Hello my gorgeous darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com. Emma here, your pink-clad, tutu-loving, time-travelling drag queen extraordinaire. Itâs the 9th September and as always, itâs time to grab our pink sparkly stilettos and head on a little historical adventure, babes!
This month, my magical tutu whisked me all the way back to 1932. Can you believe it? A whole century ago, my dears. Oh, I just love this era! It was a time when everyone was a bit more glamorous, even those fabulous boys in drag! Let me tell you, things were looking VERY fierce on this day.
As my time machine (letâs be honest, itâs my pink tutu â a real magical garment, I tell you!) zipped me through the air, the sights of 1930s New York absolutely blew my feather boa off! The skyscrapers, the glamorous Art Deco architecture - it was truly stunning. You know, it got me thinking...how wonderful would it be to watch a fabulous drag performance in a classic NYC nightclub back then, right? Like, a full drag extravaganza complete with feather boas, glamorous gowns and some killer lip-syncing!
After arriving at my chosen destination, it was time to start a bit of shopping â canât travel without an outfit upgrade, darling! A trip to Saks Fifth Avenue, because you know a girlâs got to get her glitter and sequins, wouldn't you say? You can just imagine my joy when I found the most gorgeous feather boa â I think it actually whispered âBuy me, darling, buy me!" to me. It was a glorious turquoise, the perfect touch for any glam queen's wardrobe.
But you know, before my night on the town could really begin, a little historical context was required! Now, you see, darling, the 1930s werenât all sunshine and roses. You know, the Great Depression â hard times for everyone, even drag queens. This time period was marked by financial struggles, unemployment, and general hardship for the LGBTQ+ community, letâs be honest. But thatâs the beautiful thing about drag - even during the toughest times, these amazing performers found ways to shine through, making people laugh, dance, and escape their worries for just a little while! You know, it really inspires you to remember the joy and magic that drag brings to the world, right?
Speaking of drag, you'd be shocked at what I found. Despite those hard times, there were absolutely drag performances taking place across the US and UK, and letâs not forget Europe! I discovered amazing venues and cabaret clubs like the famous "Rainbow Room" in New York City, boasting its own weekly drag performances! And donât even get me started on London! It seems âThe Hippodromeâ in West End London was absolutely pumping with drag acts. And all sorts of "fancy dress" events taking place all over, where men were even wearing "woman's fancy dress" â that's what they were calling drag back then. How delightful! It sounds simply fab!
You know, when it came to actual drag queens, it was difficult to find specific names. Drag history during the early 20th century was a very, very well kept secret! There was a lack of official documentation or recordings due to the taboo and social stigma associated with drag back then, which was sad, but not surprising, my darlings! Even though a little birdie tells me that the famous New York queen, Gypsy Rose Lee was starting her amazing career around this time, and in London the famous drag entertainer known as "Evelyn" was making waves. These are just the few famous ones, but there were definitely others putting on shows around the world. The 1930s were all about staying classy, even when things were tough.
Now, as I sashayed around New York, let me tell you, even a century ago, those 1930s fashions were absolutely captivating. It was the era of flapper dresses, cloche hats, the glamorous "Gibson Girl" look â simply divine, darling! I mean, even though I may prefer my own pink tutus, you have to admit it all has an incredibly classy, seductive vibe, doesnât it? We've all been there, my darlings!
Of course, no visit back in time would be complete without an immersive theatrical experience, wouldnât you agree? And youâre in luck, my dears, because a brand new ballet production opened on September 9, 1932: the Royal Opera House premiered âLa TragĂ©die de SalomĂ©,â choreographed by the amazing, innovative Leonide Massine, who truly captured that intoxicating combination of beauty and danger! If you love ballets, then I absolutely suggest putting this one on your watch list â itâs truly something to experience. Oh, Iâve also read that Marie Rambertâs âCovent Garden Balletâ had been holding âChildrenâs matineesâ every Saturday throughout 1932. Those lucky young things had so many opportunities to appreciate the world of dance and ballet â how fabulous! And, I must tell you, these shows absolutely filled me with such awe and excitement for all things theatrical and feminine. It was all just so stunningly done and so much fun â I truly love the world of theatre and ballet, donât you? We canât forget that drag, especially ball-themed drag and drag inspired by cabaret acts of that time were heavily influenced by fashion, theatre and ballet, and continue to be to this very day!
Now, itâs time to talk about the fashion! What was I wearing you may ask? This is a very special blog post so obviously I had to pull out the most fabulous ensemble from my very own pink-tutu collection! I am talking a breathtaking masterpiece - a full pink tulle skirt (with just the right amount of layers and fluff!), a shimmering silver sequined crop top, and the cutest tiny matching bow in my hair. You know I have to go full girly glam, donât you, darlings? Because the most important lesson you can learn in any time period â whether it be 1932, 2023, or anything in between â is that itâs all about finding what makes you feel beautiful, powerful and confident. For me? Thatâs pink and tutus.
Right, babes! Thatâs it for this month. Tune in next month for another whirlwind trip back through the glorious and dazzling world of Drag History! Until then, go forth, be fierce, be fabulous and remember...you were born to wear a pink tutu. And if you donât have one yet, youâre missing out! Remember to subscribe to my blog and, most importantly, stay tuned! Weâll be posting exciting announcements soon for my new âPink Tutuâ ball extravaganza happening later this year in my home city of Derbyshire. Love you to bits, babes, and have an amazing, pink-tastic time!
