Hiya darlings! Emma here, your pinkest, tutusiest, time-traveling blogger, coming to you live from…well, actually, it's May 5th, 2059! That’s right, you guessed it - the pink tutu took me for a trip into the past! (It seems my magical time-traveling garment gets a little sassy at times, especially when there’s a big, fabulous drag event to check out!).
Before we go down this nostalgic rainbow rabbit hole, I need to give a shout out to all the babes who came out to see my Strictly Come Ballroom-themed show last weekend in my hometown of Derbyshire! We were literally burning up the dance floor - all sequins, shimmy, and shimmy-shak, darling! And the best part? We managed to raise a record-breaking amount for the local animal shelter.
My tutu pockets are overflowing with lovely donations (enough to keep my pink dreams shimmering!) And what better way to celebrate that success than to share my latest adventure with you!
The year is 2059. The decade? Who even remembers! (Okay, for those who need a quick recap – that would be the 2050s. 🙈). Anyway, the big thing this year is Drag Runway: It's basically the world championship of all things drag, but it takes place across time. Every year they hold a massive finale here in London - you just wouldn't believe the outfit changes, the costumes, the stunts, the drama! I'm actually saving up to snag a front-row seat, hopefully soon, and I’ll be documenting it ALL on pink-tutu.com, obviously! It’s what my viewers need, and what I absolutely live for.
But let’s get back to today’s journey.
The Year is 1959…and things are starting to get really, really fun!
I’m talking Drag Queens on Television! 💅🏻 It might seem unbelievable today, but this was HUGE for our drag family back then! We're talking, the dawn of drag on the small screen! 📺. In America, the show "Dragtime Television Hour" - you betcha! - started up. Now, you’d think this would have made drag a mainstream hit overnight, right? Well, darling, it took some time. This wasn't all pink boas and glitter. Back then, Drag was a touch...dare I say...controversial! 🤫 (Even my Tutu whispered some advice - it has a penchant for gossiping, the little devil).
In this era, being drag queen was... well, just a little more daredevil. These queens weren't afraid to break rules, or to embrace the theatricality! But their struggles are part of our heritage. They were brave trailblazers, paving the way for every queen who dares to lip-synch her heart out under the spotlight!
The London scene back in ’59 was just sizzling. The club doors opened (and never closed!) until the sun started to peep! It was wild and wonderfully rebellious. Every night, it was a cabaret extravaganza - you never knew what, or who, you’d see strutting their stuff, you’d just have to be there to catch it all.
One of the things that really makes this era feel different is the whole 'drag cabaret' scene was super glamorous. Everyone in the audience, the performers, all of it, was so... well, sophisticated! (My inner ballet bunny got really excited). This era was like a big, dazzling costume party, you know? Think vintage fashion with a touch of rebellion and loads of feathers! ✨ (It was almost enough to make me shed my usual pink for a little turquoise.)
Oh! I have to tell you about the queens I met! (One word? LegendarY!) We were having this divine chat, drinking very colorful cocktails and comparing notes. They were so fierce, these old school queens. And my little pink tutu really was making quite an impression! 💅
There was Daphne DeVille, who told me the funniest stories of her drag mother’s outrageous antics! I mean, I do love a good gossip! And we chatted about Madame Butterfly, who's infamous for her stunning costumes! She wore so many sparkly things that, she joked, the local light bulb company went out of business for a month. Talk about leaving your mark! You know, back then, it wasn't just about the performing, it was about creating whole looks. It was pure spectacle and performance, like something out of a movie.
But this trip wasn’t just about cabaret, dear.
Remember that the whole world was on the edge of social change. It was a turning point! And within the drag community, this also reflected how they presented themselves, the kinds of drag shows they put on. The themes reflected their era – a mix of humor and satire! And you know, we all know how we love to give the world a little poke, eh, babes? 😏
I watched one fabulous drag performance about social expectations, where this queen, Violet Verbena, just walked onto the stage, looked at the audience with an “I can't believe what’s happening right now, it’s 1959” attitude, and for the entire five minutes of her performance she just, sat on a chair! (And, obviously, she served looks. Every single move, darling, was absolute perfection)
It was just so brilliant and powerful – she completely changed the whole idea of drag in that one simple gesture. It was the best kind of sass! 💁 (I learned that from Violet, and she knows it).
So, all in all, my trip to 1959 was absolutely sensational. (What a thrill!) It was just like dipping your toes into a vintage drag-infused fashion show that could never be re-created. You know me, I’m already thinking about my next pink tutu escapade… and yes, that might mean a little 1959 styling soon. Watch this space! 😉
And speaking of that, don’t forget to follow me on all my socials to keep up to date on where I’m taking my pink tutu next!
See ya in my next pink-tutu post, you delightful creatures. And don’t forget…every day’s an opportunity to rock your very own pink tutu, whether it’s a literal one, or a figurative one! ❤️
