"What made you want to become a burlesque performer?"
I think it all
started at a very young age (as most burlesque performers will tell you). My
earliest memory of getting hooked on glamour and costumes was at about age 8
when I saw my first Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, "Top Hat". Ginger's
white feathered gown to me was the epitome of beauty and elegance.
However, many things played a part in my future on the burlesque stage; I have
always loved anything to do with costuming, makeup, dance, art, burlesque & theater history, and
music. Along with 15 years of ballet, I spent countless hours listening to works by composers like Handel,
Scarlatti, and fell absolutely head over heels in love with the music of Mozart. When my
father and I would travel to Vienna, Austria to visit family I would spend hours
wandering Schönbrunn Palace
until I knew the rooms and grounds by heart.
What does Mozart and the palaces of Austria have to do with burlesque, you might ask?
It was the key that unlocked my love of history and all it's forms of artifice and embellishment, so read on...
I poured over old family photographs, and practically devoured books on fashion history and construction starting at about age 10.
As I mentioned above, my grandparents owned an antique shop and often bought large collections of clothing and costumes from estates and old theaters.
It was actually attached to their house, so whenever we visited 90% of the time I was playing dress up in old showgirl costumes and running around wearing ostrich plumes and beads.
To make a long story short; I had this strange and wonderful mix of Victorian/Edwardian
style, 1930s/40s chic, the Ziegfeld Follies, vintage fetish photos, and the 18th
century all bundled up inside me.
It was and still is an attraction to history and all the things people have ever found beautiful and glamorous, even dark and attractively controversial. I wanted so badly to go back in time, so I continued to sew and experience the past through the clothing history I researched, recreated, and wore.
Years later I discovered that Burlesque was returning from a long slumber and
quickly took the stage when I was offered the chance to perform at a novice
night with a Seattle troupe. I'll just say an inner switch was flipped, the gates
opened, and I was off!
What I love about Burlesque specifically is not only the ability to tease and
titillate, but to show people what I love about the glamour and sensuality of the past.
While I model my costumes and fashion creations for pin up shoots here and there, there's nothing like seeing it in
motion on stage. Where every single sparkling rhinestone seems to tell a story.
"Do you ever perform on the east coast or
tour internationally?"
Yes! I've performed in many other US cities as well as abroad. This past fall I toured France, Portugal, Germany and the UK.
The main factor aside from performance rates is compensation for travel expenses. Trips to Europe, and even the East coast, aren't
cheap. This is why for the most part, I perform along the west coast in cities
such as Seattle, Portland, And San Francisco.
I will gladly discuss my rates in regard to performing and travel compensation
via email at vienna@viennalarouge.com
"Who makes your costumes / clothes?"
I design and create all of my own costumes and props, using some of the finest materials available. I have been seriously sewing since I was about 10, and it all started from a facsination with historical fashion and corsets.
One of my earliest sewing memories was sitting in the middle of a sun-filled room after my 9th birthday, surrounded by vintage evening and prom gowns from the 1940s and 50s, helping mom repair torn seams, hems, etc. My grandmother used to own an antique shop and would often buy clothing from estate sales. She would send me huge boxes filled with the most fabulous dress-up clothes a girl could want!
As far as my current wardrobe is concerned, I've been seriously collecting and wearing vintage fashions from the Victorian era to the 1950s for at least 15 years. I did not "fall off the burlesque/retro tree" as some have said about the retro trend that started becoming popular a few years ago. Sewing from vintage patterns has also filled my closet with wearable fashions from the 1930s and 40s. "Wearable", meaning I can wear them on a daily basis and not worry about the possibility of damaging one of my more delicate vintage originals.
When I dress in vintage, I don't try to make it modern or "update" it by wearing it with current fashion trend items. If I'm wearing a 1942 dress I have to have my tilt hat, hair "done", my stockings, gloves, purse, and jewelry. For some occasions; however, there is something to be said for an outfit with vintage inspiration. Some of the "modern" clothing I make for myself might have a 1940s military flair, or a trim design from the 18th century.
Otherwise, I save my nice true vintage pieces for evenings at the theater, private parties, photo shoots, or a nice restaurant. Even when I dress casually, I like to be a little glamorous . Instead of sweats around the house or between burlesque performances backstage, I'll wear a 1930s satin lounging gown.
"When did you start making your own costumes?"
Since I started sewing so young, I made all of my own Halloween costumes (sometimes with help from mom). Then I saw the films Amadeus and Dangerous Liasons back to back late one night on TV when I was about 12. After that I truly began a love affair with costuming. When I started doing burlesque I already had a strong passion for classic burlesque and historical fashion ideals. I’ve incorporated that into all my costume designs, even the more fetish-inspired number I do. I also make my own props, like my two pairs (so far) of giant ostrich feather fans and my huge satin boudoir cushion. My corsets are all from patterns I draft myself.
"What are some of your favorite hobbies besides burlesque and sewing?"
I have always loved collecting and reading books on historical fashion, and researching all the style changes and trends specific to each decade. I also love books about the figureheads of style from various eras, and scandals both true and fictional, involving beautifully dressed people. Collecting vintage jewelry is another passion, especially brooches with matching earrings from the 1930s and 40s.
There's also my infatuation with vintage ribbon. Someday I need to do a burlesque number based around ribbons because I have so many, it's ridiculous.
Some of the ones in my collection used for my millinery go back to the 1840s. Those wide silk taffeta ribbons with the striped or woven floral designs are my favorites.
When I have the time and ability to travel if needed, I love attending costumed events and conventions. It's rare that I get to do this sort of thing, but I love to
go all out when it comes to dressing up in historical costume. Although they are fun Renaissance fairs aren't really my thing, but I try to attend events with everything from an 18th century to early 20th century deco or WWII theme.
"Do you ever sell any of your costumes?"
I never sell any of my stage costumes (perhaps they will be donated to the Exotic
World museum when I'm old). After all, I need them for my performances.
I do however, make and sell accessories on Etsy. I am currently selling reproduction
1940s hats and sometimes a few dresses as well. You can see what my current
listings are here.
"Are you single?"
No.
"Who inspires you?"
Ah, there's so much! Most of my inspiration comes from old family photos, the burlesque ladies, famed beauties, and theater stars of past centuries.
My favorites are Veronica Lake, Hedy Lamarr, Gypsy Rose Lee, Sally Rand, Gina Lollobrigida, Evelyn Nesbit, Camille Clifford, Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Marie Antoinette, Madame de Pompadour, Babe Paley and the designers that clothed them.
"Are you a Dita Von Teese wanna-be? You sort of look like her / you're copying her."
No. And no, I don't.
I get this sort of thing a lot, usually in the form of compliments, and even some attempted insults from the occasional Dita fanatic.
No matter what, it's always taken as a compliment; although, I'll admit it does get old after a while :-)
Many people not familiar with the glamour and style of the past, seem to lack the understanding that I don't do what I do, or dress the way I dress because some current fashion magazine darling is doing it.
Particularly Dita Von Teese. She really is a true lady in every sense of the word, and has been nothing but professional, sweet, and kind each time I've had the pleasure of working with her. As lovely as she is; however, she does not enter into the equation when I'm deciding what to wear, be it on stage or off.
In my own opinion, those who do dress a certain way entirely based on the fact that someone famous is doing it, are doing it for the wrong reasons.
I dress in vintage clothing for the same reasons ballerinas dance, or artists create works of art; I love it and need it. It's a lifestyle, not a trend I'm following.
Perhaps one could call me a "Retrosexual", a term often used by the author, Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy, in his book "The Affected Provincial's Companion - Vol. 1".
"This is not a mere appetite of the flesh of which I speak: A Retrosexual is one who has rendered the yearning for
that which is beautiful yet elusive into an art form.
It may be said that a Retrosexual has had enough of the empty inclinations toward cheap gropery that passes for eroticism in our day.
A retrosexual aches for the rarefied pleasures found within the confines of gilded frames, marble pedestals, and crumbling celluloid.
To a Retrosexual, the dust of passing time is nothing less than the spice of desire."
Along with my passion for the Rococo and Victorian eras, I genuinely *adore* what made 1930s and 40s styles what they were; timeless and captivating.
Additionally, if I can't find or afford that perfect vintage dress, hat or outfit, I do what many ladies in the past did; I make it myself. In most cases with help from original vintage sewing patterns.
I am inspired by people like Marlene Dietrich, Lilian Harvey and Hedy Lamarr, to name a few.
They inspire me because they represent what true style was back then, and how much of it is missing in today's world of jeans & t-shirts and disposable trends.
Drawing from my unique ideals and taste when it comes to a "classic" burlesque style, all of my routines and costumes are my designs alone.
In no way, shape, or form am I attempting to imitate Dita or duplicate her burlesque routines and costumes.
Yes, I wear vintage clothing, have black hair in many of my photos (it was red, and is currently blonde), fair skin, wear a corset, and do burlesque in the classic vintage style.
This does not mean I am an "impersonator", "copycat", or a "wanna-be".
She and I are inspired by a lot of the same things, but for every similarity there are at least 10 differences. I respect Dita as a colleague and would never try to duplicate what she does.
I have more than enough imagination and creativity on my own and would never need to replicate someone else's burlesque numbers.
Dita herself draws ideas from past performers, yet puts her own twist on them.
There may be a small resemblance between myself and Dita, but she resembles a lot of other people, models, and performers too.
Until I hear that Miss Von Teese has somehow magically traveled back in time to single-handedly invent burlesque, corsets, seamed stockings, hats, the classic use of ostrich plumes/tulle/Swarovski crystals on burlesque costumes, vintage hairstyles and
the overall look of the 1930s and 40s, I'm going to continue ignoring people who seem to think she has accomplished this.
"What was the appeal of the (burlesque) scene?" "It's been a relatively dead art that few are trying to revive, have you found others open to it?"
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The appeal to me above all was the glamorous costumes! Along with that, I enjoyed the idea that being sexy or sensual through dance didn’t have to come along with a tan, bleach blond hair, or a pole. I can truly live out my most glamorous, erotic, or innocent fantasies when performing a burlesque routine, without any blatant sexual display. I also realized that for some performers, burlesque is a more creative outlet. It allows them to express whatever they want to a broader audience of both men and women, unlike the typical strip club clientele. Burlesque makes me feel that when I'm on stage I own the audience, the audience doesn’t own me.
I should add that I recently had someone approach me who was "confused" about my stance on the difference between strippers you see at a strip bar, and the burlesque performers of today. She thought I was being snotty I guess ;-) I do not take a holier-than-thou attitude toward strip club workers. When you break it down, I am still a stripper too, and strip bars are what the burlesque of the past evolved into. There were quite a few performers who did things back in the day that would still make even the most seasoned strip bar regular blush; it wasn't all giggles and feathers. I just do it in a different way that still pays tribute to the style and glamour of the 18th century, Victorian era, the 1930s, 40s and 50s. It seems to draw a wider audience of both sexes.
It was a lost form of entertainment up until about 10 years ago and many are helping to revive it. Since then it’s been booming and you can’t visit a major city and not see a poster for a burlesque show. One of the reasons I believe many people are open to classic burlesque is due to its focus on the innocent yet sensual tease that both men and women are attracted to and frankly, it’s more fun! It lets the imagination of the audience wander on it’s own into the sexual or erotic side.