Dita Von Teese, Body Image & Burlesque
In today's society image and appearance are the most vital elements to any person. Children growing up are forced to look "smart" and adolencents fight over the new trend. As a young girl I wanted to be what everyone consider "hot", it was my desire to be "sexy", and watching famous women like Christina Aguilera is arseless leather chaps just hightened my lust. In school I wasn't the popular girl, and I wasn't apart of the "cool crew", which forced me into a state of thinking I was ugly, which was reinforced by bullies who insulted me continuously.
It became obvious to me, quite quickly, that everyone had the potential to be beautiful, just some hadn't found their niche. Pressure to be apart of class and taste was high, and friends seemed to conform to fashion styles and stereotypes. I now realise, with retrospect, that if you dressed differently or didn't conform to what was considered the best, then you were insulted. Despite this, I was different and I wasn't prepared to like something I didn't or pretend to either. I would go shopping with class mates, and immediately realise I did not share the same interests at all, whether it be fashion or hobbies.
For many years I felt different and couldn't find my own style, I went through phases of alternative fashion to try and satisfy my needs, but still I knew something wasn't quite right. I wanted something original, slightly risque, and something that suited me, and I still had this driving desire to be sensual.
High school came, and fashion was thrusted in your face, whether you acknowledged it or not. -Details such as knot size, and sock height were something to be recognised (apparently). I made friends, and soon became close to girl named Tara. Her Mother was (and still is) a bellydancer, that owned an e-commerce site selling Bellydance gear, and gothic wear. Tara's Mum (Paula/Ishtar) invited me to model for her site, and on that night, whilst preparing me and bewildering me with new make up, she compared me to Dita Von Teese. Ishtar stated that I looked like her, but at the sweet innocent age of 14, I had no idea who she was. I decided to google Dita, "Dita Von Teese Burlesque dancer", I was astounded, I was intoxicated by her image and instantaneously knew that she was right for me.
From then my fashion and lifestyle has spanned. I went on every hit for Dita Von Teese, I looked at every photo until the end off the google search (a good couple of hundred pages), I obsessed over her fan page, and then learnt all her interests. -Wikipedia just wasn't enough. I learnt she enjoyed pin-ups and performers from vintage eras passed by, such Bettie Page and Gypsy Rose Lee. I then searched Youtube to see Dita's performance. At that time, and I remember this with such a vivid and clear memory, there was only one video of her performances, she had plenty of interviews, and collaborations of photos played to music, but I had to see her perform. The video was titled "The Absinthe Glass" and I watched with delight, I was enticed, mesmerised, and ethralled; whatever you want to name it, I was just that! Dita had captivated me in such a way that she inspired me to be the same.
Burlesque released me, and the best part about it is it welcomes everyone. Since beginning Burlesque, the diversity and variety of people I've met has been amazing. There are so many genres of Burlesque, whether it be comical, classical or cheesecake, as well as the different performers, curvaceous, slim, tall, small, male and female, it just equates to one big family of diversity so you could never become bored and I couldn't be happier. Burlesque fulfils my urge to be sexy, it reinforces my confidence, and it keeps me fit (seriously shaking your derriere does take off the lbs!).
I was lucky enough to be brave, and already slightly confident to try something new, as well as stick to my guns, and I am grateful for it because I have had nothing but greatness come from Burlesque. -It is what you make of it. I know people turn to Burlesque for a whole scale of reasons, whether they're an inspired starlet or a body confidence seeker, it does not matter the reason because everyone just wants to be friends. Burlesque is a truly welcoming scene and I advise you to try it! Although Dita was the one who initiated my Burlesque life, there has been a full army of women (and men!) who have influenced me on my path through vintage fashion, pin-ups and performers. It's just that Dita has had the largest impact on me.
It became obvious to me, quite quickly, that everyone had the potential to be beautiful, just some hadn't found their niche. Pressure to be apart of class and taste was high, and friends seemed to conform to fashion styles and stereotypes. I now realise, with retrospect, that if you dressed differently or didn't conform to what was considered the best, then you were insulted. Despite this, I was different and I wasn't prepared to like something I didn't or pretend to either. I would go shopping with class mates, and immediately realise I did not share the same interests at all, whether it be fashion or hobbies.
For many years I felt different and couldn't find my own style, I went through phases of alternative fashion to try and satisfy my needs, but still I knew something wasn't quite right. I wanted something original, slightly risque, and something that suited me, and I still had this driving desire to be sensual.
High school came, and fashion was thrusted in your face, whether you acknowledged it or not. -Details such as knot size, and sock height were something to be recognised (apparently). I made friends, and soon became close to girl named Tara. Her Mother was (and still is) a bellydancer, that owned an e-commerce site selling Bellydance gear, and gothic wear. Tara's Mum (Paula/Ishtar) invited me to model for her site, and on that night, whilst preparing me and bewildering me with new make up, she compared me to Dita Von Teese. Ishtar stated that I looked like her, but at the sweet innocent age of 14, I had no idea who she was. I decided to google Dita, "Dita Von Teese Burlesque dancer", I was astounded, I was intoxicated by her image and instantaneously knew that she was right for me.
From then my fashion and lifestyle has spanned. I went on every hit for Dita Von Teese, I looked at every photo until the end off the google search (a good couple of hundred pages), I obsessed over her fan page, and then learnt all her interests. -Wikipedia just wasn't enough. I learnt she enjoyed pin-ups and performers from vintage eras passed by, such Bettie Page and Gypsy Rose Lee. I then searched Youtube to see Dita's performance. At that time, and I remember this with such a vivid and clear memory, there was only one video of her performances, she had plenty of interviews, and collaborations of photos played to music, but I had to see her perform. The video was titled "The Absinthe Glass" and I watched with delight, I was enticed, mesmerised, and ethralled; whatever you want to name it, I was just that! Dita had captivated me in such a way that she inspired me to be the same.
Burlesque released me, and the best part about it is it welcomes everyone. Since beginning Burlesque, the diversity and variety of people I've met has been amazing. There are so many genres of Burlesque, whether it be comical, classical or cheesecake, as well as the different performers, curvaceous, slim, tall, small, male and female, it just equates to one big family of diversity so you could never become bored and I couldn't be happier. Burlesque fulfils my urge to be sexy, it reinforces my confidence, and it keeps me fit (seriously shaking your derriere does take off the lbs!).
I was lucky enough to be brave, and already slightly confident to try something new, as well as stick to my guns, and I am grateful for it because I have had nothing but greatness come from Burlesque. -It is what you make of it. I know people turn to Burlesque for a whole scale of reasons, whether they're an inspired starlet or a body confidence seeker, it does not matter the reason because everyone just wants to be friends. Burlesque is a truly welcoming scene and I advise you to try it! Although Dita was the one who initiated my Burlesque life, there has been a full army of women (and men!) who have influenced me on my path through vintage fashion, pin-ups and performers. It's just that Dita has had the largest impact on me.
Cerise Derriere
Cerise Derriere Burlesque Extraordinaire!
"Glamorous. Sensuous. Exotic.
Cerise is lithe, she's nubile and resistance is futile! Come and be enraptured by the dazzling form of a performer born! Try as you might you can't help but stare at the shimmering shape of Ms Cerise Derriere!"
Cerise is a young but confident Burlesque performer. Exuding sensuality and sexuality with her performances, Cerise likes to play with her audience. Cerise enjoys classic burlesque, to vintage songs from the 30-40's and even some 50's songs. Be enthralled and enticed by her captivating movement, but don't get too mesmerised...
"Glamorous. Sensuous. Exotic.
Cerise is lithe, she's nubile and resistance is futile! Come and be enraptured by the dazzling form of a performer born! Try as you might you can't help but stare at the shimmering shape of Ms Cerise Derriere!"
Cerise is a young but confident Burlesque performer. Exuding sensuality and sexuality with her performances, Cerise likes to play with her audience. Cerise enjoys classic burlesque, to vintage songs from the 30-40's and even some 50's songs. Be enthralled and enticed by her captivating movement, but don't get too mesmerised...