Oh darlings! Happy February! Your girl Emma here, and can you believe it's time for another dazzling trip through #DragQueenHistory! As always, my magical pink tutu is practically vibrating with excitement to whisk me off to another fabulous chapter in our collective queer history!
Today, February 2nd, 1971, my dearest pink-loving friends, is a date that's a little more "bougie" than "ballroom", a tad more "ballet" than "bus stop". But hold your horses, itās about to get absolutely iconic, so buckle your tiaras, pour yourself a mimosa (or three!) and letās get our historical glamour on!
Time Travel Tip: Itās all about the sequins! As always, my trusty pink tutu has whispered secrets of the past to me. Itās practically pulsating with excitement today as it tells me the must-know fashion trend of 1971! The ādisco lookā, baby! Think sparkly leggings, shimmering blouses, and a dash of outrageousness. But trust me, this isn't about 'disco balls', darling! This is the dawn of the fashion forward ā imagine sequined jackets, satin blouses, and trousers so flared they could launch a rocket. Think glam, think fierce, think utterly unashamed of fabulousness. And my pink tutu is already itching to sew some shimmering disco flair onto it, just you wait!
Drag shows of the day! * My inner ballerina just pirouetted with delight, my dearest divas, as I glanced at the drag shows of the day. 1971! That's an era full of pioneers, where drag was making waves across the globe, baby! Imagine this: the *New Yorkās āThe Other Cafeā, * which was actually *THE place for all things fabulous back then. Think groundbreaking, theatrical, theatrical, performances with queens that could move you, shock you, and inspire you all in one. But we donāt stop there, no dear! Chicago is also bursting with incredible energy, with venues like *"The Cellar" and "The Other Mother". * Drag was pushing boundaries everywhere!
Back in time, London!
Oh darling, did someone say "London"? Well, this Derbyshire girl just couldn't not travel back to see the birthplace of my favourite shoe - the pink court shoe, no less! But 1971 London wasnāt just about my beloved shoes. It was an explosion of drag, both theatrical and street style. *"The Royal Vauxhall Tavern," * my absolute drag temple, was the epicentre of it all! This place has been the scene of many legendary shows and the hotbed of queer activism. You could almost feel the energy of revolution and glamour mixing! And, it wasn't just about nightclubs. Drag queens in 1971 were like sparkly magicians, blending the art form effortlessly into everyday life.
A touch of glam at the āFolies BergĆØreā
Ooh la la! What is a time-traveling pink-tutu-wearing drag queen to do but visit a Paris-inspired revue? Oh my darlings! āFolies BergĆØreā in 1971 was nothing short of a spectacle, full of Parisian glamour and glitzy extravaganza! This was the epitome of lavish Parisian drag, think fabulous, showstopping numbers featuring dazzling costumes and stunning talent. The ultimate glamour!
A quick look at my "pink" 1971 moodboard!
Pink tulle tutus (because I always want everyone to wear a pink tutu) are practically dancing to the disco rhythms! But think about the āpink" colour pallete - bold fuchsias, bubblegum pinks, hot pinks... This is how you add the āpink-tutuā factor! My heart is practically overflowing with excitement! But the pink isnāt just in my tutu and clothes. Pink is everywhere darling! Itās on the stage, in the streets, it's even dripping down the glitter on my favourite disco balls!
The Future of Pink
You know I love my pink tutus. But, I also believe that this period, 1971, really laid the groundwork for an amazing explosion of colour, confidence and just sheer, fabulous drag. Iāve gotta confess, the whole world seemed ready for a massive splash of pink! And honestly, I see this as a mission - spreading the joy and confidence that wearing pink brings! I want everyone in their own version of the "pink tutu" - finding the unique spark, the joyful spirit that brightens the world, and shines as brightly as the disco lights on my favourite London stage.
The time travelling continues!
It's time to pack up my glittery time-traveling pink tutu! Until next time, my dear divas! Remember, keep sparkling, keep celebrating drag and keep spreading that pink magic! Catch you on the other side of time and be sure to catch up with me on www.pink-tutu.com!
Lots of love,
Emma
* P.S:* Did I forget to mention, that one of my favourite performers of the 21st century? The fabulous Divine, was performing "Pink Flamingos" in 1972! This masterpiece proved that "pink" wasn't afraid of controversy, which gave me a powerful pink-hued lesson on daring to be bold. But we're a few months from that! Until next time, darlings, don't be afraid to embrace a little "pink"!
