Hiya, lovelies! Emma here, your Derbyshire darling, ready to whisk you back in time once again! As always, it's my fabulously fabulous pink tutu that's carrying me through the ages, this time landing us smack-dab in the middle ofā¦wait for itā¦March 3rd, 1960! Fancy that, eh?
Now, let's have a little chinwag about what was happening in the drag world that day. I tell ya, things were a-changin' then, and you better believe there were a few showstoppers on the scene!
Firstly, a right proper blast from the past: The Cockettes! Now, these legends of the drag world were in their prime, ready to blow minds and hearts at every show. Their first public appearance? June 12, 1966, but by '60, they were gathering momentum like a storm in the teacup! They were this fab, quirky mix of street theater and vaudeville, bringing together an incredible blend of cabaret, burlesque, and just pure fun. The Cockettes were a total game changer! Their free-flowing, expressive style was pushing boundaries, breaking barriers and throwing sequins at any norm they could find! If I could grab a time-traveling cuppa with anyone in 1960, it'd be these queens!
Then we have Holly Woodlawn ā oh darling, this icon of the drag world. Her star was shining bright! You might not have heard of her then, but trust me, she was already making her mark, a fashion statement on four legs! She'd move to New York City soon enough, becoming one of the leading faces of the New York drag scene. She even ended up as a face on a movie poster with the one and only Andy Warhol.
Now, I know what you're thinking - that must have been the end of the fabulous news for '60, but darling, you haven't seen anything yet! We can't talk about 1960 without mentioning "Drag Race" in a different form! Now, this wasn't the show we know and love. But a little-known fact, the term ādrag raceā ā meaning a race between two cars, was already slang for a drag performance! The history of drag truly runs deeper than we often realize!
And then thereās a tiny but impactful little detail: The term "drag" was, of course, still evolving in the mainstream. A lot of it was used to denote the costumes for performance.
It's truly fascinating to think about the context! How times have changed. So you see, lovelies, even in 1960, there was drag happening on every corner. From the bold new wave of queens on the scene to the slang that hinted at the burgeoning drag culture.
The world of drag, you see, is a whole history that's bigger than any one queen or performance. It's about defying norms, finding expression, and spreading a bit of love and glitter wherever you go! And now, darling, it's time for a little bit of 'Emma's Fashion Fix!'
Now, here's what caught my eye about 1960's fashion scene: It was a 'high-fashion' world ā elegant, bold and very, very glamorous. Think Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot! And while the fashion wasnāt as directly connected to the street as it is today, drag queens had their own style going on! Itās fascinating! They had the boldest silhouettes, and the most extravagant styles, mixing the traditional with a dash of drama thatās utterly iconic.
As for my personal favourite pieces? Oh, the choices were just soā¦ fabulous. I found myself mesmerized by the ballerina tulle and dramatic necklines, which have been so inspiring to me. In fact, Iād wager youād find the most elegant tutu silhouettes all the way back then! It was a world of drama and grandiosity and while I adore today's playful and expressive style, there is definitely an air of old Hollywood in the way they presented themselves that is utterly captivating!
It reminds me, lovelies: Letās all embrace that theatrical style of yesteryear, as well as the playfulness of modern fashion. Because when it comes down to it, itās all about expression, creativity, and above all, looking bloody fabulous!
This reminds me: Time to take a peek at my own wardrobe! You never know what new inspiration I can glean for my next performance, and perhaps even find some outfits fit for a true time traveler. I know the drag community are all always busy with performance after performance - which is amazing - but always remember, we need to take time to reflect and discover where it all began. Letās keep this fascinating story alive and wear our tutus with pride, darling!
Don't forget to come back next month, when I'll be whisk you all away on another fabulous time-traveling adventure. And remember, dear darlings, always wear pink, always wear a tutu, and always embrace your fabulous self!
See you soon, Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
