“I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do - that was one of my favorite things about it, and when I first did it, I felt very perverse”

Diane Arbus

Burlesque is my perversion

For me Burlesque is not just a hobby but a way of life. I am a creator. I love creating, crafting and constricting. I have personalised most of my outfits. Adding peacock feathers, sequins and ribbons, I turn drab to fab. I want to be different; I want to stand out from the norm. This is why I took up Burlesque. It encourages my individuality. I am 21 and I come from Rugby in Warwickshire once voted the second most boring town in the Country. Moving to Liverpool is by far the best thing i have

done. In this great city is where i discovered The art form that is Burlesque.

TEXT

Bone, Steel and Ribbon Velvelt

This is what my corset is made out of. It was an early twenty first birthday present from my father. A lot of people gasp at that sentence. Your father bought you a corset? Yes, why not, my parents have always supported me in everything I have done. At first my mother was a little concerned, because people fear the unknown. I have had a few people call me a stripper and a slut and all sorts of names. I don’t let people’s arrogance get me down. I am my own person. I love burlesque it allows me to embrace myself. it is argueably the most self confidence buliding art form out there. It makes me feel powefull. The power a performer holds over the audience is strong. Their lust for her is thinly hidden and every movement of her curves drives them wild. Burlesque is about dominance. The performer is the master,

the audience her puppets. She can show as much or as little as she wants.

Bone, Steel and Ribbon Velvelt

This is what my corset is made out of. It was an early twenty first birthday present from my father. A lot of people gasp at that sentence. Your father bought you a corset? Yes, why not, my parents have always supported me in everything I have done. At first my mother was a little concerned, because people fear the unknown. I have had a few people call me a stripper and a slut and all sorts of names. I don’t let people’s arrogance get me down. I am my own person. I love burlesque it allows me to embrace myself. it is argueably the most self confidence buliding art form out there. It makes me feel powefull. The power a performer holds over the audience is strong. Their lust for her is thinly hidden and every movement of her curves drives them wild. Burlesque is about dominance. The performer is the master,

the audience her puppets. She can show as much or as little as she wants.

Tease

Teasing is an essential part of burlesque, every burlesquer has to master the art of teasing. Keep them waiting. A good burlesquer could take an hour just to remove her gloves, without the audience getting bored. The main difference between burlesque and stripping is both men and women enjoy Burlesque. It is subtly sexual. My first proper Burlesque show is coming up soon. Nervous, no that’s not me; I cannot wait. My only anxiety is finding a pseudonym. I need something that encompasses my personality. Brains and Beauty is a cliché but this is one I am willing to embrace. After all I am working hard to become a Marine Biologist. The advice I have been given is to wait a while before I decide on names. A pseudonym is something one

grows into. Only time will tell.

Tease

Teasing is an essential part of burlesque, every burlesquer has to master the art of teasing. Keep them waiting. A good burlesquer could take an hour just to remove her gloves, without the audience getting bored. The main difference between burlesque and stripping is both men and women enjoy Burlesque. It is subtly sexual. My first proper Burlesque show is coming up soon. Nervous, no that’s not me; I cannot wait. My only anxiety is finding a pseudonym. I need something that encompasses my personality. Brains and Beauty is a cliché but this is one I am willing to embrace. After all I am working hard to become a Marine Biologist. The advice I have been given is to wait a while before I decide on names. A pseudonym is something one

grows into. Only time will tell.

WPhotography By Faridah Nakanjako

Words By Naomi Harris