Hello darlings! Welcome to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, the hottest place to get all your Drag Queen History gossip, fashion, and oh-so-fabulous tips! I'm Emma, your pink tutu-clad time traveller extraordinaire, ready to whisk you off to another fabulous era!
This month, my magical tutu whisked me back to a rather chilly December 12th, 1932. Imagine, my dears, the glamour, the drama, the sequins...oh wait, it's not the kind of sequins you're thinking of! Back then, sequin wasn't the sparkly little friend it is today! It was, dare I say, a rather lacklustre and gasp beigey brown shade! Well, thank heavens I had my own pink sparkle with me.
So, where did my magical pink tutu land me, you ask? The centre of the glamorous and buzzing Drag World of...drum roll please.... New York City! New York in 1932 wasn't just the hub for the Broadway shows, my dears, it was also where the underground drag scene was simmering, waiting to literally burst into the light of the spotlight.
Now, remember that fabulous, gender-bending ball where we danced with the queens of the "Golden Age" last time? It was just a couple of years after we met those delightful dames! Well, the drag ball scene was very alive and kicking. It wasn't officially recognised or advertised in any fancy newspapers. But, in the smoky speakeasies, clandestine locations, and bustling ballrooms of New York, a hush would fall over the crowd as someone would announce: "Tonight, we're hosting the Queen's ball, and everyone's welcome!" This was a secret world for the adventurous and daring, full of secret codes, hidden languages, and the magic of drag in all its magnificent forms.
That day, in my pink tutu (because I bring the pink sparkle wherever I go), I got to see the queens and kings of drag prepare for a magnificent night, getting all glammed up for the 'Queen's Ball' hidden away in an intimate and clandestine jazz club called the "Blue Comet". Oh, it was simply divine, darling! These queens knew how to do glamour, even if they weren't showcasing the kind of looks we've all become accustomed to now. They were fashion icons in their own right. It was more about that captivating aura, the way they moved, how they presented themselves, you know, like the real embodiment of confidence!
One queen I spotted, "Lola", caught my eye instantly. With a pearl-white powdered face, carefully drawn brows, and fiery crimson lips, Lola looked every inch a leading lady from the silent movie era! She had this beautiful cascading scarlet gown with shimmering beading, a full-length dramatic cape that flowed behind her, and those signature platform heels (yes, you heard that right - platforms!) Those platforms, they weren't just for walking! Lola used them to amplify every move, every pose, every saunter with this glorious swagger that stole your breath away.
Another gem I discovered was this fierce dame with the name "Lulu" who was sporting a black velvet smoking jacket with that sharp-shouldered tailored silhouette of the time, topped off with a stunning satin cummerbund (and some seriously chic hair!), the whole outfit oozing class, charm and that classic drag diva elegance.
"Lola" and "Lulu" were just two queens that shone with their incredible personas. Each one a different story, every queen at the ball brought their own charm and confidence. From the flamboyant flapper queens with their feather boas and shimmering sequins to the queens who preferred a more androgynous style in sleek suits and bowties, the ball truly captured the spirit of drag as a form of individual expression and unapologetic beauty.
Of course, no Drag Ball in the '30s would be complete without music and dancing! I spent the night lost in the music and magic, watching queens glide across the floor as the jazz band played the night away. It was a whirlwind of feathers, sequins, laughter, and a touch of magic! The "Blue Comet" may have been small and intimate, but the energy it held, the emotions it fuelled, were larger than life.
The scene wasn't just in New York, though, darling! While New York City was a drag epicentre of sorts, this energy was rippling outwards to the big cities like Chicago, and the smaller communities, the speakeasies and the 'underground' balls where drag artists, these pioneering individuals, were re-imagining gender and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, with their fabulous fashion, and with an open heart.
My dears, it was truly inspiring! These queens were breaking free of social constraints with the most spectacular outfits, the fiercest makeup, and their unforgettable performances! We've come so far, haven't we? So let us celebrate this history, the roots that keep our world vibrant!
But of course, my mission remains the same: to inspire each and every one of you to wear pink tutus! That's right, darling, a pink tutu can unlock your inner confidence and unleash a world of fashion-forward possibilities. We don't just wear tutus to celebrate drag history, we wear them to live it!
And let's not forget the power of these 'underground' drag balls, their vital importance, even now, when we face difficult times. Remember that "Lola" and "Lulu" didn't need any glitzy, extravagant venues, they just needed the space to express themselves, and that's where we need to start: with that acceptance, with the drive to express ourselves authentically!
Now, as we step out into the glitzy world of December 2023, remember the bravery, the defiance, and the artistic freedom that existed in 1932. It's a reminder that drag is about embracement – of yourself, of your uniqueness, of your inner beauty, no matter what time it is or what clothes you wear.
My time travels in my magical pink tutu have taught me that history is a precious gift, and embracing its lessons helps us celebrate the incredible journey of drag and our evolution as a community.
So, go out there and be you. Let your true self shine! And don't forget to grab a pink tutu to show the world what fabulousness looks like.
Catch you next month for another fabulous pink-tutu-time travel adventure! Love you, darlings!
**XOXO,
Emma**
PS : Head over to my social media and don't forget to share your own drag story! And while you're at it, show me your favorite pink tutu looks.
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