Hello my darling darlings, and welcome to another monthly adventure with your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma! It's a glorious spring day here in Derbyshire, and I'm feeling as bubbly and full of life as a freshly-opened bottle of pink champagne! (Which, funnily enough, was the beverage of choice for our recent performance at the local drag gala!)
Today, we're stepping into the shimmering, glamorous, and gloriously fabulous time capsule of April 2016, a time that felt like it was buzzing with energy, filled with glittery opportunities and drag royalty just waiting to be discovered! My pink tutu, with its shimmering sequins and cascading tulle, was positively tingling with excitement!
So grab your favourite pair of stilettos, darling, and let's twirl back to April 2016 - because believe me, weāve got a real treat in store!
On Stage: A Stellar Lineup for a Fabulous Spring!
Right off the bat, my little angels, we had the launch of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars 2, back in March of 2016. Now, this season was a rollercoaster of camp, drama, and iconic lip-sync battles! We saw legends like Alyssa Edwards, Katya Zamolodchikova, and Roxxxy Andrews grace the stage and put their iconic skills on full display. This season was a whirlwind of creativity and was truly a gift for any drag fan. And donāt forget to twirl! The challenge titles were legendary - from āDragulaā to āSnatch Gameā, each challenge pushed the boundaries of creativity, camp and humour!
Meanwhile, over in the UK, Drag Race UK was still a twinkle in Mama Ru's eye. But oh darling, that didn't stop the UK drag scene from exploding with amazing talents. The āDivine Comedyā Drag Cabaret show, starring The Vivienne and Vinegar Strokes was taking the world by storm! These divas, dripping with fierce elegance and camp, were giving everyone a show for the ages, leaving their audiences breathless.
We even had some truly remarkable Drag events popping up across the pond ā The House of Dior (thatās the House of Dior drag troupe) and House of Love were touring across the US, captivating crowds with their artistry and jaw-dropping costumes! Truly iconic! Just imagine!
Offstage: A Buzzing Community and Unstoppable Fashion Trends
But darling, drag isnāt just about stage performances. The entire world of drag, back in 2016, was pulsating with energy and innovation, spreading the message of love, acceptance and flamboyant creativity. It felt like a beautiful cultural renaissance, and my dear, my pink tutu and I were thrilled to be part of the whirlwind!
Online, platforms like Tumblr and Instagram were flourishing with the vibrant colours, and diverse expressions of drag culture. The #DragQueen movement was just taking off, giving voice and recognition to incredible drag artists from across the globe, each sharing their own stories and unique take on the art of drag!
And of course, the fashion trends in 2016 were simply spectacular, just like a drag ball on steroids, darlings! The rainbow colours of the LGBTQIA+ pride movement were splashed everywhere. Bold prints, bright colours and edgy statement pieces were everywhere, just like in a drag show! It was a joyous symphony of colour and creativity that made it almost impossible to turn your head away from the explosion of unique styles! And of course, there were always sparkles! And don't even get me started on the makeup, my dear, so creative, so playful, and so flawlessly executed.
The power of Drag was beginning to infiltrate popular culture, and it felt fantastic. Even on a smaller scale, it meant more and more individuals were finding the confidence to be their authentic selves, with drag acting as the springboard to embrace diversity, self-expression, and acceptance. Just like, darlings, the pink tutu ā a symbol of joy, playfulness, and limitless possibility!
What did you enjoy in April 2016?
Now, my little loves, itās time for you to share your experiences from this magnificent time! Did you see any of the incredible shows taking place? Did you spot any fabulous drag queens making their debut? Or maybe you dabbled in some flamboyant fashion trends of the era?
Share your own fabulous April 2016 memories in the comments section below, darling! We'd love to hear about all the twirling, the sparkles, and the absolute joyous pandemonium of drag in the time capsule that was April 2016! Donāt forget, always keep on twirling and embracing all that is magical and wonderful, and of course, darling, make sure your wardrobe is bursting with pink!
Until next time, rememberā¦ Lifeās too short to be anything other than fabulous!
