Hello my darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time travelling drag queen, back with another fab-u-lous blog post for #DragQueenHistory! Today marks post number 110, and this time I'm taking you all back to February 2nd, 1929! Now, let me tell you, my little pink-loving peacocks, this is a date for the history books, especially for us queens! Grab your feather boas and a cuppa, darlings, as we dive headfirst into the world of drag in the roaring twenties!
1929: The Dawn of a Drag-tastic Decade1929, oh 1929! A year brimming with glamour, glitz, and gin! The flapper era was in full swing, the Great Gatsby had everyone whispering about dazzling parties and love affairs, and… wait for it… drag was having a moment! Now, I know what you're thinking – drag? Back in 1929? Honestly, darling, it was everywhere!
New York, darling! was a haven for the most fabulously daring queens! Imagine a scene: speakeasies brimming with jazz and cocktails, smokey rooms packed with drag queens dazzling in feathered boas, and of course, that quintessential touch – that bold red lipstick that everyone was raving about! I must admit, it was just begging to be mimicked.
And then there was Paris! The fashion capital of the world was buzzing with extravagant costumes, and it's where the "Cabaret" movement started gaining momentum. Imagine it: bold makeup, outlandish outfits, and performances that challenged the norms, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Pure drag queen inspiration, right?
But don't think for a moment that drag was confined to big city life. Even in little old Derbyshire, the air was humming with queerness! In small pubs, drag was an unspoken entertainment, queens taking to the stage with impromptu performances and a splash of glitter. The power of drag – it shines no matter the setting, darling.
February 2nd, 1929 was particularly special for drag history, not just because it was the perfect excuse for me to travel back in time, because darling, I wear my time-traveling pink tutu everywhere but for other reasons, too!
On this very day, a tiny little pub in downtown Manhattan hosted its first "drag night." It wasn't fancy, but oh my darling, it marked a turning point in American drag history. And guess what they served? A special drink called the "Pink Tutu"! Now that's some good drag queen karma.
Now, it was definitely not as widely accepted as today – and by that, I mean the whole “women's rights” movement hadn’t reached the point we know today - but it was definitely present, and I think, darling, that is what makes it all so magical! Drag back then was about expressing yourself, pushing boundaries, and just plain good old fashioned fun!
The Fashion:Now let's get to the juicy stuff: Fashion! The roaring twenties were a wonderland for flamboyant queens, and oh my, how I was loving every single look! Flapper dresses with their signature low-cut bodices and dropped waists - absolutely perfection! And let's not forget those feathery boas, those bedazzled headbands, and the incredible shoe designs - those heels! It was all so sophisticated and bold.
And don't forget, the makeup! Eyeliner as thick as your drag mother's wig! Blush in bright, daring shades that really made your face stand out. And those lips, oh those gorgeous, perfectly painted lips – you simply had to be a siren to pull off those looks! I’ve just found some fantastic feather boas at a vintage market! I can't wait to try out my latest outfit combo!
The Performers:It's impossible to tell you the names of every single drag queen who performed on this particular day, it’s all a bit hazy… But I can tell you this - these queens were the trailblazers, the pioneers of the art form! They paved the way for every drag queen you've seen today. Every single RuPaul's Drag Race winner, every drag artist who lights up our stage, owes a debt of gratitude to these incredible queens of the past! They dared to be themselves and that is an inspiration that's hard to come by!
Oh darling! I have a sneaky suspicion that one of the most popular queens of that era was a lady named Josephine - she wasn't just your typical performer; she had an unparalleled charisma, she brought this sense of "theater" and high drama. People came from far and wide just to see her perform. Just think: she was basically the drag race queen of 1929, don't you think?! You have to hand it to her! She brought her full A-game to the stage!
Time Travel Fun!I took my time traveling tutu for a spin, just to feel the magic! I joined a party in a secret speakeasy. Imagine: dim lights, smoky haze, jazzy music filling the air! It was like stepping straight into a scene from a glamorous film! There were so many amazing queens - dressed to the nines, their lips shining under the dim lights. They were all so lively, dancing, chatting, and drinking those fabulous, glittering cocktails! Oh darling, it was truly glorious.
I was so excited that I found this amazing vintage jewelry shop! Isn't it brilliant?! I found a pair of diamond earrings (all paste, darling! But they sparkle beautifully!), a stunning crystal-covered tiara and a fantastic feather boa, all for a very reasonable price.
Later that evening, I joined a Drag Ball hosted in a secret ballroom. You just have to love the secrecy and mystery, darling! The crowd was out of this world – they were dressed up in their fanciest outfits, from glittery headpieces to feather boas galore. Honestly, every look was giving vintage glam. They danced, they drank, they laughed – oh, what a spectacular party it was. And let me tell you, darlings - there's no feeling like hitting the dance floor with a group of fabulous drag queens, feeling the music beat through your bones, feeling truly yourself in that moment, feeling the rhythm… the freedom … the power …
I ended up spending the entire night chatting with a few fabulous queens, learning about the local scene. Now, let me tell you… some of their stories - and the stories behind those looks were simply legendary ! It just proves that drag queen culture, darling, it's not just a fleeting moment. It's been happening forever, evolving and redefining itself all along the way.
Pink Tutu Inspiration!I was particularly drawn to the fashion at this Drag Ball! I have to share this - I saw this phenomenal outfit - imagine a black sequin flapper dress with a long feathered train - it flowed across the floor like liquid sunshine. She was dancing like an angel and I almost fainted! It was truly divine.
You have to admire that kind of artistry, that creativity, and the fearlessness that they used to express themselves. That’s something I live by – be fearless with your fashion choices! And let me tell you, this has really made me want to add a few new outfits to my collection! Maybe a flapper dress? A stunning feathered headpiece? Ooh, and a matching handbag!
That's what makes me so passionate about this history, darlings - it shows us just how far we've come! It reminds me to keep going, keep pushing, keep daring to be different! And maybe, just maybe, one day, everyone will wear a pink tutu!
Remember, darlings: be fearless, be fabulous, and keep those pink tutus on!
Until next time!
Lots of love, Emma x
* www.pink-tutu.com *
* Find Emma performing live across the UK this month. Details on the pink-tutu.com website.*
