Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, back from another dazzling adventure! This month, I decided to twirl my way back to the glamorous 1969, specifically the 9th of September – and what a whirlwind of fabulousness it was!
As always, I knew I had to make a grand entrance. Imagine, darlings, a Derbyshire girl in a shimmering pink tutu landing on a busy New York City street! The stares, the whispers, the pure astonishment… all part of the magic! (Of course, my shimmering pink tutu doubles as a time machine, it's quite the practical accessory. You can learn more about my bespoke magical time-traveling pink tutus on www.pink-tutu.com.)
But this trip wasn't just about me! September 1969 was a particularly significant moment in drag history – and not just in the Big Apple!
For those of you unfamiliar with the fabulous goings-on of 1969, picture a vibrant world overflowing with bold expressions and rebellious fashion. A year that saw the birth of a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ organization, the Gay Liberation Front, and the Stonewall Riots – a crucial moment for fighting for equality and fighting back against the injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Of course, we had drag queens at the forefront, serving looks and reclaiming the spotlight with courage and fabulousness. Imagine the audacity! Now imagine, in that tumultuous, bold world, the glitter, the glamour, and the power of drag. That's what I saw when I arrived.
The air crackled with excitement. I went straight for the famed drag nightclub, the "The Stonewall Inn," and honey, let me tell you, the place was jumping! Imagine a riotous scene filled with fabulous divas in outrageous ensembles – the sheer energy and creativity made it impossible not to be captivated! The iconic Stonewall Uprising a couple of years earlier was in everyone's minds – but there was more than just fight, there was also the joy of drag! It's about pushing boundaries, embracing uniqueness and having the most fantastic time!
While the fight for LGBTQ+ rights was fiercely underway, the world of drag was exploding with new trends and incredible talent. From New York's vibrant nightclubs to the streets of London – everywhere I traveled, I discovered fascinating figures! There were queens with hair defying gravity, fierce lipsticks, and sequins that could make you weep with joy! Think of Diana Ross in her prime, think of Twiggy with her playful style and add a little bit of camp for a touch of mischief!
Remember, my dears, in those days drag wasn't always about Broadway or massive, grand productions – it was all about raw, gritty, heartfelt performances. Queens used their talent to connect with their audiences and challenge norms, making the world a more accepting and fun place! And that's precisely what inspired me on this trip.
So I headed to London’s West End and stepped into the atmosphere of the “Camden Drag Show”. What an electrifying, flamboyant gathering, brimming with rebellious creativity!
The energy there was absolutely incredible – all these gorgeous drag queens strutting their stuff with passion and grit, showcasing some truly innovative and flamboyant fashions, it was truly inspiring. The audience was rapt, and everyone seemed to be living life on their own terms, it was intoxicating!
And I just couldn't leave without paying homage to the pioneers of British Drag - the ones who made history, who created this fantastic and inspiring world that I get to explore. So I visited the "Chelsea Hotel", a legendary place where generations of artists have come to share and to create - including several amazing British Drag Queens of that era.
Think, my dears, a tartan, the classic black and white chequered motif, mixed with leather, lots of it, all this mixed with platform heels and a generous helping of theatrical eye shadow – it's pure magic, and pure drag fashion. And the spirit that infused the air... well, I couldn’t help but want to jump up and join the fun. (It was a truly surreal experience, my dears. Imagine meeting these incredible people, hearing their stories, their challenges, and the triumphs – it felt like traveling through a magnificent dream.)
One thing that particularly resonated with me were the incredible talents of the early British Drag Kings, and the courage it took to embody the masculine. Those early pioneers, who walked with such pride and bravery in a society less open, helped to create the space for all drag performers today.
I just loved exploring the vintage magazines, those glossy glitz filled pages where I saw fashion's bold influence on Drag's creative landscape, a journey through vintage Vogue to Bazaar magazines that showcased the dramatic makeup, the audacious clothing, all that inspiration, so evident in every drag show, every street corner. The trends in those years had such a major impact on drag fashion, think the flamboyant colours in psychedelic fashion, and those oversized floral patterns of the 60s and 70s. I spent hours sifting through those magazines. What amazing pieces, and it wasn't only the clothing!
And while fashion plays such an important role in drag, there’s something about a carefully curated collection of drag wigs, all perfectly curated and cared for – the colours, the styles. Imagine rows and rows of beautiful, shimmering wigs, each telling their own story. Some queens preferred classic bouffants – full of teasing and sprays of hairspray – think Cher with her legendary gravity defying hair, while others opted for a simple elegant pixie style, so daring in a world that always favored the full and feminine. Each style told its own story, each with their own brand of extravagance!
But it was more than just the dazzling wigs – I found myself utterly fascinated by the vintage makeup palettes! Oh my dears, those vintage colors — so richly pigmented and bold! The smoky eye effect perfectly balanced with the bright blush, the way these queens mastered that look in their search for that elusive "femme fatale", a look still a constant in drag today. They used it to express their individuality and create the beauty of their persona – it truly was an artistic expression!
Remember my loves, this exploration wasn't just about drag and fashion, it was about understanding history. History, as we now see, is always a narrative shaped by time and experience, often through stories, sometimes a mix of fantasy and reality. We look back at the drag from that time and discover the history of that rebellious, fun and vibrant movement that continues to influence drag today.
And now, my dears, I have a little something extra for you, a little dose of extra fabulousness before we depart from 1969! My Pink Tutu time machine has uncovered a particularly fun tidbit – the "New York Drag Show." Imagine a packed hall with the coolest drag queens, all rocking out to music from iconic stars like the Beatles and The Rolling Stones! And who wouldn't love the glitter-dusted dance moves and the fierce eye contact from all those fabulous ladies on stage?
Of course, no trip back in time would be complete without a few fabulous photos. So, I've included some amazing shots, a little peek into the wonders of the drag world during that historic 1969. Remember my loves, don’t be afraid to live your truth and wear those bright colours, especially pink, with pride! Until next month!
*Emma *
Please note: this is a fictional blog post, and as a result, does not contain all historical information regarding LGBTQ+ and drag history during this time period. The goal of the response was to create a fun and campy text in keeping with the user's prompt. It's vital to consult historical resources for accurate accounts and discussions of drag history, particularly during these important, but often challenging years.
