Burlesque.

For decades upon decades vaudevillian theater has been applauded as the forefront of true human art, using comedy, music and sex appeal to entertain every class of people in their captive audience, and challenging the way society viewed life as a whole. Performers often spoofed Shakespearian plays and foreign operas, mocked sexist standards and unapologetically dared their patrons to view women differently, seizing the opportunity to play a role that rarely anyone could: Independent.

It was that independence from traditional theater that allowed burgeoning success for generations of burlesque starlets everywhere. In 1868 when the average family made less than the price of today's movie ticket a week, beginning burlesque theaters were grossing over $370,000 a season. People packed venues so tightly that entire shows were moved across cities to accommodate more bodies. Their ticket holders included well-to-do women, adventurous wives, men of civilized taste, and every kind of person in between. Even with influential and self-righteous zealots striving to condemn impropriety after first approving of it publicly (using sermons and editorials to denounce the movement) halls were still turning patrons away every opening night.

And as with all things, when the first sign of popularity came to the attention of soon to be copy-cat managers, troupes were bursting to the stage left and right to try and cash in on the "scandalous" art of the tease.

Eventually, vaudeville and burlesque parted ways. As male performers took over most of vaudeville theater, women were exchanging their wit and coy flirtatious banter for peeling more and more clothing off, proving that women could be tough contenders in show business. Because of this and the abundance of adventurously titillating talent, burlesque began to get quite the raunchy reputation. And despite the fact that most vaudeville performers looked down on "new" burlesque, many a vaude trooper avoided bankruptcy by appearing in burlesque... During the 20's theaters closed down and acts were taken off of the golden stage. It was some time around then when the actual strip-tease as we know it today was born. Independent theaters made a desperate, bodily plea to keep up ticket sales in any way that they could, opting for g-strings and pasties and a heavier bump and grind from their dancers, rather than the lavish costumes they might have once demanded.

Fast forward. In the late 90's burlesque began to come back to its extravagant roots, taking over the world with dancers who captivated new audiences all over the world. They stood apart from common strippers and strip clubs by injecting modest sensuality, humility, innocence, and classicism into their routines, donning fully covering costumes and props that were elaborate and memorable. Dita Von Teese calls herself a glorified stripper, and she's right. But there will always be a difference between the tastefully provocative and the pointlessly lewd.

( Physical examples )

And now, I'd like to offer you some perspective.

I was a professional burlesque dancer. I had a wonderful troupe who treated everyone involved as the artists that we were. We created visually stunning routines that focused more on 3 different stories than on me in my bra and fully covering panties, and my audience never acted in any way other than as admiring watchers. I was commended on my performance by people who hadn't even seen the show, by my parents, my grandparents, and by other performers. There was nothing perverse or obscene about my show, and none of it even remotely resembled being a stripper.

Here are a few other things to think about:

- I was more dressed in all of my skits than some people are in numerous (very revealing) bikini shoots, or shoots of them on a bed in their thong. These are images that are captured forever on film, for everyone to see. They detail several areas that are not the most modest, especially for a middle school teacher!

- Prancing around on stage (or posing) in a bikini is the exact same thing as prancing around on stage in your underwear. Both are selling their bodies in some form, so how is one really above the other? ( See? )

- Being on stage in general takes a lot of courage. I'd imagine it's the same for pageantry. You're judged by the way you move, the way your body looks, the choices in outfits, and your personality. All of that is reflected in burlesque. We're actually judged more critically, and more entirely. Our heart and soul goes every inch of our actions, and anyone who appreciates one can appreciate the other. Negative, holier-than-thou attitudes emphasizes insecurities and inadequacies, which is confusing as stage performance is supposed to up your self-esteem. That much practice and a person is still a pompous ass? Tisk-tisk!

- Random fact: Most of the demographic who go and see burlesque shows are women. Women who appreciate the freedom to express sensuality in creative ways, who understand wanting to get dolled up and dance on stage like they are the only ones that matter. Women. Not howling men at strip clubs who demoralize girls at every turn, but women of every age imaginable. (see first example photos)

- Facts for friends... ( Famous Community College Alums )



Whether you're too jealous to see, or you're too small minded to grasp this, I was involved in a one of a kind spectacular that completely stood separate from every other venue in the United States. Forget Jacksonville, forget Florida. We were the first original 3D burlesque troupe in America. I know for a -fact- that you can't even remotely say the same thing about the projects you've taken on (what, with your photo sets where other girls are in the same clothes as you, posing in the same positions as you, portraying the exact same image over and over again). I pity you. I've always pitied you. And really, you've reminded me just how bad ass my life really is.

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During the search to find various obsessions in Columbus (no harm in preparing!), I stumbled upon Mad4Mod, a fantastic vintage clothing/housewares store located about 15 mintues away from my apartment. I looked at their reviews and their website and fell immediately in love!

It didn't take long to decide that I needed to stop looking at their gallery, knowing I'd be heartbroken if I familiarized myself with their goods (I am a college student!) as my shopping bug would creep up and my closet would be full again. (Seriously, I know I need to eat to survive and all but is there THAT much harm in buying a butterly kimono mini instead?)

Then it hits me!

I sent them an insane email essentially begging to clean their toilets if I could just work there, even for one day a week. It sounds silly in retrospect and I've sniggered a time or two about it, but the idea of living in a new place and getting to help people fall in love with the same frocks I do sounds beyond marvelous! And I have fantastic retail experience, so why not?

Cross your fingers that they'll even think twice about me! And while you're at it take a look at their store <3

Designers in the 1950's where impeccable chameleons, changing women's silhouettes from shoulders to waistlines to accentuate a constantly evolving standard of appearance. Couture then was in the hands of Coco Chanel, Givenchy, Dior, and Balenciaga, all promoting a strong feminine form and easily interchangable mix-matched wardrobes. These name brand items were mimicked worldwide and soon placed in retail, doning a difinitive comparrison to their more expensive counterparts among the sales racks.

These days however, a new barrage of retro wear is available. Reproduction designers mock the classic clothing features loved for decades, but put their own perspective twist on those styles. Below is 4 of my absolute (yet slightly overpriced) favorite sites to buy from:




1. Stop Staring. Seen on Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Oprah, Ashley Greene (their top model), and countless fashion magazines, Stop Staring has become a hugely popular reproduction line. Their dresses are well made, flatters curves like crazy, fits like a glove, and stands true to the shapes made famous by our aforementioned designers. If you can dish out the money for their stuff, do! People are always reselling their dresses on Ebay, so your in-demand outfit will certainly be an investment whenever and if ever you choose to get rid of it.



2. Bettie Page Clothing. The exclusive manufacturer and retailer of Bettie Page retro clothing, this store has a plethora of colorful, quirky, and elaborate dresses all flaring with vintage style. I personally love this store because it's many shapes and styles seem electrified with a different perspective of the era through each dress!



3. Daddy O's is absolutely one of my other favorite sites, but not because they are a designer store. They sell name brand clothing at better prices, and include discontinued dresses that are hard to find elsewhere. I've purchased all of my Stop Staring items from here, and have always been beyond satisfied!



4. Pinup Girl Clothing is another great find, with dresses, lingerie, swimwear, menswear and accessories from literally all over the world. With 48 or so brands ranging from Lucky 13 to Ed Hardy, this is a one stop mecca of pinup fashion. It even houses Kiss Me Deadly, a brand made by Top Model contestant (and pinup model queen) Micheline Pitt!

Vintage Blog: Fast and easy vintage finds!

Anyone can take on the vintage world by adding their own unique pieces found in every day places. The retro/pinup lifestyle isn't known for being a lucrative one, and usually only die-hard fashion-era lovers dive in on the $150+ dresses found in couture reproduction shops around the world. Several popular stores in practically every major city have clothing available that are more classically inspired than you would have thought, and some are easily recognized in professional grade pinup photos scattered around the net. [See below]

Frequenting easily accessible stores is a girl's best tool for accumulating a beautiful, inexpensive collection, and places such as Target, Kohl's, Charlotte Russe, Urban Outfitters, Express, Forever 21, and Frederick's are all great locations to start your search.

Famous pinup model and entrepreneur, Micheline Pitt has pointed this out in her own blog: "there is nothing "fake" or "unoriginal" with shopping at Betsy Johnson, H&M, Target, Forever 21 or any other place you can find items to create your own look. Try to come up with your own style instead of following the "rules""

And Pinup Queen and actress Heidi Van Horne has said: "And never rule out mainstream shopping for picking up pieces to work with other things you have! Some of my best finds are from Frederick's, Victoria's Secret, and Target! Just mix it up and make it unique to you!"

Below the cut are a few pointers to finding exciting parts to making your vintage love whole. I hope you enjoy my suggestions and go on to develop your own knack for this glorious movement!

( Bang Baby, Bang! )

So comments, suggestions, complaints? :D