Well, fellow stiletto wearers, our prayers have been answered! I bring you Tipsy Feet! Shoes that fold away into a tiny pouch, compact enough to fit inside your handbag! Not only that, but once the tipsy feet have been removed, the pouch folds out into a larger bag, suitable to store your high heels during the walk home. If this isn’t the stuff of genius, I don’t know what is.

The shoes are available in silver or black via drinkstuff.com with a teeny price-tag of just £19.99!

Above: Nasty Canasta blasphemes with her nipples, as well as with everything else..
I also love when someone takes the idea of gluing things to breasts and just runs with it.

Above: Whitney at the Mermaid Parade, an art parade in Coney Island, in which pasties (and burlesque performers) play a significant part.
And, I love that pasties are in a perfect position for tassel attachment.

Above: Me twirling at the Slipper Room. Photo by Delerium Tremens.
And yup, those are implants under those pasties. When I started performing in New York, it was interesting to go from strip joints, where implants are common and the motivations and risks involved are pretty well understood, to burlesque, where implants are fairly rare and sometimes verboten. A friend of mine with implants says that hers are like the Velveteen Rabbit–she loved them so much they became real. For myself, I’m just fascinated by the effect they have on my twirling style.
I sell a handbook with pastie-making diagrams, patterns, and instructions, plus tips on how to twirl in every direction. Click here to purchase or find out more about it.

Guests were treated to gifts, magic tricks and rides on Lord Dashwood’s ‘Victorian Virtual Reality Rocking Chair’ while others enjoyed lessons and chat from burlesque sirens including Miss Vicky Butterfly, FiFi Darling, Miss Pearlie Gates, Dolores Delight and 2007 MoB Award champion, Red Sarah (who was most aptly dressed for the season as the Queen of Hearts).

On display in the Burlesque Boudoir was the latest collection from vintage lingerie specialists What Katie Did complete with a customised collection of Ruby Rouge accessories and jewellery form Fiona Deffenbaugh of The Black Pearl Boutique.

What Katie Did’s exquisite new Striptease lingerie range and ultra cinching corsets were the buzz of the performers and press alike. The antics of this lavish cupcake and champagne fuelled week continued with photo-shoots from Tas Kyprianou and Tony Rusecki ensuring that yet more compilations of exquisite imagery are set to hit our gallery pages soon.

On the Tuesday, excitement mounted as the MoBstars prepared to be the main attraction of the infamous Pink Drinks Party that evening. The Pink Drinks Party is a special event thrown by the Metropolitan to celebrate the designers in style.

Dressed in beautiful What Katie Did lingerie, adorned with the outrageously theatrical wigs from Yuki Saito and tip-toeing across the lobby in Terry De Havilland stilettos, the troupe proved an instant hit with the top fashionistas in London. Celebrity photographer Finlay Mackay also dropped by to exclusively photograph Kittie and the MoB in action and we were also captured on film for CNN. , interviewed by journalists, designers and fashionistas alike, we have been reliably informed that the Ministry of Burlesque are still the hottest topic on everyone’s fashionable pout.

“Beauty legend has it that American movie director D.W. Griffith designed the first set of false eyelashes. While creating a motion picture in 1916, he wanted his leading lady to have lashes so long they graced her cheeks when she blinked or looked down thoughtfully.”

http://makeup.lovetoknow.com/False_Eyelashes

When asked about false eyelashes, Dr. Lukki quotes Roland Barthes: “There is nothing ‘false’ about false eyelashes. In fact, they are necessary, concrete, REAL in a way that goes beyond the fabricated. Because without them we are completely naked, exposed; it is a component of what Roland Barthes identifies as part of the ’science’ that ‘clothes’ striptease artists like a garment.’ ” (Footnote: Mythologies, 1972, p. 86).”

Angie Pontani says, “I’d never go onstage without them.”

According to World Famous *BOB*, “The difference between a boy cartoon and a girl cartoon is usually is a pair of huge lashes and a bow on the girls head. I like to look like a cartoon on stage so I LOVE to wear big lashes (&bows). “

Tigger agrees: “What’s not to love about false eyelashes?

Go from barely there to a bold knockout with just a bit of glue and a steady hand.

If only the rest of us was so easy to enhance.”

Julie Atlas Muz believes in them: “False eyelashes are certainly a key to having big doey eyes onstage, but there are a few tricks that new eyelash wearers don’t do. One thing is to cut them to fit the shape and length of your eyelid. Of course I could go on and on about the horrors of wearing false eyelashes. The elastic goop that doesn’t resurface until the morning after….”

Dirty Martini feels very strongly about false eyelashes for burlesque performers: “Do not go on the stage with out false eyelashes or at least a Tammy Fay Bakker type mascara application (which is much harder to achieve than fake lashes) or I will personally come to your apartment and slap you. I know they are difficult at first, but a seasoned pair of lashes ( at least three wearings) will conform to your eye and be easier to apply the more you wear them.You can trim your large lashes to fit your eye and then take that bit you trim off and glue it to the outer edge of a daytime lash for extra drama and fun.”

If you’re not yet convinced that false eyelashes are the cornerstone of every burlesque star’s stage appearance, listen to the man all the seasoned performers look up to through their fluttering fringes: Photographer, Director, and Fantasy Makeup Master Karl Giant. Karl works for Debbie Harry, Marc Jacobs, Ami Goodheart, and so many more. And he was totally up for being interviewed about false eyelashes–Karl is a man who knows the power of a glamorous fringe.

“Great makeup is less expensive than great costumes. You can be in great pasties, a great g-string, and great makeup and you’re done.
“With false eyelashes, you can wear less makeup and look fabulous. Everything should be custom–out-of-the-box just isn’t enough. Trim and embellish! Sometimes it’s better to cut the length toward the end of the lashes. If they’re droop they give you stroke eye. You can get the length and the width. You need practice to glue them on right. And don’t forget, use the black glue!
“I glue more than lashes to people’s eyes: rhinestones, knick knacks, things from the kitchen. I love stickers around the eyes. They keep the right shape—you can cut them and people don’t know what it is. Sometimes they have teeny little circles or other shapes you can use.

“My favorite thing about working with burlesque performers is that anything goes. Tthey’re so proud of who and what they are—they know how to live life, I tell you that. They’re better than other kinds of performers because they’re not worried about what people think—they can be outrageous and still be charming. Even when Julie is most vulgar she’s still charming and has a sense of humor.

“With burlesque performance can be more cerebral. It’s great to make it look easy and like it comes naturally and make it look effortles so that people don’t know to factor in the hours of pratice in front of the mirror. Burlesque performers work hard set the tone and know that makeup is a real part of setting the tone. You know Dirty does her research to create her characters.

“I got well-known by creating these looks on burlesque girls and in the low light I had to attract every shard of light with glitter and effects. Now I’ve taken what I’ve done in burlesque and moved it into pop music working with singers. Look on Youtube for Karl Giant.
“Kevyn Aucoin’s books are great for stage makeup. You can create your own look. Find out what’s the best for your structure and work for that. You become a character and your face is your fortune, no matter what you look like. Be Ronald MacDonald in a pretty way! If you can work a blue lip, work a blue lip! Everybody’s afraid of looking like a drag queen.“I love working with burlesque performers. I’ll never stop. I like to make the burlesque girls into beautiful beings. *BOB* told me, ‘After you do me all I have to do is walk onstage and I’m done.’ ”

http://www.myspace.com/karlgiant
http://www.karlgiant.com

On an aside, I have to admit that as much as I love false eyelashes, it still drives me nuts when they’re used in mascara ads.

Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque, for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com.

LED Pasties

Well now you can!

I’ve no idea why Sooty here was deemed to be the most appropriate model for said pasties, but who am I to argue with artistic intention?

Full instructions can be found at instructables.com - “Obviously this is information you need to succeed in life!”

Thanks to Boingboing for the heads up!

Can you give me a little history about Garo Sparo? How did you begin designing? What do you like most about it?

I grew up around design. My grandparents were experts in bead-work and lace making. We always had sewing machines in the house while I was growing up. I began learning clothing construction from a Native American costume designer in Long Island when I was 11, which led to designing my first dress at 14. My teenage years were spent making hats that were sold in local shops and night clubs and making clothes for myself and friends. I think what I enjoy most about designing is that it allows me to make a living doing something I love, and I constantly get to work with inspiring and talented people.

Photos on the wall in Garo’s Studio.
You’re in the East Village where so much of the current burlesque scene exists or originated. How is the East Village scene for you?

The East Village is an amazing place, I live and work here and I would not want to be anywhere else. I think it is the only place in Manhattan where I could really feel inspired. There is always a strong gathering of colorful and creative people here to work with.

How did you become involved with burlesque costuming?

It began with working with * BOB * in the nineties. I always loved doing costuming, especially that which is functional and involves layering and mechanics, which burlesque often does. It also made sense that I would do burlesque work because corsetry is one of my specialties.

Tell me about your relationships with two or three of your burlesque clients.

Bambi: I love working with Bambi because her costumes are always transformations of her own personality into some kind of creature; a character that represents who she is by being totally off the wall and quirky but still beautiful and elegant. Her personality is embedded in the outfit and the costume is used to portray it.

Bunny Love- The purpose of Bunny Love’s costumes is, and the reason I love working with her, is that they are created to abstract her true motivation. I once heard * BOB * describer her as “a playboy bunny with rabies,” which is absolutely true. We always design things that are very sweet and girly, super feminine and even prim and proper. It is always to counter the truly subversive and bizarre nature of her acts.

* BOB *: * BOB *’s personality is framed by her costumes. She is not necessarily transformed into another character, but they serve to honor and present her own beauty and character and represent her distinctive taste and aesthetic.

How involved in the process of designing the costume or act do you become?

I become very involved in the creation of the entire piece. I discuss with the performer what will happen in the act. I then break it down so that the costume completely works with the choreography, and allows everything that will take place to happen in the smoothest, most beautiful manner possible.

As a costumer and performer I often find that the costume dictates the choreography, or the other way around. Do you find yourself getting involved in the acts? Do you go to see them after you make the costumes?

I always dissect the whole act so that everything will happen in a gorgeous succession. I design the costume, but also work with the performer on the choreography so that everything works together as a whole. Usually the performers that work with me perform acts that are particularly “costume –centric,” so the outfit and choreography go hand in hand. I am always busy but I do try to see my clients perform when I can.

What has been your most challenging experience with creating a burlesque costume? Your most satisfying? Your favorite costume?

I think the most challenging outfit to date was probably Bunny Love’s pink cake. It has to go from being a 5′8 tall cake to falling onto ground into a pile of ruffles in a matter of seconds. This was definitely quite a challenge mechanically.

It’s hard for me to choose favorites but one costume that was very satisfying was Bambi’s shrimp costume. It was very complete and extremely layered. It included something like over 10 elements of accessories and layers, and to top it off she had a lemon wedge that squeezed glitter juice all over her body! All the coordinating
elements that created a beautiful whole made it very satisfying to design and create.

Another one of my favorites was Bambi’s blacklight snail costume. I love it so much because she actually could get inside of it. It was beautiful on its own or under blacklight. It was extremely visually pleasing and also very layered and complex.

A sketch in Garo’s studio.
What’s next for the fabulous Garo Sparo?

I am doing a fashion show in February 2008 that I am very excited about. I will be showcasing my recent work and many of my burlesque and drag clients will be present to show off things I have made for them. I am very happy in my career at this point and am working to keep doing what I’m doing but on a larger scale. I want to continue to do couture, and costuming for film, events, burlesque and all types of performance. I love doing all of these things and I want to keep growing and expanding.

More photos from Garo’s studio
Garo’s Website

Posted by Jo Weldon, Headmistress of The New York School of Burlesque, for burlesquedaily.blogspot.com.

GMK Photography

The romantic surroundings of Paris must have had a lasting effect on us. We went weak at the knees when we saw this beautiful military corset collection from Velda Lauder. The ‘Peace Warrior’ collection is inspired by British post war films, in particular the film ‘Brief Encounter‘, an absolute favourite of Velda’s. We just adore these underbust corsets. They are so evocative of the 1940s screen starlets and give a shape that exudes both incredible femininity and power.

We love the fact that these corsets are made retaining Velda’s vision of ‘resculpting the feminine form’, yet can be worn every day. If you want to go all out and complete the military look (as per the images), the cotton drill skirt (£110), hat (£35) and even the tie (£15) are all available to order at La Magia . We’re in awe of the whole interchangeable collection!

Bargain Alert!

La Magia is currently offering 20% off Velda Lauder corsets and they offer free delivery worldwide! We can hear that train puffing along already, but at least there won’t be any tears!

Dita Von Teese - Wonderbra

Dita Von Teese is putting it on instead of her usual take off. As the new spokesperson for Wonderbra, the burlesque dancer will model the latest collection. She’ll also design her own line based on vintage ’40s lingerie.

Sexy larger cup lingerie.

As promised, we’ve found some lovely larger cup bras for you today - don’t bring in the new year in a boring bra! Here are some stunning winter pieces to freshen up your lingerie drawer:

This gorgeous, soft-cup bra by Empreinte $147.40 at BiggerBras or £57 at Amplebosom gives you the same classic French style usually associated with dainty little bras. We really love the swirling embroidery on sheer mesh, both feminine and sexy. As Empreinte are one of the leading ‘larger cup’ brands, there is no compromising on fit, and the soft material makes it ideal to wear under tighter clothing. For those of you who can’t do without, the Emma bra is also available underwired in black ,coffee and white - it’s £67.50 at Rigby and Peller or in coffee and white £52 at Amplebosom. Aat Amplebosom the soft cup verion of the bra is available up to a 46E, and the underwired up to a brilliant 46F!

If you’re looking for something with the same classic style but with even more sex appeal, you’ll love this Elixir Salome set 88Euros ($130) at DessusDessous . The range includes a three quarter cup bra, a plunge bra £63 at Rigby and Peller , no less than four different styles of knickers from £30.95 at Rigby and Peller and suspenders 53 Euros ($78)! The three quarter bra goes up to a size 42DD and the plunge bra to a size 36G. Good luck choosing between all those lovely knickers!

Photo by Figleaves.com

The new year is a great time to make sure you’re wearing the right bra size, but it’s hard to know where to start. Knickers Blog does “street-fittings” all the time (and bar-fittings, and bus-fittings…), and have learned to fit without worrying with exact measurements and calculators.

To help you find your perfect size this new year, they’ve condensed their bra-fitting technique into a handy guide you can use yourself.

Do-it-yourself Bra Fitting

Pick your bra type

Before you start sizing, you need a good idea of what kind of bra you’re looking for - do you want a new everyday bra to wear to work? Do you need a bra for party dresses? We’ve broken down some common bra types by the occasion you might want them for:

• Parties, dressing up and going out: You need a good multifunction bra, which will let you swap between halterneck, strapless, and a regular style. If you don’t typically wear halterneck/strapless styles, a plunge bra is a great way to wear low-cut tops without showing any bra.
• Everyday / Work: A traditional full-cup bra, maybe with a moulded cup will disappear under your work clothes and will provide maximum support.
• Date night: Depending on your taste and cup size, a balconette or plunge bra will be perfect. Balconette is great to wear with a square or round neck to lift the breasts overall (think Jane Austen boobs), and plunge is great for low or v-necks.

Generally, balconette bras are better suited to smaller-cup sizes (DD and below), while full-cup and plunge are perfect for larger-cup sizes. Once you’ve picked your bra style, you’re ready to size!

Photo by Figleaves.com

Bra Style Guide

How do you tell the difference between bras in the store? Each bra will be labeled with its style (multi-way/multifunction, plunge/push-up, full-cup and shelf/balconette) or you can compare the shape to the examples given below:

Find your test bra size

Now that you know what bra you want, you can start your DIY Bra Sizing. But don’t go looking for your measuring tape! Measuring might feel accurate, but thanks to the sheer variety of body shapes/manufacturer sizes/bra styles, measuring is often wildly innacurate for bra sizing (i’ve been told i was a 42D when i’m a 36G!). We prefer to take a much more common sense, DIY approach to bra sizing: all you need is your current bra size and a little bit of trial and error.

No measuring-tape bra sizing

1. Test your band size - Reach around and pull your bra band away from your back - is it loose (more than an inch or so from your back)? If so, your band size might be too big. If it’s really loose, subtract two band sizes (always subtract by two, e.g., 38 to 34), if it’s just a little loose, subtract one band size (38 to 36). If you’re not really sure, get someone to try a playground bra-snapping on you. If it hurts, your band size is probably too big.
2. Test your cup size - Feel under your arm for your bra’s underwire. Is the underwire directly below your armpit? Is there still breast tissue beyond the underwire? If so, your cup size may be too small. If your underwire is pretty far from your armpit, try adding two cup sizes (e.g. D to F). If it’s just a little far away, just add one cup size (e.g. D to E).
3. Do the math - Take your current bra size, do your additions/subtractions from Steps 1 and 2, and that’s your new bra size to test. Don’t panic if your test size sounds too big/weird/no-way-am-i-that-size/am-i-a-mutant. Just trust us for now - you’ll be testing this size in the changing room!

Time to go shopping!

Once you’ve got a new bra size to test out, pick your bra style using the guide above and grab your new size in the store. Also grab some sizes around the test size, so if you were a 36C and you’re testing out a 32E, also grab a 30C and a 34D for a little experimentation.

Where to shop

If you can’t find the sizes you need, don’t just make do and fudge the sizes, make an effort to find a good bra store (it will pay off in the long run!). U.S. readers should try higher-end department stores like Nordstroms, Macy’s, or Dillards, and UK readers should try Bravissimo, M&S, Frasers, or local boutiques. Try to avoid the “usual suspects” lingerie stores like Victoria’s Secret and La Senza, as they won’t have the variety in sizes and styles that you’ll need - take this opportunity to find a new lingerie retailer!

The changing room checklist

Once you have your test bra and a few variants, you’re ready to try them all out. Here is a simple changing room checklist for making sure your new bra fits:

Hook the bra on your middle hook (or the second one) - you need your band to be snug and tight, but also need an idea of how the bra will feel once the bra loses some elasticity. With the middle hook, you’ll get an idea of the looser fit, but can always swap to the first hook if you need it when the bra starts to age.

Keep your straps loose - too many women rely on the straps for support in their bra, but the band should be giving support, not the straps. Pull out the straps so they sit comfortably but aren’t bearing any real weight, and you’ll get a true idea of how the bra supports you.

Make sure your bridge is lying flat on your sternum — poke the piece of fabric between your cups (that’s the bridge), does it lie flat or does your whole bra move when you poke it? If it’s not lying flat, try going up a cup size.

Lean over and pull the girls in - this is the part where people start thinking we’re crazy. Seriously, it works - lean over so your breasts are pointing to the floor, reach into the cup and pull your breasts into the cup. Now stand back up, and marvel at your rack! If you see a bit of flesh hanging over the top of the cup, that’s a sign that you’re either wearing the wrong style (balconette or half-cup instead of full), or your cup size is too small.

Jump up and down - we call this the Jiggle Test, and it’s great for larger-cup women especially. Do the girls stay in place when you hop up and down a few times? If so, you’re doing well. If your breasts start bouncing like crazy you’ve probably got a band size too large, and if you get a lot of flesh wiggle on the top of your boob, your cup size could be too small, or you should try a fuller cup.

Put a tight tee-shirt on - we always wear or bring a snug, thin little tee with us for bra shopping, so we can see the shape bras give us - once you’ve pulled the girls in, slip on your tee and check out the general shape/lift. Is there not enough lift? Try a smaller band size (and maybe size up a cup to compensate). Are there bumps around the cups? Try a bigger cup size.

Try on all three of your test bras (the original test size and the two variants) and pay attention to how much lift you get, how flat the bridge lies, and how snug your band is against your back. Then, compare these with the bra size you’ve been wearing. With a little trial and error, you should be able to narrow down your size pretty quickly.

If none of the bras feel or look right, try a different style of bra (full-cup is a great default style) with your test sizes and repeat the checklist. Keep experimenting until you feel well-supported!

Your New Size

Bra-sizing isn’t an exact affair - there are simply too many manufacturers, sizing standards, body shapes, and styles for any woman to be one final size. Your “new” size won’t be the same in every brand, and may not even be the same between different styles in the same brand (that’s why we made you pick at the beginning). The trick is to find a good base size, then adjust that size as required by using the criteria above.

This whole process may take a little time, but will be worth it. You can do this process in a one-day blitz, or can simply pay attention to how different bras fit over time and work your size out gradually. Either way, you’ll soon start to learn your size range for your favourite brands and styles, and after a bit more experimentation, you’ll have a whole range of bras that fit you, not your bra size.