Wake up your inner Burlesque Bombshell!

Wake up your inner Burlesque Bombshell!

by marlies|dekkers

Watch out, world! Burlesque bombshell Mosh is coming for you! I was lucky enough to have the Russian-American performer star in my campaign recently and watching her pose up a storm for photography legend Ellen von Unwerth was as exhilarating as watching an actual, big-production burlesque show.

Yes, Mosh has all the assets of the great Hollywood blondes -killer curves, platinum locks- but her real magic is in her moves: each single one an expression of her self-confidence and sensuality. Over lunch in LA I asked the former gymnast (who likes to fly planes for a hobby!) why burlesque is such an empowering art form. “Burlesque was one of the first platforms celebrating the female form where the performers weren’t dictated by anybody,” she told me. “You constructed your own stage-persona, and you could be as glamorous or as funny as you wanted. It was and still is about taking an element of your character and celebrating it in a fun, sexy way.” Mosh went on to explain that back in the day, the strippers were the stars, but there were also crooners, comics and chorus line girls; it was a proper variety show: “Men would come in, but also women, to admire these gorgeous performers and the va-va-voom fashions they were wearing on stage.” I loved that idea: women celebrating their femininity on stage, inspiring and empowering other women.

“Live your fantasies because that will enable you to live the life you were meant to.” — Mosh

Such a joyful example of feminine feminism! Mosh agreed. “People who say, “You’re taking your cloths off for men,” totally miss the point. At the end of my show, I get more panties from women than roses from men!”, she exclaimed. I asked her to share some tips for exploring your own sexy, fun-loving, burlesque side. Mosh leaned in and said: “First, find what you like. A look, an era, an icon. Study it, adopt it. And don’t be afraid to borrow! For example, I’m very much inspired by Marlene Dietrich and the way her clothes didn’t wear her; she wore her clothes. All the iconic Hollywood stars that are still relevant today like Marilyn Monroe, Mae West and Lana Turner -sorry, I’m naming only blondes! – created a storybook version of themselves. And so can you! Start dressing, creating and existing for yourself. Know that clothes are power and so is lingerie; your storybook life is within your reach. Live your fantasies because that will enable you to live the life you were meant to.” Looking at the platinum blonde powerhouse across from me, I could only agree.

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