All The News That's Fit To Strip

Dita Von Teese shimmied with high society in Vienna last week. The burly queen, who dazzled in a silver gown, was the guest of Austrian mogul Richard Lugner who brings a celebrity to the Opera Ball each year. Past guests have included Carmen Elektra, Sophia Loren and Andie MacDowel. Lugner said he invited von Teese because his daughter begged him to.

In other news ...

Baywaytch alums Pamela Anderson and Carmen Elektra just can't keep their clothes on.

The L.A. Times looks at Hollywood's glamorous hot spots, including Ciro's where Lili St. Cyr made a splash.

A grad student wonders about stripping to earn a PhD.

Shanghai Pearl and Miss Indigo Blue teach one writer that, "Burlesque is not just stripteases, it's a way of life, an attitude."

Prop Me Up

Carmen Elektra's Fashion Week performance for underwear company 2xist got me thinking about burlesque props. It's clear from the Candy Gram interviews that pasties, g-strings, rhinestones and glitter are essential. But what about some of the other props? What are your favorites? The most unique? Hardest to travel with? Here are a few of my favorites.

Carmen Elektra inspires hoop dreams.



Lili St. Cyr performed in a giant champagne glass. Now Dita Von Teese, who often cites Lili as inspiration, says cheers to the routine. For those of you with bubble-licious dreams of your own, Jo Boobs did a great piece on where to get a life-size champagne glass.



Both Lili and Dita also like to bathe on stage. Lili said she stored bath tubs around the country. How does Dita get her tubs?



Immodesty Blaize uses a giant rocking horse.



And fans are, well, fantastic.