Hello darlings! It's your girl, Emma, the Derbyshire diva, coming at you live from my time-travelling pink tutu. Oh honey, I've been to so many amazing places this month, I could fill a whole Love Actually dance scene! But let's rewind back to the fabulous date of 2nd February, 1972, shall we?
Imagine, if you will, the crispness of a winter's day in the year of 1972. The wind is whistling outside, the snow is glistening, but darling, the heat of a drag performance is melting the chill in the air. On this particular date, my sparkly, pink-sequined senses took me to a little gem of a place in New York City, a place where drag was thriving, the epicentre of camp - The Stonewall Inn.
Now, donāt let the name fool you. It wasnāt all about stones and walls, honey! In fact, it was a legendary gathering spot for drag queens and everyone else looking to unleash their inner glitter. Can you believe, in this very month, just weeks after the 2nd February, The Stonewall Inn hosted the first-ever annual Stonewall Anniversary Ball?! It's like a dream, isnāt it?
We must remember the fierce resistance these queens fought for, their brave stand against police raids and for LGBTQ+ rights, a vital piece of our history that reminds us that nothing is granted, nothing is given, everything is earned, every feather boa, every sparkly wig! It was right here, in this legendary space, that the modern queer movement blossomed, and drag became a weapon of love and expression.
I swear, I felt an actual surge of power standing in that very place, an invisible halo of acceptance emanating from the ghosts of drag legends who have gone before us! This place, The Stonewall, felt positively magical! And darling, you wouldnāt believe what I saw on that magical day - a breathtaking showcase of drag performances! There were these queens, towering figures in flamboyant costumes, who were lip syncing their hearts out to the soundtrack of the 70s. It was a wild blend of theatrical artistry and fierce energy - like a chaotic dance party under a disco ball!
You know, I am obsessed with this time period, the music was just incredible ā imagine those glam-rock and disco rhythms! Thereās a certain style about that era, that vintage aesthetic that truly sings. Think sharp lines, dramatic eye make-up and hair so voluminous it could rival the Great Pyramid! Imagine a pink feathered boa wrapped around a sequined jumpsuit ā I mean, who wouldnāt fall in love? And to top it all off, those iconic platform shoes? The sheer height! You know, some of the best drag styles were born during those golden years ā you just had to witness it.
Speaking of vintage vibes, letās jet off to London for a quick fashion fix.
On this same date, the fashion world was captivated by the glamorous opening of a legendary boutique - * The Blitz* in London's King's Road. This place was an explosion of colours, textures and designs - the epitome of London's stylish subculture. Can you picture a fashion playground of a hundred, a thousand shimmering fabrics? Forget boring browns, they were drowning in electric hues of vibrant purples, blazing oranges, and electric pinks - colours begging to be seen, colours to ignite the soul and break from the dullsville routine.
And can you even believe, it had this dazzling collection of boots? Boots designed for every mood! The ones for rockstars, the ones for go-go girls, the ones that demanded attention and had every fashion magazine swooning. It's clear to see why, even with the world in a flurry of exciting happenings, this was a must-see destination! It just so happened that 1972 was the dawn of a new age for fashion, and The Blitz was right in the heart of it.
You know darling, drag has always had such a vital presence in London, especially during the early 70s, this was truly an era of blossoming self-expression and I, as your humble time travelling queen, am here for it! I think it is so interesting, even back then, fashion was a stage for our community to express their identity and it still remains so, right? So you know what, letās take a quick walk through this bustling scene ā London, at its finest!
Iāve been thinking about our own contemporary London, honey. Did you know that Londonās Soho Theatre, right now, has this amazing play on - 'Champagne Supernovaā* . I absolutely adore the name! Itās a queer show, exploring the themes of love and loss. And you know, it seems so relevant because thatās what makes the whole drag journey so fabulous ā it's all about those powerful emotions.
Just imagine ā these beautiful queens, sharing those stories with an audience that is utterly captivated. Iām sure it's just as amazing as it was in those wild and wonderful days back in 1972. That's how we connect, thatās how we find community, through the magic of a beautiful, dramatic and empowering stage.
Now, let's rewind a few years to another drag spectacle ā you simply have to hear this, a historical milestone for the drag queens of San Francisco in 1972 ā the launch of 'Cockettes' ā oh my gosh! Now this was a major theatrical troupe, think bold performances with incredible fashion statements! The entire collective just re-wrote the definition of camp and they definitely left their dazzling footprint in San Franciscoās queer history. The story goes that the groupās signature look was āanything and everything - from feathery boas to leather fringe jackets and platform shoes.ā Just imagine a colourful tapestry of glitter and sequins in every colour imaginable! And can we mention those legendary performances, mixing it all up ā the music, theatre, performance art - oh, how it would transform the nightlife scene, giving the public something absolutely electrifying.
I know, I know, dear reader. It's overwhelming - and we're not even halfway through!
You see, these incredible events show us the interconnected nature of our history. Drag queens arenāt just performers in fancy clothes. They're warriors for acceptance and pioneers of creative expression. This time, in 1972, they were taking to the stages of the world with a fierce confidence, with a fierce grace. They were reclaiming their narrative, one high kick at a time. And Iām still dancing and swirling around the streets with that sense of fierce confidence, sharing my time travelling tips, encouraging every one to step into the light!
The message of 1972 resonates so strongly for me today, because even if I was born a few decades too late to witness the glamour of that particular year, its story reminds me of my mission here in this big pink world: I'm going to do everything in my power to keep that torch lit, one pink tutu at a time! Because when we all stand together, hand in sequined hand, the magic we create will shine even brighter than any disco ball.
And oh, my love, you can join the sparkly ride, too! This very month of February, come and see Pink-Tutu: A History of Drag in 20 Dresses. ā and be sure to pick up a gorgeous new pink tutu of your own, you wonāt regret it, it will have you feeling like a diva in no time! The more of us in a pink tutu, the louder we get our voices heard, the brighter the future of drag will become. And the message is simple, it is this - always stay fabulous and always embrace the extraordinary! See you next month darlings!
Love and glitter,
Emma.
