Hello darlings! Your favourite Derbyshire pink-tutu wearing time traveller Emma here, back for another monthly peek into the fabulous history of drag. As you all know, I love nothing more than slipping on my magical time travelling tutu and dipping into the archives of fabulousness! This month, my dear diary, we're waltzing back to June 1985, and lemme tell ya, it was an absolute peach!
As usual, I kicked off my travels in the grand city of New York, the undeniable heart of the drag scene. You've heard of the iconic balls and underground clubs of the 70s, right? Well, 1985 was still dripping with that delicious underground energy! I slipped into a tiny bar called the "Pyramid Club," and the scene was just sizzling with excitement. Picture this: strobe lights flashing, a dancefloor buzzing with bodies, and fierce looks being thrown left, right, and centre. The vibe was electric, a wild mix of glam and underground grit - I felt like a princess stepping into a chaotic fairytale!
They say drag is about transformation, and boy, was that true in 1985. These queens were serving up major looks - think towering hair, dazzling makeup, and costumes that were equal parts edgy and fabulous. Imagine me, surrounded by queens in studded leather jackets, colourful body glitter, and feather boas that could have feathered an entire nest. Talk about some real fashion inspiration!
One queen, I couldn't take my eyes off, was Divine. Oh my, darling! He was wearing this gigantic feather headdress, all silver and shimmering, and this incredible scarlet gown with these huge, puffed-up sleeves. It looked like something straight out of a Hollywood musical, absolutely breathtaking! Divine was renowned for his performances, mixing humour and satire, a true legend. It was a complete privilege to witness his brilliance.
But it wasn't all about New York, dear readers! Remember, we're time travellers, and that means we explore the globe. So, off I jetted to sunny California! In San Francisco, a whole other scene was booming. "The Cockettes" - they were like a troupe of beautiful, rebellious angels. Their performances were a mix of campy theatrics, comedy, and artistry, blending the fantastical and the political. Imagine drag with a powerful message, challenging expectations and creating a space for individual expression. Oh darling, it was simply divine!
From the bright lights of San Francisco to the glittering glamour of London, my journey continued. In London's underground scene, I saw queens who were serving a different flavour - think punk and theatrical influences, a truly avant-garde style. A local club called The Venue was absolutely humming. You had this mix of drag queens, drag kings, and alternative performers, all pushing boundaries and creating art, a testament to the creativity bubbling in the London drag scene.
Oh, and remember that amazing drag performance I saw in London that evening? Well, it featured a gorgeous queen in a stunning velvet jumpsuit, she was the picture of glamorous sophistication. The energy in the room was palpable, everyone was glued to the performance, totally enthralled by her performance, so dramatic, powerful and inspiring! It truly encapsulated the magic of drag.
But you know what I found most fascinating about 1985, dear readers? The energy of these performances was incredibly inclusive. It was a community of diverse artists, embracing differences and pushing boundaries. The sheer courage and creativity of these performers was simply mind-blowing.
And yes, while I'm here in the past, I can't forget the important impact of drag history. While this era brought us countless brilliant drag artists, it was also a time of fierce activism. HIV and AIDS were devastating the community, and these queens were stepping up to raise awareness, to fight for funding, and to create a safe space for everyone, they were real champions of change!
Back in the present, it’s 2023, and I’m truly proud to say, the world of drag is booming more than ever! Drag queens are making a splash across every form of media - television, theatre, and even pop music. Think "RuPaul's Drag Race," for instance - that show opened doors for drag queens globally, making them stars! It’s fantastic, I tell you, all this incredible visibility, recognition, and celebrating of the unique magic that drag offers the world.
As always, darling, I’m ending this blog with a reminder to spread the joy and wonder of pink tutus wherever you go. Remember, embracing the fabulousness within yourself is always the best fashion choice. So, whether you're rocking a fluffy pink tutu at your local drag show, showing off your signature lip sync routine on TikTok, or simply strutting your stuff with confidence on a sunny afternoon, don't be afraid to express yourself!
Until next month, darling!
Yours in Pink Tutu fabulousness,
Emma 💖
Don't forget, dear readers, you can follow my drag queen time travels each month here on pink-tutu.com!
