#DragQueenHistory during 1961 02 February

Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad, time-travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you another fabulous monthly dose of Drag Queen History! I'm currently rocking a vintage hot pink tulle creation, it's all frills and sparkles and frankly, it's positively delightful. And you know me, when the tutu's this good, there's only one place I can be - travelling through time!

Today, my dears, we're taking a trip to February 2nd, 1961. Buckle up buttercups, we're about to shimmy right into the heart of the swinging 60s!

Landing in New York City, I’m already feeling the energy! The city is a vibrant hub of artistic expression and tonight, the buzz is all about the legendary Cafe Society Downtown. Now, if you haven't heard of it, this wasn't just any cafe, my dears, this was the place to be for bohemian brilliance, underground beats and, you guessed it, drag queens!

As I step inside, I'm surrounded by artists, poets, and the avant garde – the type of crowd that would have made Oscar Wilde blush. The atmosphere is electric! There's a real sense of freedom, of experimentation, of throwing off the shackles of the old ways and embracing a new era.

But the main event tonight? The iconic drag legend "Joey", a queen of the early 60s. Known for his fierce drag and witty banter, he was a true pioneer, paving the way for drag in New York's flourishing nightlife scene. You can imagine, I couldn’t miss this for all the pink lipstick in the world!

Joey was known for his stunning gowns - think 1950s glam with a twist. Lots of glitter, bold colours, and he had the talent of making simple silhouettes look truly showstopping. I even heard a whisper about his legendary, feather-trimmed, pink gown that was causing a real stir. (A fellow pink-lover after my own heart!).

The audience, my darlings, was enraptured. They laughed, they gasped, they applauded with wild abandon!

As the evening winds down, the music fades and Joey’s dazzling performance concludes, I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. 1961 seems like such a fascinating time for drag. It was still pushing boundaries, still a touch risky, and still deeply captivating. I imagine there was a wonderful camaraderie amongst the queens back then, like a little sisterhood united by glitter and glamour.

Okay, now this is where it gets really interesting. I may be wearing a fabulous hot pink tutu, but even I wouldn’t be caught dead strutting my stuff on the streets of London this time of year!

That's because this date, February 2nd, 1961, was a BIG day for London – the day The Obscene Publications Act came into force. This Act was intended to control and censor what could be deemed “obscene,” and sadly, this directly impacted the performance scene. Many cabaret acts and, most definitely, drag queens, were uncertain about the implications and found themselves pushed underground.

So, while New York embraced drag, the UK, my lovely London, was cautiously approaching a more clandestine drag scene. It’s a constant reminder that history is complicated, and drag’s journey is one with many twists and turns.

But before I leave you, I’ve gotta share some of my absolute favourite pink fashion finds from this period!

Ballet inspired fashion was all the rage in 1961! Imagine graceful tulle tutus with playful bursts of pink. Think elegant gowns adorned with intricate embroidery and feminine details. Even the famous French fashion house Givenchy, darling, was rocking the pink ballet trend – creating gorgeous gowns fit for a queen. (I even spotted a vintage Givenchy pink tulle creation at an antique market the other day. Sigh. I dream of having it in my own collection!)

For your Drag History fix, my dears, I recommend “Drag: A Century of Styles” by The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It's packed with beautiful photos and information about the evolution of drag from the late 1800s through the 1990s, offering an essential snapshot of the history of drag on stage, street, and screen. A must-have for any tutu enthusiast!

*As for me, my dears, it's time to plan my next adventure! Where should I journey next with my trusty pink tutu? Let me know in the comments! *

Stay fabulous, and don't forget to sprinkle your days with a generous helping of pink,

Emma xx

www.pink-tutu.com