Hello my gorgeous darlings, welcome back to Pink-Tutu! This month, I’m dipping back into the year 2000 - a glorious time for fashion and the birth of the Y2K aesthetic. But you all know how much I love to take a trip down memory lane, so let’s dust off the diamante tiara and shimmy back to the turn of the century, shall we?
Now, as you all know, I fund my fabulous time-traveling tutu adventures with my amazing drag shows here in Derbyshire. The proceeds keep me in glitter and fabulous pink tulle - it's a tough gig, darling, but someone's got to do it!
Right, on to 2000, darlings! My first stop? The hallowed halls of the legendary "Drag Race," which was about to air in just a few months, although it had already made history the previous year with its launch. It's not just about fabulous fashion and fabulous queens, it's about creating space and opportunities for queens to shine - glorious, shimmering queens just like me. Oh, don't even get me started on the Ru-veal... iconic!
Now, remember my motto, dearies - "If in doubt, throw a feather boa on it." This was very much the theme of the year 2000, with the world being treated to the sheer magnificence of performers like RuPaul herself. Think "Supermodel (You Better Work)," "Sissy That Walk," the majesty of "Born Naked." Iconic anthems, each and every one.
Even in Derbyshire, we were feeling the energy of the Drag Race explosion. The drag scene here was buzzing. The “Dizzy Club” was all the rage - it was just about as camp as camp gets, darling! Picture, if you will, feather boas, fishnets, high heels, neon, and pure, joyous extravagance - pure theatrical mayhem! Oh, it’s definitely a time I’d love to revisit... and maybe I’ll time-travel back for an impromptu visit sometime, just to give those boys a little fashion advice. 😉
Back to my main adventure for this trip: In the year 2000, you had to really search for those legendary drag shows and it was the start of online forums becoming increasingly popular. Places like the Drag Nation website and the first iterations of online drag communities were taking off. Imagine, all those fierce queens, communicating with each other through cyberspace! Truly, we have come a long way from the dial-up modem era of drag. It gives me goosebumps.
There were iconic events across the globe too, like "Miss Gay America," which held its 41st annual competition. And it was, let’s be honest, a big old competition darling - think Miss Congeniality, but with more glitz and glamour! Those beautiful gowns and theatrical stage sets would send a drag queen into a sequin-encrusted swoon!
And while I was busy trying on every hot pink tutu in sight, you guys might have caught some of those fabulous drag performers on MTV. Remember the original "Celebrity Drag Race?" You'll find it online now, darling - I'm telling you, that's camp, camp, camp, so I urge you to go forth and discover the glory of those forgotten seasons of reality TV gold!
I even caught a peek of what the “drag ball” scene was like back in 2000! Think voguing, fierce poses, incredible costumes - everything from the Houses of Xtravaganza to the House of Aviance! It was a movement rooted in Black and Latino communities, all coming together in these incredible ball competitions! And you just know I made a bee-line for the best looks – even a girl from Derbyshire appreciates a killer ensemble.
Remember, 2000 wasn’t just about the drag queens, though! It was the year that gave us iconic albums like "Joni's J’s" by Joni Mitchell and "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse – both of whom were pioneers of the strong, independent, feminine woman - just like all the wonderful drag queens of the time, and still to this day, darling. These albums helped to shape and mold the beauty and fierceness that we see today!
Overall, 2000 was an amazing time for the art of drag. So much happened that year that changed drag for the better. I could talk all day about the queens of that era and their contribution to this dazzling, ever-evolving art form! But, I don't want to go on all day – even with all this gossip to share, I need to get back to my practice! After all, you all know that to time-travel you have to keep in peak form! But remember, dear reader:
A world filled with tutus is a world filled with joy!
See you next month, darling, and remember to stay fierce and fabulous,
Emma (Pink-Tutu) 💋
