Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling drag queen. Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where every month I whisk you off to another fabulous era of drag history!
September 1924… Oh honey, what a time! I was shimmying, shuffling, and twirling through the roaring 20s this month, and trust me, it was every bit as fabulous as you imagine! My magical pink tutu transported me straight to New York City, where I was dazzled by the sights and sounds of a bygone era. The Charleston was all the rage! Imagine, this city bursting with so much joy, so much flamboyance. Even if they didn't know it, drag was on the scene in full swing. Think about it, those wild, feathered headpieces, the dramatic make-up, the shimmying and the flapper dresses... drag queens of the 1920s, without even knowing it! I can’t resist – gotta get those feather headpieces out of storage!
But honey, I’m not just a time-travelling voyeur! This time, I'm bringing the fabulous. You see, there’s a wonderful new show opening on 1924 September 09th called The Miracle Man, a Broadway spectacle that I simply couldn’t miss! This show starred, of course, the amazing and eccentric comedian W.C. Fields. Imagine: a talented performer in full drag and makeup on Broadway! My heart fluttered like a butterfly in a tutu, darlings! You see, in those days, there wasn't so much a separation between the idea of drag as performance art, and, well, entertainment itself. I just loved seeing it all in the open!
The shows weren't all on Broadway, you know. There were many cabaret and club performances too, full of dancing and songs, where entertainers would dress in theatrical fashion. Imagine, shimmying and gyrating with those flapper dresses! The excitement of these early drag pioneers really spurred me on to give a show of my own! My favourite spot? A cute little theatre on 52nd Street. The music, the energy, the joy! A truly unforgettable night.
One of my favourite aspects of travelling through time is fashion. 1920s style – oh darling! The glamorous bobs, the dropped waists, the beautiful, bold make-up... the entire look was just perfect. And those feather boas! The colour! It was like a kaleidoscope of joy, a dazzling array of textures and colour, all in celebration of expressing oneself. I was completely in my element, sipping cocktails with the stunning socialites and catching the latest performances by the showstoppers of the era.
Speaking of shopping! My love for vintage was truly reignited in 1924! There was a particularly stunning milliner I had to visit, perched atop a little boutique in midtown Manhattan. Hats and feathers were my love! She gave me the best hat advice, a beautiful purple one adorned with a pink ostrich plume! The colour scheme, perfect for my pink-tutu girl. It just had to make the trip home with me. Darling, a touch of purple for the Queen of Pink... I really couldn’t resist.
While the USA was booming with nightlife, over in London, drag was still somewhat hidden. It existed underground, mostly within cabarets and music halls. But there were a few trailblazers, queens like Lily Elsie who, despite not strictly fitting the definition of drag today, blurred the lines and made a statement with their on-stage persona and captivating presence. It is from these trailblazers that so much modern-day drag stems from. I've got to admit, their fearless spirit really inspires me!
It wouldn't be a true pink-tutu post without a shoutout to the amazing fashion choices of the era. Imagine, the glitz and glamour of Josephine Baker! Her influence on drag queens today, wow! Her feathers, her dancing… simply breathtaking. Imagine, Josephine on a stage, sparkling with every step, and she’s not even a drag queen, just a woman taking the stage and taking ownership of her persona! How utterly fascinating! It makes me realise just how vital female self-expression has always been to the art of drag.
In summary, my darlings, September 1924 was a magnificent, dazzling whirlwind of joyous expression! From the flapper dresses and feather boas of New York, to the pioneers paving the way in London, the 1920s is a testament to the powerful spirit of self-expression that flows through our drag world today. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll get to have a face-to-face chat with W.C. Fields. It will be fabulous, darling!
Now go and get your pink tutus ready, darlings, and be prepared for some Balletastic fun! Don't forget to join me on Pink-Tutu.com for next month's fabulous adventure!
With love and sequins, Emma
P.S: Did you know, there are amazing drag events in Derbyshire! I'm just waiting for my time machine to charge and then it’s off to the local drag nights in the East Midlands! Keep your eye out for pink tutu clad Emma on the scene in Derby – my journey’s not just about the past, darlings, it’s about bringing drag joy to your very own backyards.
