Hello my darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, and it's time for another trip down memory lane! Grab your feather boas and your best sparkly heels, darlings, because today we're venturing back to June 6th, 1940, a time of war, uncertainty, but also, surprisingly, of a blossoming drag scene!
Before I zip into my magical pink tutu, a quick thank you for all the love and support for the recent performances in Derby. My Belle of the Ball show was absolutely sensation, and thanks to you gorgeous lot, my coffers are full enough to power my time travelling tutu for this trip!
So, back to our exciting journey to June 6th, 1940! It's a world a little bit different to ours. World War II has gripped the globe, but despite the darkness, there's a flicker of fabulousness we're going to explore today. Now, let's be honest, drag shows in the 1940s? You wouldn't have found them in glamorous theatres. Think smoky, clandestine basement clubs, a haven for the misunderstood, a space for those who dared to challenge societal norms.
Stepping into my sparkly pink tutu (it shimmers so brightly even amidst the war-torn clouds, darling!), I'm transported to New York City. Now, NYC during the war was buzzing with energy. Imagine bustling streets, the air thick with anticipation, and a touch of something daring lurking just beneath the surface. This is the scene, my dears, that birthed a group called "The Drag Queens of Harlem," and let me tell you, they weren't afraid to push boundaries!
You see, these queens weren't performing in flashy stage shows, not quite yet. They were holding underground fashion balls. Picture a dimly lit room, smoke swirling, and the thrill of a new silhouette being unveiled - feathered dresses, dramatic make-up, and maybe even a hint of a scandalous pink feather boa (perhaps a distant cousin of mine!), a far cry from the glamorous drag we see today! But it was bold, defiant, and exciting - a breath of freedom for the marginalized community. They created an escape for themselves and others through creativity, fashion, and the pure joy of being unapologetically themselves.
Now, the fashion was a bit different back then, darling. You wouldn't have seen the full, frilled glamour of today. Think sleek lines, daring silhouettes, and plenty of dramatic hats. These were queens that understood the power of a well-placed eyebrow and the statement-making potential of a vibrant lipstick! I mean, let's be real, those iconic winged eyes would have made any war-time morale skyrocket!
And let's not forget the street shows. Imagine, my dears, stepping out of a club and onto the bustling city street to witness a flash of bright fabric, a dramatic strut, and the echoing laughter of a crowd - a spectacle so captivating it made you forget about the war, at least for a fleeting moment. That's the magic of drag! The way it can momentarily lift the spirits, provide a safe space for expression, and ultimately remind you that life, no matter how chaotic, deserves a little bit of sparkle!
Of course, as much as I'd love to stay and dance in the 1940s, my magic tutu has called my attention elsewhere! I feel another, dare I say, FABULOUS time travel journey brewing...but that's for next month!
Until then, keep those pink tutus handy, my lovelies, for the magic never truly fades. And remember, you are gorgeous, you are brave, and you are capable of making the world a more fabulous place, one pink tutu at a time. Until then, happy dancing! And don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more fabulous time travels!
Lots of Love,
Emma xo
