Hiya darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling, ballet-obsessed drag queen, Emma, back with another sensational scoop from the archives of Drag Queen History! Grab your tea and biscuits, it’s time for another fabulous adventure in my magical, sparkly, pink tutu!
Today’s trip is taking us back to April 4th, 1943. It’s a bit of a bumpy ride this time, darlings, because as you know, history can be quite messy sometimes. But trust me, you’ll love the insights we uncover!
So, picture this: the war is raging on, and although things are quite bleak in the world, the spirit of the queens never dies! In fact, during the war, many performers used their talents to lift the spirits of people - and some even went into the armed forces themselves, proving that queens can literally save the world.
Let’s take a peep at what was happening in the world of drag in 1943…
A Night at the Cotton Club, New York City:
Darling, where else would I be for a trip back to the 40s? The Cotton Club! Let's paint the picture. It's sweltering hot in New York, everyone is wearing their finest war-time rations chic, and inside, the stage is a blur of glitz, glam, and dancing.
As the band swings, we’re transported to a dazzling world of glamorous showgirls. The performers are stunning – think beautiful feathers, dazzling sequined dresses, and a kaleidoscope of colour.
While the Cotton Club wasn't the only place where drag flourished during this time, it represented a fascinating intersection between African American culture, performance art, and underground communities.
It’s no secret, during World War II, drag and queer identities had to navigate difficult waters.
However, I’m all about spreading some pink sparkle to even the darkest corners of history!
Behind The Velvet Ropes
While I could go on about all the iconic names gracing the stage in this era, I also want to shed some light on the hidden history of drag. I imagine during wartime, being queer meant having to be very careful about expressing your identity.
There’s this really fascinating archive of letters I’ve found (not that I’m a historian, but darling, I like to peek into every crevice I find!).
These letters between two anonymous friends – who refer to each other by initials – show that despite the dangers and social stigma of the time, they maintained this close friendship. They exchanged poems, stories about their lives and dreams, and confided in each other about their experiences with love and loneliness, but in a very discreet way that kept them safe.
While the war may have thrown a wrench in their lives, they found their little piece of solace and freedom through each other and through art. It just goes to show, darling, even in the face of hardship, drag queens found ways to find their own sparkle and community!
Back To Derbyshire… With a Touch of Fashion Inspiration
While my time-traveling tutu whisked me across the pond to New York, I haven't forgotten where I’m from. Back in the old-school Derbyshire streets, let’s look back on how drag reflected fashion in wartime Britain!
There were definitely a lot of limitations regarding fashion due to the fabric rations - we're talking simple shapes, limited use of material and very practical pieces.
However, a good queen never lets a challenge dull her sparkle!
Think about it. With ingenuity, creativity blossomed! Women made the most of what they had, repurposing fabrics and embellishing garments with colourful buttons, beads, and homemade fabric flowers to express their own flair and individuality.
There’s so much that reflects a strong sense of community and support. The resourcefulness and ‘can do’ attitude was super inspiring to see how they transformed everyday items into fashion staples.
And let’s face it, darling, a good drag queen could easily create a jaw-dropping outfit out of nothing.
That's it for this month's journey through time, my loves. As you can see, 1943, although tough, was an exciting period for drag and it really showed that the power of performance and fashion are eternal. I think that even back in the days of fabric rations and global conflict, drag helped people escape into worlds of imagination and escape - and remind us of the essential spirit of drag – creativity, self-expression, and bringing a splash of colour to every occasion.
Of course, no Drag Queen History lesson would be complete without a call to action! So what will you do to honour the spirits of these fabulous pioneers?
Here's your challenge this month:
Try to create a beautiful, unique fashion look using items you have in your home! - Maybe you can find something with a vintage flair in your grandmother's attic.
Do some research into your local area and find out if there are any hidden gems or historical figures associated with drag or queer history. And spread the word to other drag queens in your community.
And as always, keep an eye out for all the exciting events happening around the world of drag in the present, darling, as this blog wouldn't be complete without some fresh updates on the goings on of today! Catch you in our next monthly voyage! And as always, remember to embrace your inner diva and twirl on!
Much love, Emma! XOXO
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