Darling, it’s your girl, Emma, back with another smashing edition of #DragQueenHistory, the blog where we twirl back through time, and find out how drag rocked the world in a way that only we fabulous gals can! Grab a glass of something sparkling (I’m dying for some elderflower gin right now!), grab your fanciest pink feather boa, and prepare to sashay, because this post is all about August 8th 1988!
Oh, it's a real thrill this month, loves! My time-travelling tutu whisked me straight back to a dazzling date - the eighth of August, nineteen eighty-eight. Picture it: The air is buzzing with excitement, the music is thumping with a soulful groove, and the streets are absolutely alive with a flamboyant parade of stunning queens. As a devoted fashion fiend and lover of all things fabulous, you'd think my glitter-coated eyeballs would just pop out of my face. Let me tell you, nothing could have prepared me for this incredible, history-making spectacle.
Back to the 80s Baby!Now, it was all a little different back in the day, babes. No Instagram, no TikTok, just pure raw talent shining bright under the spotlight. You wanna talk fierce, fabulous energy? The queens in '88 didn't just perform, they lived it! A bold, vibrant statement? That's what it was, a full-on expression of individuality through fierce fashion, makeup, and, of course, the killer vocals! Imagine this, loves: a glittering scene, with rhinestones flashing, sequins swaying, and the entire place absolutely rocking. Oh, the stories I could tell you! From diva-tastic lip-synching battles, to iconic performances by trailblazers in the scene - you can bet your bottom dollar that this night was legendary.
The Time Travel Report (Post #824!)
But, darling, before we jump into the glittery pool of gossip, let's get one thing clear: this post wouldn't be complete without a sparkling shout-out to the incredible power of a pink tutu. Why? Because you already know this, dearies! The iconic pink tutu has been making a grand entrance throughout history. From 1988 right to the present, its timeless charm has brought joy and pizazz, and I can’t imagine how the scene would be the same without it! I just love its classic touch.
August 8th, 1988
Let’s delve a bit deeper, shall we? For my first stop in my time travel escapade, I had to visit a glorious little cabaret in a small town. Imagine, if you will, a cozy, brick-walled space thrumming with life, music pouring from a vintage sound system, the place jam-packed with friendly faces - a true drag haven. Oh, darling, the energy in this place was so infectious!
I could feel the buzz through my divine tutu - it was clear the queens owned this stage! They delivered a show that would make even the most hardened drag fanatic weak in the knees! I can’t divulge the secrets of the club name – that, darling, is one of my time travel rules, so shhh! - but let me tell you, these queens certainly showed the audience everything they had to give. It was simply unforgettable, the total package - campy, edgy, fierce, fun, and oh-so-fabulous! I truly had the time of my life!
You wanna talk drag history, love? That night, it all clicked! The vibrant community, the fierce performances, the heart-thumping music… it was a truly extraordinary and amazing experience!
*Where Was Drag On This Day, Love? *
Right back then, we saw drag taking centre stage not only on the smaller stages of clubs and pubs, but also in some pretty famous venues - including the infamous London Palladium and, believe it or not, even the Grand Opera House, in York, and the Barbican, in London. Can you imagine? Drag taking over the mainstream venues!
Back in '88, a fierce movement was truly underway! With amazing artists like the legendary Divine already a global force in film and theatre, and names like Julie Copperboom, Lady Bunny, and the legendary, fabulous, iconic RuPaul gracing the stage across America, drag was becoming a pop culture phenomenon. It’s no wonder, darling, as I say: there’s simply nothing like seeing these amazing artists shine and perform with passion.
Let's Talk Tutu Fashion!
Now, where my fabulous tutu came in? Everything, darlings, everything. Imagine this: A bold pink tutu, splashed with shimmering sequins and rhinestones. You could even imagine me dancing with sparkling butterflies attached to my tutu - ooh la la, now we're talking! And that's not just the dream of this pink-obsessed blogger, loves, this is the drag queen story of '88: pink tutus were everywhere! The queens of 1988 embraced a bright and playful aesthetic - bold colours, playful makeup, and iconic hairstyles - with show-stopping fashion as *their signature! But here's where pink tutus really stole the show: they became a symbol of a glorious movement – a celebration of freedom of expression and a celebration of life. Think about it! There's something inherently fun, rebellious, and joyous about wearing a pink tutu, and these brave queens were wearing them loud and proud. It was a powerful message that rang out loud in the heart of a fabulous movement: be your fiercest, your most beautiful and fabulous self - and don’t forget the glitter!
Drag Was Changing the World!
Remember that time-traveling magic I mentioned? This, babes, is where my trusty pink tutu truly shines. We're not just about the sparkle, though I love the sparkle. I feel it's all part of telling an amazing story!
We've touched on some fantastic details, and I hope I've painted a pretty fabulous picture of how the world of drag exploded back in August 1988! Remember, loves, it's so important to learn about our history - to understand the journeys, the struggles, and the amazing wins that made the world we know today possible. Let's face it, it's no secret the path of drag wasn't a straight path, darling! It took the incredible resilience and power of those pioneering artists, making those important statements with everything from the music they performed, the fabulous fashion choices to those glorious drag personas, they brought a sense of freedom, inclusivity and individuality to the world that became an undeniable force. I for one am so grateful to be part of the amazing drag journey.
Pink Tutu Diaries
Let me know if there is any era of drag history you want me to investigate, love. I am here for the fabulous history and the dazzling details of how our community continues to shine!
I'll be back in the world of drag and dazzling outfits next month with another amazing time-travelling blog post on www.pink-tutu.com. You can follow me there and find out where my pink tutu will travel next!
Much love
Emma
*From my Derbyshire Drag Studio.*
*xx*
