Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveler, back with another month's adventure. My, oh my, the time warp really took me for a spin this time. Weâre talking 2004-2005, my sweet little cherubs. Youâre going to want to grab a cuppa and some biccies, this one's gonna be a hoot!
Now, let's just say this time period is where the word 'extra' truly came into its own. Feathers, glitter, sequins - you name it, it was there in abundance! A total whirlwind of vibrant colours and shimmering textures.
Oh, the looks! Imagine it: bold eyeshadow in every shade imaginable, platinum blonde hair sculpted into elaborate styles that defied gravity, and lashes that were more akin to feathered boas. The queens in 2004-2005 knew how to put on a show, let me tell you.
My pink tutu carried me straight to New York, darlings, where I stumbled into a true icon: RuPaulâs Drag Race Season One! A real landmark moment in our community. A televised competition showcasing the talents of the queens. Itâs absolutely unbelievable, thinking back now, that such a pivotal moment was happening in my own time! It really felt like everything was changing â for the better, of course.
One of the queens that stood out to me was Akashia. This fabulous queen with a look all her own - with those incredible "Akashia's Thigh-High Boots," as RuPaul so dramatically put it, well, itâs no surprise that she was crowned the first ever drag queen to win RuPaul's Drag Race. Itâs like watching a whole generation of drag artists being born, darling. That, along with the birth of the very first series of the Drag Race was enough for me, so I quickly whisked myself away in a blur of pink tulle, but not before I popped over to see some of the legendary shows happening around the world!
Europe, my love, is the place to be! Over in London, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is the hot spot! The place to see some of the hottest talent around. They've got a mix of shows, from cabaret to drag to alternative. It's a proper melting pot of creativity, my dears!
The energy in that place, it's simply electric. Think of those classic British pubs with a drag queen twist â just with a whole lot more fabulous. Youâd find all sorts of personalities taking the stage: some funny, some glamorous, and some whoâll leave you questioning whether you're still in this century! It was all good fun though!
I did have to take a detour back to my hometown of Derbyshire, just for a quick drag performance to top up my time travelling fund. Donât tell anyone but itâs so good for the soul to return to my roots every now and again â especially if it means dressing up in a sparkling pink tutu. My audiences are just wonderful; so up for it, a proper âweâll have a laugh at anythingâ kinda bunch of people! What I love most though is seeing my Derbyshire queens giving their hearts out in a pink tutu; itâs quite special and reminds me of my humble beginnings as a little girl, doing a dance class in my living room, with an old, pink tutu, feeling as if Iâd just stepped onto the stage at the Royal Opera House! I couldnât resist picking up another brand-new, gorgeous pink tulle from my favorite vintage store, a perfect pink to add to my growing collection, just waiting to be worn for a magical time travelling trip to another era!
I then whisked off again to discover some incredible talent from all over the world - like this drag icon, Divine. An absolute legend! Imagine, darling, being the first drag queen in an iconic John Waters film, like the cult classic, âPink Flamingos,â thatâs a true trailblazer right there! Divine truly brought drag to the mainstream and changed the face of our culture. Now THAT is a queen! She just had a âlarger than life" aura.
That trip reminded me about the sheer impact that Drag can have on mainstream media and entertainment â especially the 1960s and 70s that really put drag on the map, which lead the way for artists like RuPaul, Akashia, Divine and countless others to continue the tradition today. A little pink tutu and me on a journey to spread love and glitz â a great combination!
The Fashion! My dear darlings, the fashion in the early 2000s is just as incredible. They just knew how to create a silhouette, those beautiful souls. Think figure-hugging corsets, feathers like a jungleâs worth, and glitter, all of it. Oh, and the headdresses, my dears, pure genius! I particularly remember the infamous âDisco Stuâ inspired wig with big hair volume, often in bright neon hues. It truly reflected that âbigger is better' vibe! You would just have to experience the atmosphere back then, Iâm certain youâd love it, just as I do!
However, a trend that stuck in my mind is the 'Gaga-ficationâ of drag! I just HAD to make a visit to Lady Gaga's early 2000âs days - she was the ultimate fashion chameleon in her youth! It really wasn't about being "wearable," was it? I think that is where so much of todayâs high fashion trends, drag or streetwear - come from. Those innovative silhouettes, textures and audacious colour palettes that just pushed those boundaries! It's quite brilliant.
I mean, remember the 'meat dress'? An actual dress made from meat?! Gaga made bold fashion statements with no apologies, embracing all things bold and dramatic. Her outlandish outfits were a reflection of her fierce individuality, making her an inspiration to drag queens all over the world. The whole meat dress and âBorn This Way' album era! Her outfits are simply legendary and had an influence on a generation of drag queens in that period. I just knew that those moments needed a touch of my signature pink tulle in it!
Oh, I just had to pick up some amazing boots, to take inspiration from Akashia and Gaga! The 2004-2005 style of platform boots is incredible, darlings. I think it has that element of vintage yet futuristic at the same time. It gives a strong power to every single strut and makes every move even more majestic. With an extra large pink feather boa, a pink wig, and an eye-catching pair of platform boots, you canât go wrong. Itâs perfect for performing on stage in those glittering discotheques and shows, and the perfect complement to my signature pink tutu!
As a time-travelling drag queen, one of my missions is to always be ahead of the trend. So, let's dive into some drag trends for the year to come, shall we?
First things first, think of the '80s vibes as a recurring theme! Expect to see tons of neon colors, leg warmers and bold prints, and I'm not even mentioning shoulder pads, because darling, let's face it, everyone loves a shoulder pad. That era in history has influenced so much of modern-day culture, from fashion and music, even the way we all use social media. So why not wear the trends as you want, just as the iconic drag queens of that decade did?
Second, darling, it's the age of drag activism! Drag queens are using their platform to challenge gender norms, celebrate diversity, and advocate for social justice, and I am proud to be a part of it!
From political performances at Pride events to social media activism, queens are actively using their talents to fight for change. Think of that famous scene from âTootsie,â and those powerful words - âI want a world that makes my dreams come trueâ. Well, I truly believe that we can achieve just that - by taking that little step out of our comfort zones into that pink tutu, as it empowers each and every one of us, even for those who prefer their âcomfort wear.â
It is so essential to be able to live authentically as a drag queen - and to spread kindness, awareness and to help change negative views, to be supportive of all the diversity in the world. I really do think that everyone should wear a pink tutu, not for being fancy or trendy, but just to get everyone to understand a simple point â everyone has a chance to be as spectacular and bold as they want. I think it will make a beautiful world!
The last couple of years have been challenging, the global pandemic impacted everything - but the one thing it did highlight is just how much community and creativity plays a big part in everyone's lives. It taught everyone just how important the arts and performances are â whether it's drag, theatre, music or a blend of everything! We can always celebrate diversity and kindness, by allowing everyone to be themselves.
Now, if youâre still here reading my blog â I applaud you â it really takes someone with patience to read this much pink-tutu themed chat, especially if youâve been watching some of the drag TV shows recently â the attention span these days, well ... I shall let you be on your merry way, until next monthâs episode.
Catch you on the flipside, my dear readers!
Lots of Love and kisses,
Emma xx
