Alright darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back from a whirlwind trip to February 1996. Honestly, I cannot believe how long it's been since I've touched down in that fabulous era!
Oh my god, where to even begin? Let me tell you, this month was absolutely bursting with fabulous drag performances! The vibe was absolutely electrifying! Just imagine: sparkly* glitter,* *billowing* feathers,* *eye-popping* costumes... everything was pure glamour.
Firstly, darling, let's talk about the legendary Divine! Yes, the queen herself! Imagine, strutting around in my sparkly pink tutu, witnessing Divine's hilarious performances on stage. Her humour was, dare I say, "divine" (pun intended, you know!), so cheeky and outrageous. Truly, Divine is an inspiration! If I ever got to meet her, I would give her the biggest hug ever! I would have loved to hear her take on my pink tutu!
* Speaking of incredible performances, let's rewind the tape and head back to the Big Apple, darling.* Because oh, the iconic performances happening in New York that February! The Village People? Absolutely phenomenal! They were a vision in their fabulous, thematic costumes - those popping police officer and cowboy get-ups, iconic! And let's not forget about their infectious energy and hits like "YMCA," a timeless classic. I couldn't help but break into a jig during their show! I think it might even have been a tiny *tutu jig! *
My next stop? San Francisco! Oh honey, this was such a drag-filled, magical journey! The fabulous drag scene here was so lively, I found myself hopping between legendary performances. Lady Chablis truly had the crowd in stitches with her wickedly funny, captivating show! It was a real treat. Honestly, every night in San Francisco was just electric, literally buzzing with fabulous queens strutting their stuff, making magic on stage. Oh darling, I wish I had a whole week to spend there... or a lifetime, really!
You know I'm always keen to get the latest gossip on the drag scene, so I managed to squeeze in a chat with the RuPaul. Honestly, I can't tell you enough about her radiant energy! She was a joy to speak with!* And RuPaul had some pretty sage advice for a fledgling time-traveling queen like me: “Don't just dream about being a drag queen. Be a drag queen, darling! Put your sparkle where your heart is, you heard?"
Of course, darling, I just had to check out the amazing nightlife, too. Chicago offered the perfect mix of gritty rock and roll meets shimmering drag performance. This is the time when bands like Butthole Surfers were shaking up the scene - a whole different flavor of fabulous than what I'm used to, but still exhilarating! I must admit, darling, a pink tutu just wouldn't fit in the gritty atmosphere of these performances! That being said, it did feel incredibly fun to soak up that alternative rock aesthetic for a bit. So I just wore a casual pink ensemble instead, which felt like a perfect compromise. It was still a pink delight.
Back to my travels, I ventured over to Berlin. Here, the drag scene was... well, let's just say, a bit different from my typical style. More experimental, more about making a statement than dazzling with sequins and feathers, darling! That's the beauty of drag: the versatility! The art of being whatever you want to be! While I might have missed my glitter, I found myself in awe of these drag artists’ fearless creativity.
Now, my fellow drag enthusiasts ... we can't talk about the fabulous scene in 1996 without acknowledging The RuPaul Show! A groundbreaking moment in television history, it was all about shining a light on this amazing art form, on drag and its brilliant diversity. It was so great to experience it for myself! My time traveling tutu felt particularly at home in a show like that.
And darling, let's be honest.. 1996 had one of the best fashion seasons EVER! We’re talking bell bottoms, flared trousers,* and suede boots, and those killer platform heels, and the return of the *mini dress (always my go-to, darling!). It was *everything! Of course, every single one of my outfits that month included a vibrant pink tutu, but not just any pink tutu, darling! * I went for a luxurious pink satin tutu with sparkling rhinestones and a pink satin cape to go with it. It just makes me want to twirl, darlings, doesn’t it? *
Of course, darling, no trip is complete without a visit to some amazing drag shops. Oh darling, this era truly had it all! So much fabulousness packed into every corner. From those vintage feather boas that looked like a million dollars (in a great way!) to the flamboyant drag dresses – truly a fashion-lover’s paradise! And I found so many amazing, pink fabrics that could be easily repurposed into a perfect pink tutu. I just felt so happy, it was incredible!
You know I’m all about that fabulous life. It wasn’t just drag shows that I explored, either! From the glittering nightlife to the hip fashion boutiques, to the art installations bursting with creative energy ... I loved soaking up all the amazing energy of that time. * And of course, darling, I had to pop into some of the *world’s most legendary clubs and experience the dance floor fever of the era, the likes of Heaven and The Viper Room ! **
To end our February 1996 odyssey, darling, I went back in time to Derbyshire, England! Yes, you heard that right, this was the birthplace of my pink tutu adventures, where my love for the colour pink, and sparkle truly blossomed. And let's be honest, where else would I relish a good old-fashioned, quintessentially British cuppa? What a perfect ending to a perfect trip!
As I’m finishing this blog post, I’m sitting here in my fabulous pink tutu, contemplating where to head next. The past is calling, and my pink tutu is ready! But first, darling, let me know in the comments: Where should I go next month? I’m looking for all the glitz and glamour that 1997 has to offer, so please send me all of your requests and I’ll make sure to get there, darlings! And, remember… don’t forget to rock that pink tutu! Let’s paint the world pink one tutu at a time!
Until next time, you lovely people… *Keep it fab!
XOXO
Emma.
