Hello darlings! Your girl Emma here, fresh off the glittery stage and back from a swish and flick-tastic trip in my magic, time-traveling, pink tutu. Where did I go this month, you ask? Why, July 2008 of course! What a glamorous year it was for drag. From New York to Australia, it seemed everyone was embracing the art of transformative drag. I simply had to hop into my tutu and find out what all the buzz was about!
First stop: New York City. The Big Apple never sleeps, and in July 2008, it was buzzing with drag. Drag Race, oh darling, you know the name, was in its inaugural season! Now, I wasnāt yet allowed on the show back then, itās true, as they hadnāt yet discovered the true talent of your girl, but I was already living vicariously through the fabulous queens on the show! It was a gloriously fierce season, full of drama and sequins, just like we love it! Plus, it meant there was a big push for drag and an uptick in drag culture throughout America, from bar shows to theatrical performances. I tell you, this drag scene was simply dazzling, even for someone whoās seen it all through the ages, like myself!
From the glamorous heart of New York City, my time-traveling tutu and I decided to hop over to Melbourne, Australia, a truly glamorous city for drag and theatre! There, a theatre show thatās been a must-see for decades was running: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert! It's a glorious mix of camp, drag, and high-energy music ā just perfect for my drag queen spirit. Honestly, you can never have too much Priscilla! It felt wonderful seeing a play with so much heart and humour, which put drag in the spotlight for a broader audience!
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper time-traveling trip without checking out what else was happening around the world, wouldnāt you say? So, with my magic pink tutu whisking me along, I managed to catch the legendary āWigstockā in New York. This was no ordinary drag event, dear darlings, it was an outrageous celebration of the most fabulous art form we know. Just picture, if you will, a massive festival with thousands of drag queens, drag kings, and every glamorous being imaginable. Itās a chaotic spectacle of creativity, music, and sheer joyous drag. Think of it as a massive street party where everyone can strut their stuff ā and who am I to resist a good strut?!
Meanwhile, back in good old Blighty, things were really picking up in the UK drag scene too. In Manchester, a special festival known as āThe Proudā was showcasing local drag talent in a truly fabulous display of creativity. Manchester has a truly wonderful drag scene and always knows how to put on a spectacular show.
Now, I simply must tell you about my very favourite part of the entire month ā the release of a drag-themed film in the UK: āThis Is Englandā. Now, I know what you're thinking. It wasn't just about drag, right? But, my darlings, one of the characters, Shaun, truly embraced a glamorous side through the iconic '80s look! It showed just how deeply the roots of drag culture run in society. From glam-rock to a full-on disco fabulousness, Shaun rocked the screen and made an iconic moment for drag history. It brought such attention to drag fashion, particularly from that time period.
And speaking of fashion, it would be remiss of me to go without mentioning the biggest, most glamorous event on the calendar: London Fashion Week! Every July, this incredible spectacle descends upon London, showcasing the latest trends and creations. Now, we all know, my darlings, that fashion and drag go hand in hand! You just canāt have one without the other! Thatās why I couldnāt resist donning my own signature pink tutu and diving headfirst into the glamour and glitz. This year, it felt particularly fabulous as fashionistas across the globe embraced a playful, fun-loving, bold style, something we in the drag community had already known and loved for years! And let me tell you, London Fashion Week was bursting with color, textures, and a truly rebellious spirit! We are talking sequins, feathers, oversized jackets, and fabulous, elaborate hats, just the kind of thing any drag queen would love to rock.
Of course, all this travelling in my magic tutu makes me incredibly tired, darlings. Sometimes, even a queen like me needs a rest from the hustle and bustle. Iām off to recharge for another monthās time travel! Until then, I suggest you dust off your most fabulous outfits, get ready to strut your stuff, and show everyone that drag is for everyone, no matter where you are! Just don't forget your pink tutu. The world's a stage, my darlings, and itās time to shine!
Stay glamorous!
Your girl, Emma
xo
