"Burlesque/Fetish and the Art of the Teese"

Step right up to have your fantasies and fetishes fulfilled! Having recently developed a taste for burlesque dancing, I decided to check out the book by its undisputed queen...

I'm known as a bit dance-crazy. Having taken ballet and jazz classes as a kid, I'm a sucker for sequins, tutus, bright lights and a big stage. Last year, I discovered burlesque. I heard of well-priced lessons nearby and, relieved the instructors said we could keep our clothes firmly on in beginner classes, have had a ball ever since.

Hardly a man-eating siren, I'm addicted to the glamour of it. We ladies dress up for classes. No one flutters an eyelash at classmates sporting sailor shorts, rainbow hair, fascinators or fishnet stockings. In fact, they're encouraged. Basically, it's like dress-ups with a smidgen of dancing thrown in.

While it would never win awards for the best workout ever, there's certainly an art to it and classes just plain make me happy. How could you not be entertained when every week you're learning to flutter fans, sway around chairs, strut dominatrix-style and shimmy and sashay around a room? I'm even considering adopting a cute stage name a la my teachers, Sapphire Snow and Luna Eclipse at Peaches 'n' Gin. Cinnamon Buns, perhaps?

So, if I could develop even a champagne drop of the class of Dita Von Teese, I'd be delighted. I decided to take matters into my own hands and purchase her book. It's quite a nifty set-up. The main cover shows pretty-in-pink Dita in sultry burlesque mode. Flipping the book upside-down reveals an alternate, darker, raunchier front cover on the back, "Fetish and the Art of the Teese".

The book serves several purposes. It's a rich, colourful picture book for ladies to admire and men to ogle. It would sit nicely on your coffee table if you're not the blushing type. There's plenty of content too, whether you wish to know the opinions and stories of the woman herself, or simply wish to glean some glamour and burlesque dancing advice. Expect plenty of how-tos and snippets of history of the burlesque movement. If you're looking to use it as a seduction manual, you'll find sexy, yet tasteful, tips for that too.

The book is stunning quality, can be found for a reasonable price and is a tantalising read. Buy if you are a fan of fashion, fancy-dress, dance or Dita and enjoy with a Margadita or two.

Dita is still the queen.

Rating: 9/10.

Have you ever delved into the dark and delightful world of burlesque? What do you think of Dita Von Teese?