Hey darlings! Your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, is back for another fabulous adventure! Grab a cuppa, put on your fanciest frock, and let’s dive into the world of drag in glorious July 1996.
This month, my magical pink tutu took me on a whirlwind trip to the Big Apple! The air hummed with the excitement of a new millennium (gasp!) and the world of drag was bubbling over with new talent. I always feel like I’ve come home when I’m in New York, darling. The energy! The hustle! And the fabulously dressed queens everywhere!
But before we go on a little New York-style adventure, let’s talk about what’s been happening in the world of drag.
July was a busy month, with shows galore popping up everywhere from Manchester to Berlin. Remember the iconic drag queen Divine? Sadly, we lost this fabulous creature earlier this year. She had such a phenomenal impact on drag, and we’re still celebrating her amazing legacy.
The Glamorous Glitter of New York
Speaking of iconic, I felt like I was walking through a glitter bomb as I wandered around Greenwich Village, darlings. New York in 1996 was teeming with drag excellence. I must admit, my pink tutu turned quite a few heads. The colour was just as vibrant back then as it is today - though I do have to say, those feather boas are starting to look a bit…well…dated!
Speaking of dating, let's talk about one of the most talked-about places for the LGBT community, the famous Stonewall Inn. The atmosphere in 1996 was still incredibly exciting - there were protests going on, challenging discriminatory laws, demanding equality. Drag played a pivotal role in these events, and I'm incredibly proud to see its influence on pushing for social change.
I managed to catch a fantastic show at the legendary Wigstock Festival - the highlight, a truly electrifying performance by the legendary RuPaul. The stage was packed with incredible queens, showcasing a huge range of talent and creativity. Remember, RuPaul is from the '90s, honey! His impact on drag culture is immeasurable!
But let's not forget those who graced the stage before RuPaul's time. In the early days of New York drag, there were some absolute legends paving the way, from Lady Bunny with her cheeky sass to the amazing Divine with her outlandish theatricality. I was fortunate to have a few cocktails with these icons - their wisdom and kindness made me want to time travel back again, just to spend another evening with them!
Fashion is Forever!
Now, onto the sartorial splendours of the 90s. Those high-waisted jeans! The platform boots! The glitter galore! It was truly a dazzling era for fashion!
The street style of the 90s was a whole other story! From punk-inspired looks with studded jackets and safety pins to the more whimsical styles featuring neon colours and oversized clothing, the trends were bold and absolutely glorious!
But for me, darling, it was all about the drag. The amazing use of colour! Those magnificent gowns! Let's not forget the hair! We were in a golden era of outrageous hair styles!
I saw some of the most gorgeous outfits, and even snapped a couple of pics with queens who kindly let me use them for this blog - thank goodness for digital cameras.
From Broadway to Broadway
And you simply can't talk about New York drag without talking about those fabulous shows! In July, the "Starlight Express" musical was captivating audiences at the Gershwin Theatre with its roller-skating queens, whilst the equally dazzling "Miss Saigon" mesmerized those attending the Broadway Theatre with its phenomenal set design and passionate performances.
Of course, New York also had the legendary "La Cage aux Folles" which had its own unique flair and style - always a fabulously camp experience!
The drag world was brimming with incredible performances that left me wanting to buy a ticket to another show right then and there.
Time to say goodbye…for now…
My dear friends, as our time travel adventure ends for July 1996, I want to encourage you to dig into the archives of the amazing drag history of this time period. You will be amazed by what you find! And don’t forget to keep the fabulous legacy of these incredible queens alive. They deserve recognition for paving the way for the drag we love today!
Till next time, remember to always embrace the bold, wear your heart on your sleeve, and never forget the power of a dazzling pink tutu!
Love, Emma xx
PS: Want to time travel with me? Share your thoughts about your favourite drag memories or your dream destinations with me on our social media pages. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @pinktututimetravels!
*Don't forget, you can see the incredible archives and videos on all the amazing shows I have mentioned and more by visiting the website www.pink-tutu.com I'll see you there next month, darling! *
