Hello darlings! It’s your favourite Derbyshire lass, Emma, back for another whirlwind adventure in time! This month, I’m taking you back to the glorious summer of 1982 – a year brimming with glitter, sequins, and enough hairspray to make a hurricane jealous! Now, grab your best blusher and let’s dive into this dazzling dive down memory lane!
(insert a dazzling sparkly gif here)
This month, my magical pink tutu has whisked me to the vibrant streets of New York City! Can you imagine the sheer joy of stepping out into the bustling city streets of 1982 – all those glorious shops! So, naturally, my first port of call was to the glorious Henri Bendel – such a treasure trove of glamour! Imagine – giant silk bows, the most glorious headbands imaginable, and feather boas in every hue of the rainbow. I snagged myself a gorgeous magenta-pink headband for the occasion, of course! My purse, darling? An enormous bright orange leather number. You haven’t lived till you’ve walked around New York City in the early 80s in a gigantic orange leather bag - and of course, a pink tutu!
(insert a gif of the 80's here, featuring a glamorous woman shopping and then posing in a vibrant orange bag and a pink tutu)
Anyway, the main attraction this month was a spectacular drag show at The Copa. Oh darling! Imagine a legendary, old-time nightclub that was, at that very moment, at the peak of its fame. My heart simply did a triple pirouette upon entering. This venue has seen so many glorious legends – like our very own divine Miss Mable. Imagine all those glitter-soaked nights, legendary singers like Eartha Kitt gracing the stage, the clinking of cocktails and the laughter that must have rippled through the room! Oh darling, to be a fly on the wall in that glorious moment in time!
The stage was ablaze with stunning queens, their costumes glittering under the spotlights. It was pure camp – big hair, extravagant feather boas, and plenty of glittery eyeshadow. There was a queen performing in a dress made entirely of feathers – it looked like a hummingbird’s dream come true! I simply had to give her my love for the feather game! But my heart was stolen by a queen performing with an astonishingly elaborate and feathered headdress, so high you’d think she was a glamorous member of a tribe of Amazonian birds! It was incredible, and I, of course, wanted to run onstage and have my photo taken with her! It was the kind of outfit that screamed for attention – but we all know, we love attention!
(insert an image of a large feather headdress and a queen from the 1980s with big hair)
The talent on stage was unbelievable. I don’t even think my Tutu could express how mesmerized I was. Imagine – they’d start their lip-syncs and the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, even the men seemed swept up in the magic! It was a joy to see. These queens, in the heart of a tough New York night, poured their hearts and souls onto that stage for all to enjoy, sharing joy with every sassy smile and powerful pose.
The star of the night? Let’s just say her entrance left the room in a stunned silence before erupting in cheers that could only be described as heavenly. Imagine, walking onto a dimly lit stage bathed in a purple spotlight, in a sheer, glittery, almost ethereal gown with feathered accents and an impossible 80s hairdo - it truly was a thing of beauty. You could practically hear angels sing when she took to the microphone! The entire place exploded! Imagine everyone standing on their seats, drinks forgotten in their frenzy. This queen could've charmed the birds from the trees. She performed like a diva possessed by a thousand angels. It was a show that stole my breath.
**(insert an image of an 80's-style performance featuring big hair, glitter and feathers here!)
But oh, the dancing! The crowd erupted with joyous hoots every time someone threw a fabulous pose! Each queen performed with incredible energy – and the dancing was so good, you just had to stand there and simply applaud! Imagine - those fabulous splits and turns! Imagine those sharp hips swinging and swaying with enough oomph to make the whole stage shake! We are talking serious camp, darling, with every sequin shining under the light! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, even amongst those tough New York lads, and it just goes to show you – drag is the gift that keeps on giving.
After the show, I had a fabulous time catching up with some local queens who had some fantastic stories from back in the day. You see, dear, that era was the time of some iconic drag shows that put a city's "Drag scene" firmly on the map. The whole concept of drag being a powerful, unifying force to uplift and empower others really thrived during those glorious days – and trust me, darling, it was legendary! These Queens weren't afraid to take a stand and speak their truth, and let their own beautiful voices be heard – all through a rainbow of lip syncs, glittery gowns and daring performances!
Of course, I just had to indulge in a little shopping, and so off I trotted to the local drag queen fashion house for a new pair of thigh-high leather boots and a vintage sequin dress. It felt like walking through a museum of drag excellence - with enough glitz and glamour to stun even a seasoned Drag Queen. There’s simply something magnificent about seeing how drag queens used to fashion themselves back in those days, so much bold creativity, colour and sheer joy for everyone to see. That is, darling, the beauty of a drag Queen – their fashion, their ability to embrace and play with all the world has to offer and present it on a grand, beautiful stage for all to see. You haven’t lived until you’ve worn an 80s sequin dress, darling, so when I get back, I'm starting a line. Just wait!
So there you have it! Another fabulous journey through the past. Remember darlings – wear your pink tutu with pride, embrace the glitz, the glitter and the power of drag, and above all, never be afraid to shine! Catch you all next month!
**(insert a picture of Emma, in her pink tutu, next to an 80s-style drag queen in sequins, feathers, and big hair).
* www.pink-tutu.com *
