Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time travelling drag queen, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! It's your one-stop shop for all things fabulous, history-related, and gloriously glamorous! Get ready to grab your tiaras and your best feather boas, because today, my loves, we're dipping our toes into the glorious Roaring Twenties, on the 8th of August, 1927, to be precise. Grab your fanciest fascinators and your favourite pair of dancing shoes, because you're in for a treat, darling! 💖
This month, my magical pink tutu whisked me back to the era of flappers, Charleston dances, and enough glamour to fill a million dance halls! Think gin, think jazz, think extravagant feathers, think… a touch of drag! Can you imagine, darlings? Back then, drag was all about expressing yourself, having fun, and defying convention - even if it wasn't always publicly celebrated! And let's be honest, with a dash of pink and a sprinkle of sequins, those Twenties queens would be absolutely rocking the runways of today!
Now, let's talk about where I landed myself. Imagine me, in my pink tutu and a bejeweled headband (you just know I accessorised!), landing smack-bang in the heart of New York City! The Big Apple, with its exciting jazz bars and roaring night clubs, was buzzing. This vibrant city, a melting pot of cultures and dreams, felt as if it was the very place drag could thrive.
As a fan of history and drag, it felt amazing to see the roots of this fantastic art form. You know, darlings, drag wasn’t just about costumes and performances. It was also about pushing the boundaries of societal expectations. The Roaring Twenties, with its emphasis on liberation and self-expression, made drag even more relevant. Back then, women were gaining a newfound sense of independence, and drag artists were reflecting those evolving times in their own, uniquely fabulous way!
So, where could a girl with a passion for drag and pink tutus possibly go in New York in 1927? Naturally, my journey began at the Rainbow Room – a glorious rooftop nightclub known for its lavish décor and live music. Can you imagine, darlings, the sparkle? This place was dripping in dazzling crystals and art deco-inspired grandeur. I felt like a shimmering jewel in a sea of glamour, twirling under the glittering lights! The whole room pulsated with energy!
To imagine it was the Rainbow Room, all those years ago, was to imagine the birth of something really special: drag as entertainment. Back then, these early forms of drag might have been seen as less performative and more about dressing up for fun, for making statements. And that, darlings, is exactly what I loved about the whole experience.
Of course, it wasn't all about the club life. We ventured into the heart of the bustling Times Square. I took a stroll down Broadway, feeling like a pink feather floating amongst the hustle and bustle. This iconic street, alive with theaters, posters, and neon lights, represented a cultural explosion of the time. Imagine, darling, the feeling of walking down the streets of history, surrounded by a backdrop of dazzling neon! It was a total whirlwind, and honestly, made my time travelling heart flutter like a hummingbird in a boudoir.
I even found a sweet vintage shop on Fifth Avenue, stocked with enough feather boas to adorn a flock of flamingos! I spent a fortune, my love, and that is not even a lie! Imagine, feather boas, those gorgeous accessories that were just so popular in the Twenties. I’d bought them for myself, you see, but I knew I was destined to wear these beauties for my own performances – back in Derbyshire!
Now, I have to tell you all about one fabulous moment – a drag performance! It wasn't a drag show like we know today – no professional production, no lights and music. Instead, imagine, darlings, a private gathering at a mansion, filled with wealthy society folks, their fancy clothes and cigarettes a constant scent. And then, imagine, this lady, her clothes a kaleidoscope of colour, the most striking ensemble. I’m talking about shimmering silk, bright feathers and pearls – more pearls than a pirate ever wished for, let me tell you.
She wasn't just dressed as a woman – she was a character! You could feel the joy and humour in every gesture, and every one of her flamboyant entrances was a spectacle in itself. I know she was most definitely channeling some kind of flamboyant drag, as she paraded across the drawing-room with confidence. The room was in stitches!
She looked absolutely fantastic – her costumes alone were enough to make her the star. There was nothing remotely 'ladylike' about her! The whole experience reminded me of how even within strict societies, some form of drag - whether it was a playful gesture or a subversive performance, was always simmering below the surface!
This particular "drag" wasn't about strutting on a stage. It was a celebration of life, of freedom, a kind of liberation that was truly captivating. You just knew this drag was real, an embodiment of fun, flamboyance and pure self-expression! And just imagine the bravery needed for such an exhibition back then – that was real courage.
That was the magic of the Roaring Twenties. This time period was like a dazzling and vibrant carnival of the imagination. Drag, in its many forms, was everywhere. In the clothes, in the makeup, in the music, even in the language, darling. Even if it wasn't labelled 'drag', that very spirit was in the air! It was just a matter of looking for the pink and the feathers. 😉
And, darlings, that is my absolute message, isn't it? Find the sparkle, even if it's just a small shimmer on a vintage button, or a whisper of silk from an old dress. Embrace it. And maybe, darling, that’s exactly why I adore this art form so much.
I’m just saying, it feels like some of that magic hasn’t been lost.
Of course, like every month, darlings, I'm keeping you up to date on all my own goings-on! This month, my performances have been incredible – from Derby’s legendary “The Purple Angel” to some glorious events up in the North, my tutus have been causing a sensation. I've managed to raise enough glitter to keep my time travel tutu going for at least another couple of months. Thank you all for your support, darlings!
So there you have it, a glimpse into the vibrant world of drag back in 1927! My 92nd post in Pink Tutu Time Travel, and honestly, my love, there’s just something magical about being able to connect to these amazing roots, from which this fantastic art form, grew. Who knew such historical events, like 8th August 1927, would have so much glamour!
And that’s me signing off for this month. But don’t you worry, darlings. I’ll be back next month for more drag history, fashion and glamorous time travel. In the meantime, stay fabulous!
Lots of love,
Emma x
