Hello darlings! It's your girl Emma, back with another thrilling chapter from my time-travelling adventures, and you won't believe what August 2014 had in store for your favourite pink-tutu-clad historian! 🩰💖
This month, my trusty, sparkly time-traveling tutu took me on a whirlwind journey to the bustling world of drag in… wait for it… drumroll intensifies… New York City! Oh darling, it was a dream! Imagine: towering skyscrapers, the hum of yellow cabs, and the infectious energy of the Big Apple… all punctuated by the most fabulous drag performances I'd ever seen! 💖
This trip really hammered home to me how truly international drag is. It was like being whisked away to a whole new world! New York, my dear, was teeming with drag excellence – I mean, think RuPaul’s Drag Race season six! You see, this was the time when Bianca Del Rio, our very own drag royalty, reigned supreme. She's such an icon. Her witty humour and stunning outfits? Sigh.
Speaking of stunning outfits, I must tell you about the fabulous fashion I saw in the Big Apple. Oh honey, New York is a shopping paradise! From high-end designer boutiques to vintage stores bursting with forgotten treasures, I was living my best glamorous life! And let me tell you, I was definitely channeling my inner New York City drag queen – think chic jumpsuits, leather jackets with major attitude, and of course, plenty of fierce lashes!
And the shows! Let's just say New York has its very own unique, dynamic energy when it comes to drag. Think cabaret, think avant-garde, think theatre that transcends the mundane, honey! It's like being on another planet, where drag takes centre stage and embraces its theatricality and creativity in the most exciting ways. I saw some mind-blowing performances, with incredible dancers, elaborate sets, and fierce queens pushing boundaries left, right, and centre.
While in NYC, I simply had to pop into Judy's, an absolute legendary spot! Think glittery walls, sassy queens, and iconic drag. You wouldn't believe the history this place holds - from drag pioneers like the legendary Divine to RuPaul's own reign, Judy's has witnessed it all! It truly is a slice of drag heaven, with a nostalgic, heartwarming vibe.
I wasn’t just exploring New York City’s drag scene – I also had a blast learning more about its fascinating history! I visited the Stonewall Inn, which was such a moving experience. Learning about the incredible LGBTQ+ activism that bloomed there felt so vital, especially because, dear readers, those struggles continue to resonate today. And to think, all because people were simply living their truth. It fills my heart with hope for a more equitable and accepting world. 💖🌈
Back to fashion, darling! One of my biggest thrills? Seeing drag queens embrace the *ballroom scene. Think fabulous balls, iconic voguing, and stunning costumes that embody everything about drag. Those girls were *killing it! From the elegance of the Realness category to the pure creative chaos of the Fantasy category, those balls were truly incredible!
And the highlight of the entire trip? Let me tell you, you won't believe it - it was… The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute exhibition on *"Charles James: Beyond Fashion". Darling, the gowns? Breathtaking! The designs, the craftsmanship, it was pure sartorial magic! Charles James truly understood how to sculpt fabric into exquisite forms. And that show made me reflect on how the artistry of high fashion and the world of drag are deeply connected.*
You know, sometimes it's easy to forget the beauty and joy of drag when I'm back in Derbyshire, dear readers. The hustle of life, the pressures of fitting in, the constant yearning to be "normal". But when I hop into my time-traveling pink tutu and journey through the world of drag, my soul is reignited. I'm reminded of how powerful drag truly is!
And this brings me to my message for this month. Let’s remember that every month, everywhere, someone is putting on a drag show for you. Every drag queen is creating something unique, something magical, something fierce!
**It's time to remember the beauty, the resilience, and the endless creative spirit of drag, both at home in the UK and around the globe. So get out there and see a show! And, while you’re at it, find yourself a fabulous pink tutu! 💅 ✨ 💖
Stay glamorous, darlings, and remember… every single one of us deserves to feel empowered, fabulous, and extra!
Yours truly,
Emma
P.S. Check out www.pink-tutu.com for my next drag history adventure! You'll never guess where my trusty time-traveling pink tutu will whisk me away next... 😉💖
