The big Teese

Talk us through the inspiration for your collection for Wonderbra. “I’ve always been obsessed with lingerie and I have a huge collection of vintage lingerie pieces. In designing the collection I brought all my favourite elements together – like Fifties shaping combined with Thirties detailing. It’s brought a whole new retro twist to Wonderbra.” Which is your personal favourite? “My favourite is the Satin Teese range. The bra has a top wire instead of an underwire. It’s a classic Fifties style that seems to have been long forgotten and I just love that it’s so unusual.” The collection looks set to fly out of the stores. Are there further ranges in the pipeline? “I’m not sure yet but I sure would love to.” You have front row seats for all of the major catwalk shows – what did you think of Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label show yesterday? “I thought it was great and I’ve already picked out some pieces to go with my wardrobe. Vivienne was one of the first designers who sparked my interest in fashion – I remember saving up for my first pair of those famous court shoes. I love her style.” You’re friends with Victoria Beckham. Do you have any dresses from her new collection? “We’ve had dinner a few times and we’ve seen some shows together. I haven’t seen her new collection yet but I’m dying to.” Who are your favourite designers? “I love Moschino, I wear a lot of Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Christian Lacroix. And I wear a lot of vintage of course. I’m always scouring the earth for great vintage bargains”. Would you ever consider designing your own ready to wear collection? “I think it I ever did something like that I’d look into my own vintage wardrobe and make pieces based on my own collection. I’m not a designer but I do have a really great collection and a good eye for things that would translate well to today. I think it would be wonderful to reproduce some of the Thirties and Forties dresses in my closet.” Do you have such a thing as your own style commandments? “I have rules for myself but I don’t claim to have any rules for anyone else. I remind myself that if I do take a moment to feel better - if I do my hair, if I put on a little lipstick, if I put on a dress that I like I will inevitably have a better day. The day you don’t bother is the day you run into that ex-boyfriend or that ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend. There’s so many reasons for making the effort – that’s my number one rule.” We never see off-duty-Dita. What do you wear when you’re relaxing at home? Do you do jeans and slouchy tee? “No for me off-duty is a little dress that zips up the back, ballet flats and my hair in a chignon. A little powder and lipgloss and sunglasses and I’m out the door. It’s much faster than bra, jeans, tee, sneakers… that’s a lot of work! If you could take three skincare products to your desert island, which would they be? “My sunscreen without a doubt. Every day I use a SPF15 but if I’m going to be in the sun I wear SPF45/50. My second would be my MAC Russian Red lipstick and I’d use it on my cheeks too. My third would be a powder because then I’d get the mirror too!” Have you ever been star-struck? “Oh yes, especially by old Hollywood’s great ladies. I remember once I was having dinner with Christian Louboutin when I spotted Lauren Bacall and literally dropped my fork. She walked over to our table and said ‘excuse me for interrupting your meal’ and said hello to Christian but didn’t acknowledge me. She’s really not interested in being introduced to women but if you’re a young hot guy, different story…! I was totally starstruck when I met Elizabeth Taylor but even more so when I met George Michael. I’ve been a fan for ever and ever.” Ah yes you featured in a video for his tour… “Yes there I was filming on his video set with the same crew that filmed all those iconic videos and I was just overcome. I had to disappear behind the monitor to pull myself together!” How do you answer people who say that what you do is anti-feminist? “Well first I would tell them to look up the dictionary definition of feminism. The argument is usually started by people who don’t understand my fan base – they see an exotic dancer in rhinestones and feathers and rant that it’s feeding the wrong image to men and telling women what they’re supposed to be. The argument is useless - women are being inspired to find their own inner bombshell and they’re having fun with it. And surely if you tell me not to do what I love isn’t that going against feminism?” Do you see yourself every remarrying? “Yes. My marriage failing hasn’t turned me against it but I’m not in a hurry. I enjoy the ritual of proclaiming my love for someone – I’d like my life to be a series of love affairs. I don’t feel that I’ll be less important as a human being if I don’t find The One and spend 75 years of my life with one man. It’s OK to have lots of relationships!” Do you believe in such a thing as The One? “I believe there are lots of The Ones. I’ve been in love many times and they were all The One for a time!” The Wonderbra by Dita Von Teese Limited Edition Lingerie Collection is available from Tuesday 23rd September at Figleaves, ASOS, Littlewoods Direct, Next and Simply Yours. View some pictures of Dita Von Tesse modelling the lingerie in the Dita Von Teese Gallery.