Stocking Class at What Katie Did

Photo (C) Ginger Liu 2013.

When I first learned there was burlesque happening in present day, I devoured everything I could find about the subject. I remember getting early issues of Bachelor Pad Magazine and seeing ads for What Katie Did. The retro-inspired lingerie in the ads was fantastic, and I wanted more. I placed an order or two when there was only the shop across the pond. They opened a Los Angeles store a couple years ago in the very fashionable strip of Melrose. They were less than 30 minutes from my house, but I still found myself ordering my underthings by mail. I'd been on the mailing list for almost as long as I'd been doing burlesque, but I'd never been in the store or tried their stockings.

The stockings workshop, conducted by Hollywood Burlesque Festival, gave me the opportunity to do both. Arranged by Lili vonSchtupp, the evening was filled with three mini-classes of ladies learning about the stocking peel. It was a bit of a dream come true to teach these classes with Lili, nestled in this adorable boutique, surrounded by silky unmentionables. (I had seen many London workshops in their newsletter over the years. I was really excited to be teaching at their Los Angeles shop.) WKD gifted every attendee with a pair of stockings, and I fell in love with mine from the first moment. Just the right amount of stretch for an exciting peel and more durable than the "one size" options I've purchased in a pinch. They were considerably sturdy; I peeled my stockings about 30 times and wore them around the shop without shoes, only developing a run in the toe at the end of the night.

Photo (C) Ginger Liu 2013.

What Katie Did also gave attendees an incredible discount. I made a little splurge of my own at the Free the Girls.
end of the evening to celebrate some great classes. With wine, cupcakes and candies, it was like a fantastically festive hen party. We even collected a few more bras for our Hollywood Burlesque Festival charity,

What Katie Did is located at 7970 1/2 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Open 11am-7pm Monday through Saturday. What Katie Did is a sponsor of the Hollywood Burlesque Festival.

1st Annual Memphis Burlesque Showcase

To support burlesque expansion in my South (and since Memphis is three hours from my hometown), I'm a sponsor for this event.

Saturday, August 27 at 9:00pm - August 28 at 2:00am
 
*Starring*
Heaven Lee (AR)
Lysa Strata (TN)
Boom Boom LaRouge (TN)
Fatty McClure (TN)
Ro Manic (AR)
Sadie J. Byrd (TN)
Bre Von Buxxxom (AR)
Kat Malone (TN)
Frankie La Femme (MS)
Lady Doo Moi (TN)
Madonna Putana (TN)
Hunnee B. Hayve (TN)
Tata's Tada (TN)

With your host Rev. JJ Dizzle! With everyone's favorite stage butler, Johnson Pusspowerbottom!

And a very special appearance by Cherry Dame!
*Also, a surprise performance by Lola Vee*

*Most Classic* Most Innovative* Crowd Teaser* Best Newbie*

$ 8 Doors @ 9pm Show starts @ 10pm
The first 150 guest get a ballot to vote for their favorite "Crowd Teaser".

Look out for the Raffle Bunnies hopping around, we have some amazing prizes to give away!

Special thanks to our sponsors

Red Snapper (burlesque performer), Crazy Beautiful, Kiss Me Deadly Lingerie and Daddyos.com

*A portion of the proceeds go to benefit the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum*

Tiki Necklace!

You remember how giddy I was about being selected to participate in the Keep A Breast Foundation breast cast project, yes?  I was also giddy about "The Flower Parade," the incredible artwork on my breast cast by Ken Ruzic.  It's whimsical and wild and perfect.

Well, this whole Tiki Oasis thing gets better and better.  I asked ol' friend Sandy Meeks to create a necklace based on the breast cast so I can wear the necklace to the art showing at Tiki Oasis in August.  Sandy crochets amazing art sculpture necklaces from the cashmere yarn that spent a past life as a sweater.  Totally green upcycling stuff.  The vampire bite necklace that was all the rage last summer was her brainchild.

Sandy is phenomenal.  I put the bug in her ear to come up with something for me on Friday.  She decided to sponsor me with this necklace, and I'll make a dress to go with it.  She sent me a photo of it today.  It's absolutely gorgeous and totally captures the spirit of the breast cast.  Her description of her process with this custom piece is below:

I thought about it all weekend while at work, and then spent some time looking at the Tiki Oasis website, I went through the entire gallery of Ken Ruzic, then through photos of you too :)

I went with the green of the tropics, to the oranges and reds of fire (and your amazing hair), and added the coolness of the turquoise blues to represent not only the water, but to hopefully pick up on your eyes.

I noticed in Ruzic's work, it is tribal, with an influence of Art Nouveau (which I totally love).

I also added the tongue element (that is on the painted bust) to the bottom as well :)

The colors look dark and bold in the pic, but are a wee bit less so in life. My camera freaks out when I try to photograph anything with red and orange tones.

Incredible work.  I encourage you to check out Sandy's Etsy store.  Her stuff is very affordable and clever.