Hello darlings! It's your fabulous pink tutu wearing time traveller Emma here, bringing you the juiciest bits of drag history from the depths of my time machine, er, I mean, my very special pink tutu!
This month, we're twirling back to 1st January, 1962, a time when the world was abuzz with excitement and, dare I say it, a sprinkle of sequins. This date just screams vintage glamour to me. Picture it, ladies, a world just emerging from the post-war years, craving for a touch of fabulous!
As you all know, my obsession is with finding the most fabulous, fabulous drag shows that took place throughout time. And this date didn't disappoint! So buckle up, girlies, because we're diving deep into a world of theatrical elegance, daring performances, and of course, a touch of camp!
New York, New York, it's a Drag, Darling!
We begin our time travel adventure in the heart of Manhattan. The scene was buzzing with drag shows all over town, darling! It was quite the spectacle, and you know what? They really understood the power of the tutu, my dears. They even had the classic ballet-inspired styles back then!
My dear, if you love seeing your favorite drag queens strut their stuff on the catwalk, then imagine the fabulousness that was happening in "The Village". It was the place to be for an amazing show, filled with witty humor, and some incredibly daring outfits. They weren’t shy, those drag queens in New York in 1962! And they even incorporated some wonderful political commentary into their performances. Now, that's what I call making a statement!
But New York wasn't the only place where the drag scene was heating up!
The Great Britain Glam Scene
Right here in my home country, things were popping too! Across the pond, London's Soho District was teeming with drag. From clubs to theaters, there were performances taking place every night of the week!
While they had a different feel to New York's drag scene, there was still plenty of that signature glam and playful attitude. Imagine watching drag queens doing some truly captivating mime routines! I was literally mesmerized, darlings! Just picture these fabulous women wearing beautifully tailored suits that would make any contemporary drag queen drool with envy, making you think "ooh la la, where can I get a piece of this action?"
And we can't forget about the theatre scene in London! A true mix of fabulous performances and iconic music, giving you those pure showstopping moments. It was an era where drag queens were pushing the boundaries and expressing themselves in ways that would have even me bowing down! Imagine this – performances that combined powerful dance moves and powerful acting techniques that are still talked about today! They were pioneers, you know, trailblazing for the whole drag scene!
More Than Just Performances:
Now, darlings, let’s not just talk about the shows, as fabulous as they are! Remember that 1962 was a turning point for gay rights. We had "The Mattachine Society" in the United States fighting for our rights, giving us all a platform to express our individuality! You'd think that in the early sixties there would be more negative headlines, but these amazing queens fought for us, and the amazing drag shows were the place for celebration!
We can't ignore the impact of fashion in 1962! Imagine it - vibrant colours, fabulous shapes and incredible accessories. There was something so bold and daring about those outfits that even I would swoon.
For example, those amazing tweed suits - it’s something I adore! Imagine the confidence you had wearing something so sharp! There's something so sleek and timeless about that silhouette that is utterly fabulous, darlings! The tweed really creates the perfect look! Just look at all those iconic figures like Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly - the women who rocked those sharp suits in the 1960s and became legendary in their fashion.
And, of course, we can't forget about the flamingos! 1962, darlings, it was the peak of the pink flamingo! Oh darling, you need one. Everyone needs one, especially for your vintage-themed photo shoot. The color pink just elevates any outfit. You know, the pink tutu is more than just an item for a queen like me - it's a symbol of strength, resilience and expressing ourselves freely!
I know, darling, some might say “pink flamingo” doesn't scream 'glam' like some of the drag queens of the present day! However, these icons paved the way, allowing us to push the boundaries!
So let's give it up for those amazing pioneers who were shaking things up back in 1962. From those brave performers fighting for our rights to the fashion trendsetters that embraced every shade of fabulous! You're inspiring us every single day!
Now, my loves, if this blog post has inspired you to dig deeper into drag history, why not try to learn a few more about these legendary queens and check out what other fashion choices were made back in those days. Just be sure to channel your inner Marilyn Monroe, darlings, and get yourself a new pink flamingo while you’re at it! And don’t forget to rock those amazing outfits, be proud of who you are and enjoy the fabulous journey that is drag history!
Until next month, keep twirling in your pink tutus!
Lots of love and glitter, Emma xxx
