With Dita Von Teese on board, a lingerie show in Tokyo on Thursday was never destined to be an ordinary affair. The burlesque dancer delivered her famed routine, which involves a giant cocktail glass, for Japanese catalogue Peach John. And she was the highlight of the catwalk extravanganza, which featured an array of seductive outfits.
Credited with reviving the pin-up style of silver screen sirens from the Forties and Fifties like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner, Dita is known the world-over for her flamboyant performances and chic retro style. A constant feature on "best dressed" lists, the Hollywood-based entertainer certainly lived up to her reputation for vintage glam in the Japanese capital - where she arrived for the show in a flowing pink gown with black corsage
Despite displaying an outgoing streak while on stage, the 34-year-old American, who shuns stylists in favour of doing her own hair and make-up, insists she's not a party girl and is, in fact, rather shy. "It's not as if I have an alter ego on stage, but I'm kind of a quiet person," she said recently in a newspaper interview.
"I've always liked the combination of the mystery, of being somewhat demure, rather than putting it out there all the time. I do that on stage, so I don't need to do it in the real world… I don't even wear miniskirts. I firmly believe in a time and a place, if you know what I mean."
Moving on from her split with her shock rocker husband Marilyn Manson last year, Dita - whose friends call her by her real name of Heather Sweet - is throwing herself into various projects including a full-length revue which will open at the end of 2008. She's also writing her second beauty book, helping others recreate her glamorous style, and keeping those fabulous curves in shape with regular yoga and pilates.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
