Hello darling, darlings, and all you fabulous fabulous people out there in the digital sphere, it's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling queen, Emma, back again! Grab your feather boas, because weâre off on a whirlwind journey back to 1st January 1967, a date etched in the glitter-encrusted heart of #DragQueenHistory!
This month, the magical pink tutu has whisked me to a time when the world was abuzz with excitement, not just for the new year, but for a new era of expression. This was the 60s, a time when anything went! Imagine it, darlings â we're talking fabulous fringe, psychedelic shades, and the glorious sound of the latest vinyl hitting the turntables. So let's pop a bottle of bubbly and get into the fabulous time-travel tea!
The year 1967 started off with a bang, and in the drag world, we were living on the edge of something glorious, like a freshly-applied coat of lipstick on a perfect pout. Imagine being a drag queen then! Your look would be all about the theatrical - think vibrant makeup, gravity-defying hair, and a daring dose of glamour. Think big, darling, think bold! It was a time of discovery, of pushing boundaries and embracing a flamboyant and experimental style. You could be anything you wanted to be - a flamboyant queen, a dapper gentleman, or even a sultry, sophisticated siren!
We all know drag has always been about freedom, about being your authentic self, regardless of societal norms, and 1967 was no exception! Now, it was still a challenging time, but those fearless pioneers paved the way for us. They took a stand against adversity, stood tall in their stiletto heels, and showed the world the magic that lies within the world of drag!
So what was the scene like on this particular day in history? I landed in a flurry of sequins and feathers at the iconic "Cafe La MaMa", New York, a legendary underground theatre where performance art was taking its first shaky, but thrilling, steps into the spotlight! They say the âperformance of the nightâ featured avant-garde, daring, and outrageous artistic acts that questioned societal expectations and celebrated human expression. Drag, dear reader, is, at its core, all about the exploration of self, about celebrating difference and expressing yourself in the most gloriously extravagant ways possible. Imagine the courage, the flair, the commitment these queens had!
Across the ocean, in my very own Derbyshire, the drag world might have been a little more reserved than its big city counterparts, but it was just as exciting and important! Maybe it wouldnât have been full-fledged drag performance, but think of the local pub gigs, the drag-inspired gatherings, and all the private little âshowsâ that might have been going on. Imagine the hushed tones of whispered conversation, âOh, dear! Did you see Mary dressed in her brother's clothes? The cheek of it all!â
Oh, the thrill of it! Can you even imagine, darlings, finding yourself right in the midst of it all? This is exactly why I love time travel so much â we can truly step into the hearts and souls of these magnificent queens who came before us, and learn from their journey. Every stitch, every sparkle, every shimmy and shake tells a story!
Speaking of shimmering stories, my friends! Itâs time for a bit of gossip. As I flitted around New York, I discovered a secret gem of a shop called âThe Pink Flamingoâ. Now, I know I should probably be a little impartial in my writing, but oh darling, this was a store made in my own image! Imagine a store brimming with fabulous accessories, a cornucopia of costume jewels and a glittering rainbow of colourful feather boas. The best part? The most flamboyant and outlandish shoes! You would think you had stumbled upon a dazzling fairyland. And believe me, darlings, thatâs exactly what I did. I spent hours lost in the sheer delight of the storeâs contents, finding treasures from all around the world! Iâm not sure my credit card will ever be the same, but I think it was worth it for the priceless memories, wouldnât you say?
The thrill of shopping is, in itself, a form of drag, isnât it? To dress up and be transformed, to create an entirely different persona! To celebrate yourself! It's a wonderful expression of individuality and we should all be encouraged to let our sartorial selves shine! Now, I may have raided the shop like a pink flamingo in a frenzy, but, darling, I must confess that I do need to leave a bit for you.
Of course, as with any time travel experience, I had to follow some local fashion advice â the year is 1967, so let's not forget about the bell-bottoms and those super-fun patterned shirts with collars that wouldn't quit! A touch of floral and a burst of colour made sure everyone understood you were up on the trends, darlings! If Iâd tried to rock a classic tutu here, my dear, I'd be a fashion faux pas in the making!
Time travel has given me such an amazing understanding of fashion, its evolution, and its ever-changing interpretations. 1967 saw a melting pot of style, with bold colours and whimsical textures taking center stage!
Oh, the fashion scene in 1967 was an explosion of creativity, a perfect blend of bold colours, daring patterns, and outlandish accessories, just the sort of mix I adore, darling! Itâs a reminder that true fashion is always a reflection of who we are as individuals.
So what does this all mean for us, darlings? Well, the greatest lesson is that the power of self-expression knows no bounds. This era, brimming with individuality and rebellion, reminds us of our collective history, reminding us of our right to live boldly and bravely!
It was so inspiring, seeing this era blossom with these fabulous drag queens making waves with their performances. And with a sprinkle of magic dust from the time travelling pink tutu, we can make our own waves in the world today! So remember, darlings, never be afraid to embrace your inner star, put on a fantastic outfit, and strut your stuff like you own the runway. Now go on, have some fun and be yourselves, darlings, because that's what makes the world such a fabulous place to live in!
Oh, and if you are reading this darling, go and get yourself a pink tutu â you know itâs what I would want!
Love, glitter, and happy time-travelling,
Emma
Donât forget to check out our fabulous drag queen history posts on www.pink-tutu.com, and maybe consider sending me a few bucks to keep me travelling in style!
