Hiya darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller! 👋💖 It's time for another monthly jaunt through history, and this time we're shimmying back to September 9th, 1933!
Hold onto your tiaras, because this trip is a doozy! 👑💖
From Derbyshire with Love
Now, I might be a time-travelling, pink-tutu-sporting fashion icon, but I never forget where I come from! Derbyshire, my home county, might not seem like the heart of the drag scene, but I've heard whispers of a couple of clandestine shows back in the day. Imagine, a hidden underground club tucked away in the rolling hills! 🤭 Now wouldn't that make for a spectacular drag show? Think of the opportunities for dazzling backdrops with the Peak District as a stage!
But I digress! Let's head back to the bright lights and glamour of 1933.
Stepping onto the 1933 Stage
My trusty time-traveling tutu whisked me away to 1933 New York City, where drag was beginning to really blossom in its own unique way! ✨ In those days, it was still quite daring, especially for the young women, and I mean women, not just queens, performing as men. It was an exciting time! Imagine the thrill of stepping onto that stage and shattering societal norms! 👠👑
The hot spot was the famous "18th Street" in Manhattan, which had a few infamous clubs that welcomed cross-dressing queens. There were whispers about The Clam House, the Silver Slipper, and a speakeasy called The Stonewall - long before its famous legacy as the heart of the Stonewall riots. The drag queen scene in 1933 wasn't quite what it is today. But it was the beginning, the whisper in the wind, the spark that ignited a whole generation of performers who dared to be different.
What Was the Fashion of 1933?
Imagine a world without high-street fashion, or a billion drag supply shops online. Back then, these drag performers had to be creative with what was available to them. The looks? Think sleek, classic tailoring with lots of fabric and opulent details. This was an era where big hats were in, feathery boas, and daringly flamboyant shoes, even the gents were wearing silk shirts, smoking jackets, velvet ties, all very sophisticated and flamboyant.
There's nothing quite like the feel of luxurious fabrics in your hands! That was a big inspiration for my own pink tutu. Imagine layers of shimmering silk and tulle, meticulously crafted into the most magical dancewear you ever saw! 💕💃
But I Wasn’t Alone on My 1933 Journey...
As I was stepping out for an evening at a drag show in New York, I stumbled upon some really fantastic singers. Ethel Waters! Can you believe it? What a star! Her voice was so powerful and emotive. Ethel Waters, my darlings, was a force of nature in the jazz and blues world. Not a drag queen herself, but a stunningly dressed and glamorous woman with a phenomenal voice! 🎤
I also spotted some pretty glamorous women, some more subtle, some, well, very glamorous, all rocking 1933 styles. Marlene Dietrich, absolutely iconic! Her signature androgynous looks are still inspiring. Think of all those chic men’s suits with a hint of femininity! Now, that's my kind of style!
But back to our world, in the 1930s, there was still a distinct line between dressing up and actually identifying as a different gender. The idea of being transgender or simply identifying as a gender that wasn't assigned at birth, was something only beginning to be spoken about in a quiet voice in intellectual and artistic circles. But, drag queens like these early pioneers who were paving the way for future generations, helped push the boundaries of gender expression, with each dazzling performance. And believe me, I wasn't about to miss the chance to celebrate those pioneers!
Learning From The Past To Embrace The Present
Time travel isn’t just about glamorous fashion and sensational drag shows, darlings. It's also about learning from history, honoring those who paved the way, and embracing the present. Looking back, I can see how far the LGBTQ+ community has come since those daring days of the 1930s. Today, there’s so much more freedom to be ourselves. We’re more visible, more celebrated, and frankly, more spectacular! 💖
And speaking of spectacular, my time travelling tutus, adorned with a different rainbow of colors each month, need some special attention, and funding. 💸 I have to make my way through the world of drag in order to fund my journeys. I am off to Derbyshire next month to join some local fabulous, fierce, and flamboyant queens for a fundraising extravaganza. The theme: "Pink and Peak District Fabulous!" 🩰🏔️ We're bringing the glitz, the glam, and a dash of Derbyshire charm to the stage. So get ready for some show-stopping numbers, dazzling costumes, and of course, lots of pink tutus!
This time travel journey taught me one thing, darlings! History repeats itself! Drag in 1933 might have been clandestine, hidden away in backrooms, but it paved the way for today's dazzling displays. We stand on the shoulders of the drag queens and trailblazers of yesteryear! And we wouldn't be here today without them! That's something worth celebrating, isn’t it? 💖✨
And that's a wrap from your Pink Tutu-Wearing Time Traveler, Emma. 💖 Until next time!
Remember, check out the pink-tutu.com website to catch up on past blogs, catch me performing around the UK, and to get involved with my next Pink Tutu fundraiser! Don't forget to follow me on social media for the latest news, fashion updates, and time-traveling adventures! ✨ 💖
