{Wonder Woman Series #3} Dita Von Teese...

{Dita in high school}

Born as Heather Sweet in West Branch, Michigan (Same state as I was born in) she grew up enthralled by the Golden Age of Cinema, pin-up imagery, and vintage lingerie. Naturally blonde, she transformed herself into the glamour doll you see today. She's been performing since 1992 and has become the biggest name in burlesque since Gypsy Rose Lee and is credited with bringing back the art form of burlesque back into the spotlight for new admirers to love & enjoy.

Dita styles herself and has her own distinct brands, having launched perfumes, lingerie, books and many other items, she is a fully self made women. She creates and directs all her own shows, right down to the very last crystal on each costume. Though her style and appearance may not suit everyone...you have to give her credit for going for what she wants and creating the world she wants to live in. She's head strong, intelligent, creative and talent drips from her very being. 

What many may not know about her is that she's an advocate in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Dita was MAC Viva Glam spokesperson from 2006-2008 and in 2009, she participated in the H&M/Fashion against Aids t-shirt campaign. She's performed and appeared at several events for Amfar & was honoured with their Award of Courage in 2008. Her status as a burlesque star and modern day feminist has also garnered her an invitation to speak at the Oxford Student Union. 

But, for me she has meant something else. Some years ago, I was sexually assaulted by someone I knew & thrown into a world that left me terrified and filled with hate at being a woman. I drowned myself in self harm, baggy clothes and cut off anything that resembled femininity in any way. When I finally started the process of healing, I was asked by my counselor to pick one woman in the world that I loved & could look at and find what I had lost and that for me was Dita...many ask why I wear dresses every day...that is why...Dita being herself gave me the courage to drag myself off the ground and find the beauty of being a woman again & now every time I wear a dress or anything that makes me feel feminine...in my mind I am kicking the crap out that person who tried to knock me down by what they did....it is my armour, my war paint in a way! It says this is me and no one will ever take it away from me again and that's why I'm such an admirer of Dita & dresses & the joys of being female!


Right, enough of that ;) I hope that Dita's words - even if her style is not for you will in some way empower you to be yourself and most of all LOVE being a women and all that we can be, no matter what it is!!

Have a great day dolls
xoxoxo



P.S. I was being brave & telling a deep story for the first time ever...but if it can help other girls/women in the world to stand up & find their voice...then all will be worth it! And if you do need help....tell someone, don't keep it inside...you are not alone & it's not your fault! 

“Ignore the critics… Only mediocrity is safe from ridicule. Dare to be different!” 

“I like the idea of being whoever I want to be.” 

“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” 

“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.” 

The most prolific women in fashion are not "of the moment," they dare to be different and have distinctive style that does not change from season to season, it only evolves.

My look and my style is a combination of inspiration from many things, and from decades of my own personal evolution.

I would rather look at someone who has overdone it than someone who is wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt. I love when you see an old woman who's been wearing her makeup and hair the same way for 40 years.

I once second guessed my instincts and had a stylist come over to my house and help me go through my vintage collection with me, and I remember she picked up a beautiful pair of 1930’s shoes and said "these would look SO cute with jeans" and that was the moment I realised that she knew nothing about me (I don’t even own jeans) and that I was best off staying true to my own personal style rather than let someone else tell me what is right and what is wrong, and putting her own tastes on me.

Marlene Dietrich...knew her own style and took risks and wore pants when people said it wasn't glamorous and was a terrible thing for a woman to do. She had a signature style. Greta Garbo, too. They embraced their own cliché and their persona, and I love that. Women love to dress up now, but I feel like there aren't a lot of risk-takers.

Glamour is about creating illusion. I’m clearly all for the illusion, partially because I also love to strip it all away at times and reveal my vulnerability to those I want to. It’s not about hiding.

True sexiness has many facets. The elements include things like confidence, strength, intelligence, and humour.

♥