Being fans of the Pin Up genre, we’ve all ran into the term Burlesque before.

For most mainstream fans, association of Burlesque with the gorgeous and fabulous Dita Von Teese. Afterall, she has become so popular with it and bringing it to current pop culture.

Heavy  influences of Burlesque making it’s way onto artists we see today from the Pussycat Dolls to Christina Aguilera. It’s a truly beautiful look that most people cannot look away from. It’s captivating and an incredible art form.

We are familiar with it’s corsets, feathers, top hats, high heels, garters and sparkles. I love the style and the sexiness of the show, the swinging tassels, sexy striptease, but where did it all start?

Burlesque wasn’t at all what is is today, when it first started. In the early 1600’s the term was used to describe a sort of Vaudvillian type of a show.

Mini acts that were parodies of popular operas and plays. It was geared towards middle class people.

There was a lot of humor, a lot of music and a lot of acting. The risque part of the show was the fact that women dressed up and played men.

This form was most popular in Europe and by the 19th century had become mainstream at clubs like the Olympic and the Gaiety.

Well known Burlesque stars of this time began being seen in music halls. Burlesque in this form can still be seen all over Britain, known as ‘Classical Burlesque’

Today’s sultry, sexy, striptease burlesque came to be after becoming popular in a club called Moulin Rouge. This was a club opened by Joseph Oller, who also owned the Olympic that I mentioned earlier. 

Courtesans (today this term would be used to describe an escort) would entertain the clients who were mostly wealthy men, with their can-can dances.

While they were dancing, they would show their skin. Basically by lifting and unwrapping various pieces of clothing. Lifting their skirts to show their legs and sometimes more.

During this time the Moulin Rouge was known as a ‘High Class Brothel’ but after some time lost that reputation and became a popular destination for tourists to see the performers tease and delight them with their seductive dances.

Burlesque as we know it today originated from this, and involves the art of teasing. While the audience is eager to see more nudity it is the job of the performer to delay that.

Ways of doing that include wearing layers of clothing. Taking off a skirt and having delicate undergarments on.

Waving feathers in front of the part that was just exposed so that the clients still cannot see. It is more the art of undressing and not the art of being undressed. Often, the act would end just as the performer became all the way undressed.

In today’s society, the term Burlesque Review has been applied to a low quality striptease venue. Very tacky and lacking in skill.

I am very much appreciative of the acts of Dita Von Teese, who continues to show how beautiful Burlesque can be. Classy and very elegant if done correctly.

Bright, beautifully colored feathers, lace and expensive fabrics embellish the costumes worn and help accentuate the curves of the female form. I love acts like this and hope to see more and more of them that helps bring back this style of burlesque that came to be from Moulin Rouge. I think it emphasizes the beauty of a woman’s body and the power that women have to seduce an entire room.

This of course, is just a brief introduction into the world and history of Burlesque. There are many more Burlesque performers that I plan on showcasing to all of you.

I want to cover more of the underground trends right now in burlesque fashion and performances. I also want to get some great interviews with some of these fantastic ladies. For now, hopefully this small post will suffice.

Thanks again for visiting me here on ALP. I love you all dearly and can’t thank you enough for your support. Please follow your dreams everyday and make sure that you make a difference in the world!!! Take Care - XOXO 

{ 0 comments }