Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another journey through time in my oh-so-fabulous pink tutu! Iâm currently writing to you from the bustling, glittering, glamorous 1952, where I just witnessed a thrilling show! I must tell you all about it. I mean, I know it's February and cold outside (and by outside I mean in my beloved Derbyshire), but honey, trust me, this blog post is hotter than a disco ball under a disco ball!
Let's take a journey back in time to February 2nd, 1952, a time of bobby socks, poodle skirts, and â most importantly for us, my dears â a glorious, thriving drag scene! I adore the way drag history is woven into the fabric of the times, and this period is simply divine.
A Trip Down Memory Lane â and to New York City!
Imagine, darlings, New York City â the very heart of drag - vibrant, pulsing, and brimming with an energy only New York could possess. I'm absolutely smitten with how this period truly saw drag exploding into the public eye. The city became a magnet for all sorts of performers â the daring, the brave, the downright flamboyant! They were all there, each one leaving their own shimmering stamp on history.
Just think, as I arrived back in time on February 2nd, I would have been right in the middle of the crème de la crème of drag. Now, letâs not forget, 1952 is smack dab in the middle of the glorious Golden Age of Drag! Drag had made a strong impression in Broadway plays and movies, with stars like Julian Eltinge captivating audiences with their mesmerizing performances!
âThatâs My Drag!â (But not really...)
You can just imagine the buzz as the city's drag shows lit up the stage with fabulous costumes and electrifying performances. They'd have drag stars, who were often referred to as âfemale impersonators,â like Charles Pierce, Julie St. Pierre, and even the ever-fabulous Gypsy Rose Lee â you'll remember her from the infamous burlesque scene! This period really was a glorious time for the scene, darlings! It was about being fabulous and embracing your true self!
The magic of this period for me is that even though times were certainly different, they were also, as I like to say, wonderfully âen vogueâ for drag. Even if the shows and artists I witnessed wouldnât get me dressed for an evening, the spirit is simply fantastic!
The Drag Stars That Inspired My Pink Tutu
On my little jaunt back in time, I went straight for the dazzling drag show at The Club 52, on East 52nd Street. You could practically feel the electrifying energy from down the street, darlings. From the glittering sequin costumes to the sensational songs - this is where it all came together.
And, you know what? It inspired my pink tutu. Honestly! One of the drag queens I saw - so elegant, so graceful - was absolutely killing it on stage, wearing a pink tulle skirt with a delicate beaded top and, honestly, the most fabulous silver wings. Well, my dear readers, I was just floored. A light went off - just like the disco ball lights at that drag club! â and the image stuck with me, because as you know, pink is my signature colour, and this pink-tutu was the pink-tutu I was always destined to wear.
And since I'm here on this magnificent historical trip, you can just imagine my pink-tutu-fied joy when I popped into one of those fantastic fashion stores with everything from poodle skirts to satin jackets. You can't go back in time without going shopping, can you? And of course, a shopping trip for my lovely self wouldn't be complete without a trip to the fabulous Bergdorf Goodmanâs in NYC â an absolute haven of fashion! The stores had the most exquisite hats and a delightful assortment of stylish garments that could only be described as â drum roll please â the epitome of pure âdrag'! My shopping list was out of control, let me tell you, but there wasn't a single bit of self-control in this pink tutu!
Keeping it Fabulous: Supporting the Scene & Promoting Pink
Now, the beauty of being a drag queen, is not only enjoying a good time at shows and hitting the shops but also celebrating what the scene has to offer, darlings! You see, back in 1952, the scene was a world of its own, filled with an array of dazzling divas, all putting on stunning shows in New York City and other amazing metropolises around the world!
So, in true drag queen fashion, I just had to catch another show â youâll have to take my word for it, a whole lot more fabulousness than your local âDrag Raceâ in my humble opinion!
This time, we headed to New Yorkâs Theater district. Now, this is my kind of neighbourhood - itâs full of charm, a touch of naughtiness and always oozing glamour, like an exquisite feather boa. I must tell you, honey, I just love that âretro-vibesâ. They add such an alluring dash of sass to the scene.
So what did I witness, my dears?
That evening, we attended a production of âCall Me Madamâ, a sparkling musical, featuring Ethel Merman in the lead. She plays a wonderful, sassy woman with such an entertaining edge! Imagine, the entire show was one big celebration of fabulousness, like an impromptu pink tutu flash mob - you simply can't miss a show like that!
Afterward, we had to grab a drink! Honey, after such an exciting and fabulous day, I needed to mingle. Luckily for me, The Stork Club, where Ava Gardner and Elizabeth Taylor were often spotted in the same week! The atmosphere in this beautiful venue was electrifying, the cocktails just divine, and the glamorous guests added such a touch of flair to this beautiful scene!
Oh, my darling friends, just thinking back about 1952 takes me right back to that period of glitter and glamour. We live in the golden age of drag - but sometimes I have to remind myself that it wouldnât have happened if it werenât for all these pioneers â they really gave it their all, my dear!
So, if you love your history, if you love drag, if youâve ever wished you could get the inside scoop on dragâs most colourful era â make sure to drop by and visit âpink-tutu.comâ to keep up to date with my superbly fabulous monthly posts about my latest time-traveling adventures and drag journeys. And, remember, if you ever see me out, darling, throw a pink tutu my way! You know how I like them! And be sure to keep that tutu fashion tight, and stay fabulous!
This post was brought to you by the one and only Emma and her magnificent pink tutu, fueled by the sheer fabulousness of drag history and brought to you by Emmaâs Drag Revue â your ultimate one-stop shop for a glorious time travel extravaganza! Now, off I go â to get dressed in the finest pinkest tutu for the best performance this month at my little drag revue, my dearest!
Yours in Drag,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Donât forget to grab your own gorgeous pink tutu, from my exclusive online shop. All the proceeds are reinvested into drag history, and pink tutus!
P.P.S Join me next month for another adventure â you know I have a lot more amazing stories and sparkly outfits waiting in my time machine!
