Hiya, lovelies! It's your girl, Emma, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! As always, thank you for joining me on my time-travelling adventures in a sparkly, magical, and frankly quite fabulous pink tutu. This month, we're shimmying our way back to 1934. Hold on to your hats, dears, because we're about to discover some absolutely divine drag history!
A Blast from the Past (or is it the Future?)
January 1st, 1934, Iām in New York City, channeling all the glamour and excitement of the era. The air is buzzing with anticipation for the new year. And guess what? Drag is already shaking things up, darling! Back then, it wasnāt just about putting on a dress ā it was an entire performance art, a rebellion against societal norms, and a platform for creativity.
New York, New York!
My first stop was a little joint called the Cotton Club, a renowned venue, and you know me, I love a good speakeasy! Now, this place is history-making in terms of drag, because we're talking Josephine Baker! Oh, honey, she was an icon! A true force of nature in her feather boas and shimmering costumes. Imagine thatā¦ in 1934, she was a Black woman dancing and singing in front of huge crowds, embodying her own captivating style, and making history while she was at it. Itās enough to give me chills just thinking about it! Letās not forget she was a trailblazer in challenging racism and prejudice, even in this super restrictive era. I mean, how inspiring is that?
Now, if youāre a lover of glamour like myself, Josephineās impact on fashion is incredible. She redefined Parisian style in the 1920s, and her iconic ābanana skirtā made waves in 1926! She was a true fashion icon, and if we're talking drag, her fashion impact is nothing short of revolutionary. Now I know you love tutus just as much as I do, darlings, and we all know the influence of a killer tutu, especially in ballet and drag!
But we mustnāt forget the men! While Josephine Baker dazzled in her iconic dance routines, there were also drag queens performing all over the USA. One that especially stands out to me is the legendary drag queen, Julian Eltinge! Oh, honey, he was the epitome of glamor and finesse! This talented fella brought his comedic brilliance to stages across the United States. You see, the early 20th century saw a massive rise in popularity of vaudeville ā it was the biggest thing in entertainment at the time. This means a thriving drag scene all over America, and a strong, dedicated drag performance audience.
My Drag-a-licious Time-Travel Outfits!
I couldnāt possibly time travel in 1934 without some fabulous outfits, darling. This year, my time-travelling tutu is a symphony in shades of pale pink and shimmering sequins, just like Josephine's feathers and glitter! To match my tutu, Iām rocking a delicate pink blouse with lace, topped with a dazzlingly embellished headband to compliment the intricate details of my fabulous tutu.
Londonās Lively Drag Scene!
While Iām always excited to see the vibrant New York scene, let's not forget Londonās history, darling! This is where I come from, you know! London in 1934 was teeming with excitement. Let's talk āThe Old Vic,ā a landmark in the theatre scene, hosting the biggest, most fabulous plays of the time. This is where I went to see the iconic āA Midsummer Nightās Dream,ā by William Shakespeare! And darling, it was the most extraordinary play, featuring fabulous costumes and a magical setting! Now, who needs a glittery time-travelling tutu when you have theatre this epic?
Donāt Forget The Street Drag!
There were fantastic drag performers right here in England, too! Now, back then, the drag scene on the streets wasnāt always as visible as it is now, so letās put our thinking caps on! Think drag performers at underground clubs, the music halls of the day, and even those intimate private events that only those āin the knowā could get into. Itās always an intriguing world to imagine! If we're talking the real drag street performers, though, they were out and about doing their thing, giving the people a glimpse of their artistry, beauty and wit.
Funding the Tutu and Staying Fabulous!
You know how much I love to share a bit of wisdom about keeping it real, darling. Because while I'm rocking these fantastic time travel tutus, Iām always thinking about my next drag performance to help fund this fab time-travelling passion of mine. My last performance, as we all know, had us singing, dancing and shining a spotlight on drag queens who are shaking things up right here, right now! You never know when I might whip out my magic time-travelling tutu to find my next big performance! Itās about the art of the surprise, my loves.
Shop Till You Drop, and Let's Get Pink!
After my visit to London and my delightful journey in New York City, I just had to get my shopping on. Because honestly, what's a trip without a few amazing outfits and souvenirs? This trip took me back to the era of vibrant art deco fashion, which I adore! I was completely mesmerized by the sleek geometric patterns and bold colours. My fashion obsession even made it onto my shopping list! You guessed it! I found some fab pieces for the Pink Tutu Travels archives ā we're talking amazing flapper dresses and daring feathered accessories, all infused with the captivating allure of 1934! And the most stunning part? I added a few items for my next drag performance!
My Mission to Make the World Pink!
So there you have it, lovelies, another glimpse into the magnificent history of drag and a beautiful exploration of my time travels! Don't forget to check out our fabulous website at www.pink-tutu.com, where we are updating every month with the latest posts and sharing the secrets of keeping the world a sparkling and stylish place! You can catch up on my previous journeys too!
My message, as always, is simple. Always stay true to yourselves. Celebrate who you are, because drag has been doing this all along. Be bold, be outrageous, and most importantly, be yourselves! Let your colours shine, embrace your beauty, and wear that pink tutu with pride!
Until next time, my darlings!
Love, Emma
