Hello darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, back with another fabulous instalment of my time-traveling adventures, brought to you live and in living colour from my very own Pink-Tutu blog.
This month, darling, we're going way back in time, back to November 11th, 1939. It was a momentous occasion – it's the day when the most spectacular, iconic, and awe-inspiring performance by Marlene Dietrich premiered at the legendary Folies Bergère! Now, that name, my loves, it sends shivers down your sequined spines, don't you think? The Folies Bergère was truly the Parisian venue to be at for a touch of theatrical glamor, and the divine Marlene – oh, she knew how to captivate a crowd. Just picture it – a stage ablaze with glittery costumes and extravagant sets, the air thick with laughter and excitement, and the gorgeous Marlene working her magic on the audience with her sultry vocals and showstopping presence. Oh, darling, I just know my pink tutu would have been the perfect accessory for this night, wouldn’t you agree?
Speaking of my beloved tutu, it’s actually been playing quite the important role in my time travelling. This month, as I whisked myself back to that momentous evening in Paris, I decided to travel back to a specific date – and the Folies Bergère was at the heart of it. This was all thanks to a lovely Parisian gentleman who was incredibly generous and provided me with a backstage pass for this event in exchange for a sparkly, hand-sequined performance for the entire cabaret. What can I say, darlings? I couldn’t refuse a chance to shine for this fabulous Parisian crowd.
This is just a tiny peek into what I saw at this historic venue on this remarkable night. The energy of the place, darling, you could cut it with a feather boa! All those elegant Parisian men and ladies, the excitement and the anticipation hanging in the air… and Marlene! There she was, performing for a roaring crowd and just oozing glamour.
Don’t even get me started on the fashion, darling. Let me just say, those hats! And the feathers, the sequins – my goodness, those Parisiennes knew how to work a look. Let me tell you, even for a seasoned fashionista like myself, seeing those gowns and ensembles from a different era gave me a whole new appreciation for what those women were putting together back in 1939. It's safe to say I borrowed more than a few fashion tips from those ladies – because every woman deserves to look and feel her absolute best!
I always love being transported through time and it's amazing how you can still see the influence of this era in our fashion world today, wouldn’t you agree? I especially see the Marlene-esque style on some of the diva drag queens who really know how to create that glamorous Hollywood aesthetic – fierce, darlings.
However, Paris was not the only location teeming with fabulousness in November 1939. You see, on November 11th, that day when the world stood still for Marlene’s enchanting performance at the Folies Bergère, there was also the wonderful Rainbow Ball at the Savoy Hotel in New York.
Imagine it: glittering lights, fantastic dance music, and the most spectacular and extravagant gowns! Now, you must understand, darling, a Rainbow Ball isn’t just any ordinary ball – it’s an opportunity for a flamboyant display of colours and excitement, just like your girl Emma likes to do!
From what I could gather – this Rainbow Ball featured both live music and the biggest and most dazzling ballroom dance competition of its time. Imagine a room of all the most glamorous women of New York, dressed to the nines, dancing the night away. Now that, my darling, is something worth remembering!
As for drag performances in America on November 11th, 1939 – Well, let me tell you, it was truly a golden era for our beloved art form. Imagine: a beautiful girl stepping out onto a stage dressed to the nines and singing and dancing, taking the spotlight. There was a sense of excitement and liberation in those shows, something that really captured the public’s imagination – it’s easy to see why they became so popular. And it really shows the power of a good drag show to unite everyone in the spirit of celebration. It truly does bring people from all walks of life together and, as we say, spread a little bit of love wherever they go.
You know, darlings, when I travel back in time, it's like being in another world - the atmosphere, the fashion, the language... It reminds me that we’re part of something so much bigger than ourselves - a constant evolution of creativity and self-expression. We’re not just drag queens; we’re pioneers, fashionistas, and performers who continue to shape and evolve the landscape of the art world!
And on that note, darlings, I must go. I need to whip up a batch of glitter cupcakes and get ready to paint the town pink! Don't forget, my time-traveling adventure is made possible by all you lovely ladies and gents who come out and support me! After all, what's a fabulous pink tutu without an audience?
See you on my next pink adventure, darlings, until then – Stay fabulous and always wear pink!
And of course, you can join me and hundreds of other fabulous fashionistas, history lovers and just plain fun-loving queens every month on the www.pink-tutu.com. Until next time, darlings. You know I love you and the whole fabulous universe does too!
xoxo Emma
