racier broads than me: a dita von teese interview

supercult: Ok. Set the scene for us.

dita von teese: Right now, I am in my bedroom. It’s very 1930s with a Jean Harlow replica bed. My two dachshunds are here with me, and my white cat Lily. I suppose you want to know what I’m wearing. A black vintage slip.

sc: What things are you working on?

dvt: I am currently working on my book for Harper Collins entitled “Burlesque and the Art of the Teese.”

sc: Would you ever consider using a Hello Kitty vibrator?

dvt: I have two of them. My boyfriend first gave me one when we were in Tokyo three years ago, and I wore that cat out and recently got another one.

sc: What albums are you into right now?

dvt: I have a compilation of old burlesque tunes that I am considering for my cd of striptease songs being recorded with an orchestra in New Orleans this spring. I am usually listening to my show music because I am usually preparing for a show.

sc: A few years ago if I wanted to see women being all burlesque, I would have no idea what to do. But now it's all popular, and mostly because of you.

dvt: I am very happy about that, but it’s due to my longtime interest and dedication to learning the history of it, it’s over ten years in the making so it’s not luck as much as determination.

sc: Was it better off underground and harder to find? There is a trend now of getting corporate sponsors for your 'subculture' activities.

dvt: I guess I used to feel that way until I had achieved all I could with underground status and wanted to see if I could take it up a notch. It’s all about striving and not having limits! How boring to only want to perform for the “cool” people! Should I have turned down big jobs and mainstream press for the cool factor and meanwhile worked a part time job where I could tell everyone how “edgy” I am for not selling out? Burlesque was not underground when it was in its heyday; it was a popular form of entertainment for the average Joe, so why should it be any different now?

sc: If it was necessary to "take it up a notch" like you say, would you consider toning down the fetish aspects of your image for more mainstream success?

dvt: One of my favorite things about fetishism is that it can easily be disguised. I love corsets, stockings and extremely high heels and these are all basic fetish elements that have general appeal. Fetishism is most effective when it isn’t in your face, like leather, whips and so on. I will continue as I am which has gotten me this far. I dress this way because I genuinely enjoy it. Racier broads than me have been thrust into the mainstream throughout history. I’ll do it my way or not at all.

sc: How is what you do different than the old burlesque acts that inspired you?

dvt: I am more inspired by the grande dames of burlesque than the bump and grind gals. Sally Rand, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Lili St Cyr had a refined elegance and style that made them stars. I am also very inspired by films of the 1940s, The Ziegfeld girls, and stars like Betty Grable. My performances are a little more stylized than the average burlesque act from back in the day, and I bring modern elements to them. I don’t think about what will make my show an exact copy of the past because I want to bring something of my own to the art.

sc: Models bitch a lot about Playboy stealing their soul. Did they steal yours?

dvt: Maybe they didn’t seize the opportunity. I owe a great deal to them; it changed my life. I grew up admiring Playboy, so when I landed the cover it was a lifelong dream come true. One has to use an opportunity like that to their advantage. Success is not just handed over on a silver platter, it’s something that one must work for, and maybe they missed that lesson in life and were waiting for things to happen. I love Playboy, and I will always be tickled to have had the chance.

sc: Who are you inspired by? Artistically, emotionally, whatever.

dvt: I am influenced by stars of the golden age of Hollywood. Hedy Lamarr, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe. I am inspired by the art of John Willie, Billy Devorrs, and Peter Driben. I read biographies and watch classic films.

sc: You're a source of that same artistic inspiration, as a model, for the people you work with. Do you consider yourself a medium for their expression, or are they mostly there to document yours?

dvt: Generally, it seems that they are there to document mine, as most are interested in photographing me as I am. There is no team of makeup artists and stylists doing 'this' to me. I did it to myself. There are exceptions of course.

sc: What would you change about yourself?

dvt: That is a tough question; could I have some sort of super human powers?

sc: What are you doing tonight?

dvt: I have no idea. Whatever it is, it will be utterly glamorous!

interviewed by: annie

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