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.