Hello my darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind adventure through time! This month, I've dipped my toe into the glamour of August 1950, and let me tell you, the pink-tutu possibilities were unreal!
Now, let’s talk about how I get about, darling! Every month, when the full moon shimmers in a dusky pink hue, my magical, oh-so-pink tutu turns into a shimmering time-machine! Think, ‘Back to the Future’ meets a sprinkle of fairy dust, with a healthy dose of tulle. And as my time travelling kicks in, you’d best believe I always look the part – a shimmering vision in tulle, sequins, and a touch of feather boas! It’s a secret I keep close to my bosom, only revealed during my glittering, fundraising drag shows here in Derbyshire. You can't travel through time on nothing, darlings! (Honestly, it costs a fortune in feather boas, darling!)
Right, back to our jaunt in 1950! This particular trip landed me in the heart of the United States, smack bang in the middle of New York City. Imagine the glitter! The lights! The anticipation! Now, I'm no stranger to drag in the modern age, but this time travel experience gave me a fascinating peek at the drag scene of another era. And you'll never believe this… back then, drag was considered a form of entertainment for all – not just confined to the nightclubs or theatres we see today! You’d see performers everywhere, on the street, in the parks, at festivals - and the sheer variety was amazing.
Imagine my delight when I found myself at a "Drag Ball" – think of a camp picnic with all the drama! It was just as the name suggested: a full-blown event, held in a park, bursting with a mishmash of glamorous characters and theatrical delights.
The atmosphere was electrifying. You had dancers with fantastically high hair, the biggest petticoats you could imagine, and even drag kings with sharp suits, posing in an undeniably fierce way. Honestly, darling, these guys made modern-day Drag Race looks positively pedestrian.
But what really made the evening truly magical? A legendary queen – a truly fabulous character known as " Crystal Labeija” – a visionary, a master of the form, the heart and soul of this entire scene, her presence electrifying the entire place! (Okay, so we may have got slightly carried away with a cough very small time travelling ‘interference’ with her fabulous gown – and ended up accidentally changing the entire history of fashion design forever! giggles)
And then there was “The Mother of All Drag Balls", the epic extravaganza taking place in the same week! Think RuPaul's Drag Race on a whole other scale! These Balls were incredible, full of pageantry and extravagance, showcasing a mix of performance, design, and beauty. And if you're anything like me, darling, the most fabulously camp moment was watching queens vying for a crown, or strutting their stuff down the runway in flamboyant gowns and feathered headpieces – and yes, my dears, we were living for that look back then, too. They were daring, they were stylish, and let’s be honest, their make-up game was on point. It was clear that the creative force and talent of drag artists back then were seriously out of this world.
But the 1950's were more than just glamour. There was also the hidden side to drag. The realities of being LGBTQ+ in those days were definitely not easy. Sadly, despite the magic of the shows and the beautiful performers, there was also persecution and stigma, especially in many parts of the US. It was the time of the “Lavender Scare” and things were tough for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Even going out dressed up for a show was considered a criminal offence! I mean, really? Honestly, the audacity!
I'll admit, it wasn’t a smooth trip, darling, and there were certainly moments of feeling a bit "out of place". I was worried about my time travelling “Pink-tutu Outfit Of The Day”, worrying how I'd be perceived in such a different era, especially as things were a bit, shall we say, “grey” back then, for anyone daring to be their true selves. Thankfully, though, I soon discovered, my sparkly time travelling outfit wasn’t a problem at all. I’m pretty sure my pink tutu, adorned with every possible shiny embellishment and feather boa, would have been the talk of New York City – no one would have even questioned my pinkness! Honestly, this pink tutu gets me everywhere – it's almost magical how people react to pink! It's a total ice-breaker, and trust me, even the biggest, baddest queen back then wouldn't dare stand up to a pink tutu! The power of a pink tutu can’t be underestimated, darling!
I came to realise, however, the 1950s was a turning point in history, with many pushing the boundaries, carving their own space. As I met and spoke with drag performers – some were open about their lives, others more secretive – it was evident that drag, despite being challenging in certain spheres, had always held this incredible power: to express, to embrace individuality, to unite a community through its sheer joy, to create spaces of acceptance, to celebrate diversity and just have an absolutely fabulous time! And the incredible thing? That essence of joy and artistic expression is a powerful truth, one that rings true across time and continents!
As my trip wound down, and I slipped back into my own time, my heart brimmed with a mix of awe, a sense of camaraderie and a desire to share what I learned. Honestly, knowing that those same spirit of inclusivity and dazzling talent were already present in those years back, well, it gave me this sense of pink confidence to spread the message even more! If these queens could dance their hearts out under a gaze that wasn't always kind, I can certainly stand out in my fabulous pink tutu – especially these days – in our time – where celebrating uniqueness and diversity is at the core of drag.
So darling, don’t be afraid to wear your pink tutu! It’s a symbol of bravery, creativity, and just plain good fun! I’ve learned that history doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s full of moments like those fabulous balls in 1950, moments that speak to our present – moments that teach us to keep embracing our individuality. So, here’s to pink, here’s to the sparkle of self-expression, and most importantly, to every fabulous pink tutu-wearing individual, ready to embrace the joy of drag in its fullest!
As always, if you love drag, pink, time travel (well, you may need a magical pink tutu for that one!) don't forget to come to my next Drag Show here in Derbyshire. And most importantly – join me at the www.pink-tutu.com – I can't wait to see your outfits, hear your stories, and embrace this wonderful world of pink-tutu joy!
Love and glitter,
Emma x
