Dita Von Teese
an icon of authenticity and niche inspiration
This is a bit of a different piece than I usually write but as an obsessive person I absolutely ADORE when I find someone or something that I'm just completely captivated by. Today that's Dita Von Teese. Also, I recommend listening to this song while you read<3
My interest began this morning as I sipped my usual espresso with milk and dipped my out-of-the-usual biscoffs in into the froth. I read Interview Magazine's story on Lexee Smith who, sidenote, is also someone I think is so fascinating and just cool because she is so authentic. But anyways, in her interview she mentions Dita Von Teese, specifically her Architectural Digest House Tour from 4 years ago. So while finishing my coffee and doing my makeup for class I decided to check it out.
I was absolutely fascinated by her maximalism. I wouldn't call myself a complete maximalist but on the scale of minimalism to maximalism I'd say I'm closer to maximalism. However, not to the extent of Dita. Her house is like a perfectly curated antique store. Personally, I've always loved visiting antique stores. There's one about 10 minutes from my house in Pennsylvania and sometimes I'll just go there to explore. It's not simply stuffed with antiques but more or so decorated and curated. As an admirer of aesthetic and beauty, I find myself just perusing the aisles in complete awe and curiosity. That's how I felt watching Dita Von Teese's house tour. In pure awe.
She lives in a Tudor style house with an outdoor swimming pool and instead of having a tiki bar outdoors she has a separate structure designed to resemble an old english pub. Every room in the house is unique with colors of hot pink and emerald green. There's a sense of unconventionality in each room which is part of the beauty and magnificence. I mean let's talk about her shoe closet alone. I think my jaw actually fell open. Towers of rhinestone high heels. She referred to her shorter heels as ballet flats which I thought was funny. Also, she has lipstick in a gold case on a gold chain attached to a mirror in her dining room so that when she has parties and can't find her lipstick she can apply it there. How obscure, extravagant, and cool?! Oh to have money to craft the home of my dreams.
There's nothing I love more than people who are so authentically themselves. I mean we all have a bit of fakeness in us, it's only human nature, but I love when I can just energetically feel that someone is being real. But people who are true to themselves and able to express that externally are my idols.
So after watching the house tour, a few suggested videos played as I puttered around my room selecting a skirt and blouse to wear to my single class and then spritzing my perfume as a final touch. I've been in a bit of a creative rut when it comes to fashion recently but listening to Dita talk about her experiences and passions gave me a sense of excitement and sudden creativity. My outfit today was very me and I have Dita to thank for that.
For those who have never heard of Dita Von Teese (don't worry I had never before this morning) here's a bit about her. She's a famous burlesque dancer of the early 2000s. She toured the world through Burlesque shows and embodied a sort of Marilyn Monroe aura. As a lover of anything vintage and femininity, she started a vintage lingerie and perfume business. She's been featured in several films and television shows including RuPaul's drag race.
How fun that I just happened to stumble upon this icon and I cannot stop thinking about her house tour, creativity, style, and authenticity. If you're ever in a creative rut, I highly recommend finding unique people to research and watch YouTube videos about. It's a more engaging way to find inspiration rather than the usual scrolling on Pinterest or Tiktok.