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Dita Von Teese steps out with a sexy glam clothing line

October 20, 2012 by  
Filed under Choosing Lingerie

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She’s splish-splashed naked onstage in a giant martini glass, married (and divorced) Marilyn Manson and acted on the TV series “CSI.”

And now, burlesque queen and fashion muse Dita Von Teese is designing her own capsule clothing line.

The collection, available in sizes 4 to 16 and priced at $575 to $995, is being launched at Los Angeles vintage boutique Decades and online at http://www.shopdecadesinc.com, which is appropriate since the pieces are inspired by Von Teese’s own vintage treasures.

“I have always wanted to do something like this, to re-create vintage pieces in wearable sizes and fabrics,” said Von Teese, who is an inspiration and friend to many designers, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Louboutin among them. “But I don’t claim to be a fashion designer, because I have so much respect for my designer friends and what they do. I don’t sketch or sew. My talent lies in styling myself and choosing vintage pieces that don’t make me look like I’m starring in a costume drama.”

Von Teese was born Heather Sweet in West Branch, Mich., the daughter of a machinist and a manicurist. When she was 12, she and her family moved to Irvine. She started out modeling for fetish magazines and dancing at strip clubs like Captain Cream in Lake Forest, shaping her image by wearing retro corsets, long gloves and veils during her act. Her big break came in December 2002 when she posed for Playboy. Since then, she has been a fashion world darling, appearing at hundreds of events as a guest and the main attraction, performing her act at parties for brands such as Victoria’s Secret and Louis Vuitton.

“I started dressing in vintage because I couldn’t afford designer clothes. I started wearing makeup and coloring my hair and creating this glam persona because I couldn’t achieve the sexy model look that I saw on the cover of Sports Illustrated,”

she said. “That’s where the art of creation came from.”

Her nearly all-black collection consists of just five pieces, each one a tool of sartorial seduction right out of old Hollywood. One is a 1950s-era, full-skirted VIP coat ($895), which has an hourglass fit-and-flare silhouette, tulle lining and a secret pocket for a lipstick, a key or … something else. (“I like to wear it with nothing but black stockings and lingerie underneath,” Von Teese said.)

The Bon Bon dress ($995) comes in a red-and-black rose print with red velvet ribbon straps adapted from a 1930s gown in her closet. The Second Look dress ($595) is a versatile sheath with a power-mesh interior. But the Showcase dress ($695) may be the sexiest of all, with a sculpted decolletage designed to be worn with a lacy bra peeking out.

“I thought about the dresses I wear all the time,” Von Teese said of the process of creating the line. “The Follow Me dress [$895] with the scarf over the shoulder I have been wearing for almost 15 years. I’m not sure where I bought it, but I wear it over and over in different ways.”

Small details were important, including silk linings and grosgrain waist ribbons to add structure.

“I have a huge vintage collection, and I don’t just collect designer labels, but also clothes normal women wore,” Von Teese said. “And it drives me crazy that you don’t get all those details today that you used to in clothing.”

The collection, produced by the Australian company Lime Door Brands, was introduced in Australia earlier this year. Von Teese has a perfume and underwear line overseas as well, but her titular brand of glamour has been a harder sell in America, which can still be prudish when it comes to certain things.

“In other countries, people can watch what I do on television,” said Von Teese, who lives in Los Angeles. “In America, I get the question all the time, ‘What does she do?’ In America, people don’t understand how I can make a living as a striptease star. Maybe they have forgotten about Gypsy Rose Lee. Of course, I could have made a reality show and I wouldn’t have had any problem selling my products. But I decided to take things slow, do them the right way and hopefully have more staying power.”

Von Teese is on tour with her latest burlesque revue, “Strip, Strip Hurray.” And her fans might surprise you, she said. “My fan base and people interested in seeing me has evolved. Originally, it was Bettie Page fans and guys who remembered burlesque. Now, I have more women than men. My fans come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. My look works on any age and ethnicity, and I think my fans are getting the same thrill out of playing dress-up, wearing red lipstick, high heels and stockings, as I do.”

She hopes that this capsule collection will lead to future fashion opportunities. “I would love to do an even more affordable dress collection or go on HSN or QVC. I love to talk about what I do,” she said. “Even though I am a striptease star, against the odds I have female fans and I think I have something to offer that isn’t out there.”

booth.moore@latimes.com

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Rachel Zoe swaps casual jumpsuit for glamorous lace dress at launch of her …

October 19, 2012 by  
Filed under Choosing Lingerie

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By
Sarah Bull

05:51 EST, 18 October 2012


|

07:29 EST, 18 October 2012

She’s one of the most well-respected celebrity stylists in the business.

So when it comes to choosing casual outfits for the day, or glamorous ensembles for the evening, Rachel Zoe is undoubtedly the master.

And the 41-year-old proved that on Wednesday, as she showed off her style credentials throughout the day.

Dressed to impress: Rachel Zoe proved her style credentials at the launch of Rachel Zoe¿s 'Major Must Haves' range with Jockey in Los Angeles on Wednesday night

Dressed to impress: Rachel Zoe proved her style credentials at the launch of Rachel Zoe’s ‘Major Must Haves’ range with Jockey in Los Angeles on Wednesday night

Ever-stylish: Rachel wore a glamorous black lace dress for the launch, after showcasing her slender figure in a black belted jumpsuit earlier in the day

Ever-stylish: Rachel wore a glamorous black lace dress for the launch, after showcasing her slender figure in a black belted jumpsuit earlier in the day

Ever-stylish: Rachel wore a glamorous black lace dress for the launch, after showcasing her slender figure in a black belted jumpsuit earlier in the day

Rachel was first seen showing off her
slender figure in a black belted jumpsuit and heels as she headed out
on Melrose Avenue, brightening up her outfit with a bright red bag.

Later in the evening, Rachel switched
up her ensemble for a more glamorous black lace dress as she attended
the launch of Rachel Zoe’s ‘Major Must Haves’ range with Jockey.

Rachel finished off the outfit with black and gold accessories, including a tasselled rope necklace and clutch bag.

Famous friends: Rachel was joined at the launch by a host of famous friends, including Twilight star Anna Kendrick

Famous friends: Rachel was joined at the launch by a host of famous friends, including Twilight star Anna Kendrick

Fashionistas: Jaime King and Mandy Moore both looked effortlessly stylish for the star-studded event

Fashionistas: Jaime King and Mandy Moore both looked effortlessly stylish for the star-studded event

Fashionistas: Jaime King and Mandy Moore both looked effortlessly stylish for the star-studded event

She wore her blonde hair long and straight for the event, going for a smoky eye and pink lipstick to complete the look.

Mother-of-one Rachel was joined by a host of celebrity friends at the launch, held at Sunset Tower in Los Angeles.

Jaime King opted for a sheer purple top and a full printed skirt, with ballerina-style heels and a heavy silver necklace.

Colourful accessories: Earlier in the day, Rachel complemented her black outfit with a red handbag as she shopped on Melrose Avenue

Colourful accessories: Earlier in the day, Rachel complemented her black outfit with a red handbag as she shopped on Melrose Avenue

Colourful accessories: Earlier in the day, Rachel complemented her black outfit with a red handbag as she shopped on Melrose Avenue

Meanwhile, Tangled actress Mandy
Moore dressed to impress for the occasion in a metallic minidress, with
her brown hair worn in a half up and half down do.

Twilight actress Anna Kendrick also
attended the launch, keeping her outfit simple in a studded white vest
and black trousers with heels.

Rachel Zoe’s Major Must Haves is a
selection of products the stylist has selected from her range of
shapewear and lingerie with Jockey.

Speaking previously about Rachel’s
collaboration, and the event which took place on Wednesday night,
Jockey’s chief marketing officer Dustin Cohn said: ‘Jockey is heading in
an exciting direction with products for women that feature smaller
fits, new silhouettes, and fashionable prints and colors. All with the
quality and comfort you expect from Jockey.

‘We’re looking forward to celebrating Jockey’s new direction and collaboration with Rachel at this amazing event.’

The comments below have not been moderated.

That thing round her neck is supposed to hold back the curtains. Guess it seemed like a good idea at the time!

Mitandy
,

Perth western australia,
19/10/2012 01:38

The shoes weigh more than she does.

JayseeD
,

Omaha, United States,
18/10/2012 23:47

What I find alarming is that she’s got absolutely no muscle on her whatsever. Her arms are disturbing. She’s just a bag of bones!

Dee
,

Melbourne,
18/10/2012 23:29

Skeletor eats more food. She would be lovely if she had a sammich, eased up on the eyeliner, and stoped looking like she just sucked a lemon!

CB
,

TX,
18/10/2012 22:49

Those shoes! They’re ridiculous. They look like Frankenstein’s boots.

Michele
,

Los Angeles,
18/10/2012 19:48

Seriously had a jumpsuit just like that in the 80′s. Too funny. Now, will someone please teach Rachel Zoe that the best accessory is a smile? She wears that exact look on her face in every photo, and I for one am sick of looking at her petulant mug. What Joanna Lumley did for a joke (the “high fashion” look on her face) on AbFab Rachel Zoe is doing for reals.

MWeather
,

Riverside,
18/10/2012 18:02

I love her jumpsuit outfit ! She looks great

Pattapouff
,

Deurne,
18/10/2012 17:48

Way to thin, unhealthily so. Her baby is adorable though.

JTTruth
,

California,
18/10/2012 17:33

What’s with the clownish footwear out and about on Melrose Ave? Shoes like that should not be seen until after dark. Or preferably never. Saying that, I’d still trade wardrobes with her anytime…

Lavinia
,

Scotland,
18/10/2012 16:46

first of all rachel zoe is way to skinny!!! You can tell she isnt naturally that thin. second she looks so much like Anna!

taytay2012
,

New York, United States,
18/10/2012 16:40

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