The Burlesque Showcase and Bazaar

This is a man’s world… but it wouldn’t be nothing without a woman

Lyrics sung by James Brown is a perfect way to express how women are viewed in our society. An exploration of the genesis of pin-up girls, and the history of the movement that started from the 1920’s.It wasn’t until the 1950’s where society learn how the pin-up style let the repressed woman feel good about them. Bettie Page is a great example of a leader who empowers women everywhere for freedom within their own skin. In her days of fame I believe she was the face of female empowerment.I was honored to attend the 13th annual New York burlesque festival a couple weeks ago.It was at The Tippler, a bar that been running 123 years(inserts shock face emoji here) and it was a sight to see with different vendors, a panel with real burlesque dancers discussing their years of experience and a delightful live show.

You can shop one of a kind pieces at Delilah Burlesque

Women in the 1920’s were starting to grow out of what was considered ladylike clothing and rebelled by showing their bare ankle. As time progressed, dresses became shorter and colors became brighter. It set an image that a woman was free to express her individuality, something that wasn’t done before due to a woman being viewed as a housewife, nothing more nothing less. The objection to this lifestyle created the “Flappers”, who redefined what people viewed as an essence of competing with the opposite gender. The women in this movement began smoking cigarettes, drinking, wearing a shorter haircut, and finally were recognized in the workforce. For once women were getting a treatment that they were not used to before.

The respect was given because they were acting like men.

Throughout the following years, women dressed in little to no clothing and were photographed. Various artists used the pictures to be drawn out for different publications. The public viewed the photos as the cause of burlesque striptease; sexuality in the past was not accepted in society.

Although the public wasn’t a big fan of passion, the photographs were published in newspapers and advertisements, the opposite of what was expected to happen. The public grew to acknowledge the art form of pin-up when illustrations were used to explain short stories and jokes of murder and humor. Following along with newspaper and magazines imagery started to be used for calendars. The pin-up girls inspired and comforted the men in combat during World War II. The pin-up trend developed a style of freedom to let women everywhere know they could be more than a homemaker!

Trademark jet-black hair and short bangs, the pin-up legend known, as Bettie Page were part of the feminist movement. Based on her images, women everywhere wanted to be more like her and less like Betty Crocker.Betty Crocker set a cultural model on how a woman should look based on commercialized baked goods. Bettie Page’s look helped the sexual revolution of the 60’s. Many women earned college degrees and still felt frustrated because they lived each day cleaning houses.

The art of pin-up was their way to know there can be more than what is considered as a woman role in society. The freedom of women wanting to be like these images was, ironically, their way to speak out.