Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and historically flamboyant. Itâs your girl Emma, and Iâm practically pirouetting with excitement to share this monthâs time-traveling adventure.
Remember my dazzling pink tutu that has a habit of whisking me through time? Itâs a bit of a whirlwind, darling, but always leaves me breathless with excitement! This month, I landed, with a twirl, on the 3rd of March, 1977, ready to immerse myself in a different era of drag.
Now, I may love all things pink and tutu-ific, but you wouldnât believe the fashion scene in 1977! It was like a kaleidoscope of bright colours and textures, but with a distinctly⌠more relaxed feel than what we see on the runway today.
Picture it: Disco was in full swing, and with it, platform shoes, flowing pantsuits, and even the occasional⌠shall we say⌠less-than-glamorous hairdo (let's just say, bouffant has a different meaning back then).
My pink tutu did its magic, I waltzed into a small but bustling club in the heart of New York City, known as âThe Gallery.â There, I witnessed the captivating artistry of Divine! For those of you unfamiliar with this queen, she was a larger-than-life figure in the drag scene, known for her outrageous makeup, larger-than-life wigs and incredible stage presence.
Itâs a moment that forever left its mark, like a fabulous feather boa gently draped around my heart!
Across the pond, meanwhile, the iconic London drag queen, Danny La Rue, was continuing to charm audiences with his glittering stage presence and hilarious skits. It's important to remember that Danny's success broke barriers for other drag artists, bringing a mainstream acceptance to this beautiful form of expression.
In my beloved Derbyshire, a drag scene was slowly, but surely, emerging. While smaller than the booming scenes in the US and London, I did stumble upon a wonderful performance by a troupe of drag queens performing a "Drag'n'Drop" cabaret at The Playhouse in Sheffield. The scene wasn't massive, but you could see the seeds of great drag artists being planted - those performers, some might be forgotten now, but they built the foundation for drag to truly flourish.
But wait, thereâs more, darlings! You know my insatiable desire to go beyond just seeing drag shows, and dive into the fascinating fashion of these bygone eras, so of course I popped into a couple of fabulous vintage shops!
Honestly, 1977 was a treasure trove for fashion! I scored a gorgeous beaded bolero, perfect for a night on the town, and a shimmering gold pantsuit that could easily transform into a fabulous disco ball! Just imagine the sparkles!
But while we can learn so much from drag history and its evolution, it's never just about the past, right? It's about building a legacy, a powerful celebration of diversity and expression, and encouraging a world where we all have the freedom to express our individuality. So, darlings, if you have an upcoming show, don't be afraid to put your own spin on things. Whether itâs incorporating a dramatic flair, or throwing some unexpected colors on your face, donât be afraid to experiment, explore your unique artistic style, and share your individuality with the world!
Remember, whether youâre on stage or dancing in the streets, the world's waiting to be a little bit more sparkly, so, put on that pink tutu and make your own statement!
Until next month, darlings! Stay fabulous!
Emma xxx
