Hello my darling dears! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-twirling time traveller, Emma, back with another peek into the dazzling history of drag! I'm ready to sprinkle some glitter and pink on the 11th November, 1965!
Right, gather 'round darlings! Buckle up your fabulous stilettos, because we're heading back in time on my oh-so-fabulous pink time-travelling tutu! This month, my dearest darlings, we're stepping into the groovy era of 1965, a time of shifting social norms, fabulous fashion, and an ever-evolving world of drag!
Oh my! Remember how I mentioned funding my travels with dazzling drag performances? Well, let me tell you, a drag show back in 1965 was something else!
* Imagine a smokey bar, the aroma of cigarette smoke mingling with the scent of cheap perfume.* Imagine a stage bathed in dim spotlights and the crackle of an old-fashioned microphone! That, my darlings, was the setting for the majority of drag performances back then! It's quite different from the lavish theatre productions and huge music festivals we see today!
Speaking of music festivals, you may recall the massive "Festival of Pop" at Wembley Stadium! This, dear darlings, was an epic, almost mythical event in drag history! Hosted by "Crazy" Gary Crowley, this massive spectacle, a forerunner to the grand music festivals we enjoy today, showcased some of the biggest names in pop. We even have photos of John Lennon from The Beatles and Dusty Springfield in their dazzling outfits – and the costumes were SO. DARING! I wonder what those vintage pieces would go for today on eBay.
I bet you’re wondering about drag in 1965, right?
Well, dear darlings, let me spill the tea.
Think “drag" was all about theatrics and glitter back then? Not quite! A lot of drag during this time, particularly in more mainstream settings, focused on creating satirical female characters. *Imagine fabulous cabaret acts, witty jokes, and sassy observations about life! Think of it like an early, avant-garde, comedic, and social commentary – only, *even more glamorous!
Now, we wouldn't be here without those groundbreaking early drag queens, right? I think this was the era when queens began developing their unique personalities. It wasn't all about glamorous boudoir looks like a lot of contemporary drag performers do – this era brought with it a rise of more masculine and “masculinised" characters, characters which allowed queens to express their artistry through both makeup, costumes, and, of course, personality! Think Divine, Jackie Beat, and Divine! These women changed drag forever and I'm so grateful!
And who can forget the legendary **Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, who worked hard to create an important foundation for trans women. A fearless trans icon, Miss Major became a powerful voice for LGBTQ rights! She really did so much to champion visibility. Her courageous fight was instrumental in changing perceptions about LGBTQ people back then. She inspired drag queens everywhere – and me. I will always be eternally grateful for her!
But before I get too carried away by my historical drag gossip, I know you're eager for my own fabulous insights into 1965.
First stop - the fashioooooon! In 1965, my darling dears, the fashion scene was buzzing with bold looks. Remember Mary Quant's “The Chelsea Girl" with its fabulous, youthful and colourful style, bold stripes and, dare I say it, the MINI skirt!? I just knew they'd become a big hit for the ladies! They really did revolutionize how women dressed. Think miniskirts, vibrant tights, bold colours, and patterns. Can't imagine life without the Mini skirt can you? It certainly set the scene for a fashion revolution. Imagine if I hadn’t had my fabulous time-travelling pink tutu to make a dash into the era, my dear. * I'd have missed this!*
I adore shopping in the time of Mary Quant, though my wardrobe does contain far too many pairs of pink tights now.
Now, it's time to indulge in some of the entertainment of 1965. This time, my dears, we dive into a world of theatrical performances, music, and of course, cabaret, which are full of fantastic drag acts!
Think about the fabulous cabaret performances that graced the stage in 1965. I am so glad my time-travelling pink tutu got me to London in 1965 - oh darling - the nightlife is EVERYTHING. I can feel a fabulous shopping spree for those fabulous 1965 vintage clothing shops.
Remember, my darling dears, drag in this time wasn't just about looks, it was also a way to celebrate diversity and to challenge rigid social norms! A time when drag, through performance, helped paved the way for acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community – and a lot has changed for the better since then!
Now for some gossip! Oh darlings! I have just discovered how incredibly trendy the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is. Arthur was rocking the most spectacular looks at his gigs with his unique, eccentric stage persona. They say he was inspired by theatre and he embraced a variety of drag personas from time to time. It seems they were known for their outlandish stage attire, costumes and they really knew how to bring it to a wild theatrical climax - they said the audience just loved them! What a drag pioneer, wouldn’t you say!
And of course, no drag history blog would be complete without mention of the legendary The Velvet Underground. They were trailblazers who defied all the norms – they really helped change the game in terms of musical style, and pushed boundaries which lead to greater acceptance and tolerance for non-conformity and difference
Of course, drag queens like me love music, and there was lots of it happening! From the catchy tunes of The Supremes, the playful music of The Beatles to the sultry music of Nina Simone - what a time to be alive.
Now, my darling dears, we can’t talk about drag in 1965 without giving thanks to the incredible pioneer Christine Jorgensen. Their courageous and important story was world news. Their incredible and trailblazing life really brought about much change. I’m just a small girl from Derbyshire, and my favourite tutu, but it really made a huge difference for trans rights.
My darlings, I hope you have enjoyed our trip through the past. The world of drag was constantly evolving back then - and now we can all continue that work. We just have to remember our queens and our heroes from this extraordinary decade and, let's carry the torch of drag, fashion, fun and fierce forward for future generations. It’s our job to continue to be fabulous. Remember, there’s no room in my world for haters and negativity!
I would love to hear your feedback – and remember my dear, *the more we spread the fabulous, the better! * Until next month, my dear dears, stay fierce, stay fashionable, stay fab!
Love and glitter, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
