Today I’d like to talk about my biggest muse: Dita Von Teese – a world famous burlesque performer. Although I don’t recall when I first started following her, I remember the first Strip Strip Hooray show I’ve ever attended. In fact, I will never forget. It was my first ever burlesque show (not counting the Crazy Horse in Paris) and I was so enthralled that I went home that night and bought a ticket for the same show the next day. I had to ask a different friend to come with me to the consecutive show, but I made sure to arrive extra early and got a standing spot at the very front. And I have been hooked ever since.

First I want to clarify, I love and appreciate vintage fashion but have never been a huge collector myself. I don’t think the style is best for me and I don’t really identify with that era. But the style or era that Dita Von Teese represents is irrelevant (in my opinion) to the sexiness, confidence and sass she exudes. It is the fact that she knows what she wants and that she’s not afraid to flaunt it that makes her amazing.

Dita Von Teese reinvented herself 25 years ago, transforming from a “freckled blonde” (in her own words) from a small farming town into a glamorous pinup vixen with her signature red lips and jet black hair. When everyone was blonde and tanned she went the opposite way. She believes in glamour, beauty, doing her own makeup and developing your own style, no matter how different it is from the norm.


“Glamour is not about natural beauty, it’s not about youth, it’s not about being a certain ethnicity. It’s about creating and weaving a web of magic and that’s what I love about it – It’s for everyone!” – Dita Von Teese


I’m not sure exactly why, but I’ve always wanted to be different from a young age. If all other girls liked pink, I would proclaim that I hated pink. If there was something that other girls weren’t doing, I would want to do it. Perhaps it was just a rebellious streak. Perhaps it’s just my personality. But as I grew up, I started to figure myself out and discover my style. I started realizing that trying to be different for the sake of being different doesn’t make you unique. But finding your true voice and being true to the things that inspire you will help you stand out from the crowd. Because nobody is better than you at being you. This is the message that Dita consistently conveys and resonates with me the most.

Today’s post is just scratching the surface of what Dita represents and how she has impacted me. I will be following up with more posts, delving deeper into my love for Dita, for lingerie, burlesque and femininity in the future. Stay tuned!

 

Reimagining Muses: Dita von Teese | Of Leather and Lace Blog by Tina Lee Reimagining Muses: Dita von Teese | Of Leather and Lace Blog by Tina Lee Reimagining Muses: Dita von Teese | Of Leather and Lace Blog by Tina Lee Reimagining Muses: Dita von Teese | Of Leather and Lace Blog by Tina Lee Reimagining Muses: Dita von Teese | Of Leather and Lace Blog by Tina Lee

| Photography by Austin Donohue |

– OUTFIT DETAILS –

Mercy Corset by Agent Provocateur

Skirt by Pazzo

Lace Gloves by Dita von Teese (Longer version here)

Dita von Teese Signature Nylon Stockings available at Secrets in Lace

Chandelier Pumps by Dolce & Gabbana


Purchase Your Beauty Mark, Dita’s Guide to Eccentric Glamour here: