#DragQueenHistory during 1929 09 September

Hiya darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire-born pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you all away on another fabulous time-travelling escapade. Today, my dears, we're twirling back to September 9th, 1929 - a date that, much like my love for sequined tiaras, sparkles with untold tales of drag!

I've just got back from the most sensational trip - and trust me, I'm talking the kind of sensational that has my feathers all ruffled and my pointe shoes tapping in excitement.

So grab your fanciest pink tutu (it's never too early for a bit of pink!) and let's sashay right into the history books, shall we?

Now, while you might be thinking "September 1929, Emma? What's so special about that?", let me tell you, darlings, it's positively brimming with drag history. We're talking glittering nights of cabaret, hidden haunts buzzing with cross-dressing performers, and an insatiable appetite for fabulousness that even I would find a bit overwhelming!

This was a time when drag, much like my time-traveling tutu, wasn't something hidden in the shadows - it was celebrated. It was art, it was entertainment, it was an explosion of self-expression, all wrapped up in a big ol' package of camp and glitter.

Just imagine it, my darlings - London, Paris, New York, bustling with nightclubs filled with flapper girls, jazz bands, and performers taking on their best interpretations of feminine glamour. This wasn't just about men dressed as women, it was about artistry, about embodying the spirit of a different persona - and don't you just adore that about the beauty of drag?!

My time-traveling adventures this time took me to the bustling metropolis of New York City, a hive of creativity where every street corner seemed to hold a secret show.

Imagine my excitement as I snuck backstage at the 'Club 89'! Oh darling, it was positively electric! Imagine a cabaret room, dripping with velvet curtains and the scent of a thousand cigarettes. In the corner, a singer belts out a song, accompanied by a raucous piano, while at the bar, a beautiful queen (oh, she was something else!), flawlessly executed the art of a playful, flamboyant wink! This wasn't just drag - it was a way of life.

I could tell, this night was a haven for creativity and self-expression, where performers took the opportunity to reinvent themselves, push boundaries, and ultimately, bring joy to audiences. It's just that sort of freedom that has me in love with drag!

The 1920s saw a surge in what we call 'fashionable' drag - the kind that embraced a refined glamour, often incorporating ballet aesthetics, which makes a tutu-wearing girl like myself absolutely swoon.

It was during this era that drag queens were becoming a fashionable statement, and as you know, I live for a fashion statement! They wore extravagant clothes that often mirrored the current fashion trends, adopting flapper dresses with beaded fringes and stylish hats that had my entire being crying out for more!

The theatrical influence of ballet was a prominent part of the era. Ballet, like drag, celebrates expression and the embodiment of characters. We can see the connection there, right?! The long skirts, the shimmering fabrics, the meticulous hair - drag embraced the spectacle and beauty of ballet, even though those ballet tights still haven't fully captured my fashion heart (much to the despair of my stylist, oh the drama!).

Now, even though I'm all for a flamboyant display, let's be honest - nothing compares to a beautifully structured tutu, darling! It just has that something extra that gets everyone's eyes popping and their heart skipping! I believe it's a bit like the way those glamorous performers on the streets of New York in 1929 drew the attention and the crowds, giving people an experience that went far beyond just the spectacle - it was a statement. It was a way of living. It was a celebration of freedom, individuality and most importantly, fashion. And who am I to disagree?

Now, this is where I get a little camp, darlings! Looking at 1929 from our little pink tutu-shaped lens, can you see how these performers, all decked out in feathers and fringes and their finest makeup, already foreshadowed the glorious drag we know and love today?!

Their self-expression, their passion for performance, the love for pushing boundaries and dressing with that extra dash of glitter, - isn't that exactly what defines our current scene?

It feels as though they've taken us on a journey, darling. They've planted a pink glitter seed for us to flourish into this spectacular era of drag - with queens like myself taking it even further!

Now, darling, if you're already on board with the pink tutu train, let's keep the pink love train moving. Share this blog, let's get everyone in pink, because let's be real, pink is a good look, and it only makes us all the more fabulous!

Now, darling, my tutu is itching to get back to the present. And believe me, this pink lady has plenty more to share! Until next time, stay fabulous, keep shining, and don't forget to add some extra pink to your life - you never know who you might inspire to embrace their own pinkest of selves. And if you're really feeling adventurous, take up ballet, because you never know, darling, it might just give you a taste of the fabulousness that is the world of drag.

Love, Emma

www.pink-tutu.com