Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's your girl, Emma, back from another whirl through the time vortex! This month, I've landed smack-dab in February 2nd, 1986, a year chock-full of sparkly fabulousness, darling! Buckle up, babes, 'cause it's gonna be a roaring time!
As always, this is post number 794 in my never-ending saga of glamorous time-travel. You all know the drill – every month, my magical, oh-so-fabulous pink tutu whisks me off to a different time and place to witness the glorious history of our beloved drag world. And let me tell you, my darlings, February 2nd, 1986 was positively thriving.
Let’s just say, darling, the early eighties were practically dripping with camp, and 1986 was no exception! The world was still reeling from the disco-fuelled seventies, and those fabulous, free-spirited vibes were absolutely oozing from every drag queen and performance. And believe you me, I totally absorbed it all in, from head to fabulous toe.
Now, darling, don’t let the year fool you. The world of drag in 1986 wasn't just one big 'glam it up' explosion. The community was diverse, and let me tell you, that's a fabulous thing! Some queens were rocking the sleek, almost futuristic aesthetic that defined a lot of that era. I'm talking leather, platform boots, and dramatic makeup. Think, the glam and grittiness of Madonna, but more fabulous! Then you had the more camp queens who brought the 'over-the-top' and made you question what 'normal' even meant. Like, imagine Divine circa "Hairspray", but a tad more polished, darlings! That's what I’m talkin' about!
The real beauty of this time period is that there were these amazing little drag hubs all over the place! New York City was a hotbed for queens who had a serious serious hunger to take the world by storm, especially those performing at The Pyramid Club and the Roxy, and ooh darling let's not forget about the fabulous Drag Queen Bar where some of the hottest queens, like our iconic drag mama, Divine herself, were killing it. I actually heard some say, she even held a couple of shows at this joint! I mean, who better than Divine to set the stage on fire, eh?
Speaking of fire, San Francisco was ablaze with drag shows. The city’s drag queens were seriously on fire, bringing a certain San Fran flare – all about self-expression and taking bold chances with their costumes. We were talking sash-and-crown gowns to leather fetish wear, they just oozed personality.
However, 1986 was more than just those two major drag centers, oh no, my loves! This era was all about embracing every corner of the drag universe. In London, my hometown darling! A lot of the queens, they were more focused on theatrical performance, with their amazing acts featuring some breathtaking original pieces. Talk about artistry, they really pushed boundaries, both with their make-up and stage presence. It’s like we were in a real life West End production, you know? That’s what it felt like, darlings! And then, there was the rise of the drag ballroom scene. I’m talkin’ NYC and its iconic drag balls, complete with a thriving vogue scene that took everything to the next level of fierce!
But here’s the catch, my sweet little angels – this was a time of transition. 1986, it was just a year before the AIDS epidemic reached a tragic tipping point, shaking the foundations of the drag scene.
And so, I had to learn more. I put on my investigative, pink-tutu-clad hat and hit the streets, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opening journey, for sure!
I popped by some legendary gay bars and found queens were already grappling with this tragic reality, yet still making an effort to live loud and proud, and support their peers in any way they could. I mean, what better way to combat negativity and hate than by rocking our vibrant colors, gorgeous costumes and having a bit of fun?! And honestly, I’m just so inspired! We were and still are a force of nature when it comes to finding positivity and laughter in difficult situations!
Now, my sweet, dear readers, before we go on to talk about my magnificent finds on the fashion scene, remember what makes our history truly legendary – the drag queens themselves. I mean, talk about pioneers, darlings! They were the ones who made all this dazzling glamour and incredible performance possible!
And don't forget, darlings, while you’re browsing through some amazing archives on your favorite websites about our fabulous history, do consider showing your support for present day queens. Check out local drag events, maybe donate to a drag charity, or simply give a little love to the next queen who pops up on your social media! It's not about making money, it's about showing your appreciation for their passion for the art, their hard work, and their amazing impact on our society!
Oh, and speaking of appreciation, darling, let’s chat about a few of those magnificent queens I had the absolute pleasure of meeting! I had a fabulous chat with one queen, let's just say, she went by a name so outrageously fabulous, it deserved to be capitalized… FABULA! And *let me tell you, this girl had more fierce than you can shake a feather boa at! It’s just, you had to be there, dear!
I even stumbled across some absolutely divine shows in The Village! This one queen, a goddess by the name of Kiki , completely slayed her audience. Oh darling, this woman knew exactly how to work the stage! It's like she just radiated confidence and personality in every single step and with every single wink. She even included some absolutely amazing dancing. And then there was Jackie! I could talk for days about her looks, so many dramatic poses and that one moment, oh darling, where she turned upstage right, struck this absolutely magnificent pose, and winked at me while nailing every single beat of that disco music.
And then… then, I finally reached the hallowed halls of The Pyramid Club in New York City, and let me tell you, it was even more breathtaking in real life. I almost felt too nervous to even try and mingle. Thankfully I did meet an incredible queen. They told me stories of the club's rich history - legends like Divine , Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera all had graced its stage! My mind was blown, darlings! I even got to see some amazing pictures! All I can say is WOW!
In addition to the Queens, oh honey, I am still swooning over the incredible looks, outfits, and costumes I saw! Honestly, I want to pack it all up and bring it straight to my closet, you know?
Speaking of which, darling, don't worry - your girl always does a deep dive into the fabulous fashion that was rocking 1986, and trust me, darling, it was not lacking!
I have to say that the colour palette was so fun! It's like the eighties exploded with colour, and the drag queens were right there to embrace the vibrant energy head on. Every colour imaginable was there, but for me, I loved that neon pink was starting to gain some serious traction! I felt right at home in my trusty tutu.
One look that was literally EVERYWHERE in 1986 was the fabulous shoulder pad. Darling, shoulder pads were a fashion must-have – they added so much structure and serious drama. We were talking everything from puffed-up, oversized sweaters to daring gowns that swirled with movement as the queens performed their hearts out! So much fun, I simply love them! But honestly, the one major staple in every drag queen's wardrobe? You guessed it, my lovely, feathers! Feathers literally adorned everything: from headdresses to those enormous skirts that flowed around the dance floor in such dramatic fashion! But my favorite find? I found these gorgeous pink sequin feather boas at every turn ! Oh darling, perfect for any drag queen who’s looking to *strut their stuff!
And of course, let's not forget the legendary drag gowns that were everywhere. We were talking about these fabulous gowns that had layers of fringe, sparkling sequins, and bold patterned fabrics, a whole lot of sparkle, and they flowed elegantly as the queens moved across the stage, giving their audiences a visual treat with every single step.
Let's be honest, the world of drag is a magical realm of self-expression, and in 1986 it felt like the queens took that expression and just ran with it, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and inspiring a new generation of artists!
But darling, 1986 wasn't all just fun and games. The AIDS crisis was already starting to take its toll on the community, casting a shadow on the glittery and glorious world of drag. It wasn't easy, darlings, and it tested the very fabric of this artistic world, but let's be real: it didn't break it, it made it stronger. The queens pulled together and used their platforms to raise awareness, show compassion and offer support, while reminding everyone that our collective strength comes from togetherness, and the need to fight for what’s right. They continued to perform, bringing laughter, smiles and joy to audiences. And darling, that is what makes the history of drag such a truly remarkable thing! It’s about standing strong and holding each other up! It’s about standing for each other through the tough times, through the good times, and the magnificent times.
Just like our love for all things pink! Now I have to jet.
Till next month darlings!
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S Remember darlings, I am so grateful that you follow my monthly journey! Don't forget, I always welcome suggestions! If you're reading this, and want to learn more about any specific time period, leave a comment below, darlings! You know, give me some fab inspiration for the next pink tutu voyage!
