Hello darling! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire lass with a penchant for pink tutus and time travel, ready to take you on another sparkly jaunt through the glorious history of drag. It's the 3rd of March, 1927, and my oh my, what a day for fashion, drama, and, well, everything!
This month, I’m whisking you off to Paris, darling! The City of Lights, oh, what a sight! The air itself feels like it's sprinkled with glitter and joie de vivre. Honestly, the Eiffel Tower practically shimmers with the energy of the Parisian drag scene! I just adore the Parisian style! It’s so elegant, dramatic and theatrical – basically my perfect cuppa tea! It’s like all the drama and glam of Broadway, mixed with the Parisian love of fashion. Imagine it, darling – stunning gowns, feather boas, flamboyant costumes, and absolutely fabulous make-up. Can you imagine a more delightful combination? Oh, to be back there now, living out my chic dreams, surrounded by stunning drag queens in an exquisite ball gown or perhaps something a little less glamorous but more mischievous, like a pair of outrageous cabaret trousers and a glittery beret.
Okay, darling, let's take a peep at what was happening in drag on this date!
Now, the 1920s were, of course, the "Golden Age of Flappers." This was a time of incredible social change and with the First World War fresh in the collective consciousness, women were moving towards new roles in society, pushing the boundaries of acceptable behaviours. What does this mean for drag, you ask? Well, darling, think flamboyant, think daring, and think dramatic, because 1927 is full of surprises!
What’s happening on this date?
Cabaret Night in Montmartre – Well, let's be honest, darlings, what's a night in Paris without a cabaret? Tonight is all about the underground drag scene. Now, Montmartre is an artistic hub, full of artists, singers, poets, and let's not forget – our fabulous drag performers! They’re using this platform for performance, artistry, and frankly, making some serious statements. I hear whispers of political statements being made within these clandestine cabaret shows! And can you blame them?
The Moulin Rouge: This iconic venue was a hub for the more theatrical, extravagant drag performances. Think showgirls, think feathers, think spectacle! I hear the show today includes a breathtaking finale where a group of gorgeous queens perform an acrobatics routine. Dare I mention the sequined outfits? Oh my, they are stunning.
Salon Theatre: Drag at Home: Let's not forget the private drag performances, darling! This is where I imagine true originality blooms. Picture it, a grand drawing room filled with chic Parisian socialites. Then imagine a magnificent drag performer in a glamorous ensemble of silk, sequins, and fabulous hats, performing music, monologues, or the pièce de résistance, a charming magic act!
These performers are pushing the boundaries of drag and fashion with their boldness and ingenuity. Oh, to be there, mingling with these captivating personalities and sipping on some lovely champagne while taking in the artistic wonder.
The best thing about time travel, darlings, is seeing these diverse interpretations of drag throughout the ages. Even with all the constraints of societal pressures and societal rules, the need for self-expression in the art of drag is universal.
And this, darlings, brings me to the crux of the matter, the reason I wear pink, the reason I travel through time and space in a dazzling pink tutu:
It's all about loving yourself. It's about celebrating the glorious, the bizarre, the beautiful, and the utterly unique aspects of our inner and outer selves. Whether it's wearing a daringly fabulous tutu, a feather boa, or even the most glamorous of gowns, it's all about embracing your individual style and celebrating what makes you different!
*So go out there and get glamorous! * Join me for a monthly adventure into drag history. If you'd like to have a chat with me or learn more about the exciting world of pink tutus, don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com – we’re constantly evolving. And, don't forget to catch my show, "Tutu Dreams" in Nottingham's finest drag venue, The Queen's Club, the second Saturday of each month, you know what to do darling, wear pink.
