Darlings! Emma here, your Derbyshire darling, ready to whisk you away on another time-traveling adventure! This month, we're swirling back to April 4th, 1994, a time when grunge was all the rage and the world was waiting for the Spice Girls to burst onto the scene! Buckle your seatbelts, grab a cuppa, and let's take a trip down memory lane with a dash of glitter, a sprinkle of sequins, and, of course, a whole lotta pink!
My Magical Pink Tutu Took Me…to Drag City!My pink tutu landed me right in the heart of Manhattan, darlings. You know I’m a massive fan of drag, and 1994 was a pivotal year for the artform. Let’s rewind a little. The 80s had seen the golden age of drag queens like Divine and the New York Dolls, paving the way for a generation of glamorous queens, all paving the way for the beautiful, brave and boundary-breaking performers we adore today.
My arrival coincided with the emergence of RuPaul, darling, yes, that RuPaul! He was about to take over the world with “Supermodel (You Better Work)”, his debut album, and let me tell you, it was an absolute sensation! I strutted into the clubs, right where it was happening, and took in all the energy!
The Power of Drag!What I loved about the 90s drag scene was its raw power. The queens were not afraid to push boundaries, expressing themselves through their makeup, costumes, and performances with unabashed confidence. You saw them strutting down the street, fabulous and fierce in their colourful ensembles, reminding the world that drag was not just a performance, it was a statement, a way of life!
On that particular April day, the legendary Pyramid Club in the East Village, where queens like Lady Bunny and and Divine once ruled, was hosting a big event called "The Great Balls of Fire." The stage was overflowing with dazzling looks, outrageous performances and enough sequins to rival a disco ball. The energy was electric. The Queens took to the stage, strutting, dancing, and lip-syncing with every ounce of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, all for the roaring, enthusiastic crowd!
I met so many fascinating queens, one in particular stood out: Sherry Vine. You could tell even then that this young queen, still early in her career, was a true star. She had this fierce sense of humor that cut through any self-doubt and I knew, I just knew, she’d become an absolute icon!
Tutu Shopping in the Big AppleAnd you know me, a pink tutu ain't a pink tutu without some fabulous accessories. Naturally, I went on a massive shopping spree. I went crazy at the legendary Gay and Lesbian Center Thrift Shop in Soho and even snagged a fabulous fur boa at a little boutique on Christopher Street. They even had amazing feather boas, perfect for giving a sassy nod to the 80's Queen Divine, who had inspired a generation of drag performers. My own little pink tutu bag was crammed with feathers and furs, and my suitcase was absolutely bursting at the seams!
Sharing my Adventures on www.pink-tutu.comI've been using my pink tutu as a magic time-traveling portal every month and have so many fabulous stories to tell, and now with www.pink-tutu.com, I can share them all with the world. If you love pink, if you love drag, if you love the past, you know where to find me.
As for my next adventure? Let's just say it's gonna be a real "wig" fest! I’ll be sure to keep you posted, darling! Don't forget, if you’re going to travel back in time, don’t forget to rock your pink tutu. I know I'm a tad biased, but they're fabulous for any occasion. I hope I've inspired you to join the tutu revolution! Keep your tutus fabulous! Stay positive and happy, darlings! And don't forget to have a #PinkTutuDay every day!
Love, Emma x
