Backstage with Burlexe

Burlexe is a unique play about the lives of women in burlesque. It fuses performance with storytelling, dancing with acting. It’s about strong, powerful, amazing women and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before.

We went behind-the-scenes to find a unique sisterhood, which actually reflects what’s happening on stage.

- Burlexe mixes the inimitable Kele le Roc with actresses and guest burlesquers – it’s a living soap opera with highs, hilarity and a good deal of glitter.  

- On stage, Kele le Roc is the most hilarious of comperes, flicking her whip and backstage she’s holding court with stories told in a myriad of accents.

Image by Tigz Rice

- Girls arrive for the pre-show walk-through in leggings and Ugg boots but emerge on stage as glamorous goddesses be it exotic like Luna Rosa or gothic a la Aurora Galore.

- It’s glamorous but girly with backstories are led by hormones, love life, current circumstances and losing an earring.

Kiki Kaboom by Tigz Rice

- Conversations are about make-up and costume tips, where to get just-as-good-but-not-as-expensive-Swarovski-alikey crystals. And did you know what a see-string is? A G-string to perform in. Where can we get one of those? Ask Bettsie BonBon…

Want to find out more?

Embracing Your Alter Ego – How Having a Stage Name or Persona Can Improve Your Confidence

Tigz Rice is an internationally published photographer specializing in burlesque and boudoir photography. Opening the doors to her photography studio Tigz Rice Studios in December 2009, Tigz has had the privilege of working with some of the top industry names, including the official photography at a number of the European Burlesque Festivals. When she’s not taking photographs, Tigz also performs burlesque throughout the UK under the pseudonym of Raven Six and has just been nominated as a finalist in the newcomer section of the World Burlesque Games.

© Tigz Rice Studios

If you had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting me during my early years, you’ll probably remember that I was one of the most boring children in the playground. In fact, I was so ‘glum’ – as my year six tutor so wonderfully put it – after many years of school bullying for being a little overweight and having a maturity level of several years above my own age group, that I invented an alter ego. I’m not really sure if it was planned or not as the name Tigz was originally intended as nothing more than a bit of harmless fun on a youth club camping trip. However, this alter ego brought something else out of me that weekend and I started signing off everything with this new name. Inspired by the cartoon character, I suppose it allowed me to channel a few more of Tigger’s Traits, becoming far more playful in my personality and allowing me to completely bounce back from any negativity I experienced. The new ‘me’ embraced unpopular music, had extreme hairstyles, vocalised opinions and generally challenged conformity without the fear of acceptance. Ironically, it was this new persona that finally did bring the acceptance I’d craved for years – but by then I was way past the point of caring about what other people thought about me.

Having recently taken the plunge into the burlesque industry as a performer, I have once again found a need to create a new alter ego to segregate that part of my life from my businesswoman mindset. Raven is inspired by one specific memory in my teenage years and seems to be a division of Tigz - rather than being two separate people, they are like twins with Raven being the far more mischievous one! Raven is the dare devil, the stripper, the uninhibited. She doesn’t ask for attention, she demands it. She epitomises the bird of prey – elegant yet deadly, never smiling. Tigz, on the other hand epitomizes the Tiger. She is powerful, strategic and fiercely competitive, yet has a cuddly, playful disposition if you get her in the right mood! I’m sure there is a reason why I’ve chosen to name myself after to predatorial animals, but that’s probably going a little too deep for a blog post…

Many people from all walks of life embrace an alter ego, whether its to separate fun from responsibility or to give them more confidence in situations they wouldn’t otherwise feel comfortable in. When posing this thought to the powers of social media, burlesque performer Ruby Woo wrote “As soon as I think ‘OK, what would Ruby Woo do?’ I forget myself for 5 minutes because I’m in someone else's mind set.” Using a different name also can provide anonymity for those who would prefer to keep parts of their life completely separate. Miss Von Trapp replied “being Miss Von Trapp enables me to [differentiate] from my other roles as worker and mother.” My personal favourite response came from Divine Miss Em, who wrote “If the audience don't like what I do I can blame that naughty Divine Miss Em and not take it personally!”

Having an alter ego isn’t just about stage presence either. Lizzi Hobcraft, founder of Betty Blues Loungerie says that have an alter ego is an important part of her company branding. “It's like acting - you create a character that can project your 'brand'. I couldn't get up on stage and talk to an audience about me but ' Betty' is not me so somehow it is less scary.” Many other people responded in the same way that I feel about the name ‘Tigz’. “Miss Honey is the ultimate expression of  'me-ness' and a play on my nickname”, says hair and make up artist Miss Honey Bare, whilst actress Jo Richardson wrote “my [alter ego] embodies all the women I admire and who inspire me. I know when to leave her sleeping, and likewise, when to let her take the lead”

Embracing your alter ego is not only fun, but a great way to challenge yourself to new experiences, whether it is wearing more provocative underwear, applying for that promotion or jumping out of a plane! Why not try it – you might be surprised by your own capabilities…

Christmas gift review: Frilly Knickers

Stylist, fashion PR and Clo Clo’s Closet editor, Chloe Pierre reviews our frilly briefs!

Firm friend & insanely loyal fan of The Playful Promises Boutique, I had the pleasure to review the gorgeous Frilly Knickers range, which is temptingly affordable at a simple price of £10 a pair.

Initially I was skeptical of the Frilly Knickers set as I am a self-proclaimed ‘big panties’ kind of girl, who is usually averse in the luck of wearing frilly lingerie and feeling seductive in them, but honestly, these knickers didn’t even allow a hint of that dreaded feeling to flash back.

The knickers were extremely agreeable on, had a great amount of elasticity, which allowed enough space to fit my voluptuous rear without any strangulation of the waist or thighs and being so close to my intimates did not give one inch of irritation or leave me feeling uncomfortable.

With the heavy adorned frilling going right around the brief and the beautiful oversized bows at each side made my ample hips look very tantalizing if my boyfriend and I, say so ourselves.

With him being a French knickers junkie, per say, he made me model each one, whilst eventually deciding on the Magenta pair, identifying them as ‘keepers’.

Now be under no illusion that this type of underwear is produced to work underneath jeans or your tight LBD as for obvious reasons, the detailing will either show through most fabrics under jeans, is free for movement and will ultimately damage the experience of wearing such a luxurious product. My best bet is to either wear under a very loose garment or keep for a special occasion within the boudoir. 

This is definitely something every woman should have on their Christmas Wish List and pairs up as a great gift solution and stocking filler too.

I will definitely purchase at least two pairs for each my gorgeous and varied framed, girlfriends in the constructive colours that I instantly fell in love with, Black & Peach.

Three words that sum up the frilly knickers in my opinion are practical (wink), undoubtedly rapturousand exquisitely opulent. 

Christmas gift review: Margot

My name is Kitty and I am a self-professed lingerie addict. I created my blog, Undercover Lingerista, as a way of exploring the many lingerie and swimwear brands on the market - from long established names to individual designers. One of my key focuses is discovering brands that offer that extra ‘je-ne-sais quoi’ and promote the beauty of femininity in all its forms. I strongly believe that the ideal underwear set should empower the wearer and make her feel truly special.

To find out more, visit: www.undercoverlingerista.blogspot.com

I am very much a fan of vintage and pin-up inspired lingerie, so when I came across the delights of Playful Promises, I knew that I had found something special. With everything from corsets, to swimwear, to clothes, to nipple pasties, Playful Promises offers sumptuous and seductive treats a-plenty, to bring out the temptress in you!

With Christmas fast approaching, what better way to treat a special lady, than to buy her a luxuriously elegant set of lingerie? 

One of my favourite Playful Promises sets is the stunning ‘Margot’ in blush pink. Inspired by the femme fatales of Film Noir, this soft cup bra and brief are the ultimate in classic 40’s glamour and are sure to seduce anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse! 

The ‘Margot’ is a classic set with a twist, playing beautifully on the timeless lace trend, whilst adding a touch of the risqué, with its daring cut and sheer nude mesh. The colour palette of peach-nude and dramatic black adds to the ‘Margot’s sophisticated appeal.

Made predominantly from semi-sheer mesh, the ‘Margot’ bra gives a hint of flesh, whilst the plunging ‘V’ cut draws emphasis to your assets. This triangle bra is soft to the touch and comfortable to wear, thanks to its elastic non-wired under band, practical hook and eye fastening and fully adjustable straps.

The peachy mesh of the ‘Margot’ is complimented by an overlay of black eyelash lace, which boasts beautiful floral detailing. Delicate zig-zag stitching along the edges and girly bow motif adornments add to this set’s vintage charm, making the ‘Margot’ ooze glamour!

The ‘Margot’ briefs are extremely flattering and very cheeky...in more than one way! The ‘pièce de résistance’ is definitely the sheer back, which gives a tantalising flash of your derrière!

Playful Promises makes life a lot easier for gift-buyers, who only need to pick between three sizes (S, M and L) in both the bra and briefs! At just £20 for the bra and £15 for the knickers, the ‘Margot’ set is great value, as well as looking and feeling luxurious.

To transform yourself into the ultimate Hollywood starlet, complete the look by teaming the ‘Margot’ with the ‘Cervin blush and black nylon seamed stockings’ (£15), ‘Black enamel rose hair grips’ (£6) and ‘Pin Up Couture Noir Starlet shoes’ (£45):

The ‘Margot’ is a fabulous bedroom set that would be perfect for elegant ladies who have a mischievous streak! For a Christmas that promises to be extra special, let your show-stopping Playful Promises lingerie do the talking!

Fancy winning a set of the super sultry Margot? Head over to Kitty's blog to enter into a prize draw to help fill your knicker drawers! 

Christmas gift review: Pencil Skirts

Morgana knows a thing or two about clothing, corsets and lingerie; she has, after all, modelled for top brands such as Kiss Me Deadly, Fairygothmother, Puimond and Maya Hansen to name but a few. Although you may recognise her stunning self portraits, she is also an established photographer, web designer and beauty blogger!

Every woman needs in their wardrobe at least one decent black pencil skirt, and Playful Promises has just come out with 2 wonderful choices - get glamorous in the office or out on the town!

Show off your seamed stockings with the double back split cotton pencil skirt, a beautiful everyday must! Team it with your favorite fitted cardi or one of their new collection chiffon blouses for the complete 40's look.

And if you really want to shine, why not try the satin pencil skirt with satin covered buttons on the side? I was brought this skirt to shoot one of the new Kiss Me Deadly corsets and I *had* to keep it as it felt so wonderful! It’s also high waisted and very flattering! Everyone were asking us about it!

As a bonus, if you book a makeover shoot with me (www.iberianblackarts.com), Playful Promises will give you 15% off your purchases from their site with our exclusive discount code!