Darling! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your monthly dose of dazzling drag history and fabulous fashion! It's June 1996, the sun is shining, and I'm feeling oh so pretty in my new sparkly pink tutu! Oh darling, this tutu is the most magical thing ā it just makes you feel like you can take on the world. That's probably why, in this post, I'm whisking us away toā¦wait for itā¦1996!
Yep! You heard right! Weāre heading back in time, courtesy of my magical tutu. You know how I said last month it could be a little unpredictable? Well, itās definitely living up to its billing! Honestly, one minute Iām in Derbyshire, my hair freshly sprayed in a gloriously bouffant crown, then BAM! Iām in, wait for itā¦New York City!
This time, however, the trip was totally intentional! After all, 1996 was the year that history was truly made in the world of drag. The year a legend was born.
Let me give you the context. It was June 1996, and the legendary Wigstock Festival was taking place in New York City. And, my darling, it was EVERYTHING! Imagine this: thousands of people packed into a park, a giant rainbow flag waving high, and an endless procession of fabulous drag queens. It was literally everything youāve ever dreamed of in a drag show and more. The atmosphere was electric, and the creativity on stageā¦breathtaking!
That was the year RuPaul first took to the Wigstock stage, a mere ten years before the start of her empire. It's so bizarre thinking back to her time before RuPaul's Drag Race. I swear, itās like a different life altogether. Iād love to give you the insider scoop, but I guess that would mean ruining the future for us all! Honestly, letās just keep this little time-traveling secret between us!
This isnāt the only drag event happening that year! In London, the annual Miss London Drag Queen competition is in full swing, showcasing the absolute best of British drag. Remember darling, London is still THE drag hub, itās just waiting to explode! Now you know why I always get such fabulous new fashion inspiration every time I travel back to the good old days, itās just dripping off the streets.
And darling, talking about fashion... we have to mention Leigh Bowery. This drag king ā oh darling! Leigh! The legend, the icon! ā was absolutely breaking boundaries at that time, redefining what drag could be with his outlandish looks. There were massive fur coats, crazy hats, even bare torsos, all draped in his signature flair! And guess what, darlings? It was EVERYWHERE! Vogue covers, galleries, magazine shoots... Leigh had infiltrated the fashion world with his uniquely camp brand of drag. I just adored Leigh's rebellious, fearless style, challenging norms and putting gender-bending at the forefront! He truly made drag an artform, and the impact was undeniable.
Now darling, letās have a proper think about what was in store for this amazing year in drag. It was the year the Drag Nation film, starring legendary Divine was released. This movieā¦my dears! Itās such a camp delight!
But I also had to see what my other favourite drag legends were up to! In Chicago, the queen of all queens, Divine was performing in Divine Trash. And you just know it was amazing! Iāve got a sneaky feeling my magical pink tutu may be paying her a little visit soon. Thatās all Iāll say. Shhh!
And darling, donāt get me started on Divineās incredible wig! They always knew how to rock those iconic gravity-defying looks. Divine was truly a drag pioneer. Remember the film āPink Flamingosā? Itās such a classic, with its chaotic humor and unapologetic boldness. The sheer shock value of it, honestly, just iconic.
Speaking of the early days of drag and movies, have you all seen āParis is Burning?ā This documentary about ballroom culture is everything! It showed us the incredible energy, talent, and power of this marginalized community. The House of Xtravaganza! I think those are the words I keep dreaming about! Just pure magicā¦and it all stemmed from New York. Honestly, the city just has this undeniable magic that makes it feel like the world is truly full of possibilities. And this magic? It shines through its drag scene!
Of course, the queens at Wigstock had everything. There was performance art, drag battles, even stand-up comedy. These drag shows really put their entire hearts and souls into every act!
As youāve likely gathered by now, this was a time of immense creativity, change, and sheer excitement in the world of drag! It wasnāt all glamorous events either. Behind the scenes, a drag queen named Justin Bond (later known as JD Samson), was performing on stage at a club called The Pyramid in Brooklyn. You all know how these early New York drag scenes have this electrifying, sometimes even controversial, energy, right? It just pulls you into its vortex and you're totally enchanted! And thereās this undercurrent of rebellion that makes it feel exciting and fresh and so liberating! We're just a bit obsessed.
Now, honey, all this amazing drag is exhausting! Luckily for me, I have a secret source for fantastic food: my dear, dear friend, Lady Bunny. You know her as a drag legend, but back in 1996, she was just getting started on her incredible career! Imagine, you know, back then she was just this bubbly little sweetheart working in a club! Can you believe it?
Donāt get me wrong, my darling. Her humor is just as brilliant then as it is now! And this is where she taught me a new trick - how to make the most delicious vegan hot dogs you've ever had in your life! Iāll have to make a video tutorial on that laterā¦itās the perfect cure after a day in high-heeled excitement.
Oh, speaking of fabulous things! Have you ever seen the most divine pair of feather-covered hot pants? That's the magic of a drag queen! Even with simple clothing items like pants, theyāve managed to transform it into a dazzling statement. Youāve just got to learn how to add that special āsparkleā to everything you wear! Oh darling, donāt think for one minute I'll keep this amazing pink tutu just for myself!
To the drag community of 1996, Iām bowing low, my dear friends, because you paved the way! You made drag visible and relatable! The shows were incredible, the looks were amazing and the storiesā¦well, I think I need my own special blog just to tell those stories! The year 1996 will always hold a special place in my heart, a time of rebellion, celebration and fierce originality.
But enough about me! Tell me all about your favorite 1996 drag memories! Did you see Wigstock? How about the Miss London Drag Queen Competition? Or perhaps you were just starting to see your own magic taking form, inspired by all the wonderful drag queens around the world.
Whatever your memories, make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section. Letās continue to celebrate the evolution of drag, its beauty, its art, and its magical world.
Remember, my dear, drag is always changing. It's about embracing the present moment and creating something truly spectacular with the time we've been given. Now, I need to get my makeup bag and get ready to dazzle! And donāt forget, every day is a drag performance waiting to happen! Be fierce, be fabulous and always wear a pink tutu!
Stay tuned next month for another fab time-travel adventure.
Keep the glitter sparkling,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
