Dita Von Teese

[Mrs. Merl]

From what I have seen the woman does not misrepresent herself or over inflate her purpose. I am not sure that how she does or does not represent vintage anything is really an issue to most people, in that we are not living in the 1930's or 1940's or any previous decade, we live in the present and our history is all part of us - free to be enjoyed, interpreted and even exploited by each individual as they so choose. I feel she is quite truthful in that she is simply inspired by the history of burlesque and enjoys "retro" things, she even goes so far as to make a point of saying that her look is very pin-up and even says she is not "real." I think that we should let people decide things for themselves and not concern ourselves with whether or not a single woman of any level of success is well-representing "us" or whatever ideal. I think anyone of intelligence knows that everyone in our grand history was not running around in crystal encrusted under garments, it isn't our place to decide who is "good vintage" and who is "bad vintage."

 

[Lauren]

A lot of authentic vintage looks somewhat strange or "costumey" to the modern eye, so I totally understand the way she's styled. From a fashion standpoint I think what she does is fabulous. Not really my thing per se, but extremely well done and very artistic.

 

[SugarKitten]

I'm with you all the way Mrs. Merl. I think she does her thing, and I appreciate it, but I wouldn't wear it. Either way, she (and other people who sport more recognizable fashion) get a lot of unkindness directed at them from all sides for not being other things for other people.

I'm my kind of vintage, and she's her kind. The whole "not vintage enough" talk is discouraging enough to make want to keep my clothes in the closet lest I anger the purists or the modernists, or everyone else.

 

[Drappa]

I'm with you all the way Mrs. Merl. I think she does her thing, and I appreciate it, but I wouldn't wear it. Either way, she (and other people who sport more recognizable fashion) get a lot of unkindness directed at them from all sides for not being other things for other people.

I'm my kind of vintage, and she's her kind. The whole "not vintage enough" talk is discouraging enough to make want to keep my clothes in the closet lest I anger the purists or the modernists, or everyone else.

Excellent post!
The only thing I would like to add is that I think it is sad how hard women can be on other women, especially ones they have never met or met only briefly.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I think the problem Miss N. is talking about is more a cultural issue than anything that Miss Von T. herself could do anything about -- in other words, the way our culture tends to assume that any one individual is capable of representing an entire group. We know, as a society, or we *should* know, anyway, that this is ridiculous -- there's no such thing as a single group identity, no matter what sort of group, because all groups are made up of individuals. But still we insist on looking at any member of any group as being a spokesperson for the entire group.

Dita is Dita, and I am me, and she can't speak for me any more than I can speak for her. And so it should be for all of us.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I think the problem Miss N. is talking about is more a cultural issue than anything that Miss Von T. herself could do anything about -- in other words, the way our culture tends to assume that any one individual is capable of representing an entire group. We know, as a society, or we *should* know, anyway, that this is ridiculous -- there's no such thing as a single group identity, no matter what sort of group, because all groups are made up of individuals. But still we insist on looking at any member of any group as being a spokesperson for the entire group.

Dita is Dita, and I am me, and she can't speak for me any more than I can speak for her. And so it should be for all of us.

Thats exactly what I am talking about....and why discussing her beyond her looks -is- relevant...since others map her onto the 'us', right or not. Discussing what is being mapped onto us and whether we like it, dislike it..etc....

 

[Mrs. Merl]

I would say that when we assume this is such a problem - one worth discussing...we are essentially saying that the majority of people out there are too unintelligent to make any distinction between anything similar. I really think that if "society at large" is incapable of distinguishing between this lady and the more historically based groups out there, we have bigger problems on our hands than this thread can handle. I am afraid I can't see how this discussion is not rooted in some other issues personally.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I would say that when we assume this is such a problem - one worth discussing...we are essentially saying that the majority of people out there are too unintelligent to make any distinction between anything similar. I really think that if "society at large" is incapable of distinguishing between this lady and the more historically based groups out there, we have bigger problems on our hands than this thread can handle. I am afraid I can't see how this discussion is not rooted in some other issues personally.

and the same could be said of the 'dumbest comment I heard', 'what people say when i wear vintage'....and a ton of other threads here...

in general 'we' seem to be very very concerned what others think of us.....and quite disparaging of the fact that the masses cannot distinguish between a fedora and an indy hat...or a 30's and a 50's style dress....

Right or wrong, issues or not...such topics are disccused here and expounded on very regularly.....and while yes...I agree that someone who -cares- what Joe down the road thinks of their outfit has issues...it seems to be the going practice here to care.....

 

[bunnyb.gal]

Is there an option D for a role model who leaves their clothes on?

Nah, Jordan, Lindsay or Dita...you must choose one!

I can't think off the cuff anyway of modern celebs who don't get their kit off in public, or shoot up, snort lines or puke in public. Okay, Dame Judy Dench .

 

[Rosie_Beau]

The whole "not vintage enough" talk is discouraging enough to make want to keep my clothes in the closet lest I anger the purists or the modernists, or everyone else.

I agree! I always worry I'm not right.

 

[Puzzicato]

Nah, Jordan, Lindsay or Dita...you must choose one!

I can't think off the cuff anyway of modern celebs who don't get their kit off in public, or shoot up, snort lines or puke in public. Okay, Dame Judy Dench .

I am quite happy with Judy Dench as a role model!

 

[Tomasso]

[YOUTUBE]W_0OwGLh7Gs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Miss Scarlet]

I am quite happy with Judy Dench as a role model!

Me too! I think Helen Mirren's more my role model though fftopic:

In the case of Dita I have no interest really in celebrities. We'll never know what they're really like. We get edited snippets and contructed interpretations of them, which allow us to judge them and most of the time incorrectly. If we knew her as a friend we'd probably change our minds.

I'd hate to be famous and having people who have never met me/know me at all judging what I'm like on the basis of how the media decides to portray me. But then again that is the price you pay for being famous.

 

[RockyHorror]

I think she's beautiful, in a really unconventional way. I don't tend to really get too bent out of shape because of what people "represent". In interviews I've seen of her, she seems like someone I can really respect. And her hair is so smooth!

 

[Tomasso]

In interviews I've seen of her, she seems like someone I can really respect.

I agree.. As in the piece I posted above she comes off as really down to earth. This Dita hate is disheartening.

 

[Christi.adell]

I guess I missed that particular interview...

Let me put it this way, if you could pick a role model from the following list:
a)Lindsay Lohan
b)Jordan
c)Dita von Teese

That was my only point, really, that what gets put out there for the public to turn our adulation to, let's face it, ain't what it used to be. I'm not a great fan, but I think she's incredibly beautiful, and I like the way she dresses (most of the time). And as Christi.adell wrote, that she is "of a certain age" and is still putting the "young'uns" to shame.

I know a lot has been said since this, but this is what I meant in a way.
Based on looks alone and what we are shown by the media, Dita is "classier" than most. Of course who are we to judge any of these women since really all we are given is what the media wants us to see. And the media isn't kind.

I also (and I'm quite sure I'm in the minority here) don't think her being a Burlesque performer makes her any less classy than anyone else. She is of age and it's her chosen profession. If she was forcerd to do it that's an entirely different story. I'm all for if it makes you happy do what you want. But at any rate it really doesn't matter if I or anyone else approves since she's laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[Lusti Weather]

Maybe it's just me, but I've spoken to very few people who even know who Dita is. I met her at VLV (she was lovely, by the way), and when I told people back home, all I got were blank stares. Even people interested in vintage didn't know who I was talking about. So I'm not even sure that she could be considered the public face of the "vintage community" if the average person on the street doesn't know who she is. Or maybe I just live in the boonies.

 

[Tourbillion]

Dita had dinner at Maxwell DeMille's Cicada Club last night. One lounger got a photo with her, here it is:

p.s. Christi I can judge her if I want to, she went out with one of my friends before she married Marilyn Manson, she is part of the vintage social circle here in Los Angeles.

 

[Kiri]

Doesn't she look lovely here?

 

[Kiri]

I love her hair here.

And I think this entire look is too cute. I want to steal like everything she's wearing. Actually, can I just be her? Minus the burlesque part? I prefer to keep my clothes on in front of people, thank you.