Hello my darlings! Emma here, ready to whisk you off on another exciting adventure through time! Today, my pink tutu has transported me back to 7th July 1942! And oh my goodness, the excitement is practically bursting out of my seams!
Just picture it, lovelies: the war is raging across the world, but there's a glimmer of fabulousness in the air, a feeling that life goes on, even with all the chaos. We've gotta have our entertainment, our glamour, our escape!
But before we dive into the drag scene of 1942, a quick fashion update! Now, I've been scouring the internet, trawling through archives and even peeked into a vintage shop or two to get the perfect 40s look. We're talking sleek lines, cinched waists, full skirts, and, of course, the pièce de rÊsistance - a fabulous pink feather boa. Honestly, I could get lost in the glamour of the 1940s for days! The fabric textures, the silhouettes, the statement hats - it's like stepping into a vintage fashion magazine, darling. And let's not forget about the perfect shade of pink lipstick for that pouty 40s glam, like cherry blossom petals, perfectly accentuated with a dash of rouge!
So where did this fabulous trip in time land us, you ask? Well, it all happened in New York City, the city that never sleeps - not even in wartime, apparently!
Now, remember my dearies, 1942 was the midst of WWII, so you'll find a mix of optimism and anxieties hanging in the air, like a cloud of cigarette smoke and perfume.
I decided to start my exploration at the Village Vanguard, darling! Yes, itâs one of those iconic venues that's just always had the most iconic drag queens performing, a history dating back even before my time traveling began, to 1935, to be precise. This little dive bar - well, venue is too fancy a word for it - has seen so much history, you could practically smell it in the air! I could picture Judy Garland singing âOver the Rainbowâ here just a couple of years back, darling. I wouldnât be surprised if Marlene Dietrich took to the stage with her sharp wit and smoking good looks, would I, dearies? There is a certain je ne sais quoi about these places.
Now, the 1940s drag scene in the US was bursting with talent and energy. Let's talk about the iconic and the fabulous:
"Kiki" Robert," the first recorded black drag queen in New York City, was a legendary character from the 1930s. Although her exact birthdate remains a mystery, Kiki was already performing drag on stage as a woman of colour during the 1940s in the US! This woman is pure drag history, my dears! Just think of her resilience, the sheer willpower it took to be an artist like that at that time!
The notorious and legendary "Divine," whose full name was Harris Glenn Milstead, actually was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1945. This little detail gives me the perfect excuse to talk about John Waters, darling, the true director of âPink Flamingosâ (released 1972) - that movie made an entire generation gag and is now considered one of the most outrageous and controversial drag films of all time, though you'd have to watch it to see what we are all talking about! If this movie's anything to go by, Divine definitely understood her âdiva-nessâ, just a few short years after I traveled to 1942, my dearies! She truly carved her own unique place in history!
But the drag scene in 1942 was more than just New York, though. Even though we didnât have internet or online news back in 1942, think about how quickly stories travelled back then! Imagine the fabulous whispers reaching across the seas:
Letâs travel to London! Even though England was at war, London had its share of theatrical and cabaret performances! The famous Moulin Rouge on London's famous Piccadilly Circus played host to countless performances of burlesque and cabaret, just like we're accustomed to, even when you were too young to understand, love. Although it is rumored that London drag shows got shut down when war broke out. They are, however, a truly fantastic part of the drag story to be explored for future time traveling posts! You'll also find me, in the future, exploring how London had one of the worldâs earliest female impersonation performers - known as the âQueen of The Empire' in the 1870s. That's why London drag history is so special to me.
And did I mention drag on stage? It was booming, honey! There were theatrical shows all across the globe featuring some incredible queens. Imagine being surrounded by so much artistry, with your heart pounding as you're completely engrossed in the spectacle before you. Just like I experience at each of my own performances!
As always, lovelies, I'm so excited to have shared another day with you all in time! I hope you enjoyed the journey. And remember, let your inner sparkle shine, because every day is a chance to celebrate our unique selves, our stories, and our beautiful and complex history.
And never forget, there's a pink tutu out there waiting for everyone, so go on and find yours!
Until next time, darlings, keep it glamorous and keep on rocking!
Emma XO
*Donât forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com! *
