Hello, my darlings! Itâs your girl Emma, here, fresh from a whirlwind trip through the vibrant tapestry of drag history. September 1971, a time when bell bottoms were all the rage, and glitter was the ultimate form of self-expression! Buckle up, my lovelies, because this monthâs jaunt takes us to a world of glamour, disco beats, and more fabulousness than a hundred-layer cake!
Remember that gorgeous pink tutu I scored at a vintage store in Derby last week? It was calling me for this trip, demanding a dramatic entrance! Oh darling, you can imagine the fabulous scene as I emerged from the shimmering, swirling time-portal into 1971 â me, in this glorious confection of tulle, all smiles and sass, like a sparkly, sequined dream! Iâm convinced that the mere presence of this tutu shifts the fabric of time. People are just naturally more glamorous around me. Maybe itâs the colour, maybe it's the cut - who knows, darling? What I do know, is that it makes people want to be like me, in the best possible way, and you know what? That makes me very happy indeed.
Before we dive into the glorious drag-related events of September 1971, let's take a moment to appreciate the fashion of the era. Picture this, lovelies - a disco beat pulsing in the air, a sea of brightly-coloured bell bottoms, sequins as far as the eye can see, and a glorious swathe of fluffy platform heels. We were all living our best lives in that magical time!
Letâs Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane, shall we?
September 1971 found New York buzzing with the energy of "The Cockettes," a theatre collective that blurred the lines between drag, performance art, and theatrical spectacle. They were known for their flamboyant costumes, often handmade from found objects and thrift-store finds. This wild mix of beauty, chaos, and performance captivated audiences, influencing many drag queens of the day! Theyâre like the proto-RuPaulâs Drag Race queens of the 1970s - if they were in the West Coast of America rather than New York, and less concerned about lip-syncing and winning. If you canât quite fathom how fabulous and ahead of their time they were, just google "Cockettes" â the pictures and reviews really do say a thousand words.
Over in San Francisco, The Angels, a pioneering group of transgender women, were raising the bar in the drag scene, breaking down societal barriers with their bold performance style and pushing the limits of gender expression! They were known for their political activism, fighting for equal rights and paving the way for future generations of drag queens and trans women. Itâs fair to say that weâre all still living on their legacy!
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Britain was in the throes of a drag revival, led by iconic figures like the fabulous Miss Penny. I managed to catch a performance of Miss Penny at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London! It was absolutely spellbinding - Miss Penny had this uncanny ability to capture the hearts of her audience with her wit, charm, and stunning performances! I even snuck a few selfies with her for my Insta story (my followers were utterly jealous). We shared some of our favourite tips about finding the most beautiful vintage feather boas and how best to pack your collection of sequin dresses, so you know those tips are pure gold!
Oh, darling, I must share some other London highlights! I popped by a club called âThe Cellarâ and was mesmerised by the incredible music! If youâre lucky enough to be a Londoner yourself, or happen to visit soon, then I must insist that you add "The Cellar" to your club list! I also visited the âRonnie Scottâs Jazz Clubâ. Itâs an absolute must for anyone with a penchant for jazz, and an even greater must for drag queens who like a good old-fashioned floor show, and what drag queen doesnât like a floor show! You just canât help but get lost in the vibrant energy of live jazz!
Of course, no drag queen adventure is complete without a visit to some fantastic shops! In London, I spent an entire day in a haven of fashion - âHarrodsâ. Can you imagine? Rows and rows of amazing dresses, sparkling jewels, and the most extravagant shoes! My little heart simply fluttered with delight!
One thing I did notice as I hopped through time is that fashion has evolved, darling. But the spirit of dressing up, of expressing ourselves through clothing and style, thatâs remained as relevant today as it was in 1971, and just look at whatâs happened to drag, its gone stratospheric, hasnât it?! Now if thatâs not an example of just how truly fashionable weâve all become!
It's been another glorious adventure into the history of drag! The lessons learned are abundant. Letâs celebrate drag queens as a global force - we've come a long way, darling! The stage lights, the laughter, the self-expression - it's a celebration of everything we are! So, letâs spread the joy, spread the love, and above all, spread the sparkle!
Until next time, lovelies, keep that pink tutu handy, always remember that youâre beautiful, and never let anyone tell you otherwise! Oh, and if you haven't checked out "www.pink-tutu.com" then darling, you're missing out, pop over, have a gander!
P.S Iâm heading to Birmingham this weekend, any tips on drag performances and must-see shops? Drop a message in the comments! Love you all!
Your Pink Tutu Princess, Emma. xxx
