Hiya Darlings! Your favourite time travelling drag queen blogger, Emma, here! Ready for another glamorous escapade through the swirling time-stream in my pink, oh so fabulous, magic tutu?!
Let's twirl back to September 2015, darlings! September... The air is crisper, the sun is a little bit lower in the sky, and my drag calendar is jam-packed! I simply adore autumn, you know? All the autumnal colours just inspire me. Pink and orange? A match made in heaven!
September '15. It's been such a whirl, even without time-travel! My girl Bianca del Rio (you know, the legendary RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 winner?!) was out promoting her new album, "Rolodex of Hate." We've all got that queen we have to get on with - a touch of sass, a hint of irony... And Bianca never disappoints! I even snuck in a performance myself, serving "roar-tastic" ballerina looks with my custom-made tutus. (The drag life always makes you want to get that sewing machine humming! Let's just say a pink satin masterpiece, inspired by Swan Lake, came out of that gig... More on that in my "Outfit Inspiration" section at the end!).
Let's jump in the magical tutu-time machine and dive right into September's happenings!
London Calling!
You see, London in 2015? It was buzzing! The whole of Drag Race was still basking in the afterglow of Season 7, with Violet Chachki slaying the competition. My, oh my, she was such an ethereal, stunning queen... and definitely got that "fierce and fabulous" thing going on! I remember seeing Violet's signature black lace and tulle leotard on that Season finale, all with a little hint of a silver, chain-like motif... Major inspiration for my next custom-made tutu, let me tell you.
It was also the time of "Bingo Loco"! If you don't know Bingo Loco, my dears... Well, imagine a Drag Race-esque spectacle, all with an over-the-top bingo night twist. You'd have glitter cannons, drag performances, bingo... all in one mega-party! A lot of London's famous drag queens, including the amazing Ladybeard, were on hand for that night of glitter, silliness and sheer, unadulterated joy.
That wasn't all, darling! We had RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Season 1 on the horizon. The hype, oh, the HYPE! You could almost feel it in the air! Drag queens were practicing their lines, tightening their seams and generally polishing up their routines. This was THE time to be on your A-game. And for those queens who weren't chosen for the show, they weren't left behind. They were forming collectives, working on solo projects and, frankly, thriving in this buzzing drag landscape.
Remember, my sweet darlings: Never be afraid to embrace your individuality. We all have something unique to offer. Be confident, be glamorous, and be bold. Just like those pioneers who came before you, who dared to embrace drag's artistry, wit, and charm!
Drag Adventures: Across the Pond and Around the World!My September adventure took me further than a hop on the Northern Line to Covent Garden. (Let me tell you, I always make time for the shops at Covent Garden!) This month's trip? New York! (Oh, you didn't think my pink tutu had to stick to one continent, did you? Think bigger, darlings! International pink-tutu adventures!)
New York, a hub for drag culture. We had "The Gay Balls," drag-focused dance events in bars and clubs that felt truly liberating. New York drag was so, so free. There was this incredible energy in the air, an "anything goes" vibe... I danced the night away to house and pop hits and even caught an impromptu drag showcase where some queen was rapping with her entire outfit on fire (she wasn't literally burning, darlings... a safety queen always comes first!), the entire room chanting along.
Then I traveled down south, right into the belly of the beast... I'm talking New Orleans, darlings! That vibrant, diverse, historic city that breathed life into Drag!
Drag in New Orleans was… well, sultry, to say the least! And the whole history? Wow. Drag has a deep, deep history there. We're talking Vaudeville acts, legendary balls, the birth of Drag itself! I visited this amazing museum with an entire exhibit dedicated to the "Drag Ball" culture. It was packed full of photographs and even drag queen’s outfits - so vibrant! There was even this beautiful satin, fringed evening gown… I definitely got inspired!
Oh, and New Orleans. I cannot not talk about their famous "The Bourbon Street Pub!" It was all about classic, cabaret style drag performances. Imagine burlesque routines, sassy lipsyncs, and so much glitter and feathers, you felt like you were in a Drag Race episode, just not being filmed... which meant more champagne! (Champagne and a hot tub… the best! You can quote me!)
And What of the 'Fabulous'? Fashion!Remember the iconic RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6 finale? It was packed full of some of the most fabulous runway looks... From a full-body, silver bodysuit to the classic gold ball gown. (For those new to the show... oh honey, get your self a streaming service... or a friend with Netflix... and start binge-watching. The queen in silver, stunning. I'm taking notes... that colour just makes me sing!)
And then, let’s talk about my own drag looks! Remember the sparkly, shimmering pink swan tutu I rocked in my last performance?! My little ballerina dream come true! I even included little details, inspired by the iconic swans, in my makeup (black eyeliner, contour, lashes… you name it!). But the piece de résistance, my dears? The way the tulle sparkled with every turn, every flick of my wrist... My audiences? In awe!
I truly believe in making a statement, you know? Just that bit of sparkle… And why not? Life’s about being flamboyant, it’s about celebrating your style and personality. The bolder the better, you know.
I must be running on time (my darling, a time-traveling queen is never late for a gig! And my tutu is still packed for a late night gig in Edinburgh. My pink tutu? The perfect excuse for any outfit, for any performance! My pink-tutu? It just brings the extra to everything!
Always remember my dear readers... Pink is never too much. Sparkle is a gift. Live boldly and always... twirl to your own beat!
See you all next month in my next post for the ultimate "pink tutu" travel blog! And maybe a little "DIY glitter-and-sparkle" section! Keep the pink flowing and never stop believing in your dreams.
Lots of Love,
Emma
xo
Outfit Inspiration! A few items you just need to look as fierce as you are for your pink-tutu adventures!
The Pink Tutu: Oh, you thought I’d miss this one?! A basic tutu, with lots of glitter!
The Strapless Dress: (To show off those fabulous legs, of course!) A touch of tulle? Always yes!
The Glittery Makeup: Eyeshadow? Shine, darlings. Contour? Just the right shape to give your look that structured look, darling.
The Sparkle Stilettos: A ballerina’s best friend (and definitely made to go dancing)
