Hiya darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling drag queen. As always, it's so good to be back with another instalment of #DragQueenHistory, ready to dazzle you with tales from the past (and maybe even get you twirling in your own fabulous tutu!).
This month, we're venturing all the way to the Land of the Rising Sun, for a peek into July 2014.
Oh darling, let me tell you, the energy in Tokyo was simply electric! The streets buzzed with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and a constant pulse of energy, and the drag scene was truly thriving! There was so much excitement in the air, like a glitter bomb had exploded right in the heart of Shinjuku!
Now, if you know me, you know I absolutely live for a good show, and trust me, Tokyo was absolutely bursting with them. There were all sorts of fabulous venues, from glittering nightclubs and smoky cabarets to intimate underground bars with incredible stage presence.
Speaking of fabulous, I was utterly captivated by the Drag Queen Extravaganza, a legendary show at the Kabuki-cho district! Imagine: glittering costumes, incredible makeup, the most fantastic hair-dos (we’re talking towering wigs, feathers galore and sparkles that could rival the night sky) - it was an absolute feast for the eyes. The whole audience was completely enraptured, their eyes glued to the stage, mesmerized by the fierce performers.
But let me tell you, the most memorable performance of the entire night came from a fierce queen named Mizu. Now, darling, this queen was something else! Picture a goddess in shimmering gold, with a crown of perfectly manicured, silver feathers, strutting her stuff like the absolute star she was. Mizu's performance was pure magic; the crowd erupted into cheers, their voices a joyous blend of awe and excitement. And as Mizu closed out her set, I swear I saw a wave of sparkles wash over the entire audience – they were absolutely blown away by her magic.
And just when I thought the excitement couldn't get any bigger, guess what happened? That's right, the world got a glimpse of what true fabulousness was all about. This month, RuPaul's Drag Race slayed season 6, and I don't mean that metaphorically, darlings. From the moment Bianca Del Rio stepped into the spotlight, you just knew she was going to be a legendary winner. I mean, have you seen that look? Pure perfection, every single time! I even popped in a tutu just for the finale!
You know, back in my Derbyshire roots, a drag performance was a big event. You knew what you were going to get. It was almost ritualistic, familiar and comfortable. But then Tokyo! Tokyo showed me that drag was more than just performance - it was a culture. And it was a culture ready to explode! It felt revolutionary!
While I was soaking up the beauty of Japanese drag, the rest of the world wasn't letting the tutu trend fade! Drag Race season 6 was still setting the world on fire! There were rumours about the great hair vs. makeup battle between Bianca Del Rio and Adore Delano - the iconic lipsyncing showdown in the final!
But let's not forget about the UK scene, dear readers! You see, I was away time travelling, but that didn’t stop the UK Drag Race season one auditions! Oh darling, this time travel isn't easy! I have to keep up with the world! While the US drag scene was ablaze with the brilliance of season 6, we were looking forward to the first ever season of the UK version!
There was also a drag queen at a summer camp that made news with her camp fire song and dance routine and a viral youtube video.
And finally, to keep things in perspective, there was also the launch of a brand new, high fashion online store. I can’t even tell you how excited I am! We have reached the time when people in tutus have their own retail store. Now this is truly a new era!
That's July 2014 in a nutshell, darlings! The world was abuzz with fierce fashion and unforgettable performances! But you know me, I wouldn't leave you hanging with just stories. I need to give you some inspiration!
Time-Traveller’s Fashion Tip: Remember, even if you’re not travelling through time, a statement tutu is the perfect way to bring your inner diva out! Channel those inner showgirl vibes. Pair your tutu with a crop top and a pair of fierce heels. You know what they say, 'Go big or go home,' and if there’s one thing I've learnt from my travels, it's to always go big!
Until next month, my dears, remember to always be fabulous! See you soon!
