally envisioning my pink tulle swirling in a fabulous Parisian cabaret – oh, what a dream!

### The Fashion! Oh The Fashion!

Talking about fabulous fashion! Imagine strutting out in a beaded gown, maybe a pair of fabulous, dramatic earrings, and, of course, some dazzling heels! That’s what 1920s drag queens were about – expressing themselves through fashion, taking a little inspiration from women’s fashions and creating something totally new, something truly exciting and utterly dramatic!

Don’t forget the accessories, dear! Think hats and headbands galore – and of course, maybe a fan! Because every drag queen needs a bit of dramatic flair.

Oh, and speaking of dramatic flair, a few trends from 1927 have had a pretty big impact on drag, don’t you think? We've all seen the evolution of drag fashion. There's the classic era, then the more glamorous styles - remember the fabulous and intricate couture of drag fashion, taking centre stage during the "Golden Age"?

Well, you can see those origins all the way back to those roaring 20s queens, taking fashion inspiration and turning it on its head! That is, in a nutshell, how you define drag!

In the UK, drag was also beginning to gain popularity. It wasn’t the cabaret glamour of the Moulin Rouge, but we certainly had our fair share of entertaining drag queens - remember those vaudeville acts? Some might have gone on to find themselves on the London Stage - that's what it was all about, wasn’t it? Bringing a bit of fun and fabulousness to people!

London was just buzzing with energy and excitement! This wasn’t a new trend – after all, in London you'd be right amongst the “Gay Nineties.” That era saw music halls filled with the sounds of variety performances! It was where British drag history took those initial, fantastic, glittering steps!

We could talk about all this history until we’re blue in the face! What else is there to talk about but fabulous queens? But darling, that's only half the story! What about 1927 in terms of drag queens today! There are shows popping up everywhere you go. So let's hop back into my pink tutu time machine and check out the shows!

Of course, no journey through time would be complete without a glimpse into what was on the drag scene! Back in the 1920s, drag performances took place in theatres, cabaret clubs and, most importantly, variety shows - they gave some of the first female impersonators their big breaks. Think “The Follies,” a truly huge variety show filled with singers, dancers, and of course, drag performers! Imagine – those stars being at their prime! Talk about fabulous!

Well, 1927, just happened to be an absolute goldmine for drag in a way - it’s truly an amazing time to have stepped back in time!

It's all just bursting with ideas. So, grab that pink tutu, get those sparkles on, and be your best self - because drag has always been about individuality, expression, and a whole lotta glitz and glamour!

Remember, darling, we've all got that little bit of a drag queen within us! So go on, embrace your fabulous self, rock a pink tutu (or not!), and make the world your own stage!

See you next month!

xx Emma