What is Burlesque?
Burlesque style is all about sexy sophistication, tease and seduction.
To dress burlesque is to dress like a lady – a lady with a naughty side!
Burlesque is about stockings, corsets, high heels, feather boas, satin gloves, vintage clothes and old fashioned glamour.
It’s important to understand that burlesque performers place an emphasis on the ‘tease’ and will often shimmy down to something small and sparkly, but they are never fully undressed. We're all tease, no sleaze!
To dress burlesque is to dress like a lady – a lady with a naughty side!
Burlesque is about stockings, corsets, high heels, feather boas, satin gloves, vintage clothes and old fashioned glamour.
It’s important to understand that burlesque performers place an emphasis on the ‘tease’ and will often shimmy down to something small and sparkly, but they are never fully undressed. We're all tease, no sleaze!
A Brief History of Burlesque
The thing about burlesque is that it has led two lives , these days, the word ‘burlesque’ conjures up images of feather boas, sequined bras and the present day Queen of Burlesque Dita Von Teese. But before Dita started gracing the covers of our magazines and dazzled audiences with her giant Martini glass routine, burlesque was a form of entertainment virtually unknown to the masses. Before it became associated with striptease, in Ancient Greece and in 18th century Europe burlesque was a form of humorous and exaggerated musical theatre, often parodying an existing play in a daring style.
It was only in 20th century America that striptease became an important part of burlesque as we know it today. Originating in vaudeville and music hall entertainment, early American burlesque shows would feature striptease and comic performers much like in adult revue shows.
The Minsky Brothers’ burlesque clubs, first started in 1912, were hugely popular and featured girls such as the infamous Gypsy Rose Lee. Gypsy, who went on to become a film actress, was one of burlesque’s first stars. She was famous for both her witty, sharp humour on stage, as well as her seductive style of striptease. Although burlesque shows were mainly focused on striptease by the 1930s, quick-witted humour and short routines remained an integral part of the show.
However, during the 1930’s, there was a social crackdown on burlesque clubs as local citizens accused them of being obscene. They were eventually outlawed, which gradually lead to their demise. By the 1950s, burlesque had become a mass-media phenomenon. Classified as exotic or foreign, mainstream magazines reported about the burlesque shows in Las Vegas or Paris, cementing that by then, burlesque had become synonymous with the female striptease.
One of 1950s biggest burlesque stars was Tempest Storm, famous for her curvacious figure and flame-red hair. Dubbed ‘The girl with the fabulous front’, Storm enjoyed a long-term career, starring in many striptease films such as Teaserama, in which she appeared with Bettie Page. Now in her 80s, she occasionally still takes to the stage. Lily St. Cyr, another famous performer, made her name as a burlesque star through a series of memorable acts such as ‘Jungle Goddess’, in which she pretended to make love to a parrot.
The current burlesque revival was pioneered in the mid 1990’s by troupes such as ‘The Velvet Hammer Burlesque’ in Los Angeles and independent performers who wanted to bring back the glamour of the good old days. The new burlesque, or ’neo burlesque’ as it is commonly known, that we see performed today involves striptease, cabaret, elaborate costumes and props, as well as usually an element of humour.
Find out more about some of our favourite and most notable burlesque stars; Bettie Page, Gypsy Rose Lee, Mae West, Sally Rand, Lili St. Cyr, Blaze Starr and of course Dita Von Teese.
It was only in 20th century America that striptease became an important part of burlesque as we know it today. Originating in vaudeville and music hall entertainment, early American burlesque shows would feature striptease and comic performers much like in adult revue shows.
The Minsky Brothers’ burlesque clubs, first started in 1912, were hugely popular and featured girls such as the infamous Gypsy Rose Lee. Gypsy, who went on to become a film actress, was one of burlesque’s first stars. She was famous for both her witty, sharp humour on stage, as well as her seductive style of striptease. Although burlesque shows were mainly focused on striptease by the 1930s, quick-witted humour and short routines remained an integral part of the show.
However, during the 1930’s, there was a social crackdown on burlesque clubs as local citizens accused them of being obscene. They were eventually outlawed, which gradually lead to their demise. By the 1950s, burlesque had become a mass-media phenomenon. Classified as exotic or foreign, mainstream magazines reported about the burlesque shows in Las Vegas or Paris, cementing that by then, burlesque had become synonymous with the female striptease.
One of 1950s biggest burlesque stars was Tempest Storm, famous for her curvacious figure and flame-red hair. Dubbed ‘The girl with the fabulous front’, Storm enjoyed a long-term career, starring in many striptease films such as Teaserama, in which she appeared with Bettie Page. Now in her 80s, she occasionally still takes to the stage. Lily St. Cyr, another famous performer, made her name as a burlesque star through a series of memorable acts such as ‘Jungle Goddess’, in which she pretended to make love to a parrot.
The current burlesque revival was pioneered in the mid 1990’s by troupes such as ‘The Velvet Hammer Burlesque’ in Los Angeles and independent performers who wanted to bring back the glamour of the good old days. The new burlesque, or ’neo burlesque’ as it is commonly known, that we see performed today involves striptease, cabaret, elaborate costumes and props, as well as usually an element of humour.
Find out more about some of our favourite and most notable burlesque stars; Bettie Page, Gypsy Rose Lee, Mae West, Sally Rand, Lili St. Cyr, Blaze Starr and of course Dita Von Teese.