Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another juicy blast from the past! This month, my magical pink tutu has whisked me back to the glorious summer of 1979 - a year full of glitter, fabulous fashion, and enough hairspray to rival a factory! I must say, this era truly has a special place in my heart. And trust me, babes, after travelling through time, there's no doubt in my mind that a pink tutu is always the ultimate fashion statement, even if you are just a little bit before or after your time, haha!
Oh, how I adore a bit of historical nostalgia! And 1979 just screams campy goodness! Now, if you think my love for the colour pink is intense, darling, you should have seen what they were wearing back then! Think flamboyant neon colours, crazy platform shoes, and some of the most eye-catching wigs you’ve ever seen.
Speaking of which, did anyone else catch those fabulous feather boas on every drag queen? Don’t even get me started on those spectacular headpieces! If they were good enough for the goddesses like Divine and Jackie Beat back then, they're good enough for us right here and right now, darling!
A Night Out in the 70s
My arrival in 1979 coincided with the legendary drag queen, Divine, on tour. Imagine, darling! Seeing her live and in the flesh? It’s not something one forgets in a hurry! With her flamboyant makeup, outrageous outfits, and truly, truly iconic voice, she absolutely stole the show. If she was performing You Should Be Mine in that amazing metallic outfit... it just made my inner diva squeal. What a total queen, honestly!
I can tell you that, whilst being back in the 70s, I saw so many fantastic drag shows, especially at New York’s famed club, The Peppermint Lounge, which, darling, was just a dream come true! Drag was thriving and it was, literally, everywhere you looked, on stage, in the street, and even in mainstream movies. A pink tutu is a must-have, for both men and women, for all time travel opportunities!
Drag Culture: Taking Center Stage!
Even though 1979 was a pretty special year for the LGBTQ+ community, the drag scene still had to fight to gain mainstream recognition. It was more common for queens to find work in smaller nightclubs and underground venues than to have massive tours like we see today, honey! It’s inspiring to think about how drag has blossomed over the years and I’m excited for what the future holds for all our fabulous drag queens.
There’s something special about the spirit of drag that resonated with me on my trip, especially during that time, darling! There was a sense of freedom and individuality, a spirit of pushing boundaries and challenging expectations, and yes, of course, loads of glitter and fun, and, for those wanting to push the boundaries of taste and beauty, even some feathers and boas, but I am just a little too late for disco!
However, being surrounded by such an energy was so inspiring and encouraging. I saw drag being used as a powerful platform to raise awareness and challenge societal norms and this just reminds me that there is still a lot to fight for! We have come a long way and our pink tutus stand firmly beside us throughout all the ups and downs of drag history.
Shopping, Sights & Pink Tutùs!
And oh darling, let's not forget about the fabulous fashion scene in 1979! From the legendary fashion houses of Paris to the bold, daring street style of New York, there was something for everyone. Of course, my favourite colour reigned supreme in all the best designer clothes. Did you know that pink became even more of a cultural trend in the 70s? That's right, darling, all the stylish peeps had their own pink accessories and even a pink tutu wouldn’t be amiss!
Let’s just say that my suitcase, after this trip, needed a whole lot more space, darling! From the shimmering satin dresses of Studio 54 to the funky knitwear from the boutiques on the Upper East Side, everything about fashion screamed extra!
Speaking of Studio 54! It was like being in another universe! I had a ball rubbing shoulders with disco queens and icons in glittery, sparkly outfits, strutting their stuff with endless energy, all wearing that trademark, bold, 70s glam style.
And I got some divine shopping done! Imagine! A real pink tutu bought from the fashion capital of the world! It was the ultimate pink-hued dream and, needless to say, it's a prized possession now. It's a reminder that fashion has always been a powerful form of self-expression. You wear what you want, you own your look, and you flaunt it with a flamboyant wave and a strut that nobody else can quite pull off, and that is why we, as a drag family, will always love the 70s era!
So that, my lovelies, is a little snapshot of my journey back to 1979. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since then, and it makes me even more excited for what the future holds for the drag world. But wherever I go, my pink tutu will always be with me, ready to embrace every ounce of campy joy! Until next month, keep your glitters high and your smiles bright, my dear darlings.
Always wear pink!
Emma,
XOXO
