#DragQueenHistory during 1955 01 January

Hiya darlings! It's your girl, Emma, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! You know, it's been a bit of a wild ride these past few weeks, darling. I've been crisscrossing the globe, attending shows, soaking up the atmosphere, and generally getting my fabulous on! But, as always, I'm back to share my journey with you lovelies. Today's journey? 1st January 1955. Put on your best pink tutu, darling, because we're taking a trip back in time!

Honestly, you won't believe the fab discoveries I've made! You know I can't keep a secret, so grab a cuppa and get ready for some vintage fabulousness!

You know, I can never get over the magic of time travel. One minute I'm on the cobbled streets of Derbyshire, rocking my signature pink tutu for a charity fundraiser, and the next I'm whisked away to another time, another place. My trusty pink tutu, bless her sequins, always gets me there in style!

This time, my pink tutu shimmered me to 1st January 1955, a time when drag was a hush-hush thing, only for the bravest of souls! Think hidden bars, underground scenes, and whispers of glitter amongst the smoke.

Now, you'd be surprised by what I found! It might seem a million years ago to us, but in the US, Harlem, New York City, was a beehive of drag activity. Forget ballrooms and big-budget performances, this was about intimate gatherings in basement bars.

And honestly, the costumes were something else. Think elegant satin and sequins, hats dripping with feathers, and lots and lots of lipstick! I was absolutely spellbound by the sheer boldness of it all, considering the societal restrictions of the time. These pioneers, they had courage, darling, enough to fill a ballroom full of pink tutus!

They didn't have the same access to the makeup and costumes that we enjoy today, so they truly had to improvise. You could find them on corners in drag, peddling cigarettes or candies, earning a few shillings, blending into the crowd, but then bringing a burst of glamour when they least expected it.

And what did I learn about their music? Oh honey, jazz! Swinging tunes that brought the heat, creating the most electrifying energy in those little spaces! If you love a good beat, this is where it started, dear. I felt a little piece of my soul light up dancing to the music!

You'll never guess what I found while I was there! In a back alley, I stumbled upon a tailor. He wasn't just any tailor - he made gowns, oh honey, gowns for the goddesses of drag. I felt like I had just stepped into a fairytale! This was before those extravagant costume shops on the Strip in Las Vegas! These pioneers, they created everything by hand. The imagination they had, the craftsmanship! It just floored me, darling. They truly had to work with what they had, but their dedication, their sheer passion, that was inspiring.

And if you thought the drag scene was the only fabulousness around in 1955, you'd be wrong, darling. Oh no, fashion was a wild and wonderful world in its own right! Remember when the Christian Dior "New Look" came about in '47? The ladies were obsessed with this glamorous look of wide skirts and nipped-in waists, and I can see why! The femininity, the silhouette, the bold statement, it all played right into the "femme fatale" look of those days. And wouldn't you know it? Drag queens took those looks and added their own twist, creating something truly sensational. The colours! The textures! And the confidence they exuded. I swear, the entire city of New York shimmered with an electrifying sense of fabulousness.

And it was this visit, my darling, that solidified my mission. I can't just keep this incredible history tucked away, it needs to be celebrated! Our drag sisters and brothers who came before us fought for the freedom we enjoy today. So, here I am, taking a journey back in time, but also building a journey forward! And it starts with a pink tutu, darlings!

Remember, every time you put on a pink tutu, you're adding a touch of sparkle to the world. Whether you're at a drag show, strutting down the street, or simply going about your day, your pink tutu becomes a symbol of inclusivity, a celebration of expression.

Let's bring the magic of drag into everyday life, because it’s about so much more than costumes. It's about acceptance, individuality, finding our own sparkle and sharing it with the world! So go on, get out there and embrace your inner pink tutu diva. And if you do, snap a photo, share it, and let the magic continue.

And next time I’m off to, well you’ll just have to wait and see!

XOXO Emma