Hello my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet! Emma here, and this month, your fabulous, time-traveling pink-tutu-clad gal is going back, back, back to the swinging 70s! I mean, who doesn’t love a good 70s flashback? Disco balls, bell bottoms, and, of course, some absolutely stunning drag performances that wouldn’t be out of place at any of our modern balls!
You’ve probably all gathered that this month, my magical time-traveling pink tutu is taking us all the way to March 3rd, 1970, because well, wouldn't you know it, it’s just another fabulous day to talk about drag history! You see, my lovely dears, history isn’t just about dates and names – it’s about stories, about the people who made a difference and the outfits that made them sing! And, of course, about those iconic moments in drag history that still make us blush (in a good way, obviously).
So, put on your fanciest feathered headdress, grab your most flamboyant cocktail stick and get ready for a little trip down memory lane – all while we strut in pink tutus, of course!
The Glittery Glimpse: 1970's New York City
Right, this is where things get interesting, because the scene I’m about to paint is one of a world-famous drag queen with a story that makes the pink tutu heart sing. Imagine it, if you will, New York City, 1970. This place is bustling with life. We've got the Empire State Building reaching for the heavens, and on the streets, the energy of drag is alive! And then there he was - Divine. A real gem. A real gem, because Divine was this towering figure, his looks as extravagant and his performances as legendary! This day, we are all headed to The Cockettes - an experimental performance troupe, they weren't your regular drag group; they were bursting with surreal theatrics and radicalism! I can't tell you about all of this incredible art and expression in one blog post, but take my word for it: Divine, in this show, is a force to be reckoned with. Just think, we're talking performances so daring that they could make the bravest queen on earth quiver!
What’s that you ask? What were they wearing, you say? Oh darling, imagine – and this is just Divine we’re talking about – he was in gowns of shimmer with feathers galore and dramatic makeup. A true artist and performer, making people question everything. And all that with the New York skyline in the background? Pure glamour.
You know, these sorts of artists remind me why I do what I do, because, my dear, they dared to be different!
A Touch of Hometown Glamour: Derbyshire Drag
You know me, though, my dears, I can’t spend a whole post gushing about the US. So, before we finish up today, I have to talk about the amazing drag scene that we’ve got back in Derbyshire! You think London has got all the good stuff? Please, honey.
Back in the 70s, the UK was buzzing with talent. We weren't just dancing to disco beats in nightclubs, we were also enjoying some fabulous cabaret shows!
Just a stone’s throw from where I'm writing this (which, honestly, might as well be in your pocket if you think about my magical tutu), was a local club that was attracting crowds like a moth to a disco ball: The The Flamingo. Yes, my dears, the 1970s brought forth fabulous cabaret shows at the Flamingo and places like The Apollo, where everyone could be themselves and put on their most amazing acts! Even here in Derby, there was no stopping the spirit of drag, with drag artists giving us their best, most vibrant performances, with costumes to die for!
Pink Tutu Shopping in New York and Derbyshire
Right, I cannot, I repeat, cannot, end this blog post without talking about the fabulous shops where these stars shopped for their glamour. Just a hop, skip, and a pink tutu jump away from The Cockettes, The Barbizon, in Manhattan, was an emporium of glitter, sequins, and feathers! This is a store that oozed fabulousness! My dears, you really could have found a fabulous costume for your next ball just waiting for you there!
And if you think you need to jump onto a time-traveling plane to get your fabulous fashion, my darlings, Derby itself was no slouch when it came to drag fashion! Think costume shops, boutiques that felt like they had been designed by a Hollywood costume designer, and dress shops that could satisfy your every desire for sparkle and glitter!
I tell you what, the fashion of the 1970s was really a dazzling scene! All that disco and glitter, with people wanting to push the boundaries and express themselves. I am seriously wondering what it was about 1970, though! I think it must be this incredible, powerful mix of rebelliousness, experimentation and an absolutely beautiful acceptance of freedom of self-expression, and of course, an out-and-out love for fashion that made this era truly one for the books!
The Pink Tutu Dress Code
My lovelies, do you know what's truly magnificent about this all? I know I might be a little bit biased because I'm the time-traveling queen in a pink tutu, but look, drag was and is still the way for all of us to embrace who we are. It’s about telling stories through expression. From the extravagant ensembles of the Cockettes, the fierce glamour of Divine, to the local drag performers here at home. They're all doing their own unique bit, breaking down barriers, spreading joy and acceptance.
You can get in on all this action too, you know. Whether you're heading out to your nearest nightclub for a Saturday night shindig, a theatre show, or just for a trip to the supermarket, don’t forget that it's all about celebrating your individuality. Just like those pioneers of drag from the 1970s! So what are you waiting for? Put on that fabulous costume (even if it’s just a pair of bedazzled tights), find your glitter, and, most importantly, grab your pink tutu – we have a fabulous history to live out, my lovelies!
And you know, if you need any advice or want to share your own stories and journeys, I’m here for you, dears! Don’t be shy – leave a comment, tell me all about your experiences, or what you are up to! You are all fabulous and special, just like those legendary drag queens of the past! Now, where’s that glitter glue, darlings, I have a show to catch!
Love,
Emma (The Time-Traveling Pink Tutu Queen)
Don't forget, head on over to www.pink-tutu.com for more fabulous content and get ready to join me on the next journey!