Hey sweeties! 💖
Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you all back to the roaring 20s, 1932 to be exact! This is blog post number 152 on the pink-tutu.com website, serving you monthly fabulousness, fueled by the power of pink and the magic of tutus.
Now, darlings, I've gotta admit, August 1932 wasn't bursting with drag shows in the way we know it today. The scene was still under the radar, tucked away in the speakeasies and nightclubs, a whispered secret among those in the know. But, let's just say, that didn't stop the drama! 😉
Before we delve into the world of drag, let me spill the tea about my fabulous journey: a magical time travelling pink tutu, the envy of any drag queen from Derbyshire to Detroit! 👑 It's a shimmering, sequined dream, allowing me to slip back in time, leaving behind the glitter of my current show in… checks watch oh, hello Brighton! 🎭 Anyway, this gorgeous garment, combined with the donations from my performances, are the fuel that powers my time-travelling shenanigans! You see, I simply can't resist the allure of past glamour, the whisper of historical fabulousness!
And so, August 1932, we're transported back to an era of glitz, glamour, and a whole lot of rebellious fun! You wouldn't find drag shows in the bright lights of Broadway, not yet, dearie, but whispers of drag, or "female impersonation" as they called it, were alive and kicking. You could find it in the shadows of the underground, those smoky back rooms where a hint of scandalous fabulousness took centre stage! 🤫
Now, for a glimpse into this captivating time:
The Speakeasies & The Underground 🍾✨ - Imagine: dim, smoky rooms, jazz spilling from the band, and a dash of subversive sparkle. Drag was finding its place, challenging gender norms in a society ripe for change. These clandestine spaces offered an escape from the drudgery of daily life, a safe haven for creativity and self-expression. While most drag queens back then had to stay hidden from the public eye, these places offered them a stage where they could shine and leave an indelible mark on history.
The Hollywood Scene 🎬👠 - The world was captivated by Hollywood's glitz and glamour, and some drag performers, with their uncanny ability to channel the icons of the time, found fame in the world of film and theatre. Imagine a glamorous woman on a silver screen, captivating the audience, while they never suspect her true identity! Talk about "breaking the mold", darling!
The Birth of Drag Icons 🌟✨ - While we won't find full-fledged drag houses like we see today, individuals were making history in their own unique way, laying the groundwork for the drag we know and love. A certain Madame LeGrand in Harlem was known to host soirées filled with dazzling outfits, serving fabulous looks. Remember, honey, drag has always been about self-expression and artistic rebellion, and it was bubbling under the surface in 1932, ready to explode into the mainstream.
The Fashion of the Day 💅💄- Fashion in the 1930s was all about chic silhouettes, shimmering fabrics, and a touch of elegance. Think beaded flapper dresses, sparkling jewels, and that signature finger wave. Oh, and let's not forget the dramatic makeup!
You'd find the fashion trend bleeding into the underground drag scene. While sequins and extravagant feathers weren't exactly the norm, drag queens would utilize these elements in their looks, adding their own flair to the existing trends. We could imagine drag queens stepping out in these beautiful clothes, their outfits becoming a secret code of subversion and liberation, a beacon of fabulousness for those who dared to be different.
My Drag Diary: An August 1932 Fashion Journal Entry
Ooh la la darling, I simply have to tell you about the new shoes I discovered today. Made by Salvatore Ferragamo in Milan, they are the epitome of sleek elegance! A pair of ivory silk pumps, they will be the highlight of my performance in the speakeasy later tonight, *the most coveted venue in New York right now, honey! 💋 My outfit is pure vintage chic: a midnight blue velvet dress, with a bejeweled sash that catches the dim lights of the room, and my hair done in the latest finger wave trend. You know, just a little something to celebrate being fabulous! ✨ The crowd tonight, just overflowing with dapper gentlemen and glamorous ladies, each ready for a night of revelry and perhaps a hint of rebellious spirit. They will adore my show. Oh, the things we do in the name of glamour and self-expression. Tonight, honey, we celebrate drag. ✨"
*This is Emma signing off. Until next month darlings, remember, never lose your sparkle, your inner ballerina, and wear a tutu at every chance you get!
XOXO, Emma *
www.pink-tutu.com 💖
