Madison fashion - madison meets... Dita Von Teese

There is something about Dita Von Teese that has us in awe. She’s a reoccurring fixture on best-dressed lists and she’s someone who burlesques to the beat of her own drum. A front row regular at shows like Dior and Marc Jacobs, the elegant 39-year-old always manages to blend on-trend pieces with her impeccable vintage tastes.

Soon we’ll be able to get a sample of her sensual style with the launch of Von Follies, her lingerie collaboration with Target. Dita will present five collections, comprising of 26 striking pieces, which include touches of wild animal print, ruby toned satin and jet black lace with intricate ribbon detailing. In stores from the 8th of February, these sensual, affordable indulgences will arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day.

A former buyer for a lingerie store, Von Teese told madison that her followers come in all shapes and sizes, so, fittingly, her feminine range caters for up to size E busts and size 20 hips.

The star’s fascination with 1940’s cinema seems to permeate through every garment she wears and graceful step she takes, making her seem almost ethereal to us mere mortals. Read on for a glimpse at this down-to-earth beauty’s inspiration and glamorous lifestyle.

How did you get involved in the world of burlesque?

I worked in nightclubs and I visited a strip club and I would work there because I was intrigued if my vintage style would fit into a strip club, because it was a lot of rock and roll and bikinis at that time. So, I started reading about the history of strip tease and I became enamoured with the idea of burlesque.

Were you keen to differentiate yourself as a burlesque star rather than a stripper?

I wasn’t trying to tell people that I’m not a stripper. I’m actually proud of being a stripper and working in strip clubs. I know that a lot of people want to stand up and say burlesque is different, but I’ve actually always liked the idea of just letting what I do speak for itself and not trying to talk people into it.

People have this perception that you’re this dressed up, beautiful, doll-like creature. Is this the daily reality?

Hardly. I mean, it’s not as though I have an alter ego that wears jeans and t-shirts or sweat pants, but I can definitely say that I can go like three days without leaving the house and not wearing any make-up, usually while I’m doing my research and real work from home.

But would you even leave the house looking less than perfect?

There are pictures of me completely dressed down. I’ve got a lot of pictures of me coming in out of my Pilates or ballet classes. But the thing is, what I do to maintain that ‘perfect’ image, is I always put my hair in a chignon before I leave the house; I always put lipstick on; I always put sunglasses on. It takes me two minutes, but I know that having the sunglasses and the lipstick makes my look appear finished even though it’s not. And I know better than to step out of the house looking like a mess, not because paparazzi are there, but because number one I don’t like how I feel if I run into somebody that I don’t want to run into looking a mess. All it takes is that one time, when you decide that you’re not going to change your clothes, or that you’re not going to brush your hair, and you run into your ex-boyfriend you didn’t want to see, or even worse, his new girlfriend. So think about that before you leave the house.

What is sexy to you, in men and in women?

In women, sexy is about an inner confidence and strength but also a generosity and compassion. For men, I think it’s about a lot of the same things really. About someone who’s got a good heart and is dynamic and exciting, ambitious but at the same time has the same kind of compassion and openness.

And how do you feel about being called a sex symbol?

Um (laughs) well it can be a little bit daunting because especially at times when I’m single because I have a real hard time getting dates and men to approach me, so it’s a little bit funny.