Hiya darlings! Emma here, your resident time-traveling ballerina, back for another sparkly, pink-tastic adventure! Today's the first of January, 1966. Did you know, my dears, that this year, the fab fashion magazine Vogue dedicated an entire issue to the fabulous world of ballet! Can you imagine, the elegance, the grace, the swirling tutus, all in one magnificent magazine? Talk about a dream come true for a girl like me!
I, of course, slipped on my magical, time-traveling pink tutu, which, darling, is still covered in shimmering glitter from my New Year's Eve drag show in London (I must tell you about it, you wouldn't believe the feathers!). I twirled into the time portal and landed in the middle of the Swinging Sixties! Oh, darling, what a whirlwind of vibrant colours, bold patterns, and groovy music!
The world is a kaleidoscope of exciting change right now! Fashion is in full swing, darling, think bright colours, geometric shapes, and those mini skirts, oh, my! Everyone wants to break free and express themselves, which, as you know, is a bit like a Drag Queen manifesto, right? It's almost as if the world itself is saying, "Let's all put on a fabulous costume and dance!"
I simply had to pop into the London Palladium, my dear! Apparently, the legendary Dolly herself was strutting her stuff there in her smash hit show Dolly! Now, Dolly, darling, she's an absolute icon! With those glittering gowns, those fabulous wigs, those sparkling shoes, I just knew she was going to set the stage on fire!
I did, however, find that in the realm of drag in '66, it was a bit of a different landscape, my dears. Many places had 'Ladies Nights' or "Evening Gowns and Tuxedos Only" policies, you know, trying to maintain a certain decorum. But let me tell you, the ingenuity of those drag queens was breathtaking! They were pushing the boundaries, expressing themselves in every dazzling way, defying the odds, and bringing glamour and sass to any night, regardless of the dress code.
And guess what I found? I saw the most beautiful show, with real sequins, not just that sparkly film they use today (which, my dears, is still fabulous but...not the same!). I mean, who needs a costume change when your outfit is practically an exploding rainbow?
One of the most exciting things I stumbled upon was a club in San Francisco, The Cockettes. These delightful darlings were pioneers of theatrical drag. Can you imagine, performing with giant puppets and playing with gender norms, embracing the chaos? Honestly, my dear, they were pushing the boundaries, defying expectations, and having the time of their lives. And guess what? They called it the "The Cockettes Show" - talk about a catchy title!
Now, my dear, speaking of catching shows, what's a trip without some shopping? Oh darling, can you even believe it? London is brimming with the most divine shops. Boutique owners like Mary Quant are making the boldest statements with their creations! Mini dresses? Geometric prints? I snatched a few of those and can't wait to showcase them back in my time. My wardrobe needs a good ol' fashion boost, after all!
I did find myself reminiscing about the beautiful ballet productions from the time - my true love, of course! I heard tales about Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and a whole cast of talented dancers who stole the world's hearts with their artistry. And guess what, darling? It got me thinking… how amazing it would be to see a Drag Queen perform with a classical ballet company! Imagine a glamorous drag queen in full costume, pirouetteing to a Tchaikovsky concerto, dazzling the audience with her poise, wit, and elegance! Now, that's a show I wouldn't miss for the world.
But let me tell you, darling, I just can't resist the magic of time travel and its amazing world of wonder! This little journey taught me so much. From the inspiring pioneers of the Cockettes, to the elegance of Dolly, and the sheer fashion boldness of the times, I've come to appreciate the ever-evolving landscape of drag, darling! The evolution of the art form from those early days of glitter and bold personalities has been phenomenal, isn't it?
And you know what, my dear? There's one thing I've realized about this fantastic world of drag: the passion, the artistry, and the heart behind it are timeless. It's a truly beautiful expression of oneself and it makes the world a more colorful, expressive, and magical place! It makes me truly believe that maybe, just maybe, with a little sprinkle of time travel magic and a whole lot of pink tutus, we can make the world a truly fabulous place, full of sparkly joy and acceptance!
Well, darlings, my pink tutu is beckoning me back to my time, where I'm going to start designing a new collection inspired by the glorious styles of 1966 and 2023, combined. What could possibly be more delightful, right? I can't wait to share the new creations with you.
Stay fabulous and remember, darlings, you’re a masterpiece! See you in the next blog!
Emma XOXO
Don't forget to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com for exclusive content and more amazing drag stories!
P.S. What colour tutu are you wearing this week, darling? Let me know in the comments below! 💖
