Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad, time-traveling, drag queen blogger from the heart of Derbyshire, England. It’s the 4th of April 1967, and this queen is about to make some history – and by "history," I mean, I’m off on another fabulously fashionable time travel escapade! My trusty pink tutu, imbued with magical time-traveling properties (thank you, fairies!), is ready to whisk me away.
But before I whisk myself off, I need to catch you up on all the latest drag news, naturally! It wouldn’t be a proper time-travel blog post without a sprinkle of drag history gossip, would it?
Now, this week in 1967 was a whirlwind for the world of drag. While the world was watching the first colour television programmes (a marvel, I’m sure you’ll agree!), in London's swinging Soho district, drag was simmering. You had venues like The Black Cat and The Flamingo Club bustling with glamorous personalities. And while I wasn’t able to secure a ticket to any particular show on this day – you see, booking tickets in the past is tricky, and involves a lot of charming my way into good graces and a dash of polite begging – but that doesn’t mean we don't get a peek into the exciting goings-on, right?
There are tales from the grapevine, relayed to me via time-travelling pigeons, about a showstopper at the Black Cat: a flamboyant, feather-clad performer by the name of Divine. Yes, that Divine! The Baltimore Queen later went on to star in John Waters’ movies. Back in 1967, Divine was bringing the house down, with her signature sharp wit, shocking stage presence, and undeniable charisma. They say that night she was all over the news - at least in the gossip columns, anyway. Talk about iconic!
So, it was an era of electrifying talent! My friends, remember this was the age of disco’s imminent explosion and the flamboyant glamour that accompanied it. Even if you couldn’t get into a London drag venue in ‘67, there was something happening everywhere. And with drag infiltrating fashion with more flair and fierceness than ever, those of us with a twinkle in our eye and a pink tutu at hand, had no shortage of places to unleash our fabulousness.
That was, naturally, until the time-traveling call of the tutu. As you know, my love for history, specifically drag history, is what drives my exploration of the past, and what gets this time-travelling tutu in a spin! It was, to be honest, impossible to resist the pull.
This time, my pink-tutu travel destination: New York City! Now, you all know I'm a girly-girl. A proper girl who believes in pink. Pink for all seasons! And the moment I landed (that is, after twirling gracefully through a shimmery wormhole), I was practically swimming in a pink sea. It was all I could do not to faint with glee!
Imagine, if you will, the glorious view. Broadway was exploding with new productions – they were still in the midst of 'The Sound of Music’! The sheer excitement of seeing Maria’s performance through my time-travelling tutu's lens...well, darlings, let’s just say it was beyond magical. The theatre scene was buzzing, from a whole host of talented individuals working tirelessly to put on the most dazzling performances! This kind of creative energy could set any performer’s soul alight. I felt a kinship with the sheer exuberance of the whole vibe.
Speaking of the vibe...I’ve already spoken about the pink paradise! I went to the department stores and watched as the salesladies dressed women in frothy, girly confections, pastel coloured lace gowns, and frilly, girly hats, a delight to any true lady. Honestly, it was like being a bird released from a cage, soaring into a land of fluffy pastels, shimmering satin and extravagant millinery! My inner child (you know, the one with the bottomless appetite for frills and ribbons), was absolutely thrilled!
Naturally, my time in New York, with the whole fashion scene buzzing with femininity, sparked a little tutu-ful idea! It was right there, in that moment, under the glittering pink neon sign of Saks Fifth Avenue, that the dream was born - the vision of everyone donning a pink tutu. My ambition? To inspire every single one of you, darlings, to put on a pink tutu! From the sidewalks of New York to the cobblestone lanes of Derbyshire, we can be a global community of fabulousness. Just picture it: an international parade of pink-tutu-wearing ladies. Oh darling, it would be simply divine.
This, though, is a long term dream, darling. In the meantime, we’ll be bringing the tutus to New York. We'll get everyone swirling! Because I, Emma, in my pink time-travelling tutu, can’t be stopped! This isn't just about a fashion statement; it's about embracing individuality, radiating joy, and spreading a little bit of pink sparkle everywhere we go.
My darlings, as always, thank you for joining me on this adventure. Keep checking back every month on www.pink-tutu.com for the next leg of our exciting time-travel journey. And remember, the only thing more delightful than a pink tutu is a whole world wearing one. Until next time, darling. Don't forget to put on your best pink tutu! 💖💋
