Welcome back darlings!
It's your favourite pink-loving tutu aficionado, Emma, back with another exhilarating trip through time! Today we're going all the way back to 11th November, 1941, my dears! The year is practically dripping in drama and glamour!
Now, you might think 1941 wouldn't be a fabulous place for a fabulous queen like myself. I mean, World War II is in full swing, so you might picture a gloomy scene, right? Well, hold onto your feather boas, because I found the opposite!
It seems even in times of conflict, humans need their entertainment, especially their camp entertainment! Let me tell you about what I discovered in the vibrant drag scene of this specific date!
I hopped into my shimmering, magical time travelling pink tutu, and - poof! - I landed right in the middle of New York City, at a legendary club called "The Village Vanguard"! I swear, darling, that place felt electric with energy! It's one of the first venues in the city to actually welcome LGBTQ+ performers, and it's like a sacred space for the drag world, even back then.
Imagine this: dark lighting, dim booths, smoke curling in the air, and a packed crowd, ready for the entertainment. What a scene! Now, this era in drag was all about gender bending, challenging gender norms with theatrics, wit, and lots of lip-syncing! It was, to put it delicately, a right good laugh!
Think about those legendary drag stars from decades later like Dame Edna Everage or Divine; their energy and flamboyance were born right here, my darlings! The acts were mostly camp, satirical, and wildly over-the-top. And who doesn't love a good drag queen with a sharp wit? I just had to soak it all in!
However, while the performers were smashing it, let me tell you, darling, my outfit caused quite a stir! Now, in this particular year, they hadn't fully grasped the transformative power of a pink tutu yet. Let me just say that there were plenty of raised eyebrows!
The way some people were looking at my majestic pink tulle confection, you'd think they'd never seen anything like it! Oh honey, it's a shame they couldn't appreciate the sheer artistry, the beauty, the feminine power of the perfect pink tutu!
They hadn't truly seen the light, you know what I mean? Still, I sashayed through the club with grace and poise, all smiles, like the true queen I am!
The music playing was a beautiful mix of jazzy tunes and classical pieces, reminding me of my days in my Derbyshire ballet school. It just seemed right to twirl and prance around in my pink tutu, didn't it, darling? The ballet was still an exciting, elegant world then. I love how it was already influential on fashion! I can definitely see the connection to this dramatic, exaggerated drag.
And can I tell you about the gorgeous costumes? It seems like in 1941, feathers and sequins were already a drag queen staple, even for these more "masculine" styles! The ladies (and gentlemen!) used fabric and sparkle like true masters, and there were some absolutely sensational sequined jackets on display!
Oh, how I wanted to raid those wardrobes! Maybe next time!
It was such a wonderful treat for a drag queen like myself! Honestly, the vibrancy and creativity of the drag community in this era, even with the war on, is nothing short of inspiring. It showed me that fabulousness has always thrived, through every challenge and every crisis, through the ups and downs of life.
So, that's it for today, darlings. I'll be jetting off to another fabulous time and place next month, and I can't wait to share my adventures with you!
Until then, don't forget to rock that pink tutu! Every day is a perfect opportunity to embrace your fabulous self!
Love,
Emma
XOXO
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