Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time-travelling drag queen blogger, reporting live fromā¦ well, let's just say it's not Derbyshire!
This month's adventure has me twirling through the pages of history, landed slap-bang in the year 1957. I've got to admit, this particular year's a right little peach for the drag history books! There's so much going on that it's a bit of a challenge keeping up, so hold on to your wigs, girls, it's about to get glamorous!
My journey started with a little twinkle in my magic time-travelling pink tutu. (Gotta give a big thank you to the fairy godmother who knitted me this thing, it's pure magic, trust me). I knew straight away I wanted to be in New York on this date becauseā¦ well, who doesnāt want to see a fabulous drag performance at the Stonewall Inn? It's one of those landmark dates, don't you think? The kind of history that makes you want to shout from the rooftops, "Yes, we've come a long way!"
Oh darling, you can't even imagine how electrifying this place is! All those shimmering costumes, the intoxicating energy of the crowd, and letās not forget those iconic go-go dancersā¦ Honestly, my toes were tapping all night! I must say, though, these early drag shows were a far cry from the dazzling productions we enjoy today. But there's something absolutely magical about watching those pioneers paving the way, laying the foundation for the vibrant world of drag we have today.
My heart's bursting with pride just thinking about how the Stonewall Inn, although not a drag bar per se, has become a symbol of liberation and acceptance. A little bit of trivia, lovelies ā It was the year this very bar started to get recognised as a place for queer people to truly let loose, becoming the centre of a new kind of drag scene, which, to me, feels like the heart and soul of drag.
Of course, I couldnāt leave New York without indulging in a bit of shopping (don't tell my accountant, darling). I landed at Saks Fifth Avenue and absolutely swooned! It was like a pink dreamland with glittering gowns and impossibly high heels. Imagine all the sequins and ostrich feathers, perfectly sculpted, each outfit an expression of art and boldness! Even then, these girls were giving. Imagine, in 1957, finding yourself in the middle of all that fashion and creativity ā youād be starstruck too!
But speaking of starstruckā¦ the whole world was captivated by a new wave of talent, right? On the big screen, darling, Marilyn Monroe, her star shone brightly. Elvis was all the rage, and let's not forget that sensational lady, Rita Hayworth! She's all about glamorous dresses and elegant femininity. Oh darling, the glamour, the charisma, and those sultry staresā¦ These are the ladies who showed us what it means to own your beauty and embrace your power, you know, to make a statement, a showstopper statement. They made women, well, even drag queens, realise that we can all be stars, regardless of what people think.
The spirit of glamour is alive and well in this time! Even on the other side of the Atlantic, things are sizzling in the world of drag. Imagine, lovelies, you can get a glimpse of drag performers in London's Royal Opera House or the London Palladium ā talk about high art, darling! Those fabulous costumes and exquisite artistry must have been pure magic to watch. Sadly, these performances are a bit under the radar, no one really takes notice, they are still considered a āunderground scene,ā a bit of a shame really. But oh, the world of drag knows about this hidden treasure and we continue to live for the drama!
Remember, lovelies, history is not just something we read in dusty books, it's something we can feel. The energy of those iconic years, their hardships, their triumphs, their glamourā¦ Itās all a reminder that we've got a lot to celebrate as a community!
Of course, while Iām exploring these vintage gems, I'm constantly thinking of how we can carry the torch forward! How can we bring back the old-school glamour and elegance of these past eras? What about some real dancing? Let's channel the old Hollywood style, add some serious glitter, and bring back the artistry and grace that defined those amazing performances. Let's see a modern twist on the vintage aesthetic, darling, because we're all about pushing boundaries, embracing evolution and redefining those fashion rules, right?
Don't worry darlings, itās all a work in progress. After all, fashion is a fluid art, constantly changing and reimagining itself. We canāt stay stuck in the past! We're going to look back to the past but look forward to the future. That's what itās all about, isnāt it? Making history and pushing boundaries ā and donāt forget those killer pink tutus! Because, letās be real, every drag queen, every queen, should wear a pink tutu at least once!
So, while you're getting ready to unleash your inner drag queen, get inspired by these amazing trailblazers and get those tutus twirling, darling! Until next time, keep shining and remember, a bit of pink can go a long way!
Lots of love,
Emma
P.S You can find me over at www.pink-tutu.com ā where Iāll be spilling all the secrets about my adventures, offering up a few fashion tips, and of course, celebrating all things drag, every month. Letās take a trip together through time, shall we? I promise it'll be fabulous!
