Dita Von Teese launches ‘sexy’ eyewear

Thursday, 10 April 2014

Dita Von Teese is expanding her growing fashion empire with a range of glamorous glasses.

Dita Von Teese has teamed up with Los Angeles based eyewear brand DITA Inc. to create a range of “sexy, high-glamour” glasses.

The burlesque performer, who has become a global style icon thanks to her vintage look, has produced a collection of ten different retro-inspired styles including a classic cat-eye frame and a model featuring cut-out detailing.

The raven-haired beauty, 41, already has a successful lingerie range called Von Follies which also references her favourite era: the 1950′s.

“I don’t employ stylists; I’ve always been self-made and self-taught, so it makes sense for me to use my styling talent in a different way than just in creating my shows, photos and on the red carpet. Although I love frames with retro flair, I don’t like to wear authentic vintage glasses because the proportion is rarely correct for a present-day face; they are usually too small, and end up looking grandmotherly,” Dita told WWD. “The way to capture the elegance and spirit of vintage style is to understand that it must be done with a contemporary twist to make it current and sexy. This is what this collection is about: sexy, wearable eyewear that conveys high-glamour and elegance.”

DITA Inc. co-founder John Juniper, who named his company after the iconic star, explained the appeal of the vintage vixen’s charisma that translates so well into her sartorial endeavours.

Having been friends for 20 years, Juniper and Von Teese have previously collaborated when Dita modelled DITA Inc.’s first prototypes.

“The inspiration behind the Dita Von Teese collection was to create elegant feminine styles with a classic flare that women could wear on any occasion. Dita Von Teese personifies the quintessential woman with a sartorial grace that is unique,” Juniper explained.

“She evokes the American sensibility of a time lost, when people paid close attention to the details that became synonymous with accessories such as eyewear,” his partner Jeff Solorio added.

Dita Von Teese Eyewear is set to launch next month in selected department stores in Italy, Spain and France, with prices ranging from $235 to $285.

© Cover Media Group 2014

Share and Enjoy

The Higginbotham experience is fresh, harmless and memorable.

Sitting at a Higginbotham show feels like being surrounded by old friends. Impossible not to like, the bubbly Higginbotham is more of an enthusiastic pixie than the self-described ‘trendy five year old boy’. Higginbotham chats in such a cultured and witty manner that the audience feels that they are being charmed by an acquaintance, rather than watching a performance.

Game Changer is labelled as sports related, being the third edition of a trilogy. The show does not have an entirely in-depth sports focus and Higginbotham chooses to focus on what sporting culture means to her. As she entered adulthood, Higginbotham found her religious compass pointing towards sport.

See your ad here

The show is a summary of sport versus religion, family and personal experiences. Higginbotham struggles with the idea of being labelled as a young adult and makes an amusing mockery of Gen Y’s. Unlike her prior shows, Higginbotham takes more of a feminism angle on sport that is nonetheless appealing to all demographics.

Higginbotham makes the audience feel comfortable in her opening by laughing at her new room ‘having a ceiling’ and showing off her tatty ‘happy shoes’.

The performer manages to bring humour to issues such as female athletes using the concept that ‘sex sells’ to gain recognition. She questions emerging ‘fad’ female sports such as the Lingerie (Legends) League and Pole Dancing and queries whether it is empowering to participate. She suggests that if you are going to talk about something, surely you need to try it too!

Higginbotham’s performance may not be well structured, but it is relatable. It is easy to laugh along with the bright girl who is laughing at herself. The jokes aren’t cheap and many of the lines are thought provoking.

Confessing herself to be a true nerd, Higginbotham has the ability to tie Harry Potter jokes to pole dancing experiences and the Lingerie League to a 1950s time warp. She can successfully compare a cricket player to a ‘giant poo’ and espouses the necessity of educated opinions with a hand puppet.

The comedian’s substantial charm and her acknowledgement of her lamer jokes makes her an accomplished performer. Higginbotham does not speak controversially and her minimal dirty jokes are accompanied by giggles from herself. Collingwood supporters excepted, it is impossible to be offended by Higginbotham.

Higginbotham does not rely on many props and unless you are an avid sports fan, the symbolism of the closing prop may be lost on some people.

The Higginbotham experience is fresh, harmless and memorable. Relevant and hilarious for all ages, this loveable sports fanatic is one to see.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Game Changer
By Tegan Higginbotham

Portland Hotel, Cnr Russell and Lt Collins Sts
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 
www.comedyfestival.com.au
7 – 20 April

Share and Enjoy