Oh, darlings! How are we doing?
Welcome to another sparkling edition of Pink-Tutu! It's your girl Emma here, back with another fabulous trip through the history books, all while rocking a pink tutu, naturally. As you know, my dearest readers, my life is all about spreading the joy of drag and encouraging everyone, everywhere, to embrace the magic of a pink tutu. And who knows? Maybe I'll even get some tips on how to time-travel in a tutu, so we can all be flitting about like glamorous, historical ballerinas.
Now, today's date – 6th June 1975 – takes us to a golden era in drag, darling! I am positively thrilled about this one. The 70s were a time for radical experimentation, fabulous outfits, and – most importantly – drag embracing a sense of humour. Think big hair, glittery fabrics, and a good old dose of camp! This is what drag is all about, ladies, and the world was just starting to realise it!
Let's get this glitter party started!
So, how do you really celebrate 6th June 1975? Well, I, Emma, hopped into my time-travelling pink tutu (yes, dear reader, I still can't quite believe it myself!), and landed in New York City - where else?!
This iconic city is a vibrant tapestry of different communities, all coming together with a spirit of acceptance, and – naturally – the drag scene here was positively bubbling! In a legendary club called the "Continental Baths", a young lady by the name of Sylvia Rivera was giving one of her most important speeches. And, let me tell you, it was history in the making! This amazing woman was a real trailblazer, fiercely advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and battling prejudice and discrimination with all the fabulous flair and panache a true queen deserves.
Hold up! We can't just ignore Sylvia Rivera, can we?
Her speech, packed with powerful words and bold truth, wasn't just important for drag; it was vital for the whole community! We owe a massive debt to such amazing pioneers, darlings! They gave us the platform and the fight to enjoy the amazing drag scene we know and love today.
Back to 6th June 1975 – it was thrilling to experience the raw energy of this time in New York, the fight for change bubbling alongside the music, laughter and acceptance at the heart of the "Continental Baths" (it was a sauna, by the way, darlings!). Can you imagine? My inner performer was screaming to get on stage! It was the real melting pot of different ideas and perspectives – you just couldn't help but love it!
Oh, and while we're in NYC, let's not forget the legendary Divine! This outrageous performer, always rocking bold makeup and an ever-so-slightly creepy persona (in a fabulous way!), was already making a name for herself – and deservedly so! With appearances on the show “The Midnight Hour” and films like Pink Flamingos, Divine was pushing boundaries and bringing drag to a wider audience! She was truly a vision, my darlings, and I was thrilled to get a little glimpse of her talent.
Now, I may not be from America (I'm from Derbyshire, England, so you know, very provincial, but I'll happily accept a good 'ol 'twee' as a compliment), but, I had to check out what was happening in London. Over here, it was a bit of a different scene. This was a time of great social change and "New York Dolls" and "The Damned" were setting the scene with amazing live shows that were breaking all the norms and pushing musical boundaries.
We weren't quite as big as the American scene, but we were finding our way. We had our own underground, with small clubs and theatres providing a stage for those bold enough to explore the art of drag and self-expression. And in that spirit, London, too, was bursting with talent, both behind and in front of the curtain! And of course, these talented drag queens didn't only perform – they were artists who sewed their own gowns, did their makeup with the finest flourishes and poured their hearts out on stage, every night, hoping for just a little bit of magic.
Remember that quote: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy?” Well, honey, there are more kinds of glitter in this world than you could ever imagine – I’m living proof of it!
Let me tell you, darlings, travelling through time is a seriously glam affair, especially when you have a sparkly, magical pink tutu!
While it’s fun to get the historical context right, what I really want to highlight is the way drag was taking centre stage back then. It wasn't just an expression; it was a whole movement. In both America and the UK, these amazing queens weren't just performing; they were creating, expressing, and standing up for what they believed in. They fought for change, embraced their individual identities, and took on all the challenge that came their way. This was a rebellious and exciting era.
But let's be real, darlings, what is drag without a fabulous shopping trip?!
In London, Liberty of London was THE store for unique and colourful clothing - I went wild! Just imagine – beautifully patterned fabric in vibrant colours! I'm talking layers and layers of texture and embellishments - perfect for a queen who likes a bit of flair! Plus, it's history!
Remember, the idea is not only to see the show but also to wear the show! Drag has always been about finding new ways to express ourselves. For me, it’s a love affair with all things colourful, sparkling, and undeniably dramatic, but don’t you agree, darlings, it’s also about having the confidence to rock the most extravagant outfits, strut your stuff on stage, and simply own the room? This is what drag is all about.
Back then, a lot of drag queens designed and created their own looks. It was about finding the most uniquely fabulous outfit for the stage. I always try to do that. There’s nothing better than discovering a hidden gem of a shop – especially if it's full of potential for fabulous drag! I found the most incredible fabrics for the new season at Fabricland! The colours, the patterns, the sparkle! I've got some great designs brewing up. Just wait till you see my next performance – it’ll be worth it. Trust me!
I'm off now to prepare for another epic drag performance! And trust me, darlings, my pink tutu is always by my side. I'm here to remind everyone: *it's okay to be flamboyant, it's okay to be extravagant, it's okay to be utterly fabulous. So rock that pink tutu! See you next time!
Yours in sparkle and sass, Emma.
