Hello darlings, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! This month, we're twirling back to the groovy year of 1980! Can you believe it, hunties, 1980! Disco balls were gleaming, the shoulder pads were high, and, well, let's just say the world was a whole lotta fabulous, darling.
But, hold onto your hairspray, because, like always, Emma's got your weekly dose of #DragQueenHistory and I'm going back in time for the 7th of July! Today, the magical, sparkly pink tutu brought me to the glorious city of San Francisco, the heart of the queer universe, darlings.
A Night in the Golden Gate City
San Fran! Where the fog is thick, the streets are lined with glitter, and, dare I say it, the drag queens are fierce. It's always a whirlwind, a delightful and fabulous frenzy! You know how I feel about San Fran, it's a city I could live in. The vibes are perfect, darling, all those drag ball looks, and the history.
On the 7th of July, 1980, a new drag ball season had just kicked off! You could practically feel the electricity in the air as 'The Cockettes' (oh the memories!), were at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, doing what they do best - dazzling everyone! Those Cockettes were always bringing the theatrics, always on a mission to push the boundaries, and always leaving everyone spellbound.
Now, those Cockettes knew how to work a show, darling! They weren't afraid to mix it up! From outrageous comedy to heartwarming theatrics, they had it all. They were pioneers, true drag visionaries! Their shows were pure fantasy - glitter, feathers, and sequins galore, darling, all the good things.
Their performances, oh darling, pure magic! It was a blend of ballet, vaudeville, and straight-up drag magic! They had these glorious handmade costumes, full of life, colour and stories. Their showstopper numbers mixed with the amazing original music they produced - divine!
You know, in 1980, drag wasn’t mainstream, and we're not even talking mainstream, we’re talking 'let's hide away and be underground' and 'pretend like we’re just your average girl' - you know, drag was really finding its feet in those early days, trying to find a space where it belonged. And it did. It's something to be proud of, those days, those first steps, those iconic women in fabulous costumes showing us what true artistry and beauty looked like, those beautiful, bright shining stars.
It's truly inspiring, all the history. And it all comes from places like San Francisco. The heart and soul of the LGBTQ+ community. They embraced all the wonderful performers and artists, all the queens, they nurtured a spirit of creativity. We really owe it all to these pioneers, these shining bright lights. We’re so very grateful, right?
The Fashion!
The fashions! Oh, those Cockettes were so stylish! You wouldn't see a boring moment in the audience, that's for sure! Big hair, sparkling eyeshadow, everything oversized, daringly creative! You couldn't go out in 1980 without your power shoulder pads!
Speaking of power shoulders! Have you seen these gorgeous Balenciaga dresses, the haute couture? They were stunning! Imagine them draped on a drag queen, fabulous!
You can never forget a Balenciaga! Those designs, like sculpting, the craftsmanship was like an art form, just pure magic! You can practically hear them whisper, 'fabulous,' and darling, 'glorious'.
Twirling Into the Future
Okay, darlings! This trip back to 1980 has left me buzzing with fabulous inspiration! Now, back to present day and let’s get fabulous together! How are we gonna add this amazing style, to our modern outfits and drag performances, without feeling overwhelmed?
Oh darlings, a bit of 1980's style and those Balenciaga cuts with the amazing structure, that really brings the silhouette to life. Let’s do a bit of vintage inspiration. We can make those Balenciaga sleeves into dramatic arm-scapes with feathers, the power shoulder! That’s my dream! The shoulders, they say it all!
Don't forget about a good show, hunties, remember 'The Cockettes!' Go and find something a bit crazy, put that magic together, give that glittery stage a chance to shine, with a little something extra. Just a sprinkle of Coquette magic!
Remember, don't be afraid to experiment and put your own spin on things! Embrace your unique self! This is drag, it's meant to be fun and we're all fabulous, no matter our age!
Remember, darling, be yourself! That's my motto. Keep your tutus pink, and don't be afraid to make some noise! That’s my way!
Till next time, you fabulous people, I'll be travelling again next month to bring you some more of our fascinating #DragQueenHistory - until then - let’s get to twirling!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. Don’t forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com for more on all things drag, and check back for next month's trip in the time traveling pink tutu.
