Posts in category "burlesque"

Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine: 5 Pairs of Burlesque Stockings

Though I’ve only performed on stage twice (as my alter-ego Velvet Le Soie), burlesque still holds a very special place in my heart. I love the history. I love the characters.  And, of course, I love the costumes.

Whether it’s outfitted with feathers or encrusted with rhinestones, few things make me more joyful than a beautiful burlesque costume. With that in mind, here are my 5 favorite showgirl-worthy pairs of hosiery.

La Lilouche Sprinkle Black Fishnet Hold-ups. OSFA. $75.00US.

Kiss Me Quick Showgirl Stockings. XS-XL. $25.00AU.

Cervin ‘Seduction Coeur’ Stockings. S-XXL. $45.31US.

What Katie Did Metallic Seamed Stockings. S/M-M/L. $18.00US.

Stockingirl Crystal Accented Backseam Stockings. S-XL. $35.99US.

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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Lingerie of the Week: Leg Avenue Black Satin Corset Dress

One of the most surprising collections of the last year has been Leg Avenue’s “Burlesque” range. While I started my lingerie journey with a lot of Leg Avenue pieces, after awhile, I became disenchanted with them. The price was low, yes, but the quality was abysmal and all the designs were so boring and derivative that I didn’t mind going elsewhere and paying a bit more for better goods.

I must not have been the only dissatisfied customer, because lately, Leg Avenue has really been bringing it with their new, vintage-inspired, “burlesque” pieces. I like this corset dress because of it’s classic silhouette and excellent price point. As usual, I wish it came in extended sizing (Leg Avenue makes money hand over fist so a few plus-size options shouldn’t bankrupt them) but for my lingerie addicts on a budget,  I definitely think this is a range worth checking out.

The Leg Avenue Black Satin Corset Dress is available in sizes S, M & L and retails for $69.95 from Babygirl Boutique.

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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Pinups, Personalities, and Bloggers to Follow on Instagram

It’s time for another Instagram installment!  This time I’d like to focus on models, performers, personalities, and bloggers with a strong Instagram presence.  There’s a fair amount of overlap since some of these ladies are seriously multitalented, so that’s why they’re all grouped in together.

@amandapalmer, punk cabaret icon

@amandapalmer – amateur musician, professional party thrower, and Dresden Dolls cofounder. on tour with THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA for our album “THEATRE IS EVIL”…  http://www.amandapalmer.net

@angelaryan

@angelaryan – Professional Mannequin and Whistlebait. I promise to never post photos of my food. For bookings email Angela@AngelaRyan.com http://www.AngelaRyan.com

@ardensirens, author, chanteuse, and stylish lady

@ardensirens – A silly girl with foolish notions.  http://www.ardenleigh.typepad.com

@balla_fire, burlesque performer with Sin Sisters

@balla_firehttp://sinsistersburlesque.com

@evadbe

@evadbe – Burlesque Artist and Teacher, Pin Up Model and Stylisthttp://www.evadbe.com

@jade_vixen, fetish model

@jade_vixenhttp://blog.jadevixen.com

@la_cholita, good old fashioned va-va-voom burlesque performer and hot mama

@lacholita – The life and times of a showgirl, single mama, singer, stylist #lacholita #burlesque #Pinup #NatashaEstrada http://www.vivalacholita.com

@laurenluck, makeup artist turned model turned photographer

@laurenluck – Whiskey, mischief, Sabbath, leather, jthrones http://www.hangingvultures.bigcartel.com

@ludellahahn, classic pinup charm

@ludellahahn – Asstronaut. Sugar fiend. And also a Professional Pin-Up, Fetish Model, and Burlesque Performer. Facebook.com/LudellaHahnFanPage http://www.ludellahahn.com

@planetmidori, world-renown sex educator

@planetmidori – Sexuality educator. Foodie. Artist. http://www.fhp-inc.com

@ravelefaye, alt fashion and fetish model, all the pink things.

@ravenlefaye

@sabinakelley, an inked pinup model whose work I’ve long admired

@sabinakelley – International Pinup Model!  Judge on Oxygens TV show “Best Ink”! http://www.SabinaKelley.com

@sophiastvillier

@sophiastvillier – Burlesque Bombshell, Retro Model, Expert Daydreamer, Spirit Junkie, Bon Vivant, Book Worm, Cacographer http://www.sophiastvillier.com

@thelingerieaddict herself! Living the chic life, or so her Instagram would have us believe.

@thelingerieaddict – Lingerie blogger. Sugar junkie. Sci-fi geek. These are photos from my everyday life. http://www.thelingerieaddict.com

Which stylish, talented ladies do you follow?

What Katie Did Spring/Summer 2013

When it comes to authentic retro lingerie (by which I mean lingerie that uses a real vintage pattern), I always think of What Katie Did. Founded in 1999, WKD has made its name synonymous with the increasingly popular pinup resurgence and neo-burlesque movements. I feel like I should mention, at least briefly, all their numerous in Vogue and Elle and W magazines, but those don’t really matter to me. What does matter (and what I love) is how What Katie Did is always so consistent, so accessible, and, most of all, so very pretty. What Katie Did bra band sizes range from 30-40 and their  cup sizes range from A to G. Corsets are sized 18″ to 34″ (reduced waist) and girdles and garter belts are available in dress sizes 4 to 14. What do you think of What Katie Did’s new range? I’d love to get your opinions in the comments.

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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Sparklewren the Boutique: an interview with Jenni Hampshire of Sparklewren Corsets

Jenni Hampshire of Sparklewren is a self-trained corsetiere whose designs aren’t just garments; they are true works of art, pairing beautiful shaping with exquisite embellishment. She will soon be embarking on the ambitious business venture of opening a pop-up corset boutique in Birmingham’s ‘Great Western Arcade’, a wonderful Victorian building in the city centre.  Having helped out with the preparations I’ve been lucky enough to see the amount of work that goes into creating these incredible corsets.  To me, they are the true definition of luxury – a mindblowing amount of attention is lavished on every last detail, from the vast amounts of boning tunnels to the intricate hand appliquéd and layered lace.  I can’t wait to see the boutique open;  Jenni was kind enough to answer a few questions about it so that you can share some of the excitement!

What originally inspired you to open a pop-up boutique?

It is something I have always wanted to do. Perhaps because of my arts background, I always picture my pieces within a context… Whether that’s as part of an ensemble, within a photograph, or within a display environment. Presenting my work within a boutique or showroom  just makes sense to me creatively, though it is of course a sensible move from a marketing point of view. Being a shy, home-based business, the people of Birmingham are perhaps not as aware of Sparklewren as they should be. The pop-up boutique will give me a platform with which to rectify that.

What sort of new challenges do you think a boutique will present that the internet doesn’t?

Probably many more than I realise! I think that negotiating what to display, how much stock to have, etc. will be crucial in conveying the idea of “bespoke”. It’s such an unusual way of dressing to most people, that I imagine people could easily assume it’s just a question of ordering Design X in size 12, when in actual fact each pieces is much more of a collaborative creative process than that. So I think I will be educating those who come through my door, in some respects.

I do love distance/online work for the sole fact that I can take my time to quietly work on an idea, quote, or email. But the pay-off of in-person work is the joy of being there when they receive their corset and being able to day-dream about the piece together. So each method of business has its pros and cons.

The Boutique window, pre-transformation

What’s your vision for the boutique?  Could you explain a little about the theme of gilding and the décor?

The boutique needs to function to present the garments, which is at the forefront of my mind… I need to remember that key fact, else I might get carried away with superfluous details! Whilst I have this overarching obsession with the notion of “gilding” as a creative ethos, I am also mindful of the fact that my boutique mustn’t overwhelm the garments.

So I am aiming for a balance of opulent grandeur and contemporary simplicity. Gilded details, chalky champagne and grey tones, soft hazy muslin drapes… a muted, elegant canvas against which my work can shine.

 

Exquisite Sparklewren detailing – lace appliqué, feathers and crystals

What has been the most exciting part of prepararing for the boutique?  What has been the most nerve wracking?

Dreaming up and creating new pieces is always the most exciting part of any project! But certainly, the interest and support I have had from friends and followers has also been wonderful and a massive confidence boost. Perfect strangers have helped out with the project and some people are already planning their journeys so that they can just see the boutique and its contents in the flesh. It’s terribly encouraging that they care so much. I mean, all I have ever wanted to do is make beautiful things, so it is a complete joy that having found my medium people are responding to it and enjoying that beauty.

As far as nerves go, I can get nervous over the silliest things sometimes. I would say that waiting for the keys to the space was the most nerve-wracking time though, as I was convinced something would happen to scupper my plans!

Gorgeous layered lace

Could you describe the show pieces that you have in mind for the boutique?  Just how amazingly shiny will they be?

Haha, very shiny! I’m working on lightly “gilded” cinchers all the way to heavily encrusted iridescent silk satin corseted gowns. I have pieces which require four or five separate layers of applied texture on top of the main construction (which in itself is a very time-consuming process) and I am thinking a lot about the relationship between silhouette and surface in these pieces.

Being a typical magpie, this is all great fun for me and I hope it will prove equally eye-catching and intriguing for my friends, peers and future potential clients.

A sheer sweetheart cincher

What sort of ready-to-wear things can we expect at the boutique?

Delicate little sweetheart cinchers with hand-cut and appliqued couture lace… potentially some little silk and lace treats such as blindfolds, panties or cami tops… and no doubt a couple of overbust corsets too, since I can’t help but create new pieces all the time.

What services do you plan to offer at the boutique?

As mentioned, I do want to update a small selection of stock items every so often, to keep the boutique pretty and satisfy some client’s decadent whims! But the focus of my work at this time really is bespoke. Primarily because I’m fickle and easily bored! Bespoke allows for each project to be exceptional, different and interesting in its own right. I believe that bridal, stage, boudoir wear… it can all be elevated by consideration of every little detail in relation to the client’s character and physique. Having display items constantly on show within the boutique (something not possible in my home studio) will encourage greater imagination, I think.

So there will be a main space for display of items, client meetings, sale of stock pieces… a hidden workspace (which will no doubt be creative chaos)… and a generous fitting area for dressing clients and checking toiles.

When is the launch and what can we expect to see there?

I’m aiming for either the 26th or 27th June for the launch, evening time, but this is still up in the air and I will let everyone know once it is confirmed. The launch will be the official unveiling of my most recent “gilded” corsets and corseted gowns, which I am massively excited about! The window (which is featuring a gilded backdrop by artist Emily Swift-Jones) will, for that one night, also feature a special guest, resplendent in golden Sparklewren finery, as a living mannequin.

I have to say, the launch excites me the most… the idea of all those sparkling, gleaming corsets, the window, the living mannequin… I want it to be overwhelming, for the visitors to feel saturated in gold, enveloped in sumptuous fabrics. I can’t wait.

A huge thank you to Jenni for taking the time to answer these questions – I think it’s safe to say that the boutique will be stunning once it’s open!   Jenni’s website can be found here.

Karolina

Karolina

Student at De Montfort University's world-renowned Contour Fashion course. Makes many knickers in her spare time.

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When Icons Falter: A Review of Dita von Teese’s “Strip Strip Hooray!” Show

A week ago last Friday, I attended ‘Strip, Strip, Hooray!’, Dita von Teese’s new burlesque revue. It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve wanted to see Dita perform live for years, and I’d been looking forward to seeing this show for months. In fact, I bought my tickets the very minute (literally) they went on sale. Swarovskis…Louboutins…Mr. Pearl Corsets…what’s not to love?

Yet, I left ‘Strip, Strip, Hooray!’ feeling…conflicted. And in the days I spent days afterwards sorting through my impressions from the show, my sense of conflict turned into a general feeling of disappointment which left me with the surprising realization that, despite my earlier excitement, I’m not really interested in seeing Dita perform live again.

But first of all, let’s start with the good. The show had an amazingly diverse cast in every sense of the word – body type, ethnicity, and gender. There were thin performers (Lada), thick performers (Dirty Martini), performers of color (Perle Noire), male performers (Monsieur Romeo), older performers (Catherine D’Lish), and a performer with what I think was dwarfism (Selene Luna). It was really exciting to me to see so many different kinds of burlesque represented, and our Emcee Murray Hill was super entertaining, keeping the energy high and the laughs loud all night long.

My personal favorite act was Perle Noire’s electric tribute to Josephine Baker (complete with the banana skirt!) though Catherine D’Lish’s sinuous and seductive spiderweb act was a close second. The production value was high, and the performers were obviously at the top of their game.

But what of Dita, the headliner we were all there to see? If I can dare to say it, I felt underwhelmed…like she was the weakest performer of them all.

via: The LA Times

The costumes were gorgeous, it’s true. The shoes, the lingerie, the trademark poses…they were all there, but in a way that felt formulaic and bland, not innovative and groundbreaking. Instead of the spontaneity I love in burlesque (and in live theater, period), all of Dita’s numbers – which included classics like the Martini Glass, Cowgirl, and Makeup Compact – felt predictable and uninspired, the energy replaced with crystals and corsets and set pieces. 10 days later, the most memorable parts of Dita’s acts are the costumes, not the performer or the performance.

Dita von Teese's "Opium Den" Routine

But more than all that, Dita’s final act (which, naturally, is going to be the one people remember most) left me feeling intensely uncomfortable. For those who haven’t seen the show, Dita closes with her Opium Den routine, where she’s clad in an elaborate “Oriental” costume (a word I’m using deliberately as I think it’s negative connotations are appropriate here) and smoking opium just before a set of gloved hands caress her body to (simulated) climax.

After such an enjoyable evening, the Opium Den piece came across as insensitive and regressive, the stereotypical story and costuming an unnecessarily negative finale to an otherwise good show. And I’m not the only one who felt that way. The Shanghai Pearl, a Seattle burlesque performer (and my burlesque teacher) explains the issue so much better than I ever could in this excerpt from a statement on her Facebook page:

“The ‘Strip Strip Hooray!’ show is spectacular and revolutionary in so many different and wonderful ways. However, I was stunned that the finale was an act that perpetuates harmful and negative stereotypes of Asian women. It was very incongruous with the rest of the show.

It would seem that throughout the conception of the act, all the tour planning, and all the press, not one person considered the possibility that the material could be insensitive, harmful, or offensive.

We could do well to be more sensitive and aware of our individual privileges and other people’s experiences.  It is not only our responsibility to one another, but common courtesy to consider others in our actions.

There are many damaging stereotypes and behaviors that used to be widely acceptable and now thankfully, no longer have a positive presence in mainstream thinking. This change is due to people asking speaking up, taking action, and raising awareness.

Silence is the only choice that will keep us from doing better.”

Last week’s vacation gave me the chance to wait awhile before writing this review to see if my impressions of the show changed with a bit of time and distance, but they haven’t. I’m still glad I went to see ‘Strip, Strip, Hooray!’ I’m just not sure I want to go to another of Dita’s shows again.

Have you seen ‘Strip, Strip, Hooray?’ What did you think? Please share your impressions in the comments.

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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Nylon Stockings Day: 12 of Our Favorite Pairs of Nylon Stockings

Fancy Heeled Vintage Stockings - Image Scan via Slip of a Girl

Today, May 14, is the 73rd anniversary of the nylon stocking, which was first introduced by the DuPont Company at the 1939 World’s Fair. Before nylon, stockings had been made of cotton, wool, rayon, or silk…materials which were either too bulky and warm to wear comfortably year-round or too fine and delicate to wear all day without tearing.

When I first started blogging, it was as Stockings Addict, so hosiery will always hold a special place in my heart. I love how stockings can instantly make any outfit more sophisticated, more stylish, and, yes, more sexy just by their presence. Unfortunately, stockings have been waning in popularity for years now, and you only have to look at the photo at the top of this post to see that stockings today are far less elegant than those of previous decades.

But for those who still enjoy a fancy nylon stocking, all isn’t lost. A few companies, like Cervin, still produce creative, fashion-forward styles, and the machines of today allow for combinations that could only be dreamed of in the 1960′s.

The Parts of a Fully-Fashioned Stocking

If you’re new to stockings, there may be a few terms in this post you don’t recognize, so let’s do a quick review. A Stocking (unlike pantyhose, tights, or thigh highs) requires a garter belt to keep it on the leg. RHT stands for Reinforced Heel and Toe. Fully Fashioned Stockings (like the one shown above) are made in the vintage style, sewn flat and then stitched up the back with a fully-functional backseam and trademark keyhole. Cuban and Havana Heels are squared off at the top, while French Heel stockings come to a point. Fancier styles, like Manhattan Heels, have an outline around the heel and foot. Non-stretch Stockings are more authentic as they’re made of 100% nylon, but have no “give.” Stretch Stockings, made of a nylon/lycra blend, are less authentic but more resistant to tearing.

And a few quick notes when it comes to hosiery care, especially for the stockings listed below. 1) Invest in a pair of hosiery gloves. 2) Purchase a specialty hosiery wash like Hosiery Mate. 3) And always, always, always hand wash and hang to dry.

And now that we’ve covered a few of the basics, let’s move on to the stockings…

1) Kay Marel "New York" Bows

2) Kay Marel "New York" Skyscraper

Kay Marel
No one makes stockings like Kay Marel anymore, and believe me, I’ve looked. These authentic fully-fashioned nylons from the 1950′s are almost a steal at $32.50, and the skyscraper and bow fancy heels look like something straight off the set of Mad Men. Unfortunately, if you’re not petite (that is, if you’re over 5’4″) these stockings aren’t a good fit for you. They simply won’t come up high enough on the leg. To illustrate, I’m 5’8″, and they came to just above the knee on me. Height issues aside though, these are fabulous nylons.

3) Secrets in Lace Diamond Backseam

4) Secrets in Lace "Cabaret" Manhattan Heel

5) Secrets in Lace "Bettie Page" Vintage Dot w/ Backseam

Secrets in Lace
If you’ve not heard of them before, Secrets in Lace is pretty much the resource for authentic vintage style (otherwise known as retro) stockings. These are the nylons Dita von Teese relies on for all her burlesque shows, photoshoots, and red carpet appearances. While they offer a ton of styles suitable for everyday wear, the fancy stockings shown above are my personal favorites.  All 3 pairs range from size Petite, fitting women who are under 4’11″ and less than 95 pounds, to size Opera, fitting women who are up to 6’2″and 200 pounds. The styles shown above cost (in order from top to bottom) $54.99, $45.99, and $25.99, respectively.

6) Agent Provocateur "Whip Me" Stockings

Agent Provocateur
With a kinky twist on the classic French heel-and-seam stocking, Agent Provocateur’s “Whip Me” nylons are a delightfully naughty union of vintage style and modern flair. Wear them with your highest, most fetishy heels for look that grabs everyone’s attention. These stockings retail for $70, and the size C fits around a size 8/10 US.

7) Cervin "Swing Time" Fully Fashioned Stockings

8) Cervin "Capri" 15-denier Nonstretch RHT Stockings

9) Cervin "Capri" Bicolore Nonstretch RHT Stockings

10) Cervin "Seduction" Bicolore Seamed Stockings

Cervin Stockings via Stockings HQ
I’ll just come right out and say it…I love Cervin. And apparently I’m not the only one since (full disclosure) they make stockings #3-6 on this list too. Not only are the prices incredibly reasonable, these stockings feel and look amazing on the leg. Even better, they’re available in sizes Small (fitting women around 4’10″) to XXX Large (fitting women up to 6’2″). I’ve purchased multiple pairs of what you see here in multiple colors, and never been disappointed. The stockings show above are priced at (in order from top to bottom): $56.88, $11.80, $12.61, and $17.50.

11) "Gabriella" Sheer & Lace Embroidered Stockings

Stockingirl
Stockingirl is another fantastic hosiery resource, especially if you live in the United States, and these lacy Gabriella stockings are perfect for a holiday party or fancy evening out. These stockings are also made of stretch nylon, so they’re less likely to run and you don’t have to worry about them wrinkling around the knees or ankles by the end of the day. Available for $39.99, the Gabriellas fit women up to 5’9″ and 160 lbs.

12) Dollhouse Bettie Black Tulip Lace "Eternity" Stockings

Dollhouse Bettie
The last pair of stockings on this list aren’t especially delicate or fancy when compared to the other nylons we’ve talked about so far, but they are amazing for two other reasons. 1) They’re made in-house at Dollhouse Bettie (the only lingerie store I know of that makes it’s own stockings), and 2) They are incredibly well-made and durable. The Eternity stockings use sheer black mesh instead of traditional nylon, which makes them great for women who want to wear more hosiery, but are worried about tearing or ripping their stockings. These retail for $29 and fit up to a size US 18.

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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