Blog Post #1190
Hello my darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire lass, Emma, back from another fabulous journey through time in my trusty pink tutu. This month, I twirled my way back to February 2019, a month overflowing with drag magic, as I discovered.
Tutu-tastic Times:
I gotta say, the energy was electric back in February 2019. There was a palpable sense of excitement bubbling beneath the glitter and sequins, as drag artists worldwide pushed boundaries and redefined what it meant to be fabulous. It was the era of "RuPaul's Drag Race" season eleven, with queens like Brooke Lynn Hytes, Yvie Oddly, and A'Keria C. Davenport captivating the world with their unique personalities and killer drag. I couldn't resist seeing them live! The sheer talent and diversity of these queens left me speechless.
I even snagged a front-row seat at the grand finale, a truly iconic event. Remember, children, the winner of that season was Yvie Oddly, the wonderfully fierce and gloriously weird queen! I could see the power of her message about embracing your individuality resonating with the entire audience. It truly was a beautiful reminder that drag is for everyone!
Speaking of powerful messages, my journey to the 2019 UK Drag Awards was equally inspiring! This was the event where drag legend and UK royalty, Divina De Campo, snagged the award for Best Drag Artist! Her stunning look, that powerhouse voice, and undeniable charisma made it an evening to remember. This was also the year we said goodbye to the iconic London venue "The Royal Vauxhall Tavern," but I'm thrilled to say that drag performances continue to thrive there.
But darling, my adventures were far from over! The drag world was booming in 2019!
The Rise of Drag, Across the Globe!
Across the pond, American drag was shining brighter than ever! "RuPaul's Drag Race" season eleven proved to be a huge success, cementing the show as a pop culture phenomenon and a vital platform for showcasing the sheer talent and diversity of drag.
This was also a pivotal year for Asian drag! The drag scene was expanding rapidly in Japan, with queens like Cherry and Ai-chan bringing their own unique flavour to the scene, breaking down barriers and showcasing their artistic vision. In Australia, queens like Courtney Act and Miss Fame were helping to elevate drag to a whole new level, pushing the boundaries of what drag could be. The rise of the global drag scene was incredible, truly inspiring, and made my heart skip a beat!
What was Emma Up To?
While on my journey, I was determined to get into the heart of the drag scene and, of course, embrace some pink-tutu shopping! The legendary House of Balenciaga was just opening their new flagship store in London. Now, imagine the sheer pink paradise of that store! It's all about fierce fashion and cutting-edge style, and their clothes looked fantastic on those strutting London drag queens.
My own shopping trip led me to vintage designer shops. My search for the perfect pink tutu took me to all the coolest London spots!
Then, naturally, my itinerary included catching up with some incredible drag performers. One of my most unforgettable evenings was with the legendary Mzz Kimberley, whose performance was an explosive whirlwind of energy, wit, and pure fabulousness. This Queen's fashion was off the charts and her makeup was stunning, and my heart just soared during the entire performance!
Of course, no time travel journey is complete without a good dose of glitter, glam, and gorgeous drag shows! My pink-tutu adventures brought me to legendary venues, where I witnessed some truly unforgettable performances.
The iconic Soho nightclub, G-A-Y, had a star-studded lineup. The drag scene in Soho was full of talent, and it was easy to understand why it had become such a vibrant hub for the art form!
But London was not the only place I had my eye on! I ventured into the world of theatre drag and I was absolutely bowled over. "Kinky Boots" the musical was taking the stage, a feel-good story of self-acceptance and celebrating individuality, all through the magic of fabulous footwear! Seeing the amazing performers strutting around in their custom-made boots had me dancing in my seat.
You can bet your bottom dollar that my pink-tutu shopping skills were in overdrive! My journey to Selfridges in Birmingham brought me face to face with all the latest trends in designer clothes. Imagine all those beautiful colours! They perfectly mirrored the colourful creativity and vibrant energy of the drag scene I had discovered.
Of course, after a full day of pink-tutu shopping and drag shows, there's nothing quite like unwinding with a good ol' fashioned English cup of tea, with lashings of sugar! It truly felt like the perfect way to end a dazzling and inspirational trip through time.
From Derbyshire with Love:
Well, my darlings, another fabulous time travel journey in the books. The world of drag is always changing, pushing boundaries, and reinventing itself, but it remains an incredibly beautiful and inspiring community. And one thing I learned in February 2019 is that the spirit of self-expression and unconditional love is truly a timeless and global force!
As always, I hope you enjoyed my adventures! Now, let's all twirl our pink tutus, spread some joy, and keep the world full of glitter, glamour, and good vibes!
Don't forget to catch me on stage, darlings! I'm bringing my fabulous self to a drag show near you!
Love always,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
