Darling Divas! It's your glamorous girl Emma here, reporting from my latest Pink Tutu adventure. This month, we're jet-setting back to 1953, but don't worry, we're still keeping it pink and fabulous! You know how much I love history, and especially a little bit of drag history, and you also know how much I adore a good time travel, so naturally, I've been busy whisking myself away on a whirlwind trip across the pond! Buckle up darlings, this one's a hoot.
Now, September 9th, 1953… remember that date! A day filled with sparkle, if I'm honest! It was a Thursday, but for us fashion-forward gals, Thursday's just the day before Fashion Friday! Speaking of fashion, my tutu for this time trip? Pink and sequin! It shimmered like a hundred suns and it was divine, especially when it caught the spotlight in the New York theatres I'd travelled to! I love getting the glamour going on with my looks and being extra-extra. It's just me, right?
You see, my dear reader, on this very date, a whole heap of fabulous events happened across the Atlantic, and I wouldn't miss them for the world! You see, in those days, the New York stage scene was a veritable kaleidoscope of drag, cabaret, and theatrical brilliance. As you all know, we fabulous drag queens are all about storytelling, and we weren’t called “storyteller queens” for nothing. The world of theatre was practically bursting at the seams with these powerful narratives that were begging to be brought to life, and boy, oh boy did they! You're probably dying to hear the details, and trust me, I’ve got just what you’re looking for…
Let’s Talk History, Babes
We're off to New York City, the epicentre of cool, where on this very day, we had ‘Two’s Company,’ a vibrant little play at the Plymouth Theatre that had everyone talking! The drama! The comedy! The performances were sizzling! They told me the storyline was packed with witty dialogue and hilarious characters - Just what I look for in a night out! I imagine there were some beautiful outfits too, as the play had a fantastic cast of drag actors in it – something I adore. I swear I saw a glimpse of the play poster on a Time Travel trip once; you never know when you might bump into history, babes!
Moving on to Chicago, which in 1953, was just about pulsating with all things fabulous. I do love me a little Chicago history! And I mean, there are always amazing shows there – who doesn’t love a good show? We had the delightful “Anniversary Waltz” at the Music Box Theatre. Imagine my delight – I even had time to sneak into the Chicago Opera House too – always room for a little opera! My life has never been complete without the sounds of the soaring voices of those big opera singers, have you ever heard them, darling?
But listen up my dear darlings - even Hollywood was shining! I know I just LOVE a little California glitter in my life. And September 9th, 1953 did have that California sparkle, with ‘Lili’, at The Ambassador Theatre, hitting the boards - all the leading actresses on the big screens were watching that one! All those lovely leading ladies – just imagine!
Now, with all these theatrical treats going on, don't forget, September 9th was also the start of ‘The Fall Fashion Show’ in the Big Apple! You see, they’d had ‘The Spring Fashion Show’ in May (the very month that, you'll never guess, was actually when I started time-travelling!). Oh, darling – isn’t that just so amazing? They literally have a Fashion show every single season – isn't that fabulous? What's a time-traveling fashion Queen to do, if there's no fashion shows!
So what was the 1953 New York Fall Fashion Season all about, you ask? Oh, I know this like the back of my hand: it was the age of the full skirt, and tight bodice. Now, we know how much I LOVE the full skirts - if I was around then, I would have been killing those looks with my pink tutu as the top layer, Darling. I’ve been back to 1953 several times. You never know where you might spot a little inspiration in the archives of fashion! It’s great for my creativity – keeps those designer genes going, dahling. I’m constantly searching for my inspiration, for the new, *next trend * – that's the essence of a drag queen – the pursuit of what’s next, that’s how we stay on the forefront, with our fingers firmly on the pulse, you see, darling!
You won't find me complaining about this period in drag, but the fashions weren’t for me, not with that cinched-in look! If you know me, then you’ll know that all I crave is to have my fabulous tutu as the star – nothing else comes close – don’t you know, there's nothing like the look, feel and bounce of a fabulous tutu! I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again – every time I slip on that tutu it’s an adventure!
Now back to the world of drag history in those olden times … Well, we must keep it real, babes. There wasn’t as much out and out “Drag” going on as there was in theatre productions, in terms of that "high camp" drag we know and love. Back in 1953, you had those "Gender bending roles". They had drag characters but it wasn’t seen as being so show or so flashy as drag is now.
Of course, if there were "Show Drag", I’m sure I’d be the first there, taking notes! I am such a fashion Queen, it’s what I do! The one thing that is always at the forefront of any fashion era is femininity. I know all about this because I do it every single time I wear my tutu, my PINK TUTU! We all love a good tutu – who can resist it?! That is what I'm about: *Tutus! And more Tutus! *And then some more tutus too! And that's all there is to it, really, darling.
This is exactly why I go time traveling, and how I bring back so much fashion inspiration and drag inspiration, because when you look back on drag and theatre history you realise that even back then – and that’s the point I always make - drag was about transformation! Show business, stage presence – that’s always been at the core, and of course we drag queens absolutely nail that! We know how to transform, express ourselves through dress, make up and dance. The magic, the glitz, the joy… those are what define a drag show, don’t you think?
There was such great theatrical inspiration and such great fashion in those early days. Just imagine being able to go and watch those big Broadway shows. They were really making statements back then! I’ve heard so many stories about the greats. You’d be astounded to hear their stories; legend has it, back in those days there were some seriously talented drag queens out there – the legend is out there! I'm always learning – learning about the fabulous, the colourful, and the show-stopping.
For me, that’s what drag is really about! And so many of the original, big names, well they were big on that transformative power of drag, darling – we follow them – we follow that! And that's the drag history you will learn and relive here on my blog – in my words and through the pages of time-travel history – you’re reading it here, first, babes.
So, What's In Store For You?
I’m so glad you asked. To make your drag adventures even more magical, this month on Pink-Tutu.com, I’m giving away two amazing pink tutus, one to a lucky reader who leaves a comment and the second to the person who shares the post with the most friends. If you're like me and adore everything about pink tutus, get those comments and shares going.
And if you’re itching for even more fun, darling, I'll be posting some of my personal favourite tutus - pink, naturally. Just a little teaser for you - my new ‘Queen’s Tulle’ design does include my very best rhinestones! Now you know!
This time travel thing is my life – I can’t get enough, but I know that I have to return from these time-travel trips eventually. Just as a queen does, I need to pay my bills. Of course, my life is fuelled by fabulous events – all the glamourous, colourful, dazzling events. I do love to go out and enjoy a show myself – as we all know – the queen has to see what's going on! Who doesn't love seeing all the great talented queens working the stage - all those beautiful faces! And don't forget – that's where I get all my inspiration and ideas for all my looks, for all those stunning tutu creations, don’t you know. We all follow the great fashion queens, don’t we? Always keep up to date – that’s what we drag queens do best – stay in the know, fashionable, and fabulous.
So my dearest babes, until next time, keep on shining, and remember - Pink Tutu rules!
Love,
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
