Beatrix Von Bourbon in What Katie Did

Fans of Britain's Got Talent will certainly have not missed the charms of burlesque artiste Beatrix Von Bourbon who got middle England's knickers in a twist with her saucy pre-watershed performance (watch it on Youtube here). Unfortunately she's been knocked out in the semi-finals, but several prime time performances on national TV won't have done her career much harm! The Star interviewed her yesterday and we're delighted that she chose to wear our Padded Bullet Bra, Harlow Suspender Belt and Kate Knickers.

Miss Polly Rae's Burlesque Tips - Day 2: Costumes

Today Miss Polly Rae is lucky enough to work with William Baker, Kylie Minogue's stylist for whom the cost of rhinestones is no issue for her West End Shows (although it still makes her swoon!) but for her other shows the costumes are down to Polly.



Polly's first bit of advice is that you don't need to spend a lot of money - but you do need to be ready to devote your evenings to hot-gluing and trimming! Whilst it's not possible to skimp on some items - for example a high street basque will not give yout the defined hourglass shape of a good quality corset - it is possible to transform cheap high street lingerie and shoes into showstopping costumes. Barnet and Lawson just off London's Oxford Street is Polly's haberdashery of choice where their basement is an Aladdin's cave of sparkly trims.

Polly's stockings of choice for peeling, whether on stage in the West End or the East End are our stretchy Retro Seamed Stockings which are far more affordable than fully fashioned and 'ping' off the foot with far more control than expensive Fully Fashioned Nylons.

From my personal experience I've learn't how seriously professional burlesque artistes take their costumes. Last year we took Slinky Sparkles to perform in Las Vegas and instead of painting the town red spent her days rhinestoning her costume (you can never have too many rhinestones!) Although Polly says that trims and rhinestones are 'icing' to your act, turning up in a untrimmed high street lingerie really is a no no.

Miss Polly Rae's Guide to Burlesque

To celebrate the start of London's Burlesque Games, Miss Polly Rae hosted an initimate salon in What Katie Did's London Boutique giving advice on how to make a career out of burlesque. Miss Polly Rae always knew she wanted to be famous, she just wasn't quite sure how she was going to acheive it! By chance she saw a flyer for Jo King's burlesque workshop and went along to a free taster session. Burlesque immediately appealed to Polly as you didn't have to have dance training from the age of 3, or be a certain age or shape. Over the last 6 and a half years Miss Polly Rae has become one of the UK's leading stars of burlesque with her own West End Show. Over the next few days we'll give you her top tips on making it in burlesque.

1. Get an Audience!

There is nothing like performing in front of an audience. It's where you'll really start to learn your craft. Nothing frustrates Polly more is hearing people say that their act is not quite ready, time after time! That's not to say it shouldn't be rehearsed to within an inch of it's life, but sooner or later you're going to have to get on stage. Let's face it, you'll alway find something that isn't quite right as an excuse to delay.

Don't go straight from rehearsals to stage. It's essential that you find a burlesque mentor, or someone you can trust, who will give you their honest opinion of your act. Once any kinks have been ironed out it's time to go. There are lots of newbie nights where you can perform, and as they're billed as newbie nights the audience won't be expecting Dita Von Teese.

Most professional burlesque artiste's acts are 'works in progress'. Their act will be constantly refined as the artiste decides what works best in front of an audience, whilst rhinestones and feathers will be added to costumes as funds allow.

The Bullet Bra

The bullet bra gives the ultimate 1950s pin up girl silhouette. The bullet bra was actually available from 1939, but WWII put plans on hold so it wasn't until the early 1950s that the bullet bra put breasts centre stage. It's shape was even more extreme than that of bras in the 1940s and the spiral stitching emphasised the cone shape.

Claudia Schiffer in What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra for Vogue Russia

For the less well endowed padded versions were soon available and 'gay deceivers' or falsies (develped by Warners in the late 1930s) became extremely popular.

Gwyneth Paltrow in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Vogue UK

Bullet Bra Brands

Maidenform was the brand that really put bullet bras on the map when they launched their 'I Dream' advertising campaign in the USA. The campaign showed women in their bullet bras looking confident and indepent alongside lines including 'I dreamed I stopped traffic in my Maidenform bra'. The range included a spiral stitch bullet bra which soon became the breast shape of the 1950s. Maidenform's Chasonette bullet bra was finally launched in the UK in 1955 with the slogan 'What makes it so special? Spiral-stitched to round as it accentuates'.

Rihanna in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for GQ UK

What Katie Did revived the bullet bra in 1999, starting with a cotton version, before moving on to more glamorous satin. The bullet bra was one of the first pieces Katie wanted to recreate as there was nothing available at that time that gave an authentic 1950s silhouette, and vintage pieces were few and far between.

Victoria Beckham in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Harpers Bazaar UK

What Katie Did In The Press

The What Katie Did bullet bra was designed to be a niche piece, appealing to hardcore vintage fashion fans, but over the years the look has become more mainstream and What Katie Did's bullet bras are frequently featured in the press worldwide from Vogue India to Vogue Italia and everywhere in between!

Nicole Scherzinger in What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra for The Daily Mail

What Katie Did On Film

What Katie Did Bullet Bras are the first stop for wardrobe departments of the stage and screen. Our bullet bras first made an appearance on stage worn by London's Royal Ballet at London's Opera House, more recently they've been used by Glyndebourne Opera House for period pieces.

Kate Moss in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Vogue Italia

Film appearances inlcude The Nowhere Boy, X Men First Class, and My Week With Marilyn where all the female cast wore What Katie Did bullet bras and shapewear under their costumes to get the right silhouette.

Claudia Schiffer in What Katie Did's Padded Bullet Bra for Paris Vogue

What Katie Did Padded Bullet Bra in Schon Magazine

For those of you who worry that the Olympics will bring month after month of boring sporty fashion, worry no more. Ellen von Unwerth has come to the rescue with an amazing Olympic inspired shoot for Schon magazine (Germany) featuring a newly platinum blonde Crystal Renn in our Padded Bullet Bra.

What Katie Did have designed a range of vintage inspired lingerie to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Jubilee collection comes in red (1st May), white (1st June) and blue (1st July) and comprises an underwired bra with vintage stitching on the cup, suspender belt and 2 styles of knicker.

What Katie Did in Asiana Wedding Magazine

It's a first time press appearance for What Katie Did's Lalique Velvet Laurie corset which has been featured in the Spring edition of Asiana Wedding magazine.