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Burlesque History Lingerie: noun [län-jə-ˈrā], originally from the Latin lineus made from linen, from Middle French linge linen. First Known Use: 1835. Dollhouse Bettie presents a work in progress, a survey of the history of lingerie - its most prominent innovators, designers, and muses, the classic styles of intimate apparel that have captured our imaginations, and the brands that won our hearts. Birth of Burlesque The first time American audiences got to see what came to be known as a burlesque show, complete with music, comedy, and the sexual star power of women can be pinpointed to 1868, when the "British Blondes" invade Broadway Striptease In turn of the century New York City, audiences craved live shows. Since film was scarce and television had not yet been introduced, live shows were the only way to get a night's entertainment for most people in America. Sally Rand Sally Rand's name (given to her by none other than esteemed film director Cecil B DeMille) is synonymous with burlesque, having pioneered the art of fan-dance, most notably at the Chicago 1933 World Fair. Zorita Although many performers of the Golden Era of Burlesque had an innocent charm, one glamour girl who seemed to be the living embodiment of the "Bad Girl" was Zorita. Tassel Twirling One skill that is of particular interest to burlesque fans and performers is that of the tassel-twirl. Watching a performer twirl the tassels on her pasties after revealing her mostly uncovered breasts is a skill which awes the viewer. Blaze Starr If there was ever a woman born to be a burlesque dancer, it was Blaze Starr. Born in West Virginia, The buxom teenager was discovered by her future manager as a hat check girl. Lili St Cyr Between the 1940's and 1950's the world of burlesque moved from the seedy underworld to the glamorous palaces of Las Vegas and Hollywood. One of the stars who changed burlesque from just bump n' grind into a spectacular stage show was the blonde goddess Lili St Cyr. The Costumers A common factor of the great burlesque performers of years past is their fantastic clothing. It's impossible to think of a performer like Lili St Cyr or Gypsy Rose Lee without imagining her gorgeous and revealing clothing. Page & Storm Many of today's generation who appreciate burlesque discovered it through Bettie Page. Although not technically a burlesque dancer, Page remains one of the most popular and easily recognizable pin-up models of all time. Gypsy Rose Lee Gypsy Rose Lee's story is a somewhat sordid tale of the American Dream. Her rags-to-riches life begins with her overbearing stage mother, Madam Rose. Rowland Sisters In some cases, it seems as though the burlesque gene was passed down through the family, with several women of the same clan becoming well-known performers. Georgia Sothern No one embodied the frenzied beat of burlesque the way Georgia Sothern did. Born to an impoverished family in Atlanta with the real name of "Hazel Anderson," Georgia was literally raised in vaudeville. Lee & Evans Jennie Lee was born Virginia Lee Hicks in 1928, in Missouri. By her junior year in high school the good-natured teen was dancing in a burlesque show as a chorus girl. Carol Doda The golden years of burlesque dawned on America's East Coast, so it's only fitting its twilight years happened on the West Coast. More specifically, San Francisco and Carol Doda's career signaled the end of burlesque and a new era of sexy entertainment.
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