Hello darlings! It's your girl Emma, back again from another fabulous trip in the time-traveling pink tutu! This month, we're twirling back to April 4th, 1930, a time when the world was just starting to shimmy into a new decade. Oh, the excitement! Let's put on our dancing shoes and sashay into the history books, shall we?
Now, Iâve gotta say, this monthâs time travel journey was pure glitter and glamour. Just picture it: a glamorous pink tutu (naturally!), sparkling under the soft glow of the moon. I'm twirling through the bustling streets, soaking in the energy of this era. You can practically hear the Charleston playing in the air!
Before I reveal what I got up to, let's rewind the clock a bit. 1930 - what a year! This was the time when the world was truly beginning to embrace the art of drag. From the Parisian cabarets to the New York City stages, there were trailblazers in fabulousness everywhere you looked! Think Josephine Baker captivating audiences with her powerful performances. Or Julian Eltinge, who redefined what it meant to be a man on stage, enchanting audiences with his flawless impersonations of women. They were paving the way, proving that drag could be art, entertainment, and a revolution all at the same time!
Oh, and did I mention, there was some serious style in 1930! Weâre talking flapper dresses, fringed headbands, feather boas, and long pearl necklaces, just waiting to be worn by dazzling queens! And you bet your bottom dollar I did just that.
But enough with the historical chatter, letâs get back to the pink tutuâs adventures! This time around, I was in the heart of London's West End, right on Shaftesbury Avenue, where you could catch a variety of theatrical extravaganzas. There was even a cheeky new burlesque show called âThe Follies Bergèreâ, starring some truly incredible drag performers who were serving real âtake it offâ energy. I felt so empowered watching their confident swagger on the stage! It was enough to make a girl want to twirl even faster.
Speaking of twirling, did you know ballet was at the peak of its popularity back then? It was a whirlwind of tutus, pointe shoes, and intricate dance routines! It truly was a beautiful form of artistic expression, and even now, you can see echoes of this style in some of the incredible outfits you see at drag balls around the world. Just a little fun fact for your drag history buffet.
Speaking of fabulousness, you know I couldnât resist a shopping spree. I hit up the glamourous boutiques of Bond Street, where you could find the latest designer clothes and accessories. I even managed to snag myself a beautiful Art Deco beaded handbag - a total vintage treasure! Can you tell I am obsessed with everything vintage, sparkly, and unique? Itâs not just my wardrobe, itâs the entire story of drag and fashion - such beautiful things have been made throughout the years.
You might be thinking, "But Emma, how did you get to go shopping and see all these incredible shows?" Well, darlings, this pink tutu has got connections! This month, I found myself performing at the grand opening of a brand-new nightclub in London. They called it "The Starlightâ, and they said they wanted someone "with real charisma and who knows how to work the stage." Well, I am an absolute queen at working the stage and oozing charisma. I was so honored, especially when they offered me a small fortune in return! Thatâs how I was able to indulge in a little pre-time travel therapy with some fantastic vintage shopping and, of course, a glamorous drag show to round off the night!
Now, darling, I have to tell you - there was a touch of âwhat if" swirling around in the air while I was traveling back through time. The world in 1930 was, let's just say, not entirely comfortable with everything that drag stood for. Some people had some⌠well, some pretty unkind opinions. But through all of the adversity, those incredible queens - Josephine Baker, Julian Eltinge, and so many others - kept their fabulous flag flying high. They didn't let fear or judgment stop them from expressing themselves, which is truly inspirational, right? They were showing the world that drag was more than just entertainment â it was an act of defiance, a celebration of individuality, and a big middle finger to those who tried to keep it down.
Speaking of defiance, letâs talk about a cause close to my pink-tutu heart: the movement to get everyone wearing a pink tutu. We canât just sit here on our sparkly thrones waiting for the world to change, honey! We've got to be proactive! It starts with each of us. Wear that pink tutu with confidence! Strut down the street with your head held high! Be bold and make a statement! Just remember, the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves, and if I can time travel in a pink tutu, then anyone can embrace their own unique sense of style!
Right now, here on April 4th, 1930, in London, England, the air is full of hope, energy, and maybe even a touch of daring. The world is changing, and those in drag are right there in the midst of it, inspiring change, making art, and pushing boundaries. And itâs all thanks to the bold, beautiful, brave drag pioneers of the past who knew their worth, and strutted their stuff, tutus and all, onto the world stage. Their message was, and is still, loud and clear: "We're here. We're fabulous. We're not going anywhere." And neither is this fabulous pink tutu. Catch you next month, darlings! Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more drag history adventures!
