Helloooo darlings! It's your girl Emma, your time-travelling pink tutu queen, here with another dazzling delve into the divine history of drag!
Now, grab your tiaras and a sprinkle of glitter because today we're taking a magical trip back to the 8th of August 1961! It's a date that’s etched in my sequined soul, so grab your feather boas and let's dive in!
This month, I decided to hop into my time-travelling tutu, donned my favourite hot pink shade of lipstick, and travelled right back to the early 60s! Oh, how I love the vibe of this era!
Picture it: the world is still recovering from a war, a generation of youth is challenging norms, and … the iconic drag queen Julie Andrews is smashing box office records with her role in "The Sound of Music!" Talk about a theatrical tour de force! And if you’re a fan of a little theatricality (like yours truly), you'll simply adore this era.
Speaking of theatricality… It wasn’t all just Hollywood glitz and glamour though! The London scene was positively bubbling! From the vibrant pubs in Soho to the electrifying underground clubs, drag was flourishing. It was an era where creativity bloomed and the lines between fashion, theatre, and drag became increasingly blurred!
But let's not forget the wider world! Across the Atlantic Ocean in New York, the drag scene was electrifying, too! Places like the Stonewall Inn, later to become famous as a focal point for the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, were already gaining their reputation for being safe spaces for the community to express themselves. It's truly a beautiful sight to see drag blooming across the world!
And did you know… 1961 also marked the debut of a legend – a trailblazing, pioneering drag queen named Divine! Now, Divine – known for her larger-than-life personality, her outlandish looks, and her razor-sharp wit – became an absolute icon of drag. She was a queen who challenged conventions, pushed boundaries, and carved a path for drag to be seen on an entirely new stage. Bravo, Divine, you are an inspiration to us all!
Back in London, the scene was bursting with creative talent. If you've got a passion for vintage glamour, get ready for some pure eye candy! Think extravagant hair, voluminous skirts, and shimmering sequins! And that's before we even talk about the fabulous shoes – think pointy stilettos and platforms, darling!
I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a few truly breathtaking performances! It's amazing how much they inspired the drag style that we see today! For instance, in a glamorous club on Old Compton Street, I caught a glimpse of a queen by the name of Cherry Velvet. This phenomenal lady was performing a show-stopping number with feathers that tickled the clouds, a tutu that made even my heart flutter, and moves that were straight outta a Broadway show. She was pure magic and I could hardly contain my excitement!
This time travel trip was filled with pure bliss. But there was another, much more important reason I wanted to revisit August 1961! It was on this day that I stumbled upon a beautiful discovery, a gem hidden within the history of drag! I discovered that right here in Derbyshire, England, a tiny town was hosting its own little drag show! It wasn't flashy like London or New York, but it was just as important. It showed the resilience and dedication of drag queens in bringing the beauty and artistry of our world to the people who needed it most. The power of drag!
My trip back to August 1961 was pure glitz and glam. I even learned some valuable lessons about the powerful history of drag that has brought us all to this incredible place today!
So, darlings, as we move on from August 1961 and step back into our own times, don't forget to cherish the fabulous heritage of drag! It's up to us to keep the spark alive, to inspire the next generation of queens, and to keep the pink tutus spinning!
And as for my goal of getting everyone in a pink tutu? Well, I’m determined!
Now, head over to the *www.pink-tutu.com website, subscribe to my blog, and be sure to check out my latest tour dates!*
Stay glamorous, lovelies!
Emma 💖💋🩰✨
