Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad time traveller extraordinaire, ready to take you on another dazzling journey through the glorious history of drag. This month, we’re whisking ourselves back to 11th November 1953! Buckle up your petticoats, lovelies, it’s about to get glamorous.
Now, you might be thinking, 1953? What’s going on in the world of drag then? Don’t worry, my dears, it was a period of subtle sass and simmering creativity! Back then, drag was more of an underground scene, but it was definitely thriving in pockets around the globe.
So, to begin my time travelling adventures for this month, my sparkly, sequined, time-traveling tutu took me on a wild ride. This magical tutu took me on an expedition back to Derbyshire, England - home sweet home! The Derbyshire of the 1950s! Imagine it - all quaint pubs, cobblestone streets and, of course, some thrilling whispers of underground drag culture. Now, in the heart of Derby, right where my own journey began, there wasn't a huge, blazing spotlight on drag yet, but I found it nestled in the warmth of little gatherings, a flicker of a candle in a dimly lit basement - so full of life and sass!
Picture this, darlings! You’d walk down a cobblestone street in Derby - maybe heading to the bakery to get a fresh loaf and a few Victoria sponges, you’d hear whispers of a secret location – a private house where, tucked away, were underground drag performances. Imagine a dimly lit basement space – the only lights a flickering spotlight on the performers, the audience in their Sunday best, but not a stitch of lipstick or eye shadow on their faces – but instead – faces painted with surprise. Now, let's get serious - nobody knows how many drag performances happened back then. I love drag, I love researching drag, and yet even I can only unearth a small, hidden portion of it - that makes me so excited, like a delicious secret that no one but me has discovered!
I used my very own intuition to locate a particularly flamboyant night club – and I’m not just talking about its clientele, love! This one was as opulent as it could be in 1950s England! Let’s call it "The Emerald Tiara," because a touch of camp is always a delight!
This emerald-hued oasis was brimming with charisma. I mean, they were really making an entrance with every shimmy and sashay! You couldn’t escape the dazzling dresses, the glittering tiaras, and, of course, that touch of theatricality that makes drag what it is! The performances themselves were a mix of the familiar and the unknown. There were the classics like lip-syncing routines with a dose of glamorous showmanship, but also some really exciting bits of cabaret-inspired performances – I’ve always adored cabaret, and its early influence is really evident here! But there was also a bit more of a focus on theatrics and burlesque. Remember, we’re still decades before the “Golden Age of Drag”!
What did this mean for the ladies, I hear you ask? The style back in this era was full-blown femme fatale glamour! The “New Look” of fashion was big on bouffant hair, wide skirts – so think lots of layers of petticoats, think tulle and more tulle! A classic black dress and an even more classic red lip! The women back in 1953 - like many drag queens - wore a strong scarlet lip in a timeless fashion statement - a bit of defiance in an otherwise conservative time, you could say! The costumes were, of course, very much inspired by Hollywood glamour. I spotted plenty of corseted silhouettes, dramatic feathers and that alluring touch of feminine charm – because honestly, the femme fatale was everything back then. Imagine yourself walking past the "The Emerald Tiara” and looking through the tinted window, and being greeted with a world of sparkle! It’s easy to see why this would become a real life beacon of queerness, just like that!
But let’s move on to the drag show scene! You want drama? You want sparkle? This period in history was bursting at the seams with both!
Think back to the beginning of 1950s in London's West End, where the iconic "Moulin Rouge" was at the height of its glam! The cabaret scene was at a high point – which means plenty of showmanship on the streets, with big theatrical dance moves. Drag queens would create entire shows out of those famous French cabaret style dance sequences and routines!
And let's not forget Paris! Now, there's a story behind those beautiful couture designs in Paris! At this time, the famed Parisian designers were churning out iconic pieces that drag queens instantly adored! Think Dior’s "New Look", Chanel’s classic twists and elegance! These styles – these couture garments became the hottest items in drag. If a Parisian fashionista had a chance to buy some Dior, well, that's where the drag queen’s style went!
Across the globe, drag was simmering and bubbling with artistic creativity!
Now, as we delve into drag history, let's give a big shoutout to those queens, those heroes of the art, that were absolutely trailblazing! And we’re not just talking about America, but around the world! This was a time when pioneers from Europe to the Americas were bravely paving the way for drag as we know it today. The "Golden Age" of American drag would soon arrive, but these women and men - in 1950s Paris, London, New York - were paving the path with a sprinkle of pixie dust. They were pushing boundaries and daring to be seen!
Just like the iconic Parisian showgirl Josephine Baker, an early advocate for the fight against racism, in 1953. She toured Europe, spreading joy, talent and advocating for tolerance, while making fashion and style statements along the way! In an era where LGBTQ+ rights were far from embraced, she became an important voice - she certainly became a role model for the artists who came after.
But to fully understand where we're at in 2023 - and let’s not forget, we all love a bit of drama, don't we, darlings? - the 1950s was a turbulent time for LGBTQ+ folks, but in those challenges - in the shadows, on the edges of visibility - was the creation of new and different types of creativity - and with that, we found the genesis of drag culture and it’s evolution in every sense! So next time you are heading out in that fab pink tutu – you can just remember that history and progress, style and substance all have a little shimmer.
I had such a fabulous time diving into the history of 11th November, 1953, lovelies! I have to run for now but be sure to pop over to the www.pink-tutu.com site to tell me your favourite things from my time-traveling adventure - and tell me what time you’d like me to travel to next! You can even share a photo or video - a wink or a dance - because that is what this world of drag is all about! Oh and don't forget, darlings, my next drag performance is at the "Sparkling Starlight Cabaret" - and I'd love to see you there. Until next time!
Yours always, Emma.
