Hello darlings! Welcome back to your favourite #DragQueenHistory blog! It's your gal, Emma, ready to twirl you right back to the golden age of drag!
Now, grab your pinkest tulle, because this month we're waltzing our way back to July 7th, 1949! Oh darling, what a fabulous day! Can you imagine, the sun is shining (I hope! ), the birds are singing, and the world is ripe with the delicious aroma of glamour!
As you all know, my time traveling tutu takes me wherever my fabulous heart desires. This month, the cosmic tulle threads spun me right back to a truly glamorous decade – the 1940s! Think vintage gowns, bobby-sox, and a whole lotta sass.
But first, darlings! Let's get into a bit of local Derbyshire history. I've got some delightful little tea shops and tearooms from that era in my little town. The ladies would get their daily dose of tea, scones, and gossiping with their besties. And let's not forget, the '40s were also a time when those iconic drag ballrooms started popping up.
I don't have any actual drag events for 7th July, 1949 - this far back the record keeping is pretty rough - but think about how drag and performance art were probably in full swing across the globe! Maybe there were secret, underground balls in New York City, a riotous performance in Paris, or a drag queen impersonating the Queen herself in a London theatre (hopefully, not wearing the same clothes!). We're not quite there with the historical record, but we can still let our imaginations twirl!
Let's not forget that we are here because of what happened before - and this month we can celebrate those who paved the way for us to walk the stage with confidence!
And let me tell you, my lovelies, my time traveling tutu certainly didn’t disappoint. I went gallivanting through the streets of New York City. You wouldn't believe the energy buzzing! Every night was filled with fabulous cabaret shows, with women channeling every shade of beauty, talent and, most importantly, sass! The 1940s were a time of exploration and a chance for folks to be unapologetically them!
And London, oh London, darling! I took a stroll down the vibrant, bustling streets of Soho and got swept up in the sheer beauty of the theatre scene!
Oh, my dear readers! I have a very exciting reveal for you! My latest trip was an utter stroke of luck! I waltzed into a vintage clothing shop – picture racks and racks of glorious fabrics in a symphony of colour! Imagine my utter delight when I found a stunning sequined pink tutu hidden in a corner, completely untouched! I immediately swiped it (with a wink to the shop owner, of course! ) - how could I leave such an exquisite treasure behind?! It's gonna be my go-to look for my next big drag show – stay tuned to the website!
I must admit, I even stumbled upon a beautiful old photo from that era - a glimpse into drag history and drag queen's stories, so full of passion and joy. I saw the spark of self-expression in the eyes of those early drag icons - a flame they so bravely and passionately carried to keep the art of drag alive.
Now, let's take a step back into the world of drag as we know it! While drag may be celebrated more openly today, it's vital to remember its rich and often underappreciated history.
As a reminder, my dearest pink tutu aficionados, my mission is to bring the vibrant beauty and wonder of the pink tutu to every corner of the world! It's all about expressing yourself with fabulousness. So, grab your pink tulle, find your inner queen, and spread some love and sass. The world is your stage!
That’s all, folks!
Till next time, darling! Keep it pink, keep it fabulous and most importantly, keep on twirling!
