A Date With Elvis Vintage Boutique

A Date With Elvis Vintage Boutique is an on-line vintage clothing shop with a passion for the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Petra is the gorgeous owner of her online vintage boutique – Petra shares her fantastic treasured vintage pieces for sale on line. A date with Elvis has curvier sizes too.

She says “One of my most exciting finds during my travels was a box full of all manner of vintage ladies lingerie from the 50’s and 60’s including girdles, suspender belts, waist cinches and bras from a car boot sale in Edinburgh. I love to find these beautiful treasures and want to pass what I love on to you.

I love to meet people and be around others keeping these fashions alive through hot rod, swing dancing and rockabilly cultures.”

Petra x

A Date With ElvisVintage Boutique believes in maintaining an approachable, personalized service like you would find in a small vintage shop on the street.

www.adatewithelvisboutique.com

By Michelle Parish

An Interview with Victoria Grimshaw

Victoria Grimshaw (aka Miss La Vida) of MissChief Events is an icon in the Auckland burlesque scene. As well as being an acclaimed burlesque sensation, she also produces some of the most successful burlesque shows and competitions in Auckland. Originally from the UK, Victoria brings an abundance of knowledge and skills to her performances. Her experience includes performing at the London Burlesque Festival, being on stage with the 2008 Hall of Fame’s Queen of Burlesque, Angie Pontani and performing for Pamela Anderson and Richie Rich at the 2009 NZ Fashion Week just to name a few. She has also been invited to perform in the 2010 New York Burlesque Festival, one of the biggest events on the burlesque calendar.

What inspires you with your performances?
I always try to do something different. I constantly have ideas inspired by music, film, fashion, comedy, social or cultural attitudes and practices, etc. But every time I come up with an idea for an act, I go on Google and Youtube to check if any other performer is already doing it.  I have no respect for imitation and I feel ‘dirty’ if I do anything that feels like somebody else’s act.  Whilst I am aware that there is nothing new under the sun (perhaps reflected in the fact that I haven’t come up with a new, signature act for over a year now) if you don’t ‘own’ your work, you won’t  have much that is genuine or interesting to give to your audience.  My inspiration is to ‘give’ to my audience.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
That is an interesting questions because, to be totally honest, for most of this year, I’ve been questioning why I do burlesque –  is it even fun or rewarding anymore, should I just pack up the costumes and get a ‘real’ job?  A few days ago, I was asked to write an article on New Zealand burlesque for the upcoming “Shimmy” Annual. I had no idea how to start the article so I just started writing my story and found that my story is inextricably linked to the story of how Auckland burlesque came about. I had completely forgotten that when I started doing burlesque, there wasn’t really a burlesque scene in Auckland but now there is, and a large part of why there is comes down to my hard work and persistence.  So in short, it’s rewarding because I made something bigger than myself happen.

What has been the most memorable experience you have had while performing?
I performed at a Fetish night in London 2 years ago and as far as Fetish nights go, it was fairly tame. It was even held in a pub in the financial district of London, so that was a bit odd, but still, the event was quite unassuming.  However, there were some men in the audience who were completely naked!  They had come into the venue in their suit and ties and business type clothes, went into the bathrooms, and came out in their birthday suits.  It is the first time I’ve ever performed to audience members who had less clothes on than I did.  Very surreal and one I’ll never forget.

I know you have been around the world and seen many burlesque shows and produced many yourself, are there any defining, unique qualities that kiwi performers have compared to other performers you have seen?
Because Kiwi performers aren’t too exposed to what’s going on around the rest of the world, the same trends don’t tend to pop up here.  For example, I have seen quite a few acts in the UK and the USA where a performer does a striptease with a puppet (usually made out of a boa wrapped around their hips and attached to one hand).  I think this has come from the popularity of the musical “Avenue Q” in both countries.  But that act hasn’t cropped up here.  A Kiwi performer would have to watch a lot of Youtube videos to catch on to what’s happening globally.
Kiwi performers also tend to do more ‘modern’ acts set to contemporary songs.  You don’t see the same proliferation of vintage underwear clad, pin-curled, red lipped performers here as you do around the world.

What are the major challenges in producing a burlesque show?
Finances and cash flow is the number one issue.  I would like to expand the format of burlesque shows so they have more group numbers or a live band but, that requires a lot of money for costumes and rehearsals that I just don’t have.  The second problem is decent venues.  There are very few in Auckland that have the right set up (i.e a stage with good sight lines, lighting and provision for 200 odd people to sit). And the few venues we do have aren’t readily available for a number of reasons. We are in desperate need of a supper club or cabaret style venue here.  It’ll be the first thing I invest in when I win the lottery.
If you could produce a show with your 3 favourite burlesque performers from around the world (living or dead) – who would they be and why?

My first choice would be Immodesty Blaize. She not only has amazing costumes and an awesome figure but she’s so entertaining and oozes stage presence. She truly connects with the audience and isn’t a ‘wanky’ performer (one who is self indulgent and narcissistic and isn’t really performing for their audience).

My second choice would be the legend, Satan’s Angel.  She is a phenomenal woman (I met her at the Burlesque Hall of Fame and her charisma and take-no-shit attitude gave me goosebumps). She makes her power known on stage. Again, she performs for her audience, connecting with them. Not to mention the fact she sets the tassels of her pasties alight and twirls them – amazing!

My third choice would be Sally Rand. She was so graceful and elegant and epitomises the romanticism we associate with the 20s and 30s. However she managed to handle the weight of such large fans I’ll never know.  I wonder what she would say if she were alive today and could see how the prop she created has become the defining symbol of burlesque?

An Interview with Eva Strangelove

Eva Strangelove is a talented burlesque performer, model and choreographer based in New Zealand. Her alluring and unique performance style has put her in the spotlight both nationally and internationally. The Great NZ Pinup had the opportunity to get to know the exotic starlet a little better.

What first inspired you to start burlesque?

All my life i have wanted to be a performer. I grew up a painfully shy child (up until I was 22, actually), and really admired those talented individuals I would look up to on the stage, – the singers, dancers, musicians, actors, and wished with all my heart that someone would one day look up and see me on stage, and feel the same admiration I felt when seeing my idols and peers up there. I grew up with bad skin and real insecurity issues, and dreamed of being admired for beauty, not ignored, like i always felt i was. But I am no actor, and certainly no singer…so what else could I do..? Dance! And i dreamed of being seen and thought of as sexy, desirable, skilled, and gutsy – all of which i certainly was NOT.

When i was 24 I began dabbling in modelling, mainly to help out friends who were photographers and make up artists updating their portfolios, and i enjoyed shooting very much. I loved seeing images of myself as a hot girl for once! After a lifetime of feeling plain, i was loving this strange turn of events! But the pretty pictures were too still, and i wanted to make them LIVE ACTION!

I have always understood the notion of a beautiful girl performing live action pin up…i loved the Suicide Girls for the empowerment and attitude they had to themselves, so I shot a set for them…and took one look at the release form and ran a mile. That contract was a real doozy, no way was i signing it. Empowerment by butt! But by then i was already hooked on beautiful women disrobing and i wanted to recapture that imagery for myself, so i researched real strip tease, hoping that it still existed and sure enough, the word BURLESQUE kept popping up and BAM! I found my calling. Burlesque – strip tease in the true sense of the meaning, fast became my passion and my livelihood.

Who or what inspires you for your performances?

Music. I live for music. It is the universal language and being able to feel the beat, the melody, and what the song is about to the individual. It takes us on a trip to wherever the musician wants us to be..heartbroken, amused, aroused, resentful, thrilled…whatever. Listening to the song tells me what to do, using the only medium I have to express myself – my body, my face.

Growing up i would record music videos from TV and teach myself the choreography after school in the living room. I adore group choreography and synchronicity, and longed to be a part of a team spirit like that. I still do.

I am inspired by great dancers – not just good dancers – GREAT dancers. Those who push their bodies to that extra inch outside of the comfort zone, to take it to that place that not everyone can do too. Those who very obviously practice alot, and work hard to maintain their strength and skill. Those who wear their costume and not let it wear them. These skills for myself are something i am constantly working on, and will probably never be satisfied with;)

What are the most standout moments of your career so far?

Being able to call myself a professional model and burlesque performer, as a career, and more than just a hobby. If you had of told me ten years ago, when i was listening to Type O Negative and Cradle of Filth and wanting to train to become an embalmer, that i was going to grow up to become what I am today, I would never have believed you! Haha

Standout moments are being regularly invited to perform at large festivals overseas, including burlesque, fetish,art and music events; being recognised in the streets of the USA as a burlesque performer/model from local shows and the Internet, and releasing a successful 2010 calendar that sold well all over the world! Being able to give advice and help out other models and burlyQ babes means alot to me too, as i received lots of advice and help while i was starting out, and appreciated every syllable of it.

Changing my name to Eva four years ago was also one of the best moves i have ever made – the name Sherie never meant anything to me growing up, as I was named by a woman i never knew. I always loved the name Eva, and it occurred to me one day that if i am to live my fantasy as a showgirl, why not have a showgirl name that I don’t hate?

What are the top 3 things you must have to be a top burlesque performer?

Confidence, or the ability to fake it. You must be self aware and know what your attributes are, and who your audience is. Why get up on stage and play the part of a confident, sensual woman when you often bore everyone with stories of how fat you think you are? Not everyone desires skinny people, anyway. This is a classic example. So whatever you have, that’s what you have, so own it! And be grateful that your heart beats strong and your legs can carry you. And if your heartbeat is timid, move slowly and with precision, and bust out your crystal-covered inhaler as part of your act. If your legs do not carry you, do something awesome with a glittery wheelchair. Which brings us to:

A gimmick, something the gal performing before or after you is not doing. A particular skill that sets you apart from the rest. Burlesque performers these days are a dime a dozen – it seems all you need is the guts to get undressed in public… but the cream always rises to the top, and those girls with their own creative expression are the ones that last. Perhaps you are a skilled belly dancer/tango dancer or pole dancer..or maybe you can perform magic tricks! Are you a gymnast/walking rubber band or a roller derby girl, with death-defying stunts on a pair of skates? Dita has the martini glass, Michelle has the Ass That Goes Pow, Roxi has the giant cigar, and I seem to have an uncanny ability to just about slip over during every show and crack everyone up. What do you have?

Patience…Do not presume you will be an overnight success. You must work hard, practice loads, spend alot of time (and money!) on your costumes, have professional photo shoots done (every burly babe needs pro images to sell her look) research the performers you admire and what they are doing, and when and where the gigs are that you want to perform at. Keep in touch with the people who are already doing it, and when they are ready for you, you will be more than ready for them:)

What advice would you give to girls wanting to get into burlesque?

Fantastic! Ask yourself these questions, what is burlesque exactly? Why do you want to do it? What do you hope to achieve from it, and what will you bring to this already saturated scene? What will you do once you are there? I still ask myself these questions every day. Sometimes i can prattle off the answers for hours, other times it seems I do not know.

Do not get into burlesque if you are looking to make a quick buck…there are no high earnings until you are really really good, with a known reputation, and that never happens over night. And if anything, burlesque is an expensive hobby. Costumes are not cheap, and if you are going to be prancing around stage getting your kit off and earning a killing, it had better be a fantastic (in the true sense of the word- fantasy) costume. Why bother with a cheap costume if it doesn’t at least look like a million bucks? Crystals, sequins, fringe, trim, it all costs…and this is where your creativity and patience comes in. Costumiers charge by the hour, so ideally, this sequin stitching we do hour after hour should be a labour of love.

Practice! Please practice! Burlesque stages across the world are filled with gals that simply don’t practice enough – and it shows. Remember, you wear the costume, it doesn’t wear you, so let it know who is boss my knowing every stitch of how it comes off, and when. Let the music guide you. And the more you have to tirelessly put your costume back ON after each rehearse, the more you make each strip count. You wont regret this once you’re up under those lights, with all eyes on you!

What other talents do you have besides being an amazing burlesque performer?

Hehe! I would like to tell you that i am an avid abseiler, card counter or laptop technician, but I’m not, I’m just a burlesque gal. I am also a Hospo Queen, having studied hospitality and retail for nearly 12 years. After being shy as a kid, i decided to learn how to deal with strangers professionally. I’m glad I did. I no longer balk at the idea of addressing a crowd…enough that i can happily strip in front of one! ❤

To learn more about Eva or to book check out her links at:

**Eva Strangelove Burlesque**

http://www.myspace.com/evastrangelove

http://www.Facebook.com/EvaStrangelove

Debonaire Doo note – Jeepers, Creepers, where d’ya get those eyes…Louis Armstrong

Want to master the art of having big come-hither eyes like Bardot, Monroe, Loren – they all had two things that made women envious and men really quiver..

In the 50’s leading actresses wore giant false eyelashes, richly arched plucked brows – but the trade secret that gave actresses their seductive look was a bold sweep of black eyeliner that extended far beyond the outer corner of their eyes. The cat’s-eye flick.

The thought of maths and technical drawing leaves me cold, I was useless at those topics at school – however I love the scalene triangle!
That cute little old uneven sided triangle has whipped my cat eyes into shape!

1. Take your favourite liquid eyeliner and lightly trace, on the outer corner of the eye, what you would like the cat-eye wing to look like. PRACTICE on a piece of paper – so you don’t end up looking like Amy Winehouse.

2. Take the liner or pencil and lightly drag it across the top lash line starting from the inner corner and meeting the wing that has already been drawn. Try to create the thinnest line possible; you can make it deeper later if desired by increasing the pressure as you move to the outer edge of the eye to get a thicker line. It should go past the end of the eyelid and turn up just a little bit. Don’t go too far past the end of the eyelid into the corner of your eye, this will create an over dramatic look.

3. Step back and make sure that both eyes are matching symmetrically. If they aren’t, just use a dab of concealer on a Q-Tip to dab away the line, then re-do the line to match.

4. Ensure your eyes are looking even, you can touch them up a little with eyeshadow that you used to cover the lid.
5. Finally, top off the look with a thin line of eyeliner on the bottom lash line and a few layers of mascara.

The key to achieving this look is confidence and patience. If it doesn’t work out the first time, Just wash it off! And you can always try again. Following the tip, with the triangle, I hope this assists you get the angle and the cat-eye that’s right for you!

For work or more demure addition to the eyes – cut a pair of false lashes in half and use only the shorter half to glue on to the outside corner of your lash line. Use the whole longer lashes for nightime or glamour puss lusciousness!

Mwah

Retro Kitty Kat – Michelle

Debonaire Doo note – a quick way to a popular Page Boy do

In the late 1940’s and 1950’s lots of major film actresses in the sported pageboys, catapulting the style into the popular imagination, and many fashionable women adopted it. It was also popular as its an easy style to maintain, and in the 1950s it was an edgy, stylish look which appealed to many women.
The look of a pageboy hairstyle can frame and set off the face very well, especially if a light amount of makeup is used to bring out the features of the wearer.

The stunning Grace Kelly with her perfect Page Boy style.

Check out the fabulously sexy Page Boy style with up sweep rolls in the Super Heroine character from Watchmen – Sally Jupiter

How to!

Heres what you need – a must is the rat tail comb, buy a few so you have one for each handbag I like the tortoise shell ones with the thicker tail they are around $1.50 $2.00 at the pharmacy.

Hairspray
Brylcreme type pomade/Gel/Spritz
Bobby pins
Curling Irons
Side combs

A pin curl set if you have time, if not you can use your curling tongs, take your comb and as with most vintage styles, you need your deep parting!

Work with smaller amounts of hair it will produce a quicker result.

Nice smooth, brushed or combed out hair the curling iron does the work for you…as you curl in towards the face the angle is a downward movement.

The pageboy Is all about curved, curled under look.
With a haircomb/slide or bobby pins if you have finer hair, with a dab of product and spritz of hairspray on the comb, sweep back the side ensuring all the hair is pulled back neatly and no gaps showing!

With a paddle brush or comb “brush out’ the end of the curl around your fingers, lightly spray your fingers with spray this will hold the style of the curl.

Bobby pin the under curls at the rear if you want more structure.

You can add up sweeps to the sides, Like Sally Jupiters!

I love this look for all occasions – it has more round, bounce, structured look to mid to shorter hair – but can still work for long hair too!

Yours in lovely hair, Michelle x

Debonaire Doo Note – The Middy, the must have cut for all Rockabilly/Vintage pin up styles

1940’s Women’s Rockabilly Haircut “The Middy” that was the word in the salons. From Lauren Bacall, Gene Tierney (in photo), and Rita Hayworth (photo) Veronica Lake.The Middy was considered the best, most popular hairstyle of the decade, and if you want rockabilly hair to match your style, you will have to cut your hair in layers.
It’s a requirment to have this cut if you want to have all the hairstyles from the 40’s and 50’s. What good is your vintage look if you have a modern haircut!! Mwah

All the women who had a 1940s en vogue hairstyle used basically this haircut, but then styled it differently.
Most all the other haircuts are variations of the Middy (all with curls, all with layers). The Middy, was considered, most flattering, popular, offered the most possibilities for styling, could be worn up or down, short enough to be practical (so you were supporting the war effort), long enough to do some great hairstyles.All the other hairstyles were just variations of the middy.

Rules of the Middy Haircut:
Layers are a must for all hairstyles of the 1940s-1950’s.
Curls are a must, ditch the overused, poker straight look – and get more bounce into your doo – curls are hot, in the 40’s, and 1950’s women permed their hair!

Think Dita she has amazing styling ability and Scarlett in Black Dahlia.

Basically you need layers whether your hair is long or short, take a photo to your stylist and really talk them through it – you don’t want a ‘bubble head’ effect, so just a few layers around the face and in the back, my stylist in Wellington, Danny from The Powder Room – cuts my hair in a subtle “U” shape in the back – this suits all styles i love – such as the Pageboy, barrel curls, fits a snood etc etc..
The way you set your curls is another lesson!Yours in lovely hair – Michelle x

Debonaire Doo note – Classic Pin Up Girl Eyes

The Canvas
Start with a beautiful cleansed and moisturised face!

Primer – to prime or not to prime – that is the question!
Makeup primers are brilliant, they provide a perfect surface for the makeup to sit on which results in a longer lasting look, apply after you moisturise – apply your primer, allow it to sink into your skin, then you can apply your foundation as usual.

**Recommended** Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (approx $76.00) – use a primer such as this product to create a perfect canvas for foundation application, it helps smoothe and perfect the skin, fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.

The shiny lid! on a cotton bud dab a tiny drop of petroleum jelly on the lid very lightly.

Eyeshadow colour and a good eyeshadow brush.
You will need a neutral tone to start with – Sweep vanilla colored eyeshadow on your lids – I love Revlon’s vintage lace – grab the Matte range now as they have deleted some of this range already.

This will be the base colour to build on – remember start with a little and build upon it as you go.

For a 1930’s look, use a dark eye shadow together with the crease of the upper eyelid. Then, apply green, blue or violet shade.

The beautiful Jean Harlow

For a 1950’s popular colours for this look are turquoise, blue or green eye shadow and a winged liner (cat eyes) liquid eye liner is a must! I use MAC liquid glass – it is easy to use and stays put!

Apply in a bold, thick line across your top eye lid. Finish with good coats of mascara to the top lashes, followed by a coat underneath, slowly drawing the lashes up and out – and hello atomic kitten!

To really add that Va-Va Voom – false eyelashes are stunning.

Bernie Dexter modern day 50’s inspired pin up gal

Start with a tiny, tiny amount of eye shadow start with a little, then add more to build up the colour.

Starting at the outer corner of your eye, brush on a line toward your brow, but stop just before you get there. Blend, blend, blend!
Add dark brown or black eyeliner in a very, very thin line right where the lashes meet the lid, then cover the lid with another, lighter brown that almost matches your skin.

Step back and look – add more eye shadow if you need to, but take your time, slowly but surely building the colour with small amounts. You want a natural, smoky deep set look, not a painted Cleopatra look! If you don’t want to use browns, remember blues, greens, and violets were popular during this time period.

Doo note by Debonaire Doo – The full doo-rag

How to tie a full do-rag

Lets do it!

Pick a scarf, any scarf – well in fact the full scarf has to be bigger than your normal size you use for a half rag..1m squared is the preference.

Spotlight has great fabrics – cotton is best, go for it and make your own, cut it square and over lock the edges and hey presto – a do rag for every occasion!

With your hair, with long hair a bun works or a french twist..

Fold it in half, into a triangle

Now, with the ‘pointy’ bit at the front, and the long part at the base of your neck…**this is the tip – ensure the movement of the scarf is pulled forward towards the forehead – the widest part of the scarf nips in the tops of your ears.

Pull the side pieces forward and up…tie them together on top, with the little flappy piece of fabric left out in the front, fold it back into the knot.

And there you have it, when you have it tied in the front, tuck the sides in and down, and play around with the shape, if you need to make it feel more secure, bobby pins either side will do the trick..
You can have you bangs out or tuck it all away…

Send us your do-rag pics..

Mwah

In a state of Grace

The Great NZ Pinup Blog caught up with Miss Busty la Belle (aka Grace Mayers) who won the title of Miss Burlesque New Zealand 2010.

1.   What does winning the title of ‘Miss Burlesque NZ 2010’ mean to you?

For me it’s a validation of all the hard work, not only practise but also all emotional investment that I have put in. You are putting yourself under a microscope for inspecion. Hearts and souls go into routines for this type of competition.  So to be given a title is a huge pat on the back.

2.   What first inspired you to start your burlesque journey/adventure?

There are many ‘pushes’ in that direction over time.  But the very first shove was sharing a stage at WOW in 2008 with Michelle Parish (Miss Tittle Tattle) where we bared plenty to 30,000 people as Pin Up Girls.  Both of us were a bit challenged at first being of curvaceous figures, but soon we saw what effect that had.  A co-worker of mine said her teenage daughter commented on how wonderful it was to see ‘normal sized women’ on the stage.  That was pivotal for me to start pursuing opportunities to help shift the media imposed figure type to a more voluptuous level, and to really work on whole self acceptance.

3.   Who or what inspires you for your performances?

For me Burlesque is about humour, beauty and transformation.  I think about what thrills me to watch and try to build that into something different and funny with a good story.

4. What advice would you give to girls wanting to get into burlesque?

It’s always scary the first time, and the second time, and probably other times too.  Counteract the negative voice in your head with good thoughts and self affirming statements, believe me it will help.  And until you reach that pinnacle of self acceptance – fake it till you make it.

5. Do you have a favourite genre or look?

I love the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s.  Gil Elvgren, Vargas girls, all glamorous beautiful curvaceous women.  I also prescribe to the humour aspect of Burlesque, my idols are Miss Indigo Blue and Jo Weldon from USA.

6.  What are the top 3 things you must have to be a top burlesque performer?

Sense of humour, stage presence and projection.

la Belle also adds “I couldn’t have gone this far without support.  I am blessed with friends and a great partner that are really supportive of me and what I do.  If you are thinking of taking the big step of performing, make it easier for yourself and get a friend on board to help.”

The Great NZ Pinup wishes Miss la Belle all the very best in her reign supreme!

Debonaire Doo note – Vintage siren eyebrows!

Pin-up girl fashion style is a gorgeous and feminine style – with all looks you need the defined brow!Don’t underestimate your eyebrows, as these can frame your eyes and features beautifully even when you’re not wearing a full face makeup.

You will need:
An eyebrow pencil – choose a colour that will compliment your own brows and skin tone
Eyeshadow – select an eyeshadow a few shades darker than your hair colour
An angle brush and or eyebrow brush – some pencils like the Revlon one has a handy little brush on the end
Eyebrow gel or hairpspray

Top tip – Always sharpen the eyeliner before using it, to get precise, defined lines!* Take the pencil and start to fill in your eyebrows with tiny light strokes, to imitate the eyebrow hairs. Always start at the arch, moving in towards the bridge of the nose carefully.
* Using an angled brush spread a dab of the selected eyeshadow over your eyebrows with gentle strokes. Don’t push too hard because you will make them look harsh and fake.
* For that to-die for arch – apply some highlighter to your brow bone from the middle to the outer corner. Also by brushing upwards can create an arch, brush upward until the spot where you want the highest point of the arch to be. Channel Vivien Leigh, Rita Hayworth, Diana Dors, Jayne Mansfield, and of course divine Dita!
* Use an eyebrow gel to finish the brows and if you have thick, unruly hairs spritz your eyebrow brush with hairspray this will keep them in place. MAC has a very cool set with an angled brush and powder, they also have a lovely eyebrow gel.

Practice makes perfect, try defining arches on a friend this helps too!!

Mwah

By Michelle of Debonaire Doos