Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling drag queen from the heart of Derbyshire. It’s the 10th of October, darlings, and that means it’s time for another dazzling delve into the annals of drag history! Grab your popcorn, honey, and prepare for a fabulously glamorous trip!
Now, let's get one thing straight. A fabulous outfit is the key to time travelling, isn't it? You've got to have a statement look that screams, “I've got a time machine, darling!” and “I'm here for a good time!”
That’s where my magical pink tutu comes in, and that’s the name of my blog, of course!
Tonight, we’re whisking you all the way back to October 10th, 1968, honey! Think long, flowing blonde hair, chunky platform shoes, and that undeniable 60s glam that can only be found in the coolest corners of London. It’s a date that holds a special place in drag history and one I’ve been excited to explore.
Before I take you all on a trip back to 1968, darling, remember, as usual, I’ve been busy myself. There was the glamorous fundraising gig at the Chesterfield Gay Bar, (let me tell you, my new, handmade sequined crop top was the hit of the show!) I took some time to find the perfect feathered fan for my 1920s Charleston routine and I had to restock my sequins at the local fabric store – sequins and rhinestones are a drag queen’s best friends. (Plus, my sparkly outfit always works wonders for time travel! If it sparkles, darling, it can travel!)
Drag Queen Fashion in 1968: Back to the Future
You might not know it, but the late 60s saw the birth of what we now consider modern drag – and oh, it’s fabulous, my dears! Drag performers back then pushed boundaries and really helped shape the drag scene we see today. Imagine, the first openly gay clubs! The rise of performance art! The sheer glamour and style of it all!
Now, for a lot of you younger queens (and darling, it’s always good to be aware of our history, isn't it? That's how you stay stylish!), 1968 was a pivotal year for London's gay scene. The year saw the first real establishment of openly gay nightclubs and pubs in England! And for you drag divas, that means, more performances! More space! The beginning of what would become a global phenomenon, darling. And it's this excitement, this liberation that made this year such a crucial period.
Just picture the scene: smokey jazz clubs, bright lights, and of course, fabulous drag queens dancing the night away. Let’s dive a little deeper into the history…
Where Did The Queens Gather?
Two London spots absolutely shone in 1968. One was “The Royal Vauxhall Tavern.” Now, it was in that club that, for the first time, gay men and women could openly go to socialize. A sign of how rapidly times were changing!
And, just down the road in London, you had another hotbed of excitement called "The Black Cap." This club became infamous as a space for cabaret, performances and the beginning of the rise of a fabulous gay night scene in the heart of London, a scene I would adore to have seen!
Drag Icons and Heroes
Okay, we need to mention a few names because they deserve their shoutout, right, darling? Let’s take a little bow to the queens who really made history. I couldn't make it through this blog without them.
Danny La Rue, our fabulous queen! He truly helped to usher in this era of gay nightlife with his outrageous wit, flamboyant style and incredible drag. In 1968, darling, he was a legend in the making! I remember seeing his act years ago when I travelled back to the 1970s - and I will never forget his performance, so absolutely, outrageously glamorous.
We can't talk about London drag without mentioning Miss Lilly, a true icon of that time. The queen was already a mainstay at the Black Cap. She was an institution for glamour and for her witty performances! Her sharp observations and incredible sense of humor brought so many people to the Black Cap, and the club had a buzz for her performances that everyone just had to be there for. A true queen for the times.
I’m just so sad, darling, I never got the chance to meet those queens back then. Now, the most glamorous outfits I find tend to be at the Vintage market stalls in my home town of Chesterfield - always a joy to get my hands on a true retro find!
Pink Tutus and Time Travel!
My journey to this date was amazing. As I slipped on my sparkly pink tutu, I just knew it was going to be spectacular. Time travelled right through the night, right to London's gay scene and was whisked right into that 1968 world of drag - everything was about glitter, sequins, flamboyant and shocking performances! I met so many lovely drag queens that night and had such a blast, we even did some fabulous line-dancing. If there’s one thing that never goes out of fashion, it's a good line dance!
But before I sign off, my darling, remember, all that sparkles can travel! My little journey back to 1968 was made possible by my fundraising performances! I’ll be doing another one at Chesterfield Gay Bar on October 30th – my favourite date because, “Anything is possible.” - That’s my motto and I think a motto everyone can live by.
The show starts at 8pm. Come on down and let's sparkle together, honey!
Love, Emma xxx
