Hiya darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina. It's August 8th, 1948, and this fabulous fashionista has just landed back from a whirlwind trip to, well, let's just say the 1940s in America! You won't believe the adventures I've had.
Now, darling, I know what you're thinking, "Emma, August 8th? What happened on that day? Did you bump into Marilyn in a powder-puff pink boudoir?!" I'm glad you asked, because August 8th, 1948 was extra in more ways than one, my love! Let's rewind the tape and see what all the fuss was about...
The day itself was a hot one! I'd popped over to Los Angeles in my magic pink tutu, which, if you don't know already, darling, is the best way to travel! It was positively sweltering! It seems the 1940s weren't quite as glamorous as they're painted - even the ladies with the sleek, beehive hairdos were struggling!
However, amidst the stifling summer heat, there was something bubbling - a movement of the most fabulous kind! That's right, darlings, the underground drag scene was flourishing. Now, remember, darling, it was the late 40s - a very different world for drag performers! Drag, as we know it, was far less openly embraced. So, where were the dazzling drag balls? The glamorous nightclubs? Well, dear readers, it was happening under the radar, in little hidden bars and basement gatherings, hidden in plain sight. The atmosphere was electrifying.
I must tell you, seeing these performers work in these secret spots, under the threat of social rejection or even prosecution - it was a reminder that, yes, our pink tutus may be our armour, but the resilience of our fabulous community will never fade. The energy in those spaces was potent.
But what about the fashions, you ask? Oh darling, you know I adore a good sartorial journey! I couldn't believe my eyes! We're talking daring use of colour, the most creative makeup, and ladies! Don't even get me started on the hats! Feathers, sequins, and oh! The hair! It was all swirled and slashed to heaven, the bouffants were as high as the Hollywood sign. They even wore their dresses tight enough to make an air hostess faint. And you know what, dear? They pulled it off. It was simply divine.
The stars of these underground scenes were brave and defiant. I saw a drag act in a small club, which looked as if it hadn't been painted since the 1920s, but that wasn't what made it spectacular. This one lady - she had the voice of an angel and was wearing the most glamorous feathered outfit - she was simply captivating. The whole room went quiet as she performed, as if everyone was held under her spell.
As my magical pink tutu swished through the night, I felt myself pulled by a magnetic attraction, towards a building with a bright, red neon sign. 'The Pink Flamingo' it said, bathed in a haze of cigarette smoke. I had a hunch it was going to be a night to remember, dear! And it was!
I felt so lucky to experience drag in this very specific period. It was an era where there were strict social norms, but drag was pushing against them, taking the freedom of expression into its own hands.
And oh, dear! If you think our social media game today is hot - wait until you hear about what was going on in 1948! Gossip was king - there were so many whispers, and so much was happening off the record! People would gather around telephones in smoky cafes, chattering, passing on secrets and updates. That night, I swear I heard someone mention that Marlene Dietrich had secretly made a 'call' to a club on Broadway. Talk about rumours swirling faster than a sequin on a feather boa!
So, as my magic pink tutu swooped me back through the portal, leaving the 40s behind, I had to ponder - what are our lessons from this era, dear readers? What are we holding onto in 2023 that keeps our pink tutus so bright, our feathers so high? The answer is that the fight for self-expression, for our right to strut, spin, and shimmer in our own unique style - it never ends.
As the time-travel dust settled on my magnificent pink tulle, I couldn't help but ponder what amazing shows awaited me on my next journey! Who knows where next August's pink tutu adventure will take me, but one thing's for certain, darling - my passion for the beauty of the history of drag and our amazing pink tutu-clad community will keep my time machine running!
Love, Emma xox
*P.S. Don't forget, darlings, head over to www.pink-tutu.com to check out our latest drag news and join me on our next amazing pink-tutu journey! *
