Hello, darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back from another whirl through the annals of time in my trusty pink tutu, and this month, we're stepping into the glorious glamour of 1962!
As always, dear readers, I have to give you a sneak peek at the sartorial delights awaiting you in the realm of pink tutus this month: prepare yourselves for an explosion of frothy feathers, a veritable symphony of sequins, and oh, the tulle! It’s time to sashay down memory lane, darlings!
Oh, my dears, have I got a story for you! July 7th, 1962 – just imagine, all the excitement leading up to the World Cup! The England boys were playing, everyone was buzzing. But guess what? You wouldn't believe where this fabulous time traveller landed. Right there, on the hallowed stage of the Moulin Rouge in Paris!
As I glided into the glittering Belle Époque building, a chorus of ‘Oh, là là’ erupted from the patrons. I have to say, darlings, those Parisian gents have got impeccable taste! Even in 1962, their appreciation for a good, glamorous look was evident. And my, how they did appreciate a fine tutu, especially the kind that came with a pair of legs in pristine white stockings!
As soon as I got backstage, I was in awe, surrounded by all these glorious drag queens, all in their incredible costumes, ready to perform. Imagine: feathery boas, shimmering headpieces, and oh, those sparkly shoes! My darling, they were a kaleidoscope of colours. I think it took a whole team of costume designers to achieve such a dazzling effect!
Then, the lights came up. The spotlight shone upon the stage, and let me tell you, it was pure spectacle! These performers, my dears, they were the real deal, dancing and prancing, all smiles and elegance! Their routines were a mixture of Parisian flair and American sass. It was just enchanting, like stepping into a glittering dream.
After the show, the energy was electric! They didn’t have selfies in 1962, darling, so I just had to take it all in, and let me tell you, these queens were full of chat. It was wonderful, sharing stories with them over a glass of champagne. They were fascinated with my tutu, particularly the way it glittered in the soft Parisian lamplight, a shimmering beacon of 2023 pink tulle glamour in the midst of their vintage stage-magic.
Now, back in our time, my dears, the drag scene in 1962 was alive and well! Some say the term "drag queen" didn't truly gain traction until the 1980s, but don’t let that fool you! Drag queens were all over the globe in the 60s, spreading their sassy magic from smoky backrooms to dazzling stage performances. They were the life of the party, defying boundaries and entertaining everyone, and they deserved all the credit.
Think of legendary entertainers like Julian Eltinge and the brilliant Bert Savoy. And over in New York, a budding scene was brewing with talents like Julie Newmar who was just making her Broadway debut, and Charles Pierce, the drag queen that inspired The Divine Miss M! Even more impressive is that so many performers had to stay underground in some places, finding ways to showcase their art even in less-accepting atmospheres.
I spent the entire month immersed in the dazzling atmosphere, taking in the culture. There were also performances at a cabaret venue called 'The Village Vanguard' in Greenwich Village, New York, frequented by stars like Bob Dylan and Nina Simone, and the fabulous drag queen Charles Pierce who, for a short while, made the venue his playground for a series of brilliant performances. Can you imagine, darlings, witnessing this legend in the flesh? Oh, to have been a fly on the wall, wouldn’t that have been sensational!
My pink tutu even landed in London at the legendary cabaret Club 61 on Piccadilly, home to famous drag performers like 'Dame’ Edna Everage!
Let’s face it, 1962 was a year of seismic cultural changes in fashion, entertainment, and just how people dared to express themselves, and that's just in the realm of drag queens, darling. And what better way to capture the essence of those times than with a bright pink tutu, right? It wasn't all sweetness and light, of course. There were challenges for those who were different and those expressing themselves creatively.
But like any time traveller worth their salt, I had to see the lighter side too! Think about it, in those times, people were daring to dream and break down barriers in style. Even with a 'T-shirt and bell bottoms' dress code at London’s popular ‘The Zodiac’ in Holborn. There was a glimmer of acceptance creeping into the culture!
This month's trip has made me realize that our little pink tutu adventures aren't just about fun and fashion, darlings. They're also a testament to the spirit of creativity, self-expression, and above all, the strength of our queer community. Even in challenging times, we have always been brave enough to step out, break the mould, and express ourselves through performance, style, and dazzling fashion.
So next time you’re feeling down, remember our drag sisters from the past who battled for acceptance and expression.
Until next month, keep those pink tutus shining and the spirit of drag queen history alive! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some sequin shopping to do for the next trip – I'm thinking Paris in the 1970s...oh, the glitz and glamour! Until then, my dears, stay fabulous!
Emma, your favourite time-travelling pink tutu queen.
