Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, and welcome to another fabulously flamboyant entry on my time travel blog, www.pink-tutu.com.
January, oh January, a month that always makes me feel like I need a good old-fashioned twirl, just to banish those January blues. You know, like a ballet dancer, graceful and elegant. Maybe I should pack some tights and ballet shoes in my pink tutu time-machine!
So, this month, my magical pink tutu transported me back to January 2003, and let me tell you, darling, it was a hoot!
Imagine, a world without smartphones, and social media, gasp! What were drag queens supposed to do to keep their fabulous selves entertained, if they couldn't just tap-tap-tap on their phones to see what other queens were up to? I'm glad we have those, darlings! Though it is tempting sometimes, to twirl around on a dusty stage in the old-fashioned days, with just the power of my personality to entertain!
What was happening in the world of drag in 2003, you ask?
Well, honey, in the United Kingdom, the first episode of "Drag Race UK", wasn't for a long time to come! But there was still so much fabulousness brewing.
I went down to London, darlings, just as I would today! There was just as much fab-u-lous drag queen fashion on offer, so it really goes to show: good fashion never goes out of style, does it? Boulevard, Madame JoJo's, and The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, they were all serving fabulousness and a delicious cocktail of theatre shows, drag, burlesque, music, and a nightclub party, all rolled into one.
And don't get me started on the street performances, darling. The energy, the sass, the looks... pure joy! It reminded me, darlings, why we all do what we do. Because every day is a celebration of our individuality. That’s why we, as a community, should strive to support each other, so every drag queen can get out there and express themselves to the full. I believe we need more drag, more queens, more fabulousness in our lives! It brings us all closer and helps create understanding and tolerance in our world, as long as we have the love of each other, darlings.
The performances I saw in 2003 in London's West End were, dare I say, a true masterclass in drag. The energy, the makeup, the costumes... oh my darling, you can really feel the legacy of those early drag queens when you see those shows. That raw, raw talent! I, Emma, was absolutely bowled over by the brilliance. It's all thanks to their tireless work that our fabulous scene is flourishing today.
While in the United Kingdom we had some legendary venues to be enjoyed, it’s good to remind ourselves that drag and it’s glorious art has always been a worldwide phenomenon . I couldn't pass up the opportunity to jet-set to the United States, darling!
In the U.S., drag had truly come of age. The RuPaul’s Drag Race phenomenon was still to be discovered (although we’d be crazy to think it wouldn't! We know, now, it’s a show we can’t do without! ). But there were still plenty of opportunities for aspiring queens and veterans to make their mark on the scene, you know?
Now, darlings, let’s have a little fashion talk!
2003 was the year of bold colors, sequins, feathers and... more feathers! Think disco-inspired fashion meets a whole lot of flair, and you’ve got yourself a glimpse into the drag fashions of 2003! They made quite the statement, those outfits.
And the hair? Think BIG, darlings. Wig-snatching, hair-raising, eye-catching big, and always styled to perfection.
The make-up? Oh, darlings, it’s the perfect balance between boldness and subtle, contouring-creating, goddess-inspired magic. It's just a whole lotta gorgeous!
Honestly, darling, drag queens in 2003, they knew how to turn heads. You couldn’t escape their fabulous energy and undeniable charisma, you just couldn't! It makes me so excited about our future, darlings. What incredible drag experiences lie ahead, what amazing transformations are just around the corner?
My darling, don't forget about my favourite little fashion trend of 2003 and my fashion passion in life: The pink tutu, it truly was in the air that year. Maybe that was what summoned my time-travelling pink tutu to that moment! I saw them worn on the stage, on the street, and even in a few art galleries in London! Pink tutus just radiate an energy of optimism, you know? They were definitely not afraid to be seen, darling. Maybe a few of you will find yourselves picking up your very own tutu this month.
Remember darlings, life is about embracing yourself, and finding ways to express your inner, most glamorous, fabulous self! I say, grab a pink tutu, a little shimmer and shine, and dance your way through the world with confidence, because as you can see, it was the drag queens of 2003 who helped get us to the glamorous world of drag that we enjoy today.
You can keep up with me and all the latest pink tutu-time-travel adventures on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, where I'll be back next month with another * fabulous and colourful journey through drag history*. Remember, if you see me twirling down a street near you in my time-travelling pink tutu, give me a wave. And as always darlings... Keep it fierce!
X Emma 💖
