Hello darlings! It’s your girl, Emma, and it’s time to twirl back in time for another exciting Pink Tutu Time Travel blog post. Today, my lovely readers, we’re jetéing our way back to July 1995! That’s right, we’re dusting off our feather boas and getting ready for a trip that’ll leave us saying “Yas Queen!” from the rafters.
Oh, and before we begin, can we just take a moment to admire my absolutely fabulous pink tutu this month? This one’s a little bit special – a vintage number that I snagged at a fabulous retro clothing store in Leicester Square, London (the heart of theatre, you know!), with the help of a magic pocketful of pennies earned from a recent gig at a fundraiser for the Derbyshire drag scene. Honestly, it's like a cloud of tulle and rhinestones that's just begging to be twirled!
Now, back to 1995. July in Derbyshire was, to put it plainly, positively drizzling. I'm talking, the kind of rain that soaks through even your best pink tutu. gasp. Luckily, being a time traveller means that my magic tutu and I are impervious to even the fiercest English drizzle. It's true. One of the perks of being a time-travelling drag queen! Anyway, the rain didn't stop the queen in me from heading to Sheffield for a legendary Drag Ball! This place was truly a hive of glamour, with queens and kings serving everything from disco divas to cyberpunk couture. It was a whirlwind of music, laughter, and, of course, enough sequins to rival a Las Vegas stage!
The energy was electric – truly, a magical place where imagination and creativity reigned supreme. This drag scene, darling, this was something else. And remember, this was long before TikTok, before Instagram even existed. Imagine the power of this collective, authentic, heartfelt expression, fuelled by sheer love and talent. My heart soared as I saw drag queens strutting their stuff with genuine passion, showcasing not just their glamorous personas, but a fierce pride in who they were and a sense of community that was deeply moving.
Later that night, while enjoying a truly decadent cocktail in the bar, I struck up a conversation with a stunning queen, Cherry Bomb. Let me tell you, she was absolutely everything I loved about drag. She had this undeniable star quality that filled the room and her stories about the Drag scene in Sheffield were as funny and outrageous as they were heartfelt. I learned so much about the challenges of the time, from acceptance to visibility, yet there was a powerful spirit of resilience and creativity that echoed through it all. Cherry Bomb told me about the exciting scene in Manchester, which was considered to be a hub for the movement. Manchester was the “Drag City” back then. I knew this would be my next destination.
Fast-forwarding (not literally, as time travel has a few glitches, darling!) to the following week, I was off to Manchester to delve deeper into the 1995 drag world. Now, I’ve got to say, it did not disappoint! As I entered the vibrant Northern Quarter, with its buzzing clubs and bohemian energy, I felt the pulse of the city. It was electric! There was this sense of rebellion in the air, a feeling that anything was possible, and that energy radiated straight into the world of drag.
That night, I stumbled upon this incredible underground bar called “The Purple Door,” a secret gem hidden away in the back alleys of Manchester. This place was humming with energy and buzzing with the anticipation of a big drag night. And darling, it was simply glorious.
There was this drag queen named Luna, known for her dazzling fashion and larger-than-life performances, who was about to take to the stage. I mean, darling, the second Luna started to perform, you just knew that she was born to be on that stage. It was an explosive performance full of laughter, satire, and unapologetic joy. This performance felt so groundbreaking to me, so free and so deeply connected to the audience that it resonated with me, it was simply electric. And of course, we all know, what happens in a bar in 1995 Manchester, stays in 1995 Manchester (I learned a lot about drag and maybe something else), but hey, it’s all about that fun, fabulous, pink-tutu energy!
The Manchester drag scene in 1995 was unlike anything I've seen in my time travelling adventures. It was a raw, authentic expression of self, an artistic revolution, and a place where drag queens not only found acceptance, but they helped redefine what it meant to be a woman. These pioneers carved their way through, pushing boundaries and igniting hearts with their unwavering confidence and their passion for creating art in a time when drag wasn’t the norm that it is today.
After spending some quality time in Manchester, soaking in all that glitter, glamour, and history, it was time for me to jeté back to Derbyshire with my suitcase full of vintage inspiration (and maybe even some extra pocket money from my newfound friends in the Manchester drag community).
But as I say, with pink tutus, nothing is ever really over. It's just another step in the fabulous journey. And remember darlings, even in our modern era, we are still part of a powerful, ongoing movement of creativity, acceptance, and sheer fun.
Keep twirling, darlings, keep shining bright, and always remember: the world is your stage!
Until next time,
Emma x
P.S. Don’t forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com to read about my fabulous adventures and find the pinkest tutu of your dreams! I might even add a blog post about where you can find a killer pink tutu, like my new favourite vintage store in Leicester Square. Oh, darling, this little secret I'm just spilling for my dearest readers!
So there you have it, darlings, a glimpse into my fantastic journey through the fabulous world of drag in 1995. Next month, we’re stepping back in time even further, so keep an eye out for my next Pink Tutu Time Travel blog! Don’t forget, every month there’s a chance for a very special Pink Tutu Giveaway right here on the site. Now go out and spread some sparkle, spread some kindness, and maybe even embrace your own pink-tutu fantasies.
Stay fabulous!
