Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your favourite Derbyshire-born, pink-tutu-wearing time travelling drag queen, back with another thrilling trip into the history of our glorious art form! This month, we're dipping our toes into a time of glitter, fabulousness, and groundbreaking talent – October 10th, 1976.
Let me tell you, stepping into a pink-tutu-shaped time portal never gets old. Especially when I emerge in a world where platforms were thick, sequins were bolder, and the power of drag was only just beginning to truly blossom.
Disco Fever in the City
1976 – a year synonymous with disco beats and fabulous fashion! This time, my magical pink tutu transported me to the vibrant, pulsating heart of New York City. Can you imagine, darling? The sheer audacity of it all! Stepping onto the streets and finding myself smack-dab in the middle of Studio 54 – a glittering paradise of music, dancing, and flamboyant creativity.
This wasn’t just any old club. Oh, no, my darlings. It was the place where drag legends like Divine and Jackie Beat, dripping in shimmering costumes and outrageous makeup, sashayed their way onto the dance floor and became pop-culture icons! Divine was already making a splash in films, but it was a time of serious creative freedom – she, along with a generation of fabulous queens, truly pushed boundaries and made drag a powerful force for self-expression and, let’s be honest, fabulous entertainment!
Beyond the City Lights
Of course, 1976 was not just about New York City, no darling. Our drag scene was alive and kicking all over the world!
Across the pond in London, drag was making its presence felt in a whole new way. Think The Gateways nightclub, which was attracting all the big names of British drag at the time. Can you even imagine, my dears, sharing the floor with those iconic queens?
But hold your feather boas! London wasn't the only spot bursting with fabulousness in the UK. A trip to Manchester reveals a vibrant scene where drag balls and club nights were thriving. This era was truly a testament to the boundless spirit and creative fire of our drag queens, who found ways to express themselves in an environment that wasn't always accepting, but they were determined to make it their own.
A Word about Fashion, Darling!
1976? The fashion, my darlings! We’re talking bright, bold colours, flowing fabrics, and outrageous platform shoes. A veritable feast for the eyes. This era of drag took inspiration from pop culture – from the glam rock of Bowie to the flamboyant styles of the disco era, the looks were audacious, unique, and oh-so-stylish.
Imagine the costumes: sequins dripping from every angle, feather boas as big as your dreams, wigs sculpted into works of art, and a sea of metallics, making every drag queen a dazzling work of art. The fashion back then was all about a “more is more” mentality and truly embracing a sense of theatricality. It's an era of glamour I, myself, hold very dear to my heart.
Making Time for More Time Travel!
Okay, my dears, I have to bid you farewell for now. This dazzling adventure has left me overflowing with inspiration, eager to continue the time-travel escapade and explore more glorious chapters of drag history. I mean, I can’t let the sequins and boas get dusty, can I?
And remember, my fabulous darlings, until we meet again in the pink-tutu-infused vortex of time, always embrace your fabulous inner drag queen. You are amazing, you are worthy, and, most importantly, you deserve a pink tutu. Now go out there and shine brighter than a disco ball!
Catch you all next month,
Your time-traveling, pink tutu-loving drag queen,
Emma
P.S. You can read my past blogs and more on www.pink-tutu.com - stay tuned for our next episode!
