Hiya darlings! Your girl Emma here, back with another dazzling diary entry from the pinkest time-traveling tutu in the world! This month, I’ve zipped through time to the grand year of 1944. Now, while we're knee-deep in sequins and glitter today, 1944 was, shall we say, a bit of a drag, literally! World War II was raging, and let’s face it, drag queens weren't exactly the top priority.
But hey, don’t think for a minute that the spirit of drag went into hiding! Just like the fearless women working in factories and nursing the wounded, drag queens carried on, showcasing their creativity and joy in subtle ways.
As I floated down in my time-traveling pink tutu, the first thing I noticed was the somber mood on the streets. But, I’m a pink-loving ray of sunshine, so I decided to spread a bit of that around!
A Whirlwind Through Time!I sashayed right into New York City, the home of glamour. I saw the incredible costumes designed for Broadway plays - I mean, those feathered headpieces and dazzling sequined dresses, they were practically begging to be spun in a pink tutu! Though, most theatres were dark, even Broadway, but they were holding on to that dream. I saw that drag queen spirit in the smiles on the faces of those still entertaining, bringing hope to those who were hurting. The joy of music and dancing, no matter how subdued, brought hope and a bit of escapism in those tough times.
Over in London, I felt the heartbeat of drag history. While war restrictions meant most drag events were out of sight, it felt so vital. This time, drag queens had to be even more creative to make their artistry happen!
The underground became the stage. I imagined cabaret shows in darkened basement bars, fueled by laughter, glitter and gin! A drag queen is always a queen, whether she’s performing for a roaring crowd or for a handful of loyal friends in a smoke-filled back room.
The Power of Performance: Finding Joy In Times of NeedThat’s what I love most about drag – it's an art form that allows you to embrace your inner diva, to put on a show that leaves audiences breathless. Drag queens were (and still are!) masters of escapism and resilience.
I found that the glamour wasn’t always in full sight during 1944. Think of it like a flower blooming in the harshest conditions! Drag queens made the most of what they had, transforming ordinary objects into extraordinary costumes and sharing a taste of laughter and light in a time that sorely needed it.
Fashion From Then & NowBack in Derbyshire, where my roots are, the vintage stores were brimming with inspiration! 1940s style is having a massive comeback right now. Imagine: those high-waisted dresses, tailored jackets, and headscarves – the perfect base for a pink tutu to dance around on! I scored myself a fantastic pair of ruby-red heels (because you can never have enough shoes, right?) and found the perfect 1940s style frock that perfectly complimented my pink tutu! I absolutely had to post it to my social media, of course!
Pink Tutu Power!As a true ambassador for pink, I am here to say that wearing a pink tutu isn’t just about looking fabulous (though, let's face it, we all know it looks amazing!). It's about making a statement. It's about finding joy in the little things, and about showing the world that a dash of pink goes a long way!
So, go on and grab your pink tutu, darlings. Whether it's 1944 or 2024, spread a little love and glitter wherever you go!
Until next month, darlings!See you over at www.pink-tutu.com! Don’t forget to tell me your best pink tutu moments in the comments!
Hugs & Kisses,
Emma, The Time-Traveling Ballerina Queen!