Hiya darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu wearing, time-travelling drag queen blogger. And guess what? Today, we’re taking a trip back in time to the year 1999!
Remember that iconic year? Spice Girls on the radio, dial-up internet, and a whole lotta glitter – a dream come true for a drag queen like myself! I was barely out of my teens then, strutting my stuff in the local Derbyshire pubs, but the world of drag was changing. You see, this year marks the beginning of something truly magical – the blossoming of Drag Culture as we know it! And darling, where would I be without that pink tutu of mine to take me there?
Before we get whisked away to the fabulous decade of 1999, let me tell you, it's been a whirlwind few months! I just finished touring a little corner of Yorkshire with my drag sisters – a hilarious cabaret act involving a feather boa, a giant inflatable rubber duck and a surprisingly passionate rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" – all while simultaneously working on my new book, "Pink Tutu and Pearls: The Complete Drag Queen Handbook to Time Travel".
Of course, with all this travelling and writing, it wouldn't be the life of a drag queen if there wasn’t some shopping! Just last week I was at a fab little vintage shop in Bath, finding the most exquisite sequined dress for a coming drag competition, paired with a gorgeous pair of platform shoes that would have even the divine Miss Judy shaking her feathers! And speaking of shoes, darlings, don't forget to check out my fabulous pink shoe-themed collection of vintage photographs in this month's post! 😉
Right, let’s jump back to 1999 – a time when the world of drag was just bursting with personality, swagger, and a whole lot of fun! Let's rewind the tape, shall we?
A Night of Camp, Sass, and Big Hair:
First stop? New York City. The heartbeat of American drag, with a pulse that always had that unique rhythm of its own! I landed right in the middle of the historic drag scene at "The Pyramid," an iconic drag club where RuPaul, himself, held court! The energy was electric! You had legendary drag performers like Jackie Beat, Varla Jean Merman, and Lady Bunny strutting their stuff, leaving audiences roaring with laughter and utterly captivated! The hairspray was definitely flying, with beehives reaching new heights! You could hear the chants of "Work, bitch!" across the crowded room! Just fabulous!
Speaking of the great Ru, darling, can we just take a moment to marvel at his influence? It wasn’t just his incredible music that dominated the airwaves, but his pioneering spirit. His "RuPaul's Drag Race" show was still just a flicker of a concept then, but it truly embodied what it meant to be a Drag Queen - fierce, creative, talented, and full of unapologetic personality. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.
The International Drag Scene – A World of Colour and Creativity:
But hold your horses, my darlings, we haven’t travelled all this way just for New York! This was an era of incredible change for drag queens across the globe!
In London, the UK scene was experiencing its own exciting boom. I caught a fantastic performance by "Divine," one of the UK's iconic drag queens. Her humor, energy, and outlandish looks – darling, it was a spectacle for the ages! And don't get me started on "The Clapham Grand" – an absolute hot spot for all things fabulous and full of glitter! Think big wigs, massive sequins, and a stage bursting with flamboyant performances.
Over in Paris, drag queens like the dazzling "Cocotte" were making their mark, performing in the city’s legendary cabaret theatres and dazzling crowds with their stylish charm and avant-garde beauty! They were pushing the boundaries, experimenting with new looks, and reminding us that drag was all about freedom, individuality, and pushing boundaries – much like our dear Miss Emma!
Oh darling, the global scene in 1999 was bursting with vibrant colours, electrifying energy, and just pure, unapologetic celebration of being who you are! It was an era where drag queens truly embraced individuality and challenged social norms. And guess what? We’ve come a long way, darling. Today, the global scene is stronger than ever! But I still remember how powerful it was to see drag embraced as a form of art, a form of entertainment, and most importantly, a force of individuality.
Drag Queens – The Power of Inclusivity
And let me tell you something, darling – this wasn’t just a year of sparkly dresses and high-heeled shoes! This year marked a growing awareness and celebration of inclusivity!
Drag Queens – They are the embodiment of breaking boundaries! They’re paving the way for self-expression and embracing who you truly are, no matter your age, race, sexual orientation, or personal style! We’ve had this message in our hearts since the dawn of time, but in 1999, we began to truly see the potential of its impact – of its power.
I’m going to say it again, darling – I believe that the key to world peace and universal happiness lies within each and every one of us, through the sheer power of self-expression, love, and kindness.
I believe that every single one of us deserves the opportunity to express ourselves freely, to live our lives authentically, and to share our creativity and talent with the world! I truly believe that we can all find our own, unique, wonderful inner drag queen! And that’s where our pink tutus come in, darling! Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the clothes, it's about the attitude, the sass, and the confidence!
But we have to work together! That's where my monthly blog, Pink Tutu Travels comes in! To remind you that no matter where you are in the world, there are other people who understand the joys of embracing our true selves, dressing up in our most fabulous outfits and being whoever we want to be.
So spread the word, my darlings, share your stories, share your love, and spread the power of Pink Tutu. Remember: You're beautiful, you're unique, you're fabulous, and you deserve to shine!
Now, go get your glitter and your sashay on, my loves. The world needs your fierce love, and I, well, I need you all wearing pink tutus! Stay fabulous, stay sparkly, and stay connected, darlings! 💖✨
Remember to check out my website for my photos from 1999, and get your own Pink Tutu! Until next month!
Emma xx
