Hey sweeties! Emma here, your resident pink tutu wearing, time travelling drag queen, ready to take you on another adventure to the dazzling, delightful world of drag history. Grab your feather boas, darling, because this month we're going back to August 1995! I mean, can you imagine? I could practically smell the hairspray and glitter from here!
Before we even get to the glorious shenanigans, I have to tell you all about my fab-u-lous outfit for this trip. I’m going for a serious "I’m a princess, but also a warrior queen” vibe, okay? I’m thinking a bright hot pink tutu with layers upon layers of tulle, all cascading down to my sparkly ballet shoes. I’ve got a pair of pearl-encrusted fingerless gloves, a shimmery silver bodice adorned with sequins and diamantes, and my signature feather boa cascading over my shoulders like a glamorous, pink-tinged waterfall. It’s going to be EVERYTHING, babes!
Now, on to the actual August 1995 extravaganza!
Imagine the year, darling! Nirvana, Alanis Morissette, and the Spice Girls were owning the airwaves, Mariah Carey was our Queen of Ballads, and Clueless was still rocking the cinema screens with its iconic style! Honestly, how fabulous was 1995? It was practically designed to be a time traveller's dream.
New York City, Baby!
My first stop is New York City – the place to be for drag. The scene here is electrifying, with so much creativity brewing in underground clubs, balls, and hidden-away venues. Imagine this, the year is 1995, and the Hot Peaches are at the height of their power, showcasing their raw talent and unapologetic queerness at the legendary Pyramid Club. I am living for their legendary cabaret and performance pieces – and I swear I’m going to find out how they got their amazing pink feathers for their costumes. I need to know their supplier!
London Calling:
I need to pop over to the UK too. 1995 was the year that London’s infamous nightclub The Cuckoo Club opened its doors! With DJs like Boy George and a fabulous, diverse crowd, it’s practically a drag haven, a hotbed for everything from vogueing and house music to more cabaret-inspired performances.
From Drag Balls to Street Performers
Back then, the underground drag balls in New York were absolutely exploding with talent. The House of Xtravaganza is holding court in those days – and look at the icons who came from that house! Pepper LaBeija is known for her flamboyant flair, Angie Xtravaganza brings fire and charisma, and Jose Xtravaganza is a fierce, unforgettable performer! Their history is fascinating and important, especially as they really helped define drag in New York City.
I know you love drag performances in different places, so I went to a San Francisco nightclub to witness some of the city's vibrant drag scene. It’s an era when street performers in Sydney are putting on drag shows on a massive scale - they're performing all over the city. I can imagine, darlings, that there are truly wild shows going on! I'm talking rainbow wings, tutus made from repurposed items, makeup inspired by a unicorn’s dream! Oh darling, I can already imagine all the dazzling performances.
Don’t forget the Shopping!
But enough of the shows – let’s go shopping! I need some vintage treasures, darling! I know just where to look: 1995 sees a boom in independent boutiques, especially in London and New York City. And oh, the thrift shops are a goldmine! It’s the perfect era to find a fabulous vintage sequined gown or a flamboyant, hand-stitched bowtie. I swear, darling, this place has it all!
I even get my hair done at Hairdressers for the Hair-impaired in London – they were famous for all kinds of crazy creations! My head is an absolute kaleidoscope, and, darling, it's all just what a queen like me needs!
The Bow Tie Brigade
I want to tell you a little bit about a special movement called "The Bow Tie Brigade" that started in 1995. It began as a response to homophobia, and, darlings, you know this is a movement I love to support! They use bow ties to spread their messages of love and support.
The idea was to turn the homophobic slur, “You’re wearing a bow tie, so you must be gay,” into a positive, joyful symbol! These activists created dazzling displays and held events in order to reclaim the bow tie and fight against homophobia and transphobia. I love this! This was a really creative way to push back against hate and intolerance. We’ve got to keep fighting those kinds of attitudes today. I am ready to bring out the sparkly rainbow bowties at every drag show I attend in August of 1995!
A New Era for Drag
The world of drag in 1995 is absolutely buzzing with energy. More and more queens are taking center stage and making a name for themselves, paving the way for future drag legends. Remember, we’re only a few years away from RuPaul’s Drag Race – we're about to see an entire wave of exciting, creative new drag talent! I love to see it.
Time to Travel Again, Sweethearts
Now, darling, it's time for me to pack up my sparkly suitcase. But remember: you can bring this glorious August 1995 fashion to your own style! Channel the colourful flair of a street performer, embrace the extravagant showmanship of the clubs, and rock a vintage bow tie – let the 1995 spirit live on, darling! Don't forget to get your pink tutus on and shine brighter than ever. See you next month with more time-travelling drag adventures! And remember: it's all about glitter and glamour.
Love,
Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com
