Hey sweeties! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen and time traveller extraordinaire! It's the 5th of May, 2044 and I'm back with another jam-packed blog post for ya. Today, we're swirling right back to the year 2044 with our pink-tutu-powered time machine.
Now, I know what you're thinking - 2044? Wasn't that like, yesterday? It feels like a lifetime ago! But it's all relative, isn't it? After all, in drag, time really is just a matter of sequins and self-expression!
And speaking of expression, 2044 was a fabulous year for drag! It's the year the legendary Dragathon 2044: World Tour finally kicked off! A massive 6-month celebration of drag queens and kings all around the globe, it was the biggest thing to hit the world of drag since, well, since drag itself! Imagine it, lovelies: massive drag shows with stunning light displays, the biggest international names in drag, and some seriously mind-blowing fashion. It was everything we could ever want, all wrapped up in a glittering package with a huge pink bow!
But we didn't just have Dragathon. The whole world was abuzz with incredible drag talent. I jetted over to Tokyo to see the Neo-Kabuki Drag Extravaganza, a unique fusion of traditional Japanese Kabuki theatre and the vibrant art of drag, complete with stunning costumes, intricate makeup and some serious, showstopping choreography. And boy, did they work that stage!
Back in New York, The Glamourist's Ball was making headlines! Held in a futuristic skyscraper with an entire floor dedicated to interactive projections and lasers, it was the hottest ticket in town. The costumes were literally out of this world, all sleek and space-age chic. And it goes without saying the looks were sickeningly glam!
Even over in dear ol' Blighty, things were popping off! The annual British Drag Awards was a spectacular affair at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by the incredible Ms. Coco St. Pierre. It was all champagne, smiles and plenty of fierce competition. And did I mention the incredible, head-to-toe glitter? You could have seen it from outer space, babes!
Now, you all know I love my drag, but 2044 had something truly special happening. Drag was everywhere, and I mean everywhere. It wasn't just in nightclubs and theaters, it was on billboards, in museums, even in the hallowed halls of government! Drag was mainstream!
What does it all mean, you ask? Well, to me, it signifies a huge win for visibility and representation. We're talking acceptance, love, and community. The fact that drag was finally becoming recognized as a powerful art form - a voice for change, a platform for celebrating individuality, a space for laughter and joy – was truly inspiring.
But don't let anyone tell you it wasn't hard-fought! I mean, for years, we faced the pressure, the doubters, and the sometimes harsh criticism. But we held strong, fought for our right to express ourselves, and finally... we're here!
We're in the midst of a golden age, lovelies! Drag is everywhere, and it's never looked more fabulous. And we can only thank those who came before us for paving the way!
Speaking of history, I couldn't just talk about 2044 without a little nod to our roots, right?
My favorite thing about traveling back in time is getting to see how drag evolved.
Let's jump back to the 1980s! Now, those were some fierce years for drag. It was an era of big hair, bolder makeup, and outrageous outfits that practically defied gravity! Think Joan Rivers, Divine, and all the fabulous stars of Wigstock. It was wild, it was a party, and it set the stage for the future of drag.
I can’t forget the late 70s and the Cockettes – they were absolutely groundbreaking, they were avant garde and a force of creative chaos. I bet some of you darlings remember the film Female Trouble. It was outrageous, chaotic, it just wasn’t about anything else other than a love for expressing oneself, a true vision of liberation! It definitely influenced many and I have huge admiration for them, their confidence to truly go wild!
And before you think I’ve forgotten about my pink tutu, you’d be wrong! You know how much I love those tutu’s. 1950s - you may not think that would be a place for the fabulous tutu, and you’d be so wrong! Imagine a vintage New York club, filled with dancing couples and an incredible air of romance. This is when the Tutu had its first major stage appearance.
Imagine, the year is 1952! The Ballroom scene was booming. There were the dancers of New York - I remember watching them glide across the ballroom floor at the famous Roseland Ballroom - in sparkling evening gowns, their tutus adding that touch of magic! The drag scene had just started to emerge. These dancers weren't exactly “drag” queens as we know them today - not the ones with makeup, eyelashes and bold personalities! These queens are more like drag KINGS as they are the ones making the moves to get the girls dancing in glamorous ball gowns! These “queens” of ballroom, wearing their evening dresses, had something that the new era drag queens were looking for – confidence! The queens from the ballroom made drag so chic. Even after they retired, ballroom dance stayed alive – think Dirty Dancing and Saturday Night Fever, that movie and dancing fever was just how it all started in those days. Ballroom dancing had huge influences that set the scene for drag. I think ballroom was the inspiration for my beloved Tutu!
And it’s definitely had some other fantastic iterations too, with those awesome costumes that have seen drag evolve – like RuPaul’s Drag Race, how can we ever forget those outfits and how they transformed in all their beautiful detail, all with amazing skill, creating iconic and unforgettable looks that I still get inspired by to this day!
2044! I mean… 2024, I've made my way to the future with a pink tutu!
And here’s a secret, a huge tip - a special Pink Tutu Time Travelling Top Tip - get yourselves a tutu! It's more than just a piece of fabric, it's a statement, a symbol of our glorious history! And if I'm going to be a part of spreading that message, it better be in the most fabulous pink tutu this side of the universe.
So remember, stay fabulous, keep your glitter stocked, and embrace your inner drag queen - whatever shape or form it takes. Love, laughter and twirls,
Emma 💖✨
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more adventures, time travel tales, and my monthly fashion updates!
Oh, and before I forget – Here's my favourite fashion find from my latest trip through the past:
I went on a Dragtastic Shopping Spree in 2019, New York, to one of my favorite shops – Ricky's (RIP to the one and only!). They had such cool vibes, you couldn’t get any more fabulous than a Ricky’s! I nabbed myself an original vintage drag queen’s show outfit - and I couldn't wait to show it off back in the future!
We’ll be seeing some amazing fashion at next month’s Queen’s Day Fashion Week – get yourselves on that Guest list, you don’t want to miss out on this one!
Until next time… STAY FABULOUS!!
XOXO Emma 💖✨
