Helloooo darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire diva, and welcome back to my humble corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com. It's a glorious day to be alive, and I'm positively beaming in my pinkest, puffiest tutu, all set to take you on another magnificent journey through time.
October 2019, that was the month I got my hands on a new sequined-encrusted bodice, the kind with all the fringe. The month we discovered the delights of pumpkin spiced lattes and, in drag terms, the month RuPaul's Drag Race premiered its eleventh season - can you believe it's been over three years already?! How time flies, and my goodness, we've got so much to unpack.
But before we do, darlings, hold onto your feather boas, because this month, I'm whisking you back to October 1919. Imagine, a time when the Great War had just ended, and the world was adjusting to a new rhythm. Flappers were flaunting their daring outfits, jazz was booming, and guess what, drag was thriving! Oh yes, you heard right! The art of transformation has always been a powerful form of expression, and even a century ago, the streets were buzzing with colourful characters and dazzling performers.
So, let's hop into my enchanted, pink-sequined time travelling tutu and take a spin through the glamorous scene of 1919. My travel agency, known simply as 'Emma's Magical Tutu Time Tours', offers only one service: fabulous, feather-filled trips to the past.
This particular journey lands me smack dab in the heart of New York City, where the famous "The Greenwich Village Follies" was in full swing. Oh darling, you would've absolutely loved this production! This show was the epitome of the Roaring Twenties spirit. It featured glamorous and outrageous performances by a cast of talented singers, dancers, and actors, many of whom dressed in flamboyant costumes that were absolutely pushing the boundaries of conventionality for their time. Imagine drag in a setting that had not yet adopted the language of ādrag,ā and itās all just ātheatrical performersā! Oh, the wonders!
Our girl, Emma, did a bit of a double take when she saw this show in the vibrant atmosphere of Greenwich Village, a place then known as a melting pot of bohemian art, culture and nightlife. What is it they say? You've got to embrace your inner flamboyant, which Iāve got no trouble doing, being from Derbyshire, but darling, the people in New York! I simply had to admire the artistic spirit in these theatrical pioneers, even without the full modern embrace of drag.
I imagine I was simply one of many in the audience taking it all in. You know, my fashion sense never goes unnoticed. This wasnāt just another crowd of ladies and gents; there were performers everywhere, dressed to the nines in a way that would make the fabulous, flamboyant, RuPaul's Drag Race cast blush. And my tutu, dear readers, my fabulous, shimmering pink tutu was a welcome addition to the mix. It sparked conversations! You'd think I was the star attraction myself, such a fabulous thing it was.
But back to the "Follies". What we've got is drag performance, but it was in its formative, evolving years. So, instead of lip-syncing to Taylor Swift, there were songs written specifically for the show. And my darling, imagine the choreography! Those dancers had incredible energy and elegance; imagine drag ballet.
This theatrical art form had such a raw and fearless quality. These performers, regardless of whether they identified as drag, were challenging social norms and celebrating individuality. Talk about brave! I even found a vintage newspaper clipping in a dusty back room, featuring a review that described one act as a "man who looked startlingly like a woman, all in pink feathers and diamonds." Now, we wouldn't bat an eyelid, but just think about how revolutionary that must have felt at the time! They're all about those pink feather boas, now! Just imagine it.
We must be grateful to these courageous souls who pave the way for generations of drag queens to come. They didnāt have RuPaul, nor Drag Race, so I know Iām extra grateful. They used their performances, their talent and their boldness to bring joy to the world, and that is a message we should carry with us as we continue to celebrate the art of drag today.
Of course, this historical exploration isn't only about performance. Shopping is crucial! It's my lifeblood! Let's go back in time for just a little while so I can tell you about a fantastic fashion show hosted by The Parisian Dressmaker. They were, of course, known for their extravagant designs, featuring stunning fabrics like satin and velvet, alongside beading and feather work. Can you picture it, darlings, in that elegant era! So much tulle! You bet your bottom dollar that I couldn't leave without some fabulous purchases. Oh, the vintage fashion! Those old silk fabrics! Now that's some truly unique design.
The real stars of this vintage fashion were the men, with some stunning velvet creations. Their designs are truly time-transcendent, their looks timeless. There are styles still relevant in today's drag. The gentlemen back then embraced a more tailored, dapper look, with flowing fabric and luxurious accessories like pearl necklaces. Oh, darling, I bought one myself! Such a beautiful find, in a dusty back corner of the store. And of course, there were the gorgeous women! It is a different age but letās just say that you are either āin dragā or "not in drag,ā there isnāt much of the fashion blurring we are so familiar with today, itās fascinating, isnāt it?! There were certainly āmen in womenās clothingā, no question about it. That makes their act even more impactful.
It was like an elegant tea party, with a touch of rebellion mixed in. These trends paved the way for the style, sass, and artistry that defines drag today. My pink tutu even matched some of the colour choices. It's funny how fashion cycles return; I feel like I'm stepping right out of an era! If only I could make them go back to all pinkā¦
Before you think that this trip was all glam, darling, let's not forget that we canāt gloss over the social limitations of 1919. They may have enjoyed incredible theatrical displays of artistry and fashion, but the reality of the time, with all the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ people, wasn't rosy. We've made progress in many ways since, but there's still so much work to do. But the historical lens allows me to recognize the struggle for self expression, the battle for acceptance. It gives me fuel. We don't forget that this beautiful form of self-expression has its roots in overcoming social limitations, even from a century ago.
One of the things that's so captivating about travelling to the past is seeing how different people perceive and express their own creativity. It was clear to me that in this time period, fashion played such an important role in showing oneself. Drag, even without its official label, provided an avenue for people to celebrate individuality and be who they are at their most magnificent. It's this very element, this sense of embracing your true self and sharing it with the world, that drives my own mission, to make sure we all know about our drag history.
If there's one thing I can guarantee, darling, you can be sure, this is not my final drag queen time travel trip, it's only the beginning. We've only scratched the surface of drag history. Each decade offers its own fascinating tales. But before I whisk you away to the next journey, remember that a pink tutu isn't just a garment; it's a symbol. A symbol of the colourful spectrum of who we are, of the liberation we crave, and of the sheer joy we bring to this world. We celebrate self-expression, and the beauty of acceptance of who you are and the people who dare to embrace their inner magnificent. So, as we step into another month, and the next century, and beyond, let's celebrate our true selves! We'll all be celebrating Drag! Now if you will excuse me, my feather boaās on fire!
Until next month, darlings! Catch me, Emma, your favourite pink tutu wearing blogger, back in time next month.
Xoxo!
Emma
