#DragQueenHistory during 1950 10 October

Hello darlings, Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling companion, and it's time for another whirlwind journey through the glorious history of drag! This month, we're setting our time-traveling tutu to the 10th of October, 1950 - a date that feels oh-so-retro chic, don't you think?

Let me tell you, my loves, getting my time machine prepped for this trip was no mean feat. My dear, the drag world back then was a little bit hush-hush, like a secret party you didn't quite know about, but desperately wanted to be in on. Now, I don't want to say it was a case of "drag under wraps" – we have a little rhyme in Derbyshire for that! - but it certainly wasn't on billboards like it is now. Still, a few brave souls were paving the way, and I just had to be a part of it all, pink tutu and all!

Remember how we're celebrating the wonderful world of theatre this year? Well, my loves, 1950 was all about the show! I managed to snag tickets to a performance by none other than Josephine Baker. This phenomenal woman - the original "black swan," let's face it - had already conquered the Parisian stage, wowed audiences all over Europe, and was becoming a global icon for her trailblazing talent. She's said to be the highest-paid female entertainer at the time! She'd perform everything, from sultry music hall numbers to captivating Broadway productions – a true chameleon, my loves! I tell you, Josephine Baker could twirl a feather boa and steal the show faster than you can say “voilà!” I swear, I was sitting there in the audience with my mouth wide open, absolutely mesmerized.

Of course, we mustn’t forget our British drag queen stars. Did you know the famous theatre director, Sir Noel Coward, wrote a play back in 1949, a hilarious satire called "Ace of Clubs" that involved two drag roles! Can you imagine! Two fabulous divas on the stage? The theatre world must have been absolutely electric, my dears! Now, some folks tell me this was one of the first "gender bending" roles to come out on the London scene and was met with great applause and laughter.

Speaking of laughter, I also caught a show with my bestie, Pollyanna, at the infamous Windmill Theatre! It’s said to have been a “strip-tease venue” which sounds utterly fabulous, but this was way before my time. Now, the only stripping I’ll be doing is off my fabulous pink tutu. So there you go, darling.

But, remember this was just the beginning. It was a world where "drag" might have been a whisper, a secret society that existed beneath the surface of everyday life. We still have so much more to discover!

Now, to talk about fashion! I mean, darling, I couldn't possibly visit 1950 without a little shopping spree, right? My pink tutu was just begging for a fashion fix. The look was all about full skirts, slinky gowns, and elegantly fitted jackets. Let's face it, the world loved their femininity back then. Oh, and let’s not forget the accessories – gloves! So much glam, even for the simplest of dresses, darling. Now, those beautiful ladies in full-skirted gowns have a lot to answer for; you just couldn't stop those swirling, swooshing fabrics. If I were back then, my pink tutu would have been front row.

And then there were the hats! Every woman was sporting a hat of some kind. We're talking everything from pillboxes and fascinators to dramatic feathered creations! You name it, my loves. This truly was a glorious time for feminine fashion. It reminded me, it’s quite possible my little pink tutu might just be one of those glamorous hats that made the fashion scene.

Oh! And how can we forget lipstick! Scarlet was all the rage, darling. It was that touch of daring red on lips that added a splash of drama to every ensemble. So there you have it! My trip to 1950 brought back a true love of glamorous hats, stunning outfits, and the most decadent shades of scarlet! Oh, I've got a few new tricks up my sleeve for our next big Pink-Tutu fashion show, and I cannot wait!

I left 1950 feeling inspired! Though the drag scene might have been in its early stages back then, the foundations for our beautiful world today were already in place. These women weren't afraid to break boundaries, embrace their individuality, and share their artistic vision with the world, even if it was often behind closed doors.

So next time you're twirling in your fabulous getup, give a little thank you to the bold souls of 1950 who paved the way. Remember, my loves, you're making history every single time you take to the stage!

Until next month, keep sparkling and never, ever stop believing in the magic of a pink tutu!

All my love,

Emma xo