Fraulein Frauke Presents - The Seven Seas

Last Saturday another fabulous Fräulein Frauke Presents took place at Nalen. The theme of this big burlesque event this time was The Seven Seas. 

As I didn't have the time or the strength to put together a theme-fitting costume, I just threw on a green, one shoulder dress from Bettie Page Clothing, and a hair decoration I've made myself. When I arrived Nalen was full of sailors, pirates, mermaids, and other creatures of the sea. Watching the audience at these events is a show in itself, but of course there was a show going on up on the stage too. The performers were:

Lady Rivet!

Bent van der Bleu!

Louis(e) De Ville!

Duchess Dubois and Freja Futch!

Fräulein Frauke!

And the lovely conférencière Dusty Limits!

There was also people singing, and bands and DJs playing all through the night, and I just love this picture photographer John-Paul Bichard took backstage of Louise De Ville while she was getting ready for her second act! And here are a few of the good-looking guests: 

To see all the photos from the evening, follow this link! Next Fräulein Frauke Presents will take place May 9, and then the theme will be Moulin Rouge/Paris. To get updates about these events, you can sign up to Fräulein Frauke's newsletter here.

Photos (except the top one) by John-Paul Bichard.

Behind The Scenes Of 1930s Burlesque

American photographer Margaret Bourke-White (June 14, 1904 - August 27, 1971) was the first foreign photographer permitted to document Soviet industry after the revolution, the first American female war photojournalist, and the first female photographer for LIFE Magazine. But in 1936 she took her camera into a completely different war zone - the dressing room of burlesque dancers  - and snapped a few interesting pictures of the so-called "Burlesque Strip-Steppers", back in the day when burlesque was still evolving. I love these photos...

The stage is being prepared at the French Casino.

This photo is entitled Backstage In a Degas Setting the Ballerinas of the Ballet Russe Pause.

If you happen to be in London, you can go to the Daniel Blau gallery, where an exhibition in honor of Bourke-White takes place until December 20. More than 60 photos from her career are on display, including the ones above.

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Vintage Showgirl Costumes

As a burlesque dancer and vintage lover, I couldn't help drooling when my eyes landed on a post over on For The Love Of Lingerie a few days ago. The post showcased twenty amazing showgirl costumes from back in the day. Felt I had to share these pictures with you too. So if you haven't already seen them, here they are!

Paula Sands and Josephine Baker.

Rose La Rose and Sally Rand.

Mitzi Gaynor and Gina Lollobrigida.

Gypsy Rose Lee and a 1920s pic from Les Follies.

Debra Paget and Lily St. Cyr.

Zorita and her - much copied - half man/half woman costume.

Natalie Wood and her corset, which is now owned by Dita von Teese.

Sequined leotard designed by Travilla and worn by Sheree North, and French silk corselet from around 1867.

Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop to the left, and as Lorelei Lee to the right.

Barbara Yung and 40s pin-up girl.

Bra and panties worn by Kiva, and a photo by Gordon Parks.

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If you, like myself, love everything vintage, burlesque, circusy, and showgirlish, the following photos will probably be to your liking. The photos depict circus showgirls during the 40s and 50s, and they're all in color!

Circus Showgirl, 1950.

Barnum & Bailey Showgirl, 1946.

Circus girl, 1950s.

Circus people, 1955.

Circus women, 1956.

Aerialist Pinto del Oro, 1953.

Performer Lottie Brunn, 1949.

Birthday flowers, 1941.

Mardi Gras girl, 1952.

Dailey Brothers Circus, 1950.

Circus Performer Couple, 1954.

Aerial ballet showgirl, 1949.

King Brothers Circus, 1950.

Wardrobe wagon, 1959.

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Burleskloppis 6.0 - Stockholm Burlesque Festival

On the last day of the International Stockholm Burlesque Festival I went up at 5:30 am to get ready to both work and perform at the sixth Burleskloppis (Burlesque Flea Market), which this time collaborated with the burlesque festival.

After spending a few hours moving around tables and chairs, and getting the place ready for the flea market, the sellers started arriving with all their stuff. Some of the very stylish people trying to make more room in their closets were photographer Emmelie Åslin and model Calamity Amelie... 

...Fanny and Ruby Luscious...

...and Herr H, John Paul Bichard and Fräulein Frauke!

As I'm addicted to Swarovski crystals, I really liked Push La Kokett's extravagant jewelry. 

But no burlesque flea market is complete without some burlesque performances, so here is the mastermind and organizer behind the market herself - Marika Smith - introducing the performers, which were:

The Royal Roses Burlesque Troupe!

Kitty Sincane!

Mystique Luna!

And me!

It was great to finally be able to premiere my "Moonlight Sonata" act, and I hope to do it again soon - preferably in a dark place with good stage lightning, so the audience can see the sparkle of all those goddamn 7200 Swarovski crystals I spent a "few" hours gluing to my costume. Haha! After performing it was back to work at the flea market for me, and at the end the day I felt a bit like a zombie... But I love being part of Burleskloppis, and this time of the whole burlesque festival. I had such a good time!

All photos marked "Bichard", by John Paul Bichard.