Hello lovelies, Emma here! Get ready for a trip back to 1959, straight from the pages of history to your fabulous feed. Remember your fabulous, feather boas and prepare to be blown away.
As you know, every month, your gal hits the time travel button (yes, there's a real button, it's covered in rhinestones) and I whizz back in time with my trusty pink tutu. And today, let's hop a time machine back to December 12th, 1959.
Ooh la la, darlings! That was one wild time to be in the drag scene, because things were a-changin'. We're not talking about that "She Loves You" tune from the Beatles just yet (that's a couple of years away) but something exciting was brewing, and honey, it was bubbling like champagne in a hot tub!
A Glittering History:
Firstly, darling, remember that even in 1959, there was so much more to drag than just theatre. Imagine, you could step into a drag show in New York and have a blast watching those magnificent show girls strut their stuff, or you could get a wig-snatched performance in San Francisco or London, but that would all be hidden behind closed doors in "private clubs". You can’t deny, the world of underground performance, where you just know it’s going to be a fabulous riotous night of camp, glamour, and glitter is definitely alluring!
This whole idea of "hidden in plain sight", or as we'd call it today, "camp-in-disguise", was a thing for the drag scene in 1959. Because things were a bit, shall we say, "iffy", darling, there were all these coded messages and secret handshakes to figure out who was "in" on the gag.
It was almost like an exclusive party that only drag queens knew the password to. But honestly, think about it. These were times when drag queens had to navigate around so many obstacles. It was a challenging scene, but it just made their bravery even more sparkling, like a diamond set under an ultra-violet spotlight, yeah?
And then, there were those brave queens who strutted their stuff on the stage - the real show-stoppers! Can you imagine the absolute bravery it took? I'm not saying I wouldn't do it myself, honey - you know me and a good spotlight - but I'm saying, even though things were tricky, those early queens were real pioneers, breaking barriers, setting the stage (pun intended) for future generations of drag superstars.
So let's dig into the glittering depths of this particular date in time:
A Look Back in Time (December 12th, 1959):
Imagine, you could pop on a fancy dress (a long, sequined gown, naturally, in a stunning shade of magenta - the 50s were all about the colour) and hit a show like the famous *“The Minsky’s Burlesque,” *which was just bursting with amazing talent. A place where audiences went wild for the ladies in their sequins and feather boas. Oh, how I would love to take a magical twirl under the glittering disco balls there!
And remember, it’s not just the U.S, darling. Even the "old fogies" in the UK had a good time at places like "The Windmill Theatre" in London. There was just such a vibe going on, that “everything is a show" kind of feel!
As a lover of fashion and anything sparkly, it was just wonderful seeing that 50’s elegance on display in a time when they were making waves. Think of the glorious makeup, those huge bouffant hair-dos, the costumes dripping with glamour, the dazzling diamonds… my dear heart, this was pure drag artistry. And to think that so much of that beauty came from simple things like feathers and rhinestones! What can I say? Sometimes, less is definitely more.
What's a Drag Queen without Shopping?
Remember those ladies' magazines, all those glamorous photoshoots with those stunning hats and bold eyeliner? Oh honey, I bet the queens of the 1950s would have been flipping through the glossy pages of Vogue, drawing inspiration for their looks - which is totally what I do when I want a vintage vibe, and, of course, I love to try and find vintage pieces!
Of course, as any seasoned fashionista would, I would absolutely be hitting up any shop I could find that had all the amazing fashion that they would have had in those days! Just picture yourself in a quaint little boutique with a cute shop assistant, all ready to help you choose the most gorgeous shade of lipstick (hot pink is always in season!), a stunning sequin dress, a glamorous pair of heels, a sparkly evening clutch - everything a diva could ever need! I know I wouldn't be able to resist - who needs a shopping spree at Harrods when you can have one at a little gem on December 12th, 1959! Just imagine how my vintage-inspired outfit would be making waves back then… my lovely ladies of 1959, don’t worry! Your gal is here to bring some glamour back to your days!
*Travel through the Time, darling! *
There’s more, darling. The world of drag is HUGE - and not just in those big cities like New York, London, and Paris - and we had some magnificent queens rocking it out all over the world! We can go all the way from San Francisco, with it’s dazzling nightlife, to even the bustling streets of Australia!
It wasn't just about those glamorous stage productions - it was about a real community of individuals who embraced the magic of drag. It was about bringing colour and sass to every corner of the world, you could find it at bars, clubs, and even the smallest of venues! And don’t you forget, darlings, drag is so much more than makeup, it’s about being unapologetically you, and giving everyone permission to be their most spectacular selves! It’s truly an amazing feeling. A feeling I have in every fibre of my body each and every time I wear my special, sparkling pink tutu - a gift to the universe from a wonderful past!
So, let’s step back in time for one last moment and celebrate what makes this world of drag so fabulous! I’m out of here to start planning the most exquisite of the outfits. This will be the perfect one for time travelling through this beautiful and spectacular decade. You can imagine how hard it was to pick one, right? My darling time travelling girls, remember - it’s okay to just let it go, in this world, and dance to the music! It is a chance to share with you the importance of individuality, being ourselves, and above all, how a good splash of pink and a twirling, fabulous tutu, is just a taste of the incredible, glorious world of drag!
Remember, darlings, my magical, shimmering pink tutu, and you - together, we’ll sprinkle a touch of magic to the world, one glittery performance at a time. Now, go find the perfect pink tutu for your own adventure in drag history.
You can find me on www.pink-tutu.com. Till next time!
Love always,
Emma 💖
