Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we travel through time, one glittery, pink tutu-clad leap at a time! I’m Emma, your fabulous Derbyshire guide to the enchanting world of drag. Today’s journey takes us to September 9th, 1990, a date bursting with fabulousness and iconic moments. Grab your feather boas and your finest lip gloss, because this is a drag extravaganza you don’t want to miss!
(This is my 849th blog post, dear readers. 849 posts filled with sassy history, stunning fashion, and enough pink to make even a rainbow jealous!)
This time, I'm shimmering in a shimmering, brand new, hand-beaded pink tutu! The perfect attire for a trip to the past, isn't it? Just imagine, my darlings! 1990! The year that launched the iconic "Vogue" by Madonna. Can you even imagine how incredible the world of drag must have been then? Just picturing those ballrooms bursting with shimmering glamour, dazzling outfits, and legendary performances - I'm practically fainting with anticipation!
A peek at the global drag scene…
We're stepping into a time of vibrant drag communities in America, Europe, and beyond.
In New York City, drag was a powerhouse of performance, talent, and expression. Just imagine witnessing legends like Divine, RuPaul, Lady Bunny, and Miss Fame, and more at places like The Pyramid Club or The Ritz. And just think, darlings, that this was all going on during a time when the internet was barely a twinkle in the eyes of tech wizards.
In Europe, the drag scene was in full swing in London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Think drag giants like Lily Savage, Divine, and the late, great Paul O'Grady who was shaking up the stage with his hilarious alter ego, Lily Savage.
Across the pond, drag was booming. A cultural phenomenon, bringing fabulousness to every corner. In 1990, Divine was gracing screens with her outrageous antics. It was the height of camp and performance, my dears, a perfect time for me to experience what those drag nights must have been like.
(Oh darling, you think this blog is long? Back then, you couldn't have even googled "what is drag?" Let alone see these incredible queens perform - that’s what makes the early 90s even more magical!).
I'm always curious about what makes a specific time in history so important for drag culture, what changed the world of drag? Was it the media, or perhaps a breakthrough in the fashion industry?
September 9th, 1990? Nothing but dazzling nights of glitter and fabulousness in London! Think *"Absolutely Fabulous," * the sitcom, starring Jennifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon, an outrageous and unapologetically camp fashionista, a character we drag queens totally understood, don’t you think? That was the essence of that time - pure drag fabulousness shining through in every nook and cranny!
My drag journey to 1990 gave me so many insights, darlings! But beyond those amazing shows, think about this:
September 9th, 1990, also brought a big change for the British pop world – The Spice Girls debuted! Oh yes, the girls were singing, "Wannabe!" and spreading the power of girl-power everywhere. And it had its impact on drag too! Think about it! The girls' high fashion, bold colors, and empowered lyrics— it all played right into the world of drag queens, pushing the boundaries of performance even further!
Drag, fashion, and the love for a perfect pink tutu
My passion for tutus always takes me back to the elegant world of ballet. The classic style of a tutu brings out the elegant femininity of a drag performance - that perfect *fusion of elegance, showmanship, and artistic expression. *
In the fashion world, the iconic 1990’s style - from bold prints and oversized silhouettes to sequins, metallics, and sparkling dresses, everything was a kaleidoscope of color, pattern, and texture, influencing everyone, from pop icons to everyday fashion trends, creating the ultimate flamboyant fashion stage. And guess what, dear readers, a pink tutu, always finds its place in this whirlwind of bold and beautiful trends, right? It was all a symphony of colors, where the pink tutu was the conductor, adding that extra dose of feminine charm to any fabulous fashion spectacle.
(Did you know, fashion back in the 1990s often made a big statement about who you were - imagine, you could express your whole personality through your clothes. Now, that is drag! And that's exactly what drew me back to 1990; the spirit of dressing up and the magic of the stage, that was simply enchanting!)
Oh darlings! Our time travel is coming to an end, but this is just the tip of the fabulous iceberg!
Pink-Tutu.com, where every day is a drag adventure!
I'm off to a drag show tonight. Will it be inspired by 1990s fashion? Will my new tutu be a star? I promise to tell you all about it next month, on September 9th! (A special day for a special blog post! ;) )
*Until then, stay glamorous, and don’t forget: “Keep wearing those pink tutus!” *
*Lots of love, Emma. *
*www.pink-tutu.com *
(This blog post, darlings, was carefully curated by Emma, who may or may not have snuck into a drag ball and lived it up to the tune of “Vogue” last night. She's still beaming from the experience.)
