Darling darlings, welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your one-stop shop for all things sparkly and fabulous! Your girl Emma's here, and today we're taking a little trip back in time, all the way to 10th October 1945! Oh, the glamour! Imagine, dear, a world just emerging from war, and yet still pulsating with the excitement of fashion and performance! Now, that's the kind of vintage magic I adore!
Before I hop into the pink time-traveling tutu (which is absolutely pristine, by the way, not a single tear on it thanks to a quick trip to the dry cleaners!), let me give you a quick rundown of how this monthly adventure works. See, darling, your girl Emma isn't just your typical drag queen. We do more than strut our stuff on the stage - we shimmy, shake, and twirl through history, sharing the story of our fabulous foremothers, and making the world a little more pink tutu fabulous one journey at a time. The drag scene provides my sustenance. All the fabulous funds from my glamorous performances go right back into this glorious venture, a pink, tulle-swirled vortex of sparkly time travel. Who knew a bit of camp could get you around the globe?
Now, back to 10th October 1945! I arrive in London, fresh off the pink tutu express (a bit bumpy, the post-war fuel is still a little rough around the edges), ready to take in the scene. And you know what, darlings? The energy in the air is ELECTRIC! The war's over, the troops are home, and everyone's in the mood for a good time. The streets are a swirling kaleidoscope of colours and smiles, with a youthful exuberance you just can't find in this day and age!
For a peek into the fashion scene, darling, picture a wave of pastel hues, the kind of pastel dreams you find in a vintage magazine. A sea of dresses with full skirts and dainty hats - it's a feast for the eyes! Now, that's a little different from our modern era, don't you think? But don't get me wrong, the style's so sophisticated! Imagine a kind of "sophisticated yet demure," all the way from head to toe! Now, a fashionable queen from Derbyshire like myself, I naturally have my eyes set on that kind of elegance!
But where to find a proper drag show, you ask? Oh, honey, don't even worry about it! You see, post-war Britain, for all its drab times, also boasts a vibrant and thriving entertainment scene. The music halls are alive with performers, singers, and dancers all showcasing their talent. Drag acts are all the rage! In London, I hear tales of "the Blitz spirit," that incredible resilience and thirst for entertainment. Of course, the shows weren't your modern-day polished perfection. The venues were more rustic, maybe even a little run-down. Think more smoky jazz clubs and underground pubs, but with all the same exuberance and spirit!
As I wander around, I hear a hush fall over the crowd. Now, darling, a hush is an art form, you see? It tells you a performance is about to start. I slip into a swanky jazz club (complete with a velvet curtain and a mirrored stage, of course! This is vintage London after all). The music starts, and suddenly a chorus of male dancers emerge on the stage, performing in a spectacle of camp! The crowd is captivated by their costumes and charisma. And darling, the crowd? That's an experience in itself. You've got working-class heroes in their best suits, their wives looking every bit the chic post-war ladies in their modest but perfectly styled dresses! And they're ALL just soaking it up! I'm in my own world now, lost in the magic! A world full of hidden gem acts that were the seeds of drag history and inspired generations of queenly trailblazers!
In fact, darling, it was about this time - I'm looking at my pink pocket watch (you never go anywhere without a good watch when time-traveling! Especially when it matches your tutu) – that the drag queens of America started hitting the big time, so to speak. Oh, the fabulous audacity of them all! Imagine, these trailblazers braved a more restrictive environment to claim their place in the world! In the mid 40's they were at their height!
Here, I met one particularly glamorous queen named “Peggy”. Oh darling, this is a classic tale! A classic "take that!" from one of my favourite drag queens in all of history! Imagine, honey, this incredible woman with a name as beautiful as a ballad, performing to roaring crowds! Her outfits, honey, you have no idea. Think flamboyant outfits, think gowns of bold color, imagine hats with extravagant feathers that could make even the grandest birds in a feather show feel jealous! Oh, she made my little pink tutu pale in comparison. This kind of fierce, beautiful self-expression just melts my heart, darlings. It’s so refreshing to see this spark of artistic bravery burning so bright during that time, isn’t it?
Let me share a tidbit of gossip: This Peggy lady was known for bringing her personal touches to each show, mixing music genres and fashion styles like it was second nature to her. It’s her blend of sophistication and extravagance, along with her theatrical genius, that sets her apart as a truly exceptional figure! It’s so inspiring, don’t you think, darlings? It reminds me that drag is more than just a stage performance; it’s an embodiment of self-expression. And that’s something to celebrate.
Well, darlings, it's getting late here, my time traveling pink tutu has got me itching to go! And I haven’t even started talking about the fashion scene in America. We’ll talk about that another time.
And always remember darlings, you don't have to have a pink time-traveling tutu (although, honestly, what's life without one? ;) to discover drag history! I invite you to delve into this rich world yourself - watch old films, read vintage magazines, visit historical drag venues. And most importantly, remember: every time you wear a pink tutu, you’re celebrating our extraordinary drag heritage and joining the journey of the beautiful, dazzling, drag world!
See you all next time, darlings, and don't forget to wear pink!
Emma xXx
[Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to keep up to date with all your favourite drag queen time travel posts!]
