Hello, my darling darlings! Emma here, back for another scintillating edition of Pink Tutu Travels! Grab your glittery glasses, a cup of tea, and a cheeky biscuit, because it’s time to whisk you back to August of 1999. My magical pink tutu is ready for a whirlwind of drag history!
As you know, dear readers, my absolute favourite way to celebrate drag is by revisiting its iconic moments, the glitz and the glam of our ancestors, you know? This month, I find myself caught in the delightful web of 1999, a time of great fashion and a resurgence of classic drag energy, don’t you think?
Remember, you lovely lot, my pink tutu doesn’t just travel through time, it makes time. This means my blog, darling, is a time capsule for every shimmering soul to access the beauty of drag!
From the Derbyshire countryside to the Drag Scene - 1999
Ah, Derbyshire! The rolling green hills, the sweet sound of sheep, the charming local pubs – all good stuff, I must say. But nothing compares to the bright lights and dazzling energy of a good old drag show. Every month, I strut my stuff, dazzling my local audience, funding my next big adventure - like, my next journey in time. You see, every drag show fuels my next trip. So, if you're in Derbyshire, give Emma a holler! You’ll find me somewhere with a pink tutu on!
Back to August '99:
Right, I’m back in 1999! I'm feeling a touch of vintage fabulousness as I walk the streets. Everything's so groovy – the music, the fashion. Everyone is absolutely radiating in their individual style, you see! I simply love it. This month, I'm especially enthralled by the blossoming hip-hop culture - it's taking the world by storm!
The streets are buzzing with excitement and music! DJs like DJ Kool Herc, legendary, you know, and Grandmaster Flash are playing music that really embodies the era's spirit - hip-hop was reaching its golden age, and it was exciting to be a part of!
Of course, you can’t discuss 1999 without a nod to the incredible fashion! Everyone was experimenting, having fun. So, here’s where we get into it… the trends… the styles….
- The Puffy Jackets! Oh my word, this fashion choice makes me want to go wa-wa-weewa! *These fabulous puffy jackets were worn by everyone, even your gran (well, maybe not everyone but you get the idea, right?).
- *Ballerinas - oh, you already know I love these! The balletcore look is all over 1999 - you've got it from the Spice Girls, oh, they were brilliant, and all those incredible singers… It’s just the perfect level of graceful femininity, don’t you think?
- Oh, those tight little skirts and crop tops - and the sequins and beads, darling, they were everywhere! It was a look for dancing, singing, and strutting through life, my darlings!
The Drag Scene - What was HOT in August 1999
I absolutely LOVE visiting drag scenes, it’s always an exciting thing! Remember, the whole point of this Pink Tutu Travels gig is to learn more about the history of drag and all the amazing people involved, and I couldn’t have a better time machine for doing it, you know!
- RuPaul's Drag Race! Well, my darling darlings, it had only just started! I’m telling you – it revolutionised drag, made drag mainstream, made drag something that could be shared across the globe – how fab!
The show is on a totally different scale back then! Drag Race is building a huge international audience. Remember, my darlings, even in its infancy RuPaul's Drag Race has brought drag out of its hidden corners and into the light for everyone to see! You know this show is super-important, but there are lots of queens coming to light before and even since! It’s amazing, isn’t it? It shows that the community is a huge collective, isn’t it?
- *The NYC Drag scene, baby, oh the fun, the sass, the energy - so much of it! * You simply must go to see a drag show, a few times even, to fully get how powerful this experience can be.
- The underground drag clubs – they’re so good, especially during these earlier periods! The Cock, the *Pyramid Club – wow, you can practically feel the magic and the energy. Everyone comes out in the dark for an escape – how divine! The clubs were more focused on celebrating individuality.
- And I absolutely have to shout out the drag performances that took place in these smaller underground spaces like the backrooms of gay bars and underground parties.
Back to the Future
Back here, in my Derbyshire studio, in the 21st century, my beautiful pink tutu, sparkling and ready for more travel! It's amazing to see how far drag has come! But it's even more important, darlings, to celebrate all those queens who helped create a movement so amazing that it crosses continents and generations. Every time I slip into my pink tutu, and hop into the time machine I remember just how much amazing history is just waiting to be celebrated. And you know this little drag queen wants to help with that!
The end of this month, darling? Why, that's next week! I’ll be sharing more time travels from my incredible journeys! Till next time, keep spreading love, keep celebrating the arts and all those beautiful, fabulous performers out there. And please, for goodness sake, my darlings - if you have the chance, try out a pink tutu. They’re simply wonderful. Remember - if I can travel through time in mine, anyone can!
Keep fabulous, darlings! Love, Emma.
