Style Icon. Dita Von Teese: Killing Us Softly With 40's Retro Glam. Second City Style Fashion Blog

I was meant to be born in another era. The 40's at least (or the 20's). If I had the money I would dress in head-to-toe vintage Balenciaga, Dior, Edith Head, Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent...no doubt. Having just seen the Princess Grace exhibit at Sotheby's I am now more obsessed than ever. One woman is currently exemplifying the uber classic retro glam style to perfection...Dita Von Teese. Born Heather Renée Sweet on September 28, 1972 in Rochester, Michigan, the ex Mrs. Marilyn Manson and current burlesque artist is playing dress-up with a vengeance.

Von Teese is well known for her fascination with 1940s cinema and classic retro style. This started at a young age and was fostered by her mother, who would buy clothes for Dita to play dress-up with. Even though she is a trained costume designer and ballet dancer, she started "elegant" stripping in 1992. Now she is accepted on some of the best-dressed lists for her retro look and scores many a front-row seat at the best fashion shows around the world.

Von Teese never uses a stylist. "The one time I hired a stylist, they picked up a pair of my 1940s shoes and said, "These would look really cute with jeans." I immediately said, 'You’re out of here.'" She does her own make-up, and dyes her naturally blonde hair black herself. Currently, she is a spokesmodel for MAC Cosmetics.

Let's take a look at her attending some recent Spring fashion shows and openings:

At Macy's Passport 2007 Fashion for Compassion event on September 27

At Yves Saint Laurent during Paris Fashion Week 2007 on October 4
 

October 5 at at the Chanel Show in Paris with Victoria Beckham (guess who I think looks better?)

At John Galliano in Paris October 6

At Louis Vuitton in Paris on October 7

At the Monique Lhuillier boutique opening in Melrose on October 10

October 18 in Madrid for MAN Magazine's 20th anniversary

Well done! Bravo! 

Source: Wikipedia  & YouTube

Photos: WireImage