Dita Von Teese on The Transformative Power of Glamour

Summary

Podcast Summary: Naked Beauty – Episode Featuring Dita Von Teese

Title: Naked Beauty
Host: Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli
Episode: Dita Von Teese on The Transformative Power of Glamour
Release Date: November 4, 2024

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Naked Beauty, host Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli sits down with the iconic burlesque performer and modern pin-up queen, Dita Von Teese. The conversation delves deep into the essence of glamour, Dita's personal journey, the intersection of beauty and feminism, and her current endeavors in the world of burlesque. Hosted alongside co-hosts Sir John and Elaine, this episode promises an unfiltered and enriching discussion for beauty enthusiasts and those intrigued by the art of self-expression.

Early Life and Discovery of Glamour

Dita Von Teese opens up about her upbringing in a small Michigan town with a population of approximately 2,000 people and a single stoplight. She reflects on her early feelings of inadequacy, recounting a childhood incident where she was made to feel less attractive than her siblings. This experience left a lasting impact, fostering a sense of being an "ugly duckling."

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [05:11]: "I felt totally ugly duckling because I had, like, a weird thing that happened to me when I was little that always had an imprint on me."

At the age of 12, her family moved to Orange County, marking a significant shift in her environment. Dita describes herself as a shy girl who found empowerment and confidence through the discovery of glamour. She recalls sneaking red lipstick at 13, which became a turning point in her self-perception.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [06:48]: "Red lipstick was the first thing I discovered that was gonna change my life."

The Transformative Power of Glamour

Dita emphasizes that glamour is not merely about appearance but about self-creation and confidence. Influenced by classic Hollywood stars like Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, and Marilyn Monroe, she adopted vintage styles that allowed her to overcome her shyness and present herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [07:20]: "Glamour is very, for me, rooted in growing up watching old movies with my mom."

She discusses how glamour served as a "gateway drug" to self-assurance, enabling her to embrace her identity and express herself creatively within the LGBTQ and club scenes.

Burlesque, Feminism, and Self-Expression

The conversation shifts to Dita's career in burlesque and how it intertwines with her feminist beliefs. She addresses misconceptions about burlesque being anti-feminist, asserting that her performances are about empowerment, diversity, and inclusion.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [21:10]: "I'm a little bit. Like, I can see how what I do is empowering for many people."

Dita explains that her shows are spaces where individuals can embrace their sensuality and express themselves without judgment. She highlights the importance of representation and creating a supportive environment for all performers.

Current Projects and Show in Las Vegas

Dita shares insights into her ongoing project—a grand burlesque show at the Venetian in Las Vegas. This show is a culmination of her two-decade-long career, featuring authentic Bob Mackie showgirl costumes and a diverse cast of performers, including men and women of various sizes.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [25:47]: "There's a lot of performers doing my signature acts that I've been doing for the last 20 some years."

She discusses the challenges and excitement of reviving classic showgirl aesthetics while breaking traditional norms, such as including male performers and dancers of different body types.

Beauty and Skincare Regimen

Dita delves into her personal beauty and skincare routines, emphasizing the importance of self-care in maintaining her glamorous appearance. She shares her preferences for products like La Mer sunscreen for its pleasant texture and scent, as well as her disciplined approach to fitness, including weightlifting and Pilates.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [31:24]: "I think that the most important thing when it comes to sunscreen is that it's a pleasure for you to use."

Her regimen includes meticulous makeup application for performances, which she performs herself, ensuring every detail aligns with her signature look.

Impact and Legacy

Towards the end of the episode, Dita reflects on the profound impact her work has had on her fans. She recounts receiving heartfelt letters from individuals who found confidence and self-expression through her embrace of glamour and burlesque.

Notable Quote:

Dita Von Teese [68:03]: "Someone's going to think it's great. Someone's going to think it's. The only person that needs to be okay with it is you."

Dita underscores the importance of creating one's own image and the power it holds in personal empowerment and mental well-being.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections from both hosts, highlighting the inspirational nature of Dita's journey and her commitment to empowering others through beauty and self-expression. They emphasize the significance of embracing one's unique style and the courage it takes to stand out.

Notable Quote:

Sir John [71:17]: "She created her image, she created her career, she created her life based on what she wanted. And that's so empowering to understand that we can all do that."

Dita Von Teese leaves listeners with a powerful message: embracing glamour is a form of self-empowerment and a way to inspire others to express their true selves confidently.

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This episode of Naked Beauty offers a deep and engaging exploration of how beauty and glamour intertwine with personal identity and empowerment. Dita Von Teese's insights provide valuable lessons on self-expression, resilience, and the transformative power of embracing one's unique style.

Transcript

[Dita Von Teese]

Hello.

[Brooke Devard]

Hello.

[Sir John]

It's Brooke Devard and it's Sir John. And you're listening to the Naked Beauty Podcast. And if you're watching us on YouTube, you're watching and experiencing the Naked Beauty Podcast. Sir John.

[Elaine]

Yes.

[Sir John]

Today's episode, like, as two people that love beauty.

[Elaine]

Yes.

[Sir John]

Love glamour. Love history.

[Elaine]

Yes. History. Yes. For sure. Archives.

[Sir John]

Yes. Like, sitting down and talking to Dita Von Teese is a huge deal.

[Elaine]

Oh, my God. This was kind of like, for me, it was like going to the museum with your friend. But your friend happens also to be an installation.

[Sir John]

You know, she very much is giving walking art, like the embodiment of art. And even just when she walked in here to this space, I was just like you. She's flawless.

[Elaine]

Yeah, she's flawless. And she's also really gentle.

[Sir John]

Absolutely. You all are in for such a treat for this episode. Sir John, before we get into it.

[Brooke Devard]

How have you been?

[Sir John]

What have you been up to? How is your.

[Elaine]

Oh, man.

[Sir John]

How's your past week been?

[Elaine]

Well, this was a holiday week, but I'm on my way to New York on a panel.

[Sir John]

And then you're flying to New York tomorrow.

[Elaine]

Flying to New York tomorrow night on a panel. And then I go to speak at another panel. And the Berkshire. Berkshire is called. Yeah.

[Sir John]

Canyon Ranch.

[Elaine]

Canyon Ranch.

[Sir John]

We love Canyon Rank.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Elaine]

And I just also am really grateful. This is a really nice way to close. Really super. It's really nice way to close. Not just the, you know, before we go away to holiday. You're literally leaving for maternity right now.

[Sir John]

Yes. I have a few more weeks of working before I'm officially on maternity leave, which will be very interesting.

[Elaine]

Are you excited?

[Sir John]

I'm excited. I'm excited. I love to work.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Elaine]

I know you do.

[Sir John]

I love to work.

[Elaine]

You remind me, Elaine that way.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Sir John]

That's something that we really share in common and we bond. Bonded with during our episode. But, yeah, I love to work.

[Brooke Devard]

Is it.

[Unknown]

Sorry.

[Elaine]

Ready?

[Sir John]

The nursery's not ready, so that will be. That will be my work. I literally just picked out paint. So we're gonna, like, do some nesting, some relaxing. But this is such a great, great episode to go into. People are really in for a treat. And I would also tell people maybe you haven't heard of Dita Von Teese or you don't know her full story. Definitely stick around for this conversation because I think it's so applicable to. To everyone.

[Elaine]

Yes.

[Sir John]

You know, yes.

[Elaine]

Email 88.

[Sir John]

Exactly.

[Brooke Devard]

And we're going to break it down.

[Sir John]

At the end like we always do, and and talk about our takeaways, but I think this was really special. So let's get into it.

[Elaine]

Let's go.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay. This is such a treat. Sta. Welcome to Naked Beauty.

[Dita Von Teese]

Thank you. I'm so happy to be here with you too.

[Unknown]

D In the building, guys.

[Brooke Devard]

I know. I feel like I have to, like, sit up, like, a bit taller and just. I tried to do really good old Hollywood retro glam for you today. Thank you very much.

[Dita Von Teese]

So handsome and better.

[Unknown]

I think we all got the same memo today, you know, which is the black and cream is very. It's giving kind of like Schiavelli vibe. Yeah, I know. And the red lips, I like the.

[Dita Von Teese]

Neutral because I feel like it kind of puts the emphasis on your face and who you are, you know?

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Unknown]

It puts your face on a pedestal, guys.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

Even when you walked in, I was a little bit blown away. Do you get just recognized everywhere you go? No, really.

[Dita Von Teese]

It just depends, like, on where. Where I am. I mean, I don't go out in, like, this kind of, like, I call this, like, my 100% glam. Or maybe it's like, 95, because I'm not wearing, like, a gown. But, you know, there are varying degrees of, like. And there's places I'll get recognized more than others. You know, obviously, like, things where it's more fashion than gay skews, like, those rooms. But, like, I can walk totally unnoticed, many places, like, probably a sports event.

[Unknown]

So if this is 90, what does a 1520 look like?

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay. Yeah, 1520. I'm gonna put that, like, at home.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Brooke Devard]

Well, we had a Zoom call the. And you looked phenomenal. Impeccable. That would be, like, my 100%.

[Dita Von Teese]

I had my, like, leftover lashes from the show the night before because I use this thing called Lashify, which is, like, do it yourself. Lash extensions. I love it.

[Unknown]

Shout out to lash.

[Dita Von Teese]

And so I love that I can get up the next day and my lashes are still like, ding, ding, you know, but red lipstick and a little sweep of powder, that's, like, my minimum. I love to. I love red lipstick.

[Brooke Devard]

I don't.

[Dita Von Teese]

I don't put it on when I'm just at home, but I will put it on to go out for any reason, like, to do my, you know, go lift weights. I got that red lipstick on because it just makes me feel better, you know, it makes me feel more powerful.

[Unknown]

Different reds for different occasions.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, totally. It's usually like, a nice, super matte red, like a. Like a Mac Ruby Woo old formula.

[Brooke Devard]

That'S your weightlifting red.

[Dita Von Teese]

It's a good one because it doesn't move. It's like more powerful than a long, longwearing red, you know?

[Brooke Devard]

And what's the red you're wearing today?

[Dita Von Teese]

Today I'm wearing a YSL one. I wanted, like a kind of darker red, like a burgundy ish toned red. So they make good. It's not a gloss. It's just a very saturated super pig. Right, right. And it comes in the case. It's like a jewel box, you know, I love those. I love Guerlain and YSL for their, like, glamour packaging and scent.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. It all adds to your experience. Yes. Yeah. Well, I want to hear a little bit about what you were like growing up in Michigan.

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay.

[Brooke Devard]

And did you feel beautiful growing up?

[Dita Von Teese]

I felt totally ugly duckling because I had, like, a weird thing that happened to me when I was little that always had an imprint on me. And it was like, somebody. I don't know who it was anym, but it was like a family portrait. And somebody said that I wasn't as cute as the other two. And I remember being like, you know, when you're a kid and you don't you.

[Brooke Devard]

You render. Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

No, I can't really remember what it was about, but I remember being like.

[Brooke Devard]

So small town in Michigan. How small?

[Dita Von Teese]

About 2,000 people went. A stoplight. I went back recently when I was filming my documentary, and I was like, oh, it really is small. It really is one of those tiny Michigan towns for people that are Michiganders. It's like, near, like, Traverse City. That's very little.

[Unknown]

One stoplight.

[Dita Von Teese]

One stoplight. Yeah. Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

Very far away from the life you live now.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yes, very. I got thrown into Orange County. My family moved out to the Orange county from Michigan when I was, like, 12. So I was in for, like, a rude awakening. When I met other kids my age, I was like, whoa. I was playing with dolls, you know, Still, I was like, I want a pink bike. And my girlfriends were, like, making out with boys. I couldn't believe it.

[Brooke Devard]

But I'm surprised to hear that you didn't feel beautiful growing up. What do you think contributed to those feelings?

[Dita Von Teese]

You know, I just always felt really. I was a very shy little girl. And I just, you know, for me, like, I didn't really realize, like, I didn't ever have, like, that, like, I can be pretty too moment, you know, until I discovered glamour. Until I was allowed to wear lipstick. The power of glamour really had an imprint on me.

[Unknown]

Wow. At what age?

[Dita Von Teese]

I'd say, like, maybe 13. Yes, it started with that. I mean, I still have a funny Polaroid picture from when I was that age. And I was sneaked some red lipstick and I put my hair in rollers and I'm blonde at that time still. And I took a Polaroid picture of myself and I was like, I'm gonna be a glamour girl. That's when I. Red lipstick was the first thing I discovered that was gonna change my life. Yes. Wow. Gateway drug Change the way I move around the world, you know, or. Glamour. I keep saying the word glamour because I think, like, the art of creation, like, self creation.

[Elaine]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Is very, for me, rooted in growing up watching old movies with my mom. My mom liked to watch old movies. So I grew up, like, watching movies with Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda and, like, this red lipstick, red nails, like, big drama. And I was sort of like, I'm going to be like that one day. And it really. It stuck with me my whole life.

[Unknown]

Glamour is a state of mind. I mean, so you found the transformative power of cinema as a vehicle.

[Dita Von Teese]

And listen, it's like back then, most of those stars were so created. Like, if you look at the before of, you know, Marilyn Monroe, like, she was pretty pinup girl, but, like, she was not Marilyn Monroe yet. And then, like, Rita Hayworth, like, looks so different when she. Before she had the big Hollywood makeover, right? So I was intrigued by the idea of giving myself the same kind of, like, Hollywood makeover and learning how to, like, paint my face and wear my, you know. And this is like in the 90s, like early 90s, when I started dressing in, like, vintage style and wearing my hair, like, in a beehive and a flip and a Louise Brooks haircut. Like, I went through all of these, like, extreme looks because it also gave me, like, confidence and counteracted my shyness. And I felt like I could be, like, a force to be reckoned with. You know, when I walked into a room and I was hanging around with, like, a lot of club kids and drag queens early on, because I was. When I was like 18 years old, I went to my first LA rave, okay. And I was very involved in that scene. So there were a lot of, like, club kids around me then. So I felt very free to explore with makeup and hair and clothes.

[Brooke Devard]

Nice. You're bringing up such a good point about glamour versus being pretty or beauty, Right? Because you can. Anyone can be born beautiful, anyone can be pretty, but glamour is something that you create, and it also, I think, takes a certain level of creativity and intelligence.

[Sir John]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

I've always had people who are eccentric always have a bigger impact on me. Like, I'm telling you, I'm not going to say who it was or whatever, but there was this beautiful, beautiful model y girl that I always would be like, oh, nice to meet. And she's like, you've met me, like, 12 times. And I'm like, sorry, I cannot retain the knowledge because I'm not looking at these defining things. It's like, I didn't say that to her. I have a tendency to just, like, notice the people who fascinate me, you know? Like, then I'm like, oh, my God, that person. What's their story? Why is she wearing that? Like, the Isabella blows, the Anna Piaggis, you know, like, all of those kind of, like, people that wear, like, defining makeup that you're going, like, wow, they chose that, and I like it. When did they choose that? So embarrassed in the sense. Yeah, Yeah. I don't. People who are unforgettable. And I. I guess also, it goes without saying, saying that I'm attracted to people that I aspire to be. Like, and to me, what you build is more inspiring than what you're born with.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh, yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Like, you know, like, anybody could be born pretty. Like, really, it's like, but what do you do with it? You know? I don't know.

[Unknown]

How do you engineer?

[Dita Von Teese]

I find you very rarely. Why is it that you see, like, really model y beautiful girls being really eccentric, too? To me, that would be. They are. When you look at, like, what Pat McGrath does to them on the Dior Runway or something, but day to day, and I go, well, how could you have your makeup done like that and not want to look like that all the time?

[Unknown]

Right?

[Dita Von Teese]

Don't feel like that. I mean, I get it. It's, like, high maintenance. But for me, I just love the drama. And, like, I like when I go out into the world and people are like, it's almost like you give them permission also to go wild with their makeup. Like, you can wear. When people compliment me on my red lipstick, I'm like, you should try it. Yes. Why don't you try it?

[Brooke Devard]

It's accessible to all of us. We can all do this.

[Dita Von Teese]

And you can wipe it off at the end of the day. It's not like plastic surgery or something where you're stuck with it. You can be like, I'm gonna be today, but I'm gonna actually be a natural girl tomorrow, which I do that too. You know, It's a feeling. Yeah.

[Unknown]

It's A feeling that you want to evoke.

[Dita Von Teese]

I'm rambling about beauty now.

[Unknown]

No, no, please listen.

[Brooke Devard]

This is the podcast.

[Unknown]

I'm trying to figure out what to dissect about the beauty that we. We both have. We both selfishly have ideas about beauty that we want to take in.

[Elaine]

Right.

[Unknown]

So I know from the top of when we knew D was going to be with us, what was your lead in?

[Brooke Devard]

So I think my fascination with you is that you have maintained a level of glamour and beauty so consistently for decades in a way where 99%, if not all celebrity stars, we see they're in glam, and then we see them going to the grocery store with their baseball cap and their sweatpants in there. But for you, it's truly how you live your life. And I always think about, like, Diana Vreeland has this quote that's like, it's not the dress, it's the life. You live in the dress. I feel like for you, it's not just the artifice. You also have this, like, intelligence. You stand for something. You've always been very outspoken about feminism. Like, you have substance behind the beauty as well, and it all just comes together for a way that's very unique.

[Dita Von Teese]

Well, thank you for that. Yeah. I don't know, it's just like, again, I think it goes back to, like, this imprint in childhood. And there's been moments in my life where maybe I was like, oh, I'm not of the it girl of the moment. Or like, sometimes people have been like, you need to change your look or whatever. And I'm like, I don't like any other look for me.

[Brooke Devard]

Come on now.

[Dita Von Teese]

This is it. Like it was. It's like I had someone tell me once, and this is. I'm not gonna say who it is to be very famous that I respect very much. And she's like, you need to change your hair, because otherwise you're gonna be compared to your young self forever. And I was like, I don't like any other hairstyle. This is my hairstyle that I've been wearing for, like, I always wanted to wear when I was a kid, and now I'm wearing it and I'm gonna keep wearing it. And I think it's really important sometimes to tell other people too, that it's like, whatever it is for you. Don't let someone tell you it's wrong or like, it's old fashioned or it's too much makeup. When I see somebody walk by me and I do with, like, lashes out to here, I'm like, yes, I get excited for them for making their choice and for wearing what makes them feel good and telling. If anybody makes fun of it, you're like, no, I don't care what you think. And I think that's important, that there are people that are doing that. So I kind of, like, walk the walk. I just. I wrote a beauty book called you Beauty mark the Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour. And I wrote that because I felt like all the beauty books were telling me how to wear taste makeup. And I was like, but where's the other beauty book for, like, painting big, you know?

[Unknown]

Yeah, for being badass and owning it.

[Dita Von Teese]

Or just doing what I like, you know? And it was actually hard for me at point, some points to write, you know, this book because I thought, like, I can't be everybody's opinion. Like, and my writer was like, you need to put your opinion down. Because sometimes I'll say, like, oh, but what about the person that likes this? And she's like, but this is your book. And so I get. But I try to be very diplomatic in all of my books. I've always given a voice to other people who are different than me that I admire. You know, I did bring you a copy of my book.

[Unknown]

Yes, guys, it's like Christmas for me right now. The ultimate beauty icon is in the building, and she has a book for us. So how do you categorize your look? Like, when you. If you had to figure out, like, okay, this is where no one's going to put you into a box. You're not able to be put into a box. But how would you define it for when people are discovering you, you or remember you? What comes to mind?

[Dita Von Teese]

Usually, you know, I always think about, like, it's vintage glamour, but it's also modernized, and it's also without rules. I think my look is, like, hairstyle is more of, like, a late 40s. This cat eye is more of a late 50s, early 60s. And, you know, the manicure is 30s, 40s. Like, it's a combination. Like, I went through periods in my life where I was definitely like, oh, I'm doing exactly 1942. You know, I would get maniacal about, like, the clothes and the look and the, you know, makeup and everything being period. Correct. But now I'm like, a combination of all of my favorite things, my. All of my obsessions in one thing. So I kind of just think it's, like, without rules, really. And I make stuff up all the time about, like, hairstyles that are inspired by the past, but That I do it my way. Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

Are there any films that you recommend people watch to get inspired by the beauty and glamour?

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, I mean, I personally love Technicolor musicals of the 1940s. Now, these movies, you have to know, are not without their problematic moments. Okay. But you kind of, like, look them and you go, oh, wow. Okay. Thank goodness. That's not allowed anymore. But I like to give people that disclaimer because, like, there are scenes, it can be shocking. That can be shocking. But you're like, whoa, crazy. So. But I do. My favorite films were always, like, Betty Grable was my favorite song and dance girl. And she was. Carmen Miranda was in a lot of her films. And I love her. Like, she was just such a vibrant, amazing. I love, like, song and dance musicals in big Technicolor. I also love a Marilyn Monroe movie, and I love musicals of that era. Like, I feel like, which Marilyn is your favorite? Oh, I mean, I love how to Marry a Millionaire because it's really. That one's really good. I mean, there's so many. I feel like if once you watch one, you're gonna end up watching all of them. I look so gorgeous. The makeup is, like, many.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. I love some. Like it Hot.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

So fun.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Yeah, that is a good one. That's like, a little bit later, but I love that one. And filmed in black and white, which is so beautiful still, you know, like, for me, the Technicolor musical, was it love? Yeah, love.

[Brooke Devard]

You all have a shared piece of your career history that I feel like needs to be discussed.

[Unknown]

Sorry.

[Brooke Devard]

Well, Sir John, you sort of got your first experience doing makeup in the strip club.

[Unknown]

Oh, yes. Okay.

[Brooke Devard]

Really?

[Dita Von Teese]

Tell me about that. That.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. So picture it. Sicily, you know, 1982. I. No, I was in New York, and I remember at the time, I was Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury's assistant. And I still needed to, you know, earn or make a bit more money. And I was also doing Windows for Bernie's. When you're young in New York, you do it all.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So a few of my friends, we got together and we started going to this place called Riviera's in Queens in Astoria.

[Brooke Devard]

Is it still there?

[Unknown]

Shout out to Riviza on Steinway and 35 girls. And we. I just remember, you know, going there and so getting all the. We had to have everybody dressed at one time, like, 40 to 50 girls on the floor all at the same time. And it was just full on, like. And just the stories. I used to have so much Fun backstage behind. Actually, you know who used to visit me, come with me every night. Cassie used to come with me every single night. But what was cool is that we. They used to let me do the looks that I was doing for like editorial amazing.

[Brooke Devard]

They didn't care.

[Unknown]

They were like, at least my eyebrow is lime green. I don't like, they just wanted to just be involved in looks and they did not want to be safe, which was fun. They all brought their lip brushes. We didn't play that. But other than that, they taught me so much. They actually sent me to Milan for my first passport stamp and to the. When I got a chance to go to do the Italian shows, they torqued me out of way to Milan.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh, fun.

[Unknown]

What about you?

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, I got my start in strip clubs too. I was working in the LA rave scene as a go go dancer. My boyfriend was a huge rave promoter around la.

[Brooke Devard]

What's the name?

[Dita Von Teese]

Now he's in Vegas. Like, I still know a bunch of the same people, like the DJs back then. And I even go on this rave cruise called the Friendship every year that one of my friends from the 90s puts on. And it's like, really fun. I produced like a little mini burlesque show in the theater on the rave cruise. And it's really fun. But so I was like 19 years old and my boyfriend took me to this like bikini bar strip club in Orange County. And I was kind of like, living. Girls are making a lot of money and they're even wearing less clothes than I do. And so I started working there as an experiment. And I remember when I auditioned, I was wearing my corset, my stockings, my long black gloves bra, and I had my hair was at the time in like a bright red flip hairstyle. And I remember they were like, there is nobody like you here. And I don't know why you're wearing so many clothes, but because this is the era of like the slingshot bikini. This is like. Yeah, you know, then this is like early 90s. It's like, you know, rock and roll and strip club. And I just thought it was so much fun. And I was the only person like me. And I used to. I always said I didn't get a dollar from 20 guys. I get from one guy.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

You know, like. And that was. And I loved it. I met so many lifelong friends there. I was working during the daytime. I worked in makeup at the Robinson's May store, which I don't know if it's even around anymore, working for Shiseido So I kind of, like, worked in the daytime, then went to the strip club afterwards and worked. And I was just.

[Unknown]

As a makeup artist in the day.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Well, not. I was selling makeup, you know, so I would do. There was a lot of, like, unpacking boxes and tagging things and. But I wasn't. I didn't actually like doing people's makeup. I felt really, like, weird being in people's space. And also I was always like, you know, burning the candle both ends. I was feel like I was shaken.

[Unknown]

I know exactly what you mean.

[Dita Von Teese]

So, yeah, I didn't love being a. I didn't love being a makeup artist, but I liked selling makeup.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

And I liked wearing it, that's for sure.

[Elaine]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

So you found the experience empowering.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. And, you know, I always was fascinated with the idea that, like, what is it about what can make one person feel empowered and another feel degraded? And this is like, such an important boundary, I think, for all people to remember is, like, feminism. It's like. Like, there's so many definitions of what it is to be a feminist. Like, now you just have to understand that what's right for someone else is not for you. So being like, I don't want to be a sex worker, but I support her choice to do so. And, you know, so I think the same thing about makeup or the clothes you wear or whatever. It's like, even if I'm not choosing it for myself, I will have to. I respect you for your choice.

[Unknown]

So, you know, what's wild is that you. I was going to lead into that because I really feel like when I look at you, it's really empowering. I feel like, you know, your image, the way you can take control of your image, the way way you own your identity. Especially now as we look at identity and mental health and, you know, I always call it dopamine, glam, or, like, you know, pulling things, finding things that make us feel something or it moves a needle for us emotionally. So when I think about feminists working in beauty, sometimes feminists or have conversations.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And they don't always agree.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

With the direction that we feel is empowering. So have you ever had any instances where you come up against people who are. Didn't have a modern take.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, I mean, for sure. I feel like, especially doing what I do in the world of striptease and pinup, it's like, I've always, you know, I often have people that maybe write about me or talk about me and say what I do is Anti feminist. And I'm like, hold on. I just did a show in a room sold out with 3,000 people. And I can tell you that more than half of those people were women, and probably the other half was LGBTQ community. Like, I'm sorry. Like, I'm the hetero men that were there are the husbands and boyfriends, and they don't know where they're at because it wasn't their idea to buy the ticket. So I'm a little bit. Like, it's very. I don't think what I do is anti feminist because I think that there is a place for people to embrace their eroticism and sensuality. And I think it's important for people to see that and for people who are interested in that to be able to see a show like that. And even, like, my show has always been about diversity and inclusion, and I have a platform, and I like to create a show that. That has people in it that I think others can see, maybe someone that they want to be like or is a little bit like them. And that's with regard to everything. I mean, I can't make a show with 1200 people on the stage. I would love it if we could tick every single box. But I do my best to find the burlesque dancers and dancers who I think stand for something that I can't stand for because I'm me, you know, Like, I can only I'm not. I just do what I do. But I love finding people that if somebody has never seen a burlesque show, they're like, oh, I could be a burlesque dancer too, if I wanted to be, you know? So that's important to me.

[Unknown]

What is burlesque to the people who are new to the game?

[Dita Von Teese]

Right.

[Unknown]

Who didn't live in the inspiration vault like you have? And I've always tried to pull from. What does it give?

[Dita Von Teese]

Well, I think there's a lot of confusion about what burlesque is because there was a movie that everyone heard about that was called Burlesque, and it had zero burlesque in. Okay, But I'll tell you what burlesque was. Burlesque was popular in the 19, like, late 20s, up until like, the mid-40s. And it was a spin off of, like, a vaudeville show, which was a variety show, and this was an American thing. And in these burlesque shows, like, the comedy was kind of a little bit risque and sexual in nature. It was a working class guys entertainment. And the stars of the show were dancing girls and strip teasers and this is where like. Like the striptease, the, like, deliberate taking clothes off to music. That's what the stars of the burlesque show were. And this is very interesting because you'd think that maybe that was, like, started in France, but, like, this idea of, like, taking your clothes off with intention, come on on stage to music. This is like, we own that country American, because, you know, certainly there burlesque also refers to, like, a play, which means to poke fun at or something. So this is. You might. If you Google the definition of burlesque, you're going to get a bunch of different things. And of course, like, the burlesque show began much before the American striptease burlesque show. But, you know, and originally, yes, like, you had, like, shows in Europe that were, like, the girls showed their legs and their tights, but, like, the idea of actually taking the clothes off, like, homegrown. Yeah. That struck down the Runway, which Runway was invented for burlesque. Wow, that's, like, really distinctly American. Oh, man.

[Unknown]

I didn't know that.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, I think it's cool. Especially in this country where it's still the most forbidden. Like, there's still, you know, states where, of course, there's drag shows are not allowed. And. But there's. Even before that, like. But when drag shows were allowed, you, you know, striptease, it was not allowed. It still isn't. I still can't go to many states. And there was actually even in the UK when I first went to dance in London. I was doing a big show, and they're like, yeah, everything's great in the show except for her. She's not allowed to take her clothes off in front of the aud. Then there was nudity in the show. So, like, nudity was allowed in the uk. Like, you could stand there and be naked, like, draped by a sheet. This was like, even in the 30s, but you're not allowed to move and you're not allowed to take your clothes off. And I was like, I can't take my glove off. And they're like, no, you can't remove any clothing. And I thought, wow, how interesting. So I'm always kind of, like, up against these rules, which I think it's kind of fun to play with them and like, to think, like, oh, you're offended by removing the glove in a seductive way. What is that? It's about the promise of what else could happen.

[Sir John]

Right, right.

[Brooke Devard]

All right, tell us about your show in Vegas at the Venetian right now.

[Dita Von Teese]

So the show in Vegas, it's kind of. It's my life's work all in one show. There's a lot of performers doing my signature acts that I've been doing for the last 20 some years. And I'm performing in it, of course. And it's in a beautiful jewel box theater that's got, like. It's like a jewelry box inside. It's so gorgeous. And I have just as many men in the show as women. And I'm very excited because I'm using these authentic Bob Mackie showgirl costumes. And like, this is, like, so back in Vegas, like, the showgirl was a huge part of Las Vegas since it was first. Sin City was like dancing girls, showgirls, and they used to spend so much money. I mean, this is like the last great showgirl review that was ever created in Vegas. Bob Mackie did all the costumes for. And the costume budget was like $4 million back in, like, the 70s. And so there's this, like, treasure trove of gorgeous costumes. And basically I said, hey, they closed the show down in 2016. And I said, hey, where can I. Those costumes in my show. And they're like, we don't know what we're going to do with it anyway. And I'm like, I have an idea. So I.

[Unknown]

Original Bob Mac.

[Dita Von Teese]

It's beautiful. It's amazing. And I have them. You know, I've twisted the rules. Like, it's not just on the quintessential showgirl. I'm putting them on the show, boys. There's dancers of different sizes. You know, I'm breaking the rules. You know, to some showgirl purists, they don't like that any at all. But, you know, I don't care. Breaking the rules. I.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Unknown]

I think of Lola Falano when I.

[Elaine]

Think about Bob Mackie.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And the feathers.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

I think of Cher.

[Elaine]

All of her.

[Dita Von Teese]

Cher, Cher. Carol Burnett, though, like, Bob Mackie, he has a documentary coming out. And I've been. There's been screenings around. I went to a screening and I. It's so good, and I can't wait for them to release it. I don't know when what their plan is for releasing, but it's so good, and I can't wait for people to see it.

[Unknown]

But I hope you get to keep.

[Elaine]

Some of the stuff.

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, I, like, write it in your contract.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Dita Von Teese]

I know. Oh, I just want. I just. I'm so happy it's under the lights again, because those things in motion is, like, it's one thing to see it in a Museum. Okay. But, like, seeing them move is something else.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Wow. It's almost like it creates its own star filter or something like that.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. I mean, it's like, gotta rub your eyes sometimes.

[Brooke Devard]

And you're on stage four nights a week.

[Dita Von Teese]

Four nights a week. But I'm only there, like, select weekends, so Thursday through Sunday. Right now, I've been like, ever since I opened the show, I've been hitting it hard almost every week, but normally it will be like two weeks a month.

[Brooke Devard]

So how do you get in shape physically?

[Dita Von Teese]

That's a question.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, yeah. Have the endurance to be on stage this often.

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, I lift weights and I do Pilates, so I kind of. Yeah, okay.

[Brooke Devard]

I love weightlifting.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, it's great. I love Pilates, but it's also fun to work out, like, with, you know, where the guys are.

[Elaine]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Kettlebells.

[Unknown]

I crack up over dumbbells or.

[Elaine]

Or what?

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, kettlebells. Okay.

[Brooke Devard]

For some reason, I'm, like, having a hard time imagining you at the gym. What's the outfit?

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, I wear my little, like. I have, like, a uniform, usually, like, a fitted T shirt. I've got my Lululemon Capri, black pants, high waist. Lipstick on.

[Unknown]

Lipstick on. Always.

[Elaine]

Always.

[Dita Von Teese]

But sneakers are the challenge for me. Like, I get, like. I don't know what sneakers to buy.

[Unknown]

You love to be in shoes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Well, Amy, we got to wear shoes for when you lift weights. And I'm always like, I don't know what to buy, you know?

[Unknown]

Do you work out private or do you. I feel like if I ran into you.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

In the gym, I would freak.

[Dita Von Teese]

I need a trainer. I need discipline. I like being told what to do. I like to complain a little bit. Like, it's so hard. I like somebody who, like, stands over me and is like, come on, you can do it.

[Unknown]

You got this. Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Private gym or.

[Dita Von Teese]

No, I like working around out where people are. I go to, like. I like going to classes when I do Pilates or I do little bar Method, too. I love slipping in there and. And I love being around other people. And when I lift weights, though, I like, lift with people with. With someone like a trainer major. Because I don't want to. I don't know what I'm doing.

[Elaine]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

When it comes to that, I know what I'm doing with, like, Pilates and. And, like, stuff like that. But, like, when it comes to weights, I feel like I don't want to get hurt. And I want to. I need to be pushed, too, because otherwise I'll Be like, I got a question.

[Unknown]

So, wellness routine. Because I'm looking at you, and you look so damn good, babe.

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, you look really good. Good.

[Unknown]

And so I'm just wondering, like, how do you keep it right internally? Is there, like, regiment and ceremony?

[Dita Von Teese]

What do you. I don't know. I guess I. I try to keep, like, ladies that are much older than me in my life so I can ask them what they do, what to do. I look. I think, like, one of the best things you can do is, like, ask the elderly people around you for advice on all levels of life. But let's see. The best advice I've gotten from these kind of ladies is sunscreen. Yes. Don't smoke. Don't drink. I mean, I still drink a little bit, but I cut down a lot. And also sleeping on my back. That's one somebody you should have told me a long time ago. If I can tell anybody. Yeah. You have to, like, sleep like a glampire. Or like, you gotta be like, yes.

[Unknown]

You said a glampire.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, Because. And I love it.

[Unknown]

Glampire. Guys, keep that.

[Dita Von Teese]

Halloween's coming.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

But I realized, too, like, I don't mind my, like, crow's feet, smiling, wrinkles. But you know what I do mind? The ones that go this way. And you know where those come from? Squishing your face like that on the side. I love to sleep on my side, but Wrinkles your chest, Indeed. That too. Right. So I did teach myself during the pandemic.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

I was like, I'm gonna learn to sleep on my back. I got one of those bumper pillows at first, and I just kept at it because it gets. It gets real. Like, you don't believe it when you're young, but then suddenly you're like, so. And I figured out where it was from, and I was like, oh, no.

[Unknown]

Sunscreen all the time.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

What's your go to sunscreen?

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay. I think that the most important thing when it comes to sunscreen is that it's a pleasure for you to use. Like, do you like the scent and the texture? And for me, that means, like, something. I like the La Mer for my face because it feels like skin care.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

It smells good.

[Brooke Devard]

It lasts a long time.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. So I think, like, that's the key, because whenever I buy a sunscreen that smells a little chemically, I don't want to put it on, you know? So that's my fate, my number one, like, face one. But there's a lot. And using the layers of, like, sunscreen for, you know, with your foundation and your powder and stuff like that. And I think there's lots of good ones, but that. That's just for me. Not that it's the end all. Be all sunscreen. It's just that, like, you look for that. Look for something that you like that you're like, this is going to be fun to wear, because I like it.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Smells good.

[Brooke Devard]

And what is your prep process like before you get on stage?

[Unknown]

Good question.

[Dita Von Teese]

I get to the theater at, like, 5:00, and I go on at 9.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. And you do all of your own glam, right?

[Dita Von Teese]

You do your own makeup every night and hair.

[Elaine]

Wow.

[Sir John]

Isn't that amazing?

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

And full body makeup.

[Brooke Devard]

I mean, you do everything.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, I just, you know, I need.

[Unknown]

To raise your kit like I want anytime I want to see your tour kit. And I'm gonna go beyond the archives, guys, and, like, I can imagine you with this big body brush. Tell me. Walk us through it.

[Dita Von Teese]

I just need to know.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, walk us through the full prep.

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, I've. I've actually. In this Vegas show I've had, I've really thought a lot about whittling down my kit because I've traveled with on tour, tons of stuff, and I was like, you know, what are you using this stuff? Stuff. And how much of this makeup has been sitting here for three years, by the way? So I've been really, like, whittling it down and going, it's not the stuff I actually use. It's not that much. I'm always looking for new stuff, but I find that it's always the same things. Like, I don't play with that much color. I like my, like, white lid with a pearly glitter over it. Cut, crease, red. Red glitter lip. Like, a lot of blush. Right.

[Unknown]

Cream or powder?

[Dita Von Teese]

I like a powder because, like, with all the. It just blends better when you're doing all those layers. Right. I mean, I love a cream blush, but that's, like, at home, you know, the body makeup is a lot. It's like, I have a concoction that will, like, stand up in the soapy water of my champagne glass. So I use, like, a combo of, like, Dermablend and Westmore Beauty and a little Mac White face and body. And it looks like dessert when I'm making it because I'm squeezing all these things. I'm mixing it. I like Coty Airspun powder, like, M mixed with, like, a. They don't make it anymore, but it was a Mac one, like a sparkle powder. And I. So I mix all these things together with, like, white Ben Nye, you know, like, to get the right color. And sometimes I go, whoa, whoa. Too white. Girly. And then I go, like, oh, I think I'll go a little more peachy. So I. I don't know. I'm always mixing.

[Unknown]

Do you. Setting spray.

[Dita Von Teese]

Do you set anything I do on my face?

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

Like, just a little bit of, like, glitz.

[Unknown]

Do you have a favorite?

[Dita Von Teese]

I'm looking for a new favorite, if you have me suggesting.

[Unknown]

But you're into game right now.

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay.

[Unknown]

Gaming.

[Dita Von Teese]

I need a little.

[Unknown]

So I remember, like, was it around 2016 we did the Coachella, and, like, it was a moment where she takes the towel and sort of blots. And those are white towel into the crowd.

[Dita Von Teese]

I love that part.

[Unknown]

And it was nothing. And so, you know who has the. Literally the best in the world? Krylon. So Krylon.

[Dita Von Teese]

And okay.

[Unknown]

They are like the OG of theater. I still go to Alcone in New York City to grab them, but it's, like, it's not. I mean, mind you, it's not great for the ozone layer, the spray, the aerosol spray, but it will lock in anything, and it will not move.

[Dita Von Teese]

You notice I touched my hair, which does not move, because I was thinking ozone layer and all the hairspray.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. So what hairspray do you use?

[Dita Von Teese]

I like bed head. Like, they have two bedhead ones. One's extra hard, and one's, like, One's called masterpiece. It's like blue can. Those are my two, and I have them like, weapon. Like, when it's really serious, I use the hard head, and when it's, like, not too serious, I use the. The masterpiece.

[Unknown]

Love, love, love.

[Brooke Devard]

And you set your hair in roller.

[Dita Von Teese]

Do I. No, not at night. I set it in rollers before the show. Or I use rollers to get this look. I like the bounce. It's kind of. And I use a combination of hot sticks. Do you remember hot sticks from the 80s? They were kind of like. They're super 80s. In fact, my first set, I bought while I was, like, in a thrift store, and I'm like, oh, look at those 80s rollers. And now heated rollers. Yeah, they're heated, and they're thin, and they kind of like. You wrap your hair and then they close like.

[Brooke Devard]

Like a.

[Dita Von Teese]

Like a stick. They're. They're like a very pageant, like, rod.

[Unknown]

Like a rod.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. And they bend. So I. You. I like hot rollers because I think they. I feel like they Give bounce. Like.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

You know.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

Although I can also set it with, like, a hot iron. And I'll do that, like, if I, you know, have to be seen or something, or people have to take me seriously because I'm like. Do you know what I mean? Because you can set them with, like, all the pins and, like, put a scarf over it, but, like, the hot rollers, you're just like, boom.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Things. Looking like a maniac.

[Brooke Devard]

I made heatless hair rollers that I released, and so many people are buying them.

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, really?

[Brooke Devard]

They're. They're gingham. They're very cute, but you can sleep in them. So they're like soft rollers. And I just love the volume that rollers get.

[Dita Von Teese]

I. I always loved those pink. The pink spongy ones. I grew up. There's so many pictures of me as a little girl wearing those pink sponge rollers.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. It's a great way to add volume.

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

There must be something really meditative about getting ready on your own. Like, you've chosen to not have anyone. You don't have a makeup artist in your face.

[Dita Von Teese]

You don't have.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, you're just kind of in your zone.

[Dita Von Teese]

I like. Yeah, I like that time alone. I like listening to whatever music I want. I like. You know, I mean, when I'm on tour, I like having my little glass of champagne. Although I'm. This show in Vegas is too serious. There's, like, staircases I have to walk down in that Bob Mackie outfit. There's no booze at all, but. Yeah. And I. I don't know. I just. Again, like, I work with certain makeup and hair people when. When I want to, you know? Like, I. I love working with them, but, like, with the show, I feel very like. Like I need to focus on what I'm going to do. I can't be late. Yeah, it's like, you can be kind of like, late for the fast show or late for the red carpet, but, like, you cannot be late for the show, you know? I don't. I don't like to ever be late for the show.

[Unknown]

Do you? It's like fines or something. I remember, like, so tours you get fines. Is there. What. How do they slap your hand?

[Dita Von Teese]

Nobody does. I slap my own hand because I don't like to be late. Like, and if anybody ever comes to my show, if I am late, I'm holding for either an. A certain audience member.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Dita Von Teese]

Or I'm holding because something broke or there's a technical thing, or they just haven't let enough people in, but I. Or, like, gotten people in quickly. But I do not like to be late show. Mostly because I'm thinking about how soon I'm going to be done and how I'm going to eat my dinner afterwards.

[Unknown]

Well, so I have a question about the way you put yourself together. Reminds me of an era of, like, you know, I love how my grandmother, the women used to care so much about the carriage and the foundations and the paintings and so. But when you really think about it, it was a life of quality. Like, it was a life of quality, and it was a life of, like, elevated responsibility of self. And then they taught that to our children, our grandkids. You know, that's what I picked up. How do you find or how do you look for the quality and things that run parallel around life?

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, no. I mean, I guess I always also like the. The. When you present yourself in a. Like, for other people, too. Like, honoring other people. Like, I got dressed up for you for this moment today. Like, I like doing that. I. I'm glad that the rule, like, a lot of rules are gone. And you can choose the rules. Like when men used to be like, you have to wear a hat, or women were, like, wore their gloves to church or whatever. All those rules. I love all those rules. But it's nice that you have the choice. Right?

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Dita Von Teese]

But I. I do like the. The, like, the manners, the etiquette of dressing, you know.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

And presenting yourself. But it's also like, I get it. It's like, when people are busy. I'm also someone who does not have children, and I can, you know, I can spend more time probably getting myself ready for something.

[Unknown]

Were you going to say five hours?

[Dita Von Teese]

No, I was going to say five minutes, actually. And then I was like. Because I really can get ready in five minutes. I could make you a video of what I do. Like, I got. Have you ever heard this? That Robert Smith of the Cure has a red lipstick on a string by the door? Did you ever hear this myth? I don't know. But okay, so he. You know how he always wore red lipstick? It was always a little bit messy. And so I heard there was a rumor that he kept the lipstick on a stray, like, by the door, and he'd just go like this before he walked out. And so I got to ask him about it. He goes, well, yes, it was true for a period of my life. So I put in my house, like, a lipstick on a. On a gold chain that's, like, just hanging as, like, a Decoration in my dining room. I can just be like, put it on real quick.

[Brooke Devard]

I'm obsessed with that.

[Dita Von Teese]

I don't really spend that much time getting ready except for a show like on a day to day basis. I got work to do. Do you know the eyeliner is only on for this podcast?

[Brooke Devard]

I want to talk about the Halloween costume because we're Halloween's around the corner and the fact that you for Halloween dress up like a normal girl.

[Dita Von Teese]

I hate you. I realize I shouldn't say normal girl because I don't want to disrespect people, but you know, like just the, like a non eccentric.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Or the opposite. Opposite of what I'm doing.

[Brooke Devard]

It's. Yeah, it's basically. But it's so interesting to see the photos because it's you, but it's so not you, you know. How did you first come up with this idea of doing this?

[Dita Von Teese]

God, I'm trying to remember how I first thought of that. I don't know. I also always analyze like what people are wearing and going, where's that trickle down from? You know, like, you know when you see like people wearing black tights and like cut off jean shorts and you're like, what is that look? I've never. Who started that? Where does that come from? Like, because I always think like everything I always wanted to wear comes from like something I saw like in a movie or a fashion magazine or a drawing or like, oh, I want to kind of dress like that. And I'm like that worried. That fashion thing, it's real street fashion. Right. So it started as like looking at what people are wearing and be like, I should dress like her for Halloween. You know, and also seeing people dress like me for Halloween.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes, they do. A lot of people dress as Halloween.

[Dita Von Teese]

I'm going to dress like them for Halloween. But the thing is, I lose all my VIP privileges. Like it's fun if I'm going to like.

[Brooke Devard]

Because no one knows who you are.

[Dita Von Teese]

If I'm going to the rave party or something. But you know that there's like the Hollywood Halloween party. I went to one once and I was like, oh, I'm not doing this again for the Hollywood Halloween party. Because I couldn't even get in. They were like, no. People laugh. Yes, people laugh and it's a psychological experiment. And I'll take off all my red nail polish sometimes. I'll have my friend Gregory Ault, makeup artist.

[Unknown]

Gregory Alt. Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Do you know Gregory Love? Gregory Holt. He's a very close friend of mine. He'll do my makeup. He'll be like, I'm going to give you the Victoria Beckham today. Or, like, he'll do somebody like, you know, and we have. We laugh and laugh because I can't be trusted to do the makeup myself for Halloween even. I really can't.

[Unknown]

He's a legend.

[Dita Von Teese]

He's a maker. So he'll usually do my makeup, and then I'll buy, like, a wig. And sometimes it's a blonde one, sometimes it's a brown one. And it's just. It's funny. It's, like, funny to be a different girl, but it's a lot of work. And there's a lot of bronzer. There's a lot of bronzer involved. And the funniest, most disturbing, disturbing part is when I get back and I, I. When I take off my clothes and I'm standing there naked wearing the outfit, I'm like, oh, my God. So it's the most disturbing part of all. There's something that it does to, like the way that my body looks, even where I'm like, I look really bizarre with no clothes on with this look. Yeah. It's weird. Yeah. But I. But I. It's funny, and it's just work, you know?

[Unknown]

What you make me think about is, okay, a lot of people have. You were talking about street style. So street style, organic style. Can you give any, like, cues to someone who. Okay. I don't necessarily know if I have an identifiable style. I like what I like. But what would you. How do you become 10 toes down in yourself and, like, knowing, okay, this is what you should look for? Because it's. It'll make you feel like this.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think anytime you choose something that you don't blend with everybody else, you definitely get made fun of, too. And there's been many, many years I've been made fun of.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

By people who don't even know me. And I always thought, like, okay, one time I remember being in US Weekly. Remember that fashion police thing?

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Like, they make fun of me.

[Unknown]

She was alive. What's her name?

[Dita Von Teese]

Joan.

[Unknown]

Joan.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. She was at my house. She's lovely. She's funny. She, like, was. She was fine. But they used to love to make fun of me. And then one time, I was in, like, a bad fashion police thing in the same outfit that I was second best dressed in French Vogue for the year. And I was sort of like, okay, that's what you have to remember. Is it like, you're going to be someone's. You Know, someone's going to think it's great. Someone's going to think it's. The only person that needs to be okay with it is you. And that goes for the girls wearing the jean shorts with the tights. You know, you don't. I don't listen to me judging you.

[Unknown]

Sure.

[Dita Von Teese]

If you like it, you wear it. Right. Like, I don't know. I think you're just always going to open yourself. Yourself up for. You're going to get made fun of one way or another. Right. Like, it's their people, certain people's nature to, like, knock you down and make fun of you. And you just. Especially now that social media is a thing. And it's like, everyone gets it now. Everyone knows what it feels like to be publicly like somebody for fun. Yeah. Just to be mean. So, yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

It seems like you have specific beauty pillars, though, like your black hair, your red lip. You have the things that no matter what you're wearing or doing your main.

[Dita Von Teese]

It's like a code.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. I feel like having a code.

[Dita Von Teese]

But.

[Brooke Devard]

I feel like everyone. I like that everyone can create a code. You know, you have a Sir John.

[Unknown]

Code that I lost my hair in.

[Elaine]

The 90s, so I don't know.

[Unknown]

I can't.

[Dita Von Teese]

You have, like, you know, you've got.

[Brooke Devard]

Your glasses, you've got certain things. Your clean shave, your.

[Sir John]

The way that you dress.

[Brooke Devard]

I feel like we all can, like, develop our own codes for, like, this is how I feel when I'm my best.

[Dita Von Teese]

And it takes time to find your code. Right. Or to figure out. And I think, like, when you're young, it's like, you play around with lots of different styles, and I think it's really wonderful to do that, to be like, I'm going to be this. Until you figure it out. There's just a point in my life, you know.

[Elaine]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Where I figured it out, and I was like, this is my coat. You know, this is what I wear. And it's like, that's. And I. I have, like, a bunch of clothes and even makeup that I'm like, why did I buy that? You know, it's not my. You know, I can appreciate that on someone else. Like, I can appreciate that, like, you know, certain makeup looks and clothing looks on other people, but it doesn't have to be for me.

[Elaine]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Yeah. So I'm curious. Two things come to mind, and then I'm gonna let Brooke take it in, because, guys, I can be here all day with Dita. I can be here all day, and we can figure out this. But I just want to know when you think about. So I love dopamine living. I love, like, radiant living. And the idea of, like, for example, I built the set for you.

[Dita Von Teese]

I can't. I love that you built this. You should be. Well, we talked about being interior designers. I think we're, like, amateur interior decorators. I love it.

[Unknown]

We're all storytellers. And when I look at your home, I'm kind. Coming soon.

[Dita Von Teese]

Please do.

[Unknown]

And so I just see that we have the same affinity to, like, you know, velvet sofas or, like, it's so rich in character and history, but also there you can't help but feel a sense of, like, serotonin flush when you walk into a certain room or a certain area of your garden.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

If you had to take three things, right? Not there's no fire, but you have to own three things, and those are the dopamine hits, the things that give you the most joy in your life and run, what would they be?

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay, because I went through all these thoughts when you were saying that, because I've been asked this question before.

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Have you? At first I thought, oh, cats. Cats aside. Right.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

We don't have to save.

[Unknown]

The cats are running here. They're running with their own stuff.

[Dita Von Teese]

They're totally fine with their own stuff. And then I thought, like, oh, is it something that I grabbed that I'm going to sell so I can, like, rebuild my life? Is it, like. Is it, like, you know, is it a diamond ring? Is it, like, something that I, you know, is it the jewelry and, you know, Supermarket sweep style? Do I put on the. My favorite. Like, I have some amazing, like, important gowns from Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture. Like, he kindly gifted me some, like, really important pieces, like, museum pieces. And in fact, they've borrowed them back from me at times. So I always think, like, oh, it's important that I take care of those things. And then I have, like, some important, like, vintage pinup art from, like, the 30s, 40s and 50s, and I think, oh, which one is the most important? I'll run out of there with the canvas on. Well, I put my favorite hat on. Can I put. Can I just pile a bunch of clothes and run out the door?

[Unknown]

Because it makes you feel something or.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, or I feel, you know, what it is. It's like, yeah, the paint, the artwork that I have represents something for me. Because when I was, you know, first, like, wanted to be a pinup girl in the 90s, and I'd cut out These little pictures of famous pinup paintings and put em on my wall for inspiration. And now I have some of those paintings that inspired me, the real one. And those like, I just go, I can't believe that I get to take care of that. Like, I'm totally aware you can't take it with you. But I do think about like, who gets to have it next after me and does it, you know, who else will feel inspired by this or it will have meaning for them. So it's more than just clothes or jewelry or whatever. It's like I do think about those things that I find historically important. I have Bettie Page's most famous high heeled shoes that she wore when for many, many, many videos and photos. And I see those as kind of like the ruby slippers. Like I gotta keep. Gotta make sure those survive. Like they end up into the right hands after me. Or, you know, I'm a collector of like movie memorabilia from the 1940s and 50s and things that meant something like Sid Sharice's pointe shoes. You know, I want, I love things like that. I get really like, I like the energy of old things and that it had meaning in many people's lives before they found their way to me. So that kind of like, that's so beautiful, babe. Feels just. And it isn't about like, look what I have or sitting on a mountain of like cool things. It's more of like, wow, this is that thing that she wore in that movie.

[Unknown]

You're the treasurer.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, you're the treasurer, bro.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Unknown]

So, okay, my last question before I hand it over to Brooke is picture it. You have a dinner party. Dead or alive. Who's sitting? Give me five people at your table. Dead are alive. As far back as you can go, as far forward as you can go.

[Brooke Devard]

Is she hosting it at her house?

[Unknown]

It's absolutely at her house.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Unknown]

Or in the garden.

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay. Like, I think Mae west is one of my favorite people because like, great sense of humor. I know. If you don't know about Mae west, like she was made her first film at age 40. She was the biggest sex symbol and the highest paid actor, male or female, of her time. She got paid more than the studio bosses. She was like gangster and she was kind of like the first one to kind of flip the script and objectify men on screen.

[Unknown]

Yes, yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

And she discovered movie star. Yeah. She was, she was like somebody that I really like and fascinated by. But it's like I'd be afraid of her for do you know?

[Brooke Devard]

Definitely very tiring oh God. Afraid.

[Dita Von Teese]

And she didn't really like women, notoriously like she liked some women, but she was like a. She liked being around all the men. So I'd say her. I think Josephine Baker is like a favorite icon of like, I mean like her story is incredible. And being an honorary Parisian myself and going to France, it was like. Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

Wasn't she born in Michigan? Michigan.

[Dita Von Teese]

I don't think she was born in Michigan. She's American and went to, you know, she's a national treasure in France, of course. And she had to go to France to become like a huge. The huge entertainer. She was. And I, I don't know how much you know about her, but she to me like the World War II revolutionary guy. Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Children.

[Brooke Devard]

Oh, the 12 children she adopted. All those different kinds.

[Dita Von Teese]

So she's. She seems like she would be fun to talk to. I love Marlena Dietrich because she's so bizarre too. Like a bizarre person. I just like it.

[Unknown]

Gold in her hair. Like gold tin soil.

[Dita Von Teese]

She was. But she knew about like lighting and costuming and was very like a self created icon.

[Unknown]

Absolutely.

[Dita Von Teese]

And. But a little bit crazy. Like I just finished her daughter. The book that her daughter wrote about her and it's crazy. And you, you.

[Unknown]

I need to check this out.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. The audiobook I highly recommend because it's like, it's really long.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

The book itself, to read it, it's this thick and I'm not exactly. I've had it on my bookshelf for decades and I never got through it. But once I found there was an audiobook major. But yeah, it's very like an interesting insight into like an icon of movies and at that height. Yeah. And what it did to her child and like, you know, her daughter was like a personal assistant, you know, but knew how to do everything. I don't know. It's really fascinating. I like, I love autobiography. Oh, I like Fred Astaire.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. I like Fred to stare. I was going to say I love Rita Hayworth, but then I just like listened to her autobiography and I was like, whoa. No, she was very, like had a very troubled life. Very difficult life.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, her biography is called if this was Happiness, imagine what the rest of her life was like. Or that's what Orson Welles said about her. God, I don't know who else. It's like I didn't really prepare for. I'm trying to think of people alive now.

[Unknown]

Okay. Us, me, baby. Woohoo.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Both invited. Please bring Beyonce.

[Brooke Devard]

Dita, you have so much Experience in lingerie. Both designing lingerie, wearing lingerie, and I feel like lingerie is like, this kind of world. It can be very intimidating. How do you suggest people think about lingerie? And why is it something that you love?

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, so I have loved lingerie since I was little. Like, I used to steal things out of my mom's lingerie drawer. I was completely like, what is this stuff that women wear under the clothes? And how come no one's. How come I don't wear it? Like, I was completely baffled as time to what this secret that women had and why didn't I get to wear it? And I used to steal my. I still have a black lace bra I stole from my mom when I was a kid, and I still have it in my possession. I was like, mom, did you know that I have this? And it's like a Fredericks of Hollywood, like, black lace bra with, like, amazing nipples cut out.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

Which, by the way, like, the nipples cut out bra. It's not even, like, a sex thing. Like, it was very popular in the 30s as well. Well, so that you could still see the visible, like, nipple underneath your clothes. Because it was like, the nipple was liberated back then.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

When they invented, like, I need to fiberfill bras.

[Brooke Devard]

I need to get one of those for breastfeeding.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yes. Well, I actually did do, like, years ago now. Destination Maternity asked me to design, like, pretty maternity bras.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. We learned about this when we were doing research for this episode.

[Dita Von Teese]

It's so funny. And it was an interesting. One of the most interesting things about. About that was like, of course I did it, but I had, like, came under fire for it a little bit. And a lot of women came to my defense about it. They were like, look, this isn't the bra that you wear home the first week that you have your baby. This is the bra. Some women were like, I breastfed for a year, and I was ready for something pretty. And, you know, anyway, so. But it was really interesting again, it brought me into that thought about what empowers someone. You know, like one person. Person's. And what I discovered was like, oh, some people see beautiful lingerie as something that you only put on for a man or for sex or seduction. And some people see it as something they do for themselves.

[Brooke Devard]

Absolutely.

[Dita Von Teese]

And that really, like, reminded me of that, that it's different for everyone. Like, my relationship with lingerie was about, like, this rite of passage of womanhood and femininity, because I didn't equate it with sex because, like, I Loved it. When I was a little girl, I was just like, this is so pretty. It's lace and it's special. Know it's, it's, yeah. Special.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

And so I've always thought of it as that, you know, and my first job was working in a lingerie store. And then, you know, like my first. One of the reasons that I started becoming like a pinup girl was I wanted to be photographed in my vintage lingerie collection.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

And so I started the first like pinup website that ever existed on the web. And I never knew this when you could do just one page.

[Unknown]

Oh, wow.

[Dita Von Teese]

Like, I was the pinup girl. You know, when it was more of like a lot of Playboy models first had those membership sites. Mine was the first vintage one. So, yeah. So I just, for me, lingerie is this like beautiful thing. You can be whoever you want to be underneath your clothes, even if you're conservative and you're like. But you could be wearing red lingerie underneath your clothes or, you know, electric blue or fluorescent pink. Like, I love that you could be wearing a simple black dress and be wearing like something totally outrageous under your clothes. So I, I, I just, I, I like it. Again for like that secret for yourself.

[Elaine]

Yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

That maybe you'll share with someone else if they're lucky.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Unknown]

A dopamine. Another dopamine hit.

[Dita Von Teese]

Right. And starting to understand these dopamine things. Yes.

[Brooke Devard]

And we have to talk about your skin because it really is, you really do have incredibly beautiful skin. And I know you take pupils to.

[Dita Von Teese]

I'm not sure if you can see.

[Unknown]

The skin here like up close. But baby, like, seriously. So well taken care of.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. I was going to say you can tell that you, you pour into yourself, I mean, your skin.

[Dita Von Teese]

I'm a little like, no nonsense though. Like, I'm not somebody who gets a bunch of facials. Like, I have not done anything except for little like Botox. And actually it's all worn off. I'm ready to go back. And I was like, oh, I got like the alert now. They'll send you an alert and they'll be like in six months. And I was like, oh, yeah, okay, I guess. But like I haven't done any like peels or anything like that. Like, I will, I want to, but I'm very like, afraid. I want to know, I want to, to do my, my research, you know.

[Brooke Devard]

That's good. I do a lot of at home care.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, totally. Like staying moisturized for me. I like feeling dewy and I like feeling like I don't like feeling dry. Okay. So I love this brand called Retrove. I don't know if you've heard of it.

[Brooke Devard]

I mean, first of all, we love Retro. And Jamie has been on the podcast.

[Dita Von Teese]

Oh, she has?

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. Jamie Heidegger. I think she's so brilliant. And she also is very notoriously afraid of the sun, like, and understands. But I think her products are so beautiful.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. She's my beauty, like, guru. Like, if I have a question, I'm, what do I do? When I was going to Vegas, I was like, I need. I need, like, a better way to dissolve all this body makeup. Instead of soap and water every night, she's like, oh, God. And she mixed up, like, a special, like, makeup remover, and I slather myself in it to get all the body makeup off so I don't have to.

[Brooke Devard]

Jing's family started Kiehl's like, her great grandfather. Yeah. So she's. She really nips her stuff.

[Dita Von Teese]

And the products that eye cream is.

[Brooke Devard]

Like the eye concentrate. I know, but, you know, when I tell. When I recommend it to people, they're like, brooke, the price.

[Sir John]

And I'm.

[Brooke Devard]

I know, I know. But it really is incredible.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Unknown]

So how do you take off your makeup? Like tissue, everything off cold, like a cool cream?

[Dita Von Teese]

It depends. Like, my show makeup is very, like, one thing. You know, in fact, I have to, like, after the show, I put on a show like a Netflix that I can be like, this is going to take some time, you know, but, yeah, you know, melting it away. I love using, like, Cetaphil type cleansers. You know, all of those kinds of cleansers I think are good. I keep, like, one soapy one around, like the, like the La Mer foaming cleanser. I like it because again, I mean, I like. I like smell. I do. Yeah. Yeah. And one thing I've started doing that has really helped me because sometimes I'll get like, those little red, you know, those little red bumps we get here sometimes. I started discovering when I use those disposable, like, face washing cloths.

[Unknown]

Wipes.

[Dita Von Teese]

Because. Yeah. Not makeup wipes, but, like, they're just a cloth.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah. Like the clean Skin club cloth.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. You've just used exactly those. I don't know the names of them, but they're instead of a washcloth because, like, so much bacteria in washcloth.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

So I started doing that and I was like, oh, this is helping me with problems.

[Brooke Devard]

I love this at all.

[Unknown]

I have a little life hack for you, so you might want to try this is so old school. Like, this is. This comes from the 50s. This called Aline.

[Dita Von Teese]

I know it.

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah. I love using Aline. I think it's the great. It's just the most beautiful way to just strip everything and then wash. Yeah, Yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

I love those like, kind of cold cream ponds.

[Brooke Devard]

I know. Do you think that's what come back? I feel like I do.

[Unknown]

You know, I think that resurgence. If you really think about all of our like, LMS and all of the cleansing bones.

[Dita Von Teese]

The cleansing bones, the ones that go from oil to emulsify. Yeah, yeah. But, yeah, always take off your makeup though, right? Like, I. I can't. Somebody was like, oh, do you ever like, go to bed with your makeup? I was like, I'm. The person would throw a makeup wipe on my friends if they were drunk. Like throw 10 makeup wipes on their face. Like, don't do it.

[Unknown]

It's not, it's not regard.

[Brooke Devard]

Just.

[Dita Von Teese]

You can't sleep well with, you know, washcase.

[Brooke Devard]

Absolutely. What's your go to fragrance?

[Dita Von Teese]

Well, I have my own fragrances, so. And I'm proud to. I brought you a couple of them. So I have four at the moment. I've had other ones, but we've, you know, you know how it is. They're available in certain countries. So I have one called Scandalwood, which is very genderless and it's kind of like, it's very sultry, sexy. It's actually, it's from a brand called Heretic who makes beautiful candles too. My best friends make. Makes it. And so that's like my number one that I wear all the time. And then I have three that I made in the last year that I just recently imported from Germany here. They're all like created in France.

[Unknown]

But what are the names?

[Dita Von Teese]

They're one called Vidette.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Dita Von Teese]

It's kind of like victress and vanities. So there's like a trio fragrance these.

[Brooke Devard]

What notes do you find yourself gravitating towards?

[Dita Von Teese]

Have always liked obscure fragrances. Fragrance and actually I started making my own perfume when I was dating a Frenchman maybe like, I don't know, like 14 years ago. And I had a fragrance I always wore called Calke Fleur. Very old fashioned, powdery iris like fragrance, very floral. And I remember her one time on one of our first dates, like, what perfume do you wear? And I'm like, oh, it's called Calca Fleur. And he's like, my mother wore that. And I was like, oh, no. So I call up Killian Hennessy, you know, the fragrance guy, right? And I go, because he was a good friend of mine, he's like, you do you have two choices. You get rid of the man or you get rid of the perfume. And I was like, no. He was like, you cannot wear that fragrance around him if his mother wore it.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, totally.

[Dita Von Teese]

So that's when I started making my own first perfume. And I just always like things that feel rare and special and a little bit weird and twisted because I started. I love to dive into, like, the history of things. And when I started looking at historic perfumes, it was very different than it is now. Like, more animalistic, more like leathers and like, things that were just a little bit, like, more unusual than. Than. Than now. I'd say, though, in the last several years, like, we've seen all of these crazy perfumes come out that, you know, people are. Are more adventurous with their fragrance now. So that's kind of cool to see how it's changed, you know?

[Unknown]

So out of the three V's, which one is the most floral?

[Dita Von Teese]

I think that while the vanities is very, like, powdery and irisy, like vanilla. Very. Like, I wanted it to smell like a 50s vanity. Like, you know that those powdery fragrances like the smell of lipstick. Yeah. Then I have one. The vidette one is probably my favorite. It's like a fiery rose. Spicy fiery rose.

[Brooke Devard]

Which notes are in it that gives the fieriness?

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, it's like, oh, God. Now I'm like, oh, I didn't know we were having perfume today. I've got a lot of fragrances. It's like pimento. A little bit of smoke. Yeah, it's.

[Unknown]

Come on, dude, let's go.

[Brooke Devard]

Sounds like a good cocktail too.

[Unknown]

Let's go.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, I just always liked. I want to not smell like somebody else.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dita Von Teese]

Eccentric fragrance I really love.

[Brooke Devard]

I love that. I'm excited to try.

[Dita Von Teese]

What do you wear? Both of you?

[Unknown]

So I love Bulgarian rose. I also wear the Killian angel chair.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yes.

[Unknown]

Love that Killian kiss from a rose by Killian. I was your creative director for a while, but I think I'm all over the place.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, you wear the Naked Beauty fragrance.

[Unknown]

The Naked Beauty fragrance.

[Brooke Devard]

I made a fragrance. You dare? Oh, yes.

[Dita Von Teese]

I want to sniff that.

[Unknown]

And it smells. It reminds me of, like, when a girl is dressing her guy, like, it's date night for him or something like that. But I love rose.

[Dita Von Teese]

Okay, I need to send you my. My rose one, because it is. Has Bulgarian rose in it.

[Unknown]

Okay, that's bad.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah, there's so many nuances. There's like, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, English rose. I want to hear a story about someone who you've touched through your work, because I would imagine you have impact on people, and maybe it's even surprising to you. Some people that have come up to you and said your work has impacted me. Is there something that stands out to you just throughout your entire career where someone has told you what your work has meant to them?

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah, I get a lot of handwritten letters. I think my, like, fans know now that, like, they can send me a letter or they can give me a letter. Like, when they come to my meet and greet after the show, they. I get a lot of letters, and I've kept everyone ever. And it's like, there's a few that really stand out. And actually one of was written by a father about his daughter. And her daughter, like, is this beautiful, beautiful girl. But she wrote me too. But it was basically like she was in high school and she was trying to hide all the time. And she would have this, like, endless cycle where she would go to school in this, like, black sweatsuit and just, like, trying not to be seen. And then she would come home, watch tv, put the sweatshoot in the suit, in the washer and dryer, and do the same thing, like, repeat. Just trying to dish, disappear. And that she discovered my work and that it, like, turned her into, like, someone who loves glamour and didn't want to hide and just like. And. And I don't know. I mean, it's like, it's a very long letter, and it's very. Really. I think that's, like, a lot of these letters are about being given permission to dress up and permission to, like, hold your head high and permission to, like, be who you want to be.

[Brooke Devard]

I love that.

[Dita Von Teese]

And that's like, I think, why? You know, again, like, I think being. I'm a burlesque dancer, it's a striptease show, but there's, like, a meaning behind a lot of it, you know, and the meaning is not, like, anything I actually anticipated. I didn't, like, calculate what I was going to do in life. I was just, like, being myself and doing what empowered me and made me feel good and with what I could do in life. And when I wrote my first book, I talked about why I was inspired by vintage glamour and striptease and all of this stuff. And that was the first time that I suddenly had people saying, this means a lot to me. And it resonates with me. And I think If I hadn't written that book, I don't think I would be where I am now. Because I needed to, like, talk about why. You know, I grew up in the 80s and it was like, the era of the supermodel, and I. I didn't have, like, role models of beauty and glamour I could relate to. And that's why I look to the past and I look to, like, creating. Yes. And so I think, like, being vulnerable to people and telling them how it made me feel to wear red lipstick. I mean, everyone has their red lipstick, which be anything for somebody, it might be their lashes. For somebody else, it could be their. The way they wear their hair. It's like, I love when people find what their thing is that gives them the courage to face the world. You know, it's like, we do need these things.

[Unknown]

So true.

[Dita Von Teese]

I know it's not important to everyone. I know there's way more important things in the world at some times, but it's just, like, the little things like that that you can control and you can.

[Unknown]

It starts with us.

[Dita Von Teese]

Yeah. Right.

[Brooke Devard]

Absolutely. Important. Should we move to our final question?

[Dita Von Teese]

No.

[Unknown]

I hate you.

[Brooke Devard]

I know, but we love asking because it's so interest to hear how everyone answers this, which is, when do you feel most beautiful?

[Dita Von Teese]

Ooh. I wanna give you, like, a less predictable answer, but when that, like, spotlight hits and I've got, like, all of it on, and it's like, the thing I created, the Persona I created on stage, and the rhinestones and the feathers and the spotlight, I feel confident, like, I'm in my space. I'm in. I'm on the stage that I created. The scene, the lighting, the fantasy and all of that stuff, I feel. And it's fun. And it's like, I just think, you know, look over that giant rhinestone martini glass, and I'm like, it's funny, you know, like, it's all, like, really funny and, like, frivolous, but, like, in a really fun way. And for me, like, being 100% power in, like, what I created, and I'm making a living doing it, God, I feel good. I mean. But, you know, I could give you the other side and be like, oh, when I have no makeup on and I'm hugging a treat, like, I could tell you that too, you know, like. But there's something about being, like, your creation and your full 100% power. And I'm sure you probably probably feel that in, like, what you do when you're just like, yeah, yeah. Amazing, you know, I, I. That make it just makes me feel like, good about what I'm like that I'm doing something fun that, that I love.

[Elaine]

Wow.

[Dita Von Teese]

That I. And that feeling of like, I can't believe I'm here and I can't believe I get to do this, you know, because it's never in a million, never in a million years would I have believed my young self if I said I was going to be doing this to this extent and to this like, volatility. It feels like really, like shocking to me.

[Brooke Devard]

Incredible.

[Unknown]

It couldn't be a better person. Like, you know, listen, you know, such a treat. It was such a treat. And what's so amazing about you as a, as a human is the fact that a. What I see comes from you is healing in some way. You. I don't know if you consider yourself a healer, but you heal a lot of people and allow them to hold space and create space for themselves, which is so powerful and impactful.

[Dita Von Teese]

I mean, I think my first thought was like, I'm healing myself because it was like, how am I going to not be, you know, how am I going to find my confidence? How do I find my voice? How do I overcome things that make me afraid or shy and how, like making a living, like so. But if that can rub off on other people, then, you know, and they can be like, I'm gonna. I can live my life the fullest because like, I feel I didn't have any like, modern role models that were, you know, the last time there was a world famous stripper in the world, it was Gypsy Rose Lee. It was a long time ago. Right. You know, Lily St. Cyr and you know, it's a very long time ago. And so I didn't think it was possible. So if I can somehow make people go, like, I'm going to make a living doing something like that too, you know, or they can see an example. I think that that means a lot to me.

[Sir John]

Yeah.

[Brooke Devard]

Amazing. Thank you so, so much for sharing with. This has been incredible.

[Dita Von Teese]

A lot to be here to be. To be invited by you both. Thank you.

[Unknown]

Okay, so next up. Okay, now it's just done with this. I need you to look at house stuff for me. Like, I want you to look at the flea market textures, wall color and paper.

[Brooke Devard]

I love.

[Unknown]

I feel like you have a really great interior.

[Dita Von Teese]

No, I mean, I. Well, the thing is, like, interiors can be scary though because like, if you make a mistake, you're just like, oh, could you repaint that wall? Like, I've had nail biters and, and Designing my house for sure. Where I'm like.

[Elaine]

But owning it.

[Dita Von Teese]

Hope this works.

[Unknown]

This is like living out, like, glam dream.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes. I love it.

[Sir John]

So that was our incredible conversation with.

[Elaine]

D. It cannot have. I feel really full right now. Very full creatively.

[Sir John]

Yes.

[Elaine]

And, like, I'm smiling from feeling inspired. I'm inspired by this woman who understands the assignment.

[Sir John]

Yes, yes.

[Elaine]

Understands the assignment. What is the assignment?

[Sir John]

You know, I think the assignment is one. I think about all of the things that you get into when you're young. Like, I think about even me, like, being obsessed with Josephine Baker when I was young, her talking about watching old movies. Like, all of the things that, like, make you kind of, like, weird and freakish or, like, you're into when you're young are the things that make you interesting as you get older. And, like, you hold on to those things, you know? It was so interesting to hear her talk about watching old movies and being inspired by, like, Louise Brooks's haircut or just. Just, like, these 50s musicals, how that inspired her style. It's, like, so much. And maybe it's also just being a mom. I realize now, like, how much your childhood shapes your whole. You know, were there things you looked at when you were young, like magazines, and that just shaped who you are today?

[Elaine]

I was obsessed with the world that Gianni Versace created, and I was obsessed with the supermodels. I was obsessed with, you know, for me, it was cna, Naomi Campbell opening and closing shows. Walking around and seeing her on the billboards and also seeing her and Tyson Beckford on the polo on the Ralph Lauren campaigns was so wild in terms of representation. And then she ended up. She was my first client, you know.

[Sir John]

Right, right. There's so much, like, power in the things that you're interested in when you're first forming your identity. So I loved hearing that from her.

[Elaine]

Yeah. Yeah. And then also she. What she was speaking. Speaking to, for me, from a mental health standpoint, it also was really healing. Sometimes you don't need permission to be yourself, but a reminder is key at times.

[Sir John]

Yes.

[Elaine]

And so she comes along as this perfect, you know, muse or reminder for us to be full or be 10 toes down in who we know ourselves or want ourselves to be, which is really compelling.

[Sir John]

And take up space.

[Elaine]

Take up space.

[Sir John]

You know, take up space. Be who you are. It doesn't matter if people don't understand it. And I think this idea. Idea about creating your image is something that we all have access to. We can all create, like, a character, a Persona, for ourselves. It's not about having a certain amount of money or a budget or, you know, she said she was from a small town, 2,000 person town in Michigan.

[Elaine]

One stoplight.

[Brooke Devard]

Right?

[Elaine]

One stoplight, guys.

[Sir John]

She created her image, she created her career, she created her life based on what she wanted. And that's, that's so empowering to understand that we can all do that.

[Elaine]

To be honest, even as someone who works in the business of like, you know, I guess you would consider me an image maker of sorts. I did not necessarily know or feel the ability to create myself in the same way. I said, okay, so she's. I'm sitting here, I'm listening. And when you're asking the question, I know I have style, but what's bigger than style is just a start. Starting point.

[Sir John]

Yes.

[Elaine]

Of identity, I guess.

[Dita Von Teese]

Right.

[Sir John]

I feel so much more inspired from this conversation to be more eccentric.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Elaine]

Right.

[Sir John]

You know, like just like do weirder things. Like try out, like take bigger risks with beauty looks. Like don't. Being safe just isn't interesting.

[Elaine]

Listen, no one who's super safe is remembered. Guys.

[Brooke Devard]

That's.

[Sir John]

Honestly. It's so true. It's so true.

[Elaine]

And even like, if you think about what fashion is asking us to do with, you know, we're leaving. Quiet look, luxury, you know, everyone. Some people are quintessential minimalist and that's okay to be there because you can own that. But I.

[Sir John]

But you can also be a minimalist and be eccentric in it. Like I think about Tilda Swinton. You know Tilda Swinton?

[Elaine]

Okay. Come on.

[Sir John]

Super androgynous. Like, she's super minimalist. She always looks so cool and herself. And she's got the short hair and like the. Basically like no makeup ever. But like, no matter what your style is, you can do it in a way that feels really unique to you.

[Elaine]

Wow. So leaving here, I'm looking at my closet a little differently going into this season in a different. With a different mindset. And then pulling forward with Law talked about about a week ago.

[Sir John]

Yes.

[Elaine]

Is you guys put that shit on again. Go back into your closet. It's okay to wear things or reshop or remix.

[Sir John]

Reimagine, which we were on the Shade Room today.

[Elaine]

We were.

[Sir John]

Which is insane. What a way to wrap up these. These what? How many episodes have we done together this year? 10.

[Elaine]

10, I think. And listen for not something bad. No gossip either. This is for something kind of cool.

[Sir John]

Well, for some. Yeah. For something great. A podcast clip about sustainability and repeating what's in Your closet and not. Not being brainwashed by social media to think you have to wear something new every time you step out of the house.

[Elaine]

Not at all. Not at all. And I'll listen. You know what? The thing is, I love that we always kind of coordinate. I love how your maternal. Is it maternal style, Maternity style.

[Sir John]

Style. Yes.

[Elaine]

Is really just an extension of who you are in the day to day.

[Sir John]

Oh, my gosh. Well, thank you. Well, I'm a little bit grateful this is our last episode together, because I've been running out of ideas. I've run out of stretch fabrics. The heels, you know, receded here, so I can. I can do a high heel seated. But, yeah, I'm. I'm ready to really hibernate. Hibernate and get ready for this baby to come.

[Elaine]

Boom.

[Sir John]

But this has been so incredible doing these episodes with you this year.

[Elaine]

Well, you know what? Okay, so I'll tell you something I'll learn from you. You tell me something you learned from me.

[Sir John]

Oh, gosh.

[Brooke Devard]

Okay.

[Elaine]

Something I learned from you. Boom. Okay, guys, I learned from Brook how to actually, you know, you. You know how to land really well. And when I say land, I'm an ideas guy. I'm a creative, so I have a lot of shit just sort of floating, and I know what it should look like in terms of, you know, the output of the creativity or the vision, but, you know exactly how to land and an idea in a way that I. I learned. It's a nice grace to it, you know? So I really rock with your ability to edit yourself.

[Sir John]

Oh, thank you very much. I would say you make everyone feel so comfortable and feel so welcome in this space. I feel like from the moment our guests arrive, whether it's the engineers being here, like, I feel like you always make people feel good and at ease. You're just a people person. That's why people love talking to you. That's why I love talking to you.

[Elaine]

Thank you.

[Brooke Devard]

Yes.

[Elaine]

From your lips to God's ears, My grandmother would say.

[Sir John]

Yes. Yes. This has been such a pleasure. It's been fun, and thank you to all of the listeners and people that have supported. So many people have discovered naked beauty this year.

[Elaine]

Yeah.

[Sir John]

We have so many new subscribers on YouTube, so many new subscribers to the podcast. And we hit.

[Elaine]

We hit number one twice. Yeah, we hit number three a couple days ago.

[Sir John]

Yes.

[Elaine]

And I think it's just fun, guys. Listen, Rocksteady, as Aretha says, you know what I mean? And that's it.

[Brooke Devard]

Yeah.

[Sir John]

And just doing it all out of, like, love and passion and independently and just hard work and connecting with people. So I'm proud of us.

[Elaine]

I'm proud of us too.

[Sir John]

All right, thank you guys for listening.

[F]

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