Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! I'm your glamorous guide to the wondrous world of drag history, Emma, your favourite ballerina-inspired, pink-tutu-clad drag queen time traveller. Today we're whipping up a sparkling cocktail of fabulousness for July 2016! Put on your dancing shoes and prepare to be whisked back in time to an era when drag was really coming into its own - full of camp, sass and enough glitter to blind a small army!
From Derbyshire to... Everywhere!
As always, my monthly pink tutu journeys take me across continents and throughout history! You wouldn't believe the adventures I get up to! This time, the magic pink tutu carried me back to July 2016. Oh, darlings, I wish you could've been there!
The first stop was a show-stopping performance at The Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village, New York. Can you imagine the glamour, the energy? This place was a haven for the LGBTQIA+ community, and in 2016, they were celebrating the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots! It was an electrifying experience, seeing these amazing drag queens perform on the very spot that sparked the gay rights movement! Talk about a powerful history lesson, eh?
Divine Divas: Drag in the Spotlight
Oh, I felt right at home! In 2016, the drag scene was in full swing! Across the globe, there were incredible drag shows taking place, all the way from the dusty plains of Texas to the bustling streets of London! I must admit, my trip to The Box nightclub in London was truly divine. The acts there were daring, extravagant, and totally unforgettable - real life performance art, honey!
Of course, being a girl who loves her ballet fashion, I couldn't miss the opening of a fabulous drag ball inspired by the iconic film 'Black Swan'. I got to dance and mingle with some seriously talented queens, with outfits that were like breathtaking sculptures made from feathers and sequins. It was like a fairytale come to life! I mean, did someone say ‘tutu time?’ Because darling, I was in my element!
Drag Kings - All The Kings Horses
But it wasn't just drag queens stealing the spotlight in 2016! Oh no! Drag kings were kicking up a storm too, proving that masculinity can be as fierce and fabulous as femininity! They performed in underground clubs in cities like Berlin, challenging societal norms with their performances, singing, dancing, and of course, strutting their stuff in perfect tailored suits and slicked back hair! It was inspiring, showing that drag isn't about conforming but about celebrating individuality and expressing yourself!
Fashion Frenzy - A Tartan Dream Come True!
The 2016 fashion scene was pretty darn sensational, especially in the realm of drag! Think vibrant colors, shimmering textures, and the biggest and boldest outfits you could ever imagine! I'm talking feather boas the size of small cars, platform heels that reached for the heavens, and headpieces so elaborate they'd make a duchess blush! There was something for everyone!
But you know what really took my fancy? A whole lot of tartan! Yes darling, this daringly fabulous trend swept across the runways of London, New York and even Derbyshire! I mean, who knew plaid could look so sassy? This style even made its way into the drag world with queens strutting their stuff in kilts and kilted skirts, looking sharp and fabulous. It’s the ultimate expression of ‘punk’ fashion!
More Than a Trend, It's A Movement!
As I jetted back from my time travels, one thing remained crystal clear – drag isn't just about makeup and costumes. It's a powerful art form, an explosion of creativity, and a force that fights for equality and empowerment! Every drag queen I met during this period showed courage, resilience, and the undeniable power of being yourself, regardless of societal expectations.
So let’s celebrate all that’s fabulous and fight for the right to be who we truly are! And darlings, don't forget – there’s a little pink tutu in each of us!
I'll catch you next month for more fabulous pink-tutu adventures through drag history, on www.pink-tutu.com.
Stay glamorous, Emma xxx
