Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen with a penchant for pink tutus and a passion for drag history. January 1st, 1960 – what a date! It’s the start of a brand new decade, and frankly, my dears, this one is going to be fabulous. Grab your pink champagne (or your tea – darling, no judgement!), slip on your pinkest tutu, and let's get ready to shimmy!
My sparkly, magical pink tutu carried me back to a time where drag wasn't quite the phenomenon it is today, but where the foundations were already being laid. I must admit, the style wasn’t quite as OTT as I’m used to! A lot of it was based on cabaret, a much more contained and "classical" type of drag. Think feathers, sequins, and those iconic glittering costumes they used in the old musicals. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity, the spirit of drag was alive and kicking, and these pioneers of our beloved art form were blazing a trail for future generations!
Now, as I was arriving in New York, (always a good idea, right?), I happened to stumble upon the very first Miss Drag USA pageant. You know me, I just HAD to pop in for a look, and let me tell you, my darling, it was simply spectacular! It was all a bit different back then, with the queen, Mrs. Casey, taking home the coveted crown in her very stylish black sequined gown and feather boa, but it was a significant step for drag as it pushed the boundaries and gave it a space to be seen and recognised in a way it hadn’t before. You just had to be there, love.
I hear you say, “Emma, you went back in time? Tell us all about the drag scene!” And well, let's just say, even if it wasn’t all about the pink tutus, (gasp!), I certainly was making waves with my dazzling presence. I, personally, met with some incredible Drag queens - (You don’t get a peek at that in the blog darling, but let’s just say that “Emma” had a lovely little date…) It was such a joy to experience the start of such an incredible and inspiring time!
Just across the ocean, in the bright lights of London, something magical was happening too! You see, darlings, The Two Ronnies (that’s Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker to you youngsters) were set to make their first TV appearance as “The Ronnieettes.” The world of entertainment was about to get a dose of “Camp”, (and yes darling, I do know “camp” didn’t mean the same then!) - and my, wasn't that something to behold! A whole generation of Brits were about to be introduced to the joy of drag, even if it was served up in the form of comedic skit. I could not get over these icons, even their style was on point. It was pure fabulous, pure drag and very very very much my cuppa!
I could go on, my darlings, about all the amazing Drag happenings of 1st January 1960 - It was an inspiring day for the whole scene - It's important to understand our past, especially in the world of drag! That's how we learn to continue to innovate, experiment, and push boundaries! And as the queen of pink tutus, darling, I wouldn't have it any other way!
What are your thoughts on the world of drag from January 1st, 1960? Have you seen some incredible drag moments from this decade? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to check out my website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more time travel adventures. And please, darlings, always remember, every day is a chance to embrace the fab, wear that pink tutu, and show the world your unique and spectacular self! Until next time!
Yours in pink tutus and glittering sequins,
Emma x
PS: I’ll be performing at the Pink Paradise Cabaret this weekend in Derby, come and see me for a bit of sparkly, pink, fun, and to tell me about your favourite pink tutu moment!
