Hiya darlings! It’s Emma, your fabulous time-traveling ballerina from Derbyshire, back with another glamorous escapade through the annals of drag history! This month, I took my magical pink tutu for a whirl all the way back to the swinging 90s, landing in August of 1998, right in the thick of the glorious, gaudy, and gloriously camp era of Drag!
I’m sure some of you younger queens, and even some of the older, jaded ones, might scoff at the idea of the 90s being a golden age of drag. But trust me, dearies, it was! Back then, drag wasn't as widely celebrated as it is today. It was more underground, more punk, more about finding your own individual style and expressing yourself with a fierce, flamboyant sense of individuality. There was a real hunger for performance, for artistic exploration, for creating something truly unique. And let me tell you, the energy was palpable.
As soon as I touched down, I could feel it! It was a Tuesday night, and I was in the heart of Manhattan, in front of the iconic Stonewall Inn. Can you even believe that Stonewall was still a bar back then? It felt so strange to me. I felt the history in those very bricks.
I’d heard stories about how the drag scene in New York was the heart of it all back then, with underground venues like the Pyramid Club and the Roxy bursting at the seams with drag divas and fabulous, subversive, sometimes truly controversial art. My mind was racing! Which queen was going to be performing this night? Where was I going to go? The possibilities seemed endless!
Instead of walking right into the heart of it, though, I wanted to get a glimpse of everyday life first. So I spent some time strolling around, absorbing the atmosphere, the energy of this New York City almost twenty-five years ago. Even back then, the streets were a mix of the trendy, the hip, the glamorous, and the gritty. People still loved a bold splash of colour. But there was a sort of rebellious undercurrent. A lot of punk vibes! You could tell they were a generation fuelled by self-expression. The style was grunge-y, yet somehow also a bit retro with that 80s nostalgia lingering, making for some truly unique street fashion.
I spent a good hour soaking in the ambiance before heading to what I had learned was the hot spot of drag, The Roxy. When I walked in, the energy was incredible! A mix of smoky haze, pounding techno music, and flashing lights. And oh my, the drag queens! Their makeup was SO different! So bold! The shapes were sharp, the colors dramatic, and they had this amazing ability to make you question what was even real and what wasn’t!
Some had a kind of goth-inspired look, with slick black liner, bold lip colors, and hair styled in intricate spikes or gravity-defying structures. Then there were those who embraced a more exaggerated femininity, with high-waisted jeans, glitzy tops, and towering heels. There were others who combined these styles into something completely unique. One particularly glamorous diva had neon pink streaks in her hair and a glittery purple eye shadow. There were even a couple of boys in fishnets! What a scene, my dearies!
Now, I know some might think the makeup looks of the 90s weren’t exactly subtle. And they’d be right! But those queens, bless their glitter-soaked hearts, used their makeup as an art form. Each colour, each shape, each shimmer told a story, expressed an emotion, defied an expectation. They weren't afraid to be loud and bold. And let me tell you, it was captivating.
Onstage, the energy was electric. The performers were a mix of the comedic, the theatrical, and the absolutely subversive. They were telling stories, questioning norms, and celebrating their uniqueness with a wild, unapologetic energy that truly inspired me. They were raw, untamed, and absolutely unforgettable.
I spent the rest of the evening catching the incredible performances, enjoying the lively atmosphere and talking to a few of the performers about their lives and the evolution of drag. Let me tell you, they were inspiring. I had an opportunity to meet this incredible queen, Mimi Imfurst. She told me a bit about how the scene was in New York then, and I learned about so many famous drag queens! One who particularly stuck with me was this woman called Lady Bunny, a legend. These ladies really were paving the way. Mimi told me they felt like outsiders but never felt scared to be loud, strong, and unafraid. They were pioneers, the real deal.
After the show, a few of the performers and I, we all headed to a late-night diner to share stories. They told me all about how drag wasn't always seen as a mainstream thing. They talked about struggles they faced, and they talked about the victories they celebrated together.
And they all, without exception, shared this passion for the art of drag. They had a dedication to expression, to storytelling, to defying limitations. It truly was a glorious age, though so much has changed since then. It’s almost hard to believe, but it was even hard for these legends back then. You can still feel the pioneering energy today though, but you have to look closely for it in the drag landscape of today!
So, I hope this trip back to August 1998 inspires you, my dear readers, to dig deep, explore your unique expression, and celebrate your own personal narrative! You may be inspired by some of the queens today. But there is truly beauty and strength in that raw and unique, untamed, expression of drag from this time period. And remember, every era in drag has its own unique style and impact, and each era builds on the ones before it. And I know, no matter the style, everyone needs a pink tutu.
Until next time, remember to embrace your individuality, live with sparkle, and keep the spirit of drag alive in every fabulous way possible!
Sending lots of love, kisses, and sequins your way!
Emma 💖
P.S. If you have a story you would like to share, comment on the Pink Tutu blog on www.pink-tutu.com, let me know all about it! You know I love a good drag history yarn! I’m already starting to plan for my next adventure in drag time. You might think we have an end, but we’re just getting started in the dragverse! This ain’t over yet. The most fabulous is yet to come!
