Hiya lovelies! It's your girl Emma, back from another time-travelling adventure in my trusty, magical pink tutu, ready to share a little drag history with you! This month, I've been twirling and pirouetting through 2005 and 2006, a glorious time for drag! Let me tell you, darling, the scene was buzzing, full of glitz, glamour and some truly fabulous performances!
You wouldn't believe what I found:
London Calling!: A World-Class Drag Show
First stop: London! This was truly the centre of the drag universe at this time. I managed to squeeze into a packed-out show at the legendary "The Royal Vauxhall Tavern". I've heard whisperings of this legendary place throughout the ages. The atmosphere was electric, you could practically feel the history radiating from the walls!
I was mesmerised by the drag legends performing that night - there was the ever-so-camp, the theatrical brilliance of "Divine" - he was in a world of his own, and I was totally captivated! There was also the wonderfully witty, playful style of the iconic "Leigh Bowery", he just had this amazing sense of theatre that was so infectiously fun! They truly knew how to create a show! It was a masterclass in how to get an audience hooked, darlings. I learned so much from them, just by soaking up their incredible talent. They really inspired me to take drag to the next level with my own shows!
A Glimpse into a Drag Diva's World
London also brought me face to face with the drag queen icon that was "Lady Bunny." You see, this fabulous gal had the power to get a whole club full of people dancing, her wit was as sharp as a stiletto, and her charisma was as bold as a hot pink wig! I got to hang out backstage with Lady Bunny, and it was an absolute dream! She gave me some fantastic advice - you see, Lady Bunny told me that you can never have too many feathers! She really taught me how to create that bigger-than-life drag persona, which was just fab-u-lous. I even saw her strut her stuff on stage with the iconic "RuPaul" - the original queen!
Crossing the Pond!
Then it was off to New York! Now, this was where it was at. I strutted down 5th Avenue like I owned it in my pink tutu, soaking up all the excitement of this fabulous city. The drag queens there were like powerful sirens with their makeup, hair, costumes – absolutely show-stopping! I remember being especially wowed by the legendary "Miss Fame" - her look was just impeccable - everything from her hair to her eyelashes. And "Jinkx Monsoon" with her hilarious personality - her wit, she'd have you rolling on the floor! And she always seemed to bring something unexpected to the table. These were two fabulous queens who really embraced their originality, their passion was just electrifying. I felt it in my soul!
Back in the UK: The Rising Stars of Drag
I travelled across the UK catching every show, every night. The drag scene in 2005 and 2006 was brimming with creativity and energy. I was amazed by the diversity of queens. Some like the flamboyant "Ladyfag" - with her rock star edge - brought this exciting and unique edge to the scene! Then there was the stunning, beautiful “Mummy Queerest” - I absolutely loved how her work embraced body positivity, a message that's still important today! I also got to see "Panti Bliss", who's one of the queens from Ireland's "Panti's House of Shame" a show which truly embraced everything that it meant to be different. You could see the joy she brought to people with every performance!
And Don’t Forget The Fashion!
Speaking of fabulosity, my time travels were all about the fashion darling! 2005-2006, it was the golden era of fabulous costumes and outrageous makeup! Queens like the talented "Mzz Hanna” from the “Black Pearl" had a truly unique look that explored everything from cyberpunk to futuristic themes. You never knew what she would pull out next, it was a delight. Every look she rocked really gave her own personal spin on fashion. She was like an absolute superstar!
I loved how this era embraced diversity and creativity. You can tell the drag scene was starting to blossom! It gave these talented drag artists the platform to showcase their talent and inspire the next generation of queens!
A Fashionista's Guide to 2005-2006:
Here's what made this era so fashion-forward, darling:
The Wig is EVERYTHING!: Let’s be honest, darling, it’s an era for truly BIG hair. I saw everything from vibrant blue bouffants to elaborate weaves – queens definitely knew how to work that wig.
*The Sparkly Dress!: * Oh, the sparkles, the drama! Sequins, feathers, metallics - these were must-have elements in any queen's wardrobe! They knew how to create a look that just radiated confidence!
The High-Heel is Your Best Friend!: Platform shoes! Wedges! Strappy sandals! I can’t deny it: drag is all about a killer shoe! These Queens absolutely mastered how to strut and show off those dazzling platforms, even with a tutu on, believe me!
A Pink Tutu Perspective
The drag queens of this time, they truly embodied that spirit of "Anything goes". You can see why it's a golden era for me. They embraced creativity, individuality, and humor, which makes it just so exciting for someone who's just beginning to navigate the drag world, like me.
The real impact of these queens was in inspiring me and so many other drag artists. It’s hard not to feel this infectious joy of expression and this excitement around drag. These queens taught me the importance of embracing your own unique style!
As I put on my time-travelling, magical pink tutu, I'm going to leave you all with a piece of drag wisdom I picked up: Be bold, be brave, be fabulous. And never stop believing in your power to make the world a more dazzling place.
Remember to stay updated on all the latest happenings in drag, by checking in every month, at www.pink-tutu.com! Until next time, lovelies!
Yours in Glitter, Emma
