Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire diva and time-travelling fashionista. It's December the 12th, and guess what?! My magical pink tutu whisked me back to 1986, and oh my sequins, what a year!
Blog Post Number 804: Pink Power and Retro-Glamour
This month, we're taking a trip back to 1986, a time when shoulder pads were higher than your dreams and neon colours were screaming 'fabulous'! This year, drag queens were rocking the world with their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, all wrapped up in some of the most spectacular costumes imaginable!
My pink tutu was already on a roll when I landed in 1986. Let's be honest, it would have been a scandal, a fashion-forward disaster had I stepped out without it, especially since I ended up at The Cockettes' annual Christmas show! The Cockettes - you might be saying - were a bunch of fabulous Californian drag queens known for their extravagant, theatrical performances. They were essentially a commune of flamboyant, fabulous artists, making drag more of an art movement than a simple stage performance.
In 1986, The Cockettes were already making waves in the world of drag! The group had even released a documentary, showcasing their fabulous take on drag performance - "The Cockettes" - you gotta watch it darlings! It's all about expressing your authentic self. I've gotta give these darlings credit for their fabulous fashion, the costumes in that documentary! My inner drag queen just screams "I NEED THOSE FEATHERS!" Honestly, it was like walking straight into a glamorous, fabulous dream, a time capsule of creativity and wild imagination! They paved the way for the bold and outlandish drag culture that's thrived for generations - imagine the drag makeup trends and those magnificent stage outfits. They were really making statements with their own kind of 'high fashion drag'!
The Cockettes, to me, epitomized the freedom and self-expression of drag, and they proved that the drag world could go beyond the boundaries of clubs and stages. And with my pink tutu swirling and glittering under the spotlight, I knew I had to take some notes - maybe next year, I'll have to try and get a co-production of The Cockettes for the Pink Tutu Show! My, oh my! This is turning into a fabulous night, so let's head into a new part of my night… the best part of drag in any decade - the shopping!
Shopping & Finding Fabulous Inspiration in 1986
Of course, no time travel escapade is complete without a little retail therapy! I've gotta say, even the fashion from the eighties, despite its sometimes, shall we say, questionable trends, had a special kind of magic.
I was straight to the Harrods department store - imagine my surprise to see an entire department dedicated to vintage and retro fashion, just overflowing with lace and ruffles! It felt like stepping into a Drag Queen's dream - the vintage section in Harrods was overflowing with sparkling disco fabrics and head-turning costumes! Now, the clothes weren't exactly for everyday wear but the colours! I'm talking turquoise, fuchsia, and an electric orange I could have worn as a rainbow flag - brilliant for my drag act!
After Harrods, it was onto John Lewis, the British store of stylish choices for clothes and home decor! The eighties really had some crazy trends in furniture. I just had to try the floral cushions. Remember, everything needs to be pink for a pink-tutu themed home - or, I suppose anything you want really! This place is perfect for grabbing some drag inspiration – let’s say finding some perfect costume fabric – especially those oversized, puffy shoulders on the mannequins! Now, this is something to think about, isn't it? Maybe the shoulders were just big enough to fit my tutu…
But, this fashion exploration wasn't just about finding out-of-this-world costume inspiration. I had a real goal - finding new places to rock my pink tutu. I wandered into a London boutique selling beautiful *ballerina outfits, *and let's just say, my pink tutu went down a storm!
Turns out, this place wasn’t just about ballerina tutus but a real gem for anyone interested in dance wear. All sorts of outfits for tap dancing and other dance forms! The fabric alone was inspiration - I felt like I was in a world of beautiful pink dreams, finding all sorts of fabulous fabrics for my new looks. I couldn’t resist a handful of sequined tulle! Imagine what I could make for my drag routine. I'm talking serious "prima ballerina, strut-your-stuff-on-the-catwalk," kind of outfits. This visit really got me inspired for the "Pink Tutu Strut" – more about that in a later post!
And of course, as you can imagine, my shopping journey led me to a drag show in London! *And let me tell you, it was absolutely *"fabulous!" There was no need for time-travel here; the drag culture was alive and kicking, buzzing with glamour and vibrant personalities. It's so heartwarming to see the drag queens of London truly owning the scene! I love the London drag scene. All of these years later and still a top venue for top-notch talent.
A Time-Travelling Drag Queen’s Reflections
It seems that even in the 1980s, the drag scene was full of glitter, excitement, and more than a dash of rebellious glamour. I just want to say thank you, you amazing queens! To the Cockettes, thank you for rocking the stage and reminding us that self-expression knows no bounds. To all those talented queens I met at the shows, keep inspiring and shining. To those bold fashion pioneers in those boutiques, your style remains unforgettable.
If you want to know more about the history of the 1980s, and I hope you will, there are so many blogs and resources out there about that glamorous and dazzling decade.
You know what I’ve realized, though, is that drag queens of every era, from the past, to today, and to those that haven't been born yet - we’re all in this together, celebrating our differences, showcasing our individual styles, and breaking down boundaries through sheer creative expression.
Oh, and never, ever, underestimate the power of a pink tutu! 😉
*Till next time, darlings, stay fabulous! *
And always, wear a pink tutu. 💖
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
