Hello darlings, welcome back to my little corner of the internet! It's your favourite time-travelling tutu enthusiast, Emma, and this month we're jetting back to the glam-tastic year of 1992. It’s a fabulously exciting time for drag – the scene was starting to explode with diversity and new talent, and it’s an absolute blast to witness it!
As I popped on my sparkly pink tutu (a true vintage find!) and zipped through the time vortex, I landed right in the middle of New York City, the epicentre of all things fabulous! Now, you all know my love for a good show, and December 1992 was truly overflowing with drag excellence!
I started my night at the legendary "The Pyramid Club". Oh honey, this was the place to be! It was known for its drag, its fabulous music, its eccentric clientele and oh, that décor – just glorious! You can't beat a good old-fashioned drag night! The vibe was just incredible, filled with colourful costumes, sparkling smiles and an abundance of energy.
Imagine this: I'm perched on a bar stool, sipping on a Shirley Temple (don't judge, I'm a proper girl!) when I witness the iconic Divine strutting onto the stage, looking absolutely divine, of course! The whole place erupts with cheers! I could tell she was a force of nature, someone who was changing the way drag was perceived, shattering the boundaries and bringing laughter to a generation! Just witnessing her presence was something I'll never forget. It truly is a legend.
Speaking of legends, remember RuPaul? You could catch him right there in New York, spinning the hottest tunes and rocking those sequined outfits. Ru was the king of glamour, and it was impossible not to feel mesmerised by his energy! I got so caught up in the excitement I even managed to snaffle a selfie with him – it’s going straight on the mantlepiece! I even spied the legendary drag legend and entertainer, Joey Arias. She was radiating a true performer aura - magnetic, captivating, just so iconic. It was such a magical moment! I spent the night chatting with fellow drag enthusiasts, discovering new talent, and absorbing all the glitz and glamour this fabulous city has to offer. I swear I even overheard someone mentioning a drag show in this little town called “Paris” which sounds rather intriguing… I must do a little more research into this, it certainly has the sound of glamour.
I’m not sure if I was transported in time, or if I had suddenly fallen into an episode of Dynasty – those power shoulders and big hair had my inner drag queen doing cartwheels! The 90s were certainly all about bold colours, eye-catching outfits and lots of layers, all dripping with glamour and dripping with personality.
To continue my glamorous journey, I headed over to The Ritz! The nightlife scene in NYC was electric – think of glitzy club lights, shimmering dance floors, and fabulous personalities. This is how you make history, darling. The glitter is truly timeless. Of course, no trip to New York in the 90s was complete without a little retail therapy. I was amazed by the abundance of extravagant costumes, flamboyant wigs and blindingly bright make-up on offer. Oh, the power of a drag store, it was truly dazzling. I snagged a few glittery accessories myself - gotta keep up with the fashion! Who needs boring old boots when you can wear sequined cowboy boots and feather boas? You just never know when you'll need to be ready to strut!
While the clubbing and shows were incredible, there's something quite special about drag performances on the streets. I spent a lot of time exploring, walking along, enjoying the atmosphere, soaking in the energy, and occasionally watching amazing performances happening right on the sidewalks! This was truly an era for making a statement with performance and being noticed, and they were certainly achieving their goals! I watched a young queen, absolutely radiating confidence in a shimmering bodysuit and a dazzling pink tutu - we shared a knowing smile! There’s something very special about connecting with someone over the common love of all things pink, tutus, and fabulous. It was the perfect culmination to my amazing New York adventure, the energy was intoxicating and it certainly sparked some new inspiration for my own drag looks and even a possible new, pink tutu costume for my next show.
Now, don’t be shy darlings. If you’re in a bind for some time-travelling advice, feel free to ask. There's so much more to discover, so many fabulous shows to watch, and so many fabulous looks to be inspired by, and my time-travelling tutus are ready to take us there. Remember darlings, if you feel like bringing a touch of pink into your world, don't hesitate to reach for the rainbow – and always, always wear your tutu with confidence!
Til next time darlings,
Emma.
