Hey darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler and chronicler of all things fabulous. November is upon us, and with it comes the crisp air of autumn and the most divine array of glittering fashion!
Now, as you all know, this month's journey finds me back in the glorious 80s! Let me tell you, it was a period of true extravagance when it came to drag, a veritable explosion of glitter and glamour! Think neon colours, outrageous hairdos, and loads of makeup. Oh, and the music! I mean, just listen to Blondie or The Eurythmics for a glimpse of the fabulous sonic landscapes we were rocking in this era.
Speaking of dazzling sounds, I had a real treat in store for me this time around. I popped on my magic time-traveling pink tutu (it's a real statement piece, darling!), twirled my way back to the year 1983 and...drumroll please…found myself backstage at the legendary Peppermint Lounge in New York City! Now, the Peppermint Lounge has been a true hotbed of drag performance for decades, but in 1983, it was a particularly fabulous scene, attracting the likes of the iconic, the dazzling, the utterly DIVINE!
You know, Divine, right? The drag legend herself, John Waters' muse, with that powerhouse voice, and an eye for fashion so sharp it could slice a banana right in two! Imagine my delight at witnessing, first hand, the 'The Cockettes', Divine, Jackie Curtis, and a young, absolutely fabulous RuPaul! Yes, darlings, the iconic Queen of Drag was in the building back then too!
You simply must know about this incredible drag group known as 'The Cockettes'! Think hippy glam and vaudeville mixed together in a beautiful mess of glitter and attitude. They had an amazing sense of humor, even some politically charged themes they presented in their shows. These incredible artists really shook things up back in the day, pushing boundaries with every show, their performances truly captured the spirit of the times!
I felt like I was caught up in a fever dream of feathers, sequins and glitter! Even I, with my well-worn and ever-present pink tutu, had to add a touch of neon here, a little more eye shadow there, just to keep up with this incredibly bold and confident style. And let me tell you, my dear, this whole scene gave me an absolute rush! It's incredible to see the legacy these queens have left behind. I just know those legendary nights in the Peppermint Lounge still inspire queens across the globe today.
While the drag scene in NYC was exploding, the scene across the pond in London was bubbling with talent, too! Think about 'The Camden Palace', a cultural hotbed of music and drag with so much energy! We’re talking punk rock drag queens like Leigh Bowery who pushed all the fashion and makeup boundaries, it was so, so bold! These Queens were like colourful flowers in an explosion of self expression! Their styles were totally innovative, and that's something I always celebrate, embracing individuality and artistic expression! It really does inspire me, to always keep searching for new ways to push the boundaries and experiment with my own look!
You might be thinking, Emma, you're a lovely ballerina, what do you know about these daring styles? Well darling, don't you ever judge a pink tutu by its ruffles. There's a whole lot of drag queen history inside me. Just like these artists back in 1983, I'm passionate about embracing individuality, self-expression and making my voice heard! That's the power of drag, and I'm so proud to be a part of it!
Speaking of fabulous venues, I even ventured over to Los Angeles! Can you believe it? In 1983, the legendary drag bar "The Mineshaft" was at the centre of LA’s drag scene. A must-see for any queen visiting Los Angeles! I must admit, that's where I saw an amazing drag show. It was a real mix of all kinds of drag. This whole scene, back then, felt like a wild celebration of the drag experience, everyone just wanted to celebrate drag and have a good time!
You see, drag wasn’t just a spectacle, but it was a community. It was a place for people, and especially queer folks, to feel accepted, loved, and free! And that, my darlings, is why I dedicate my time travels and these blog posts to celebrate this magical history and keep the spirit alive!
So, there you have it, another adventure in my magical pink tutu. What will my next journey bring? Oh, I have so many places to visit and incredible drag queens to meet. Stay tuned for more, and don't forget, dear readers, the magic of a pink tutu is all yours! Just keep your chin up, be true to yourself, and *rock that pink! * Until next month, darlings!
XOXO,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
