Burlesque beauty, Ava Garter, took time out of her busy schedule to talk style with us. While she is not performing, she also teaches burlesque and glamour etiquette classes in Orange County and the Los Angeles area. Her style brings us back to a more glamorous time, and I think we could all benefit for her wisdom. For more information on Ms. Garter, check out her websites:
http://www.avagarter.com
http://www.theblackglove.com
Do you think that there is something missing from the fashion of today?
I do believe that high fashion is coming back around to a more glamourous sense of style. Look at the popularity of designers like John Galliano, Zac Posen , Roland Mouret , Moschino , Dolce & Gabbana and so many more. Sure these are Couture designers but there style trickles down to fashion in clubs ,office buildings and streets all over the world that you can see if you just keep your eyes open. Of course in mainstream society ( the suburbs, etc. ) I DO think there is a certain fashion sense that is totally removed from what is on the runways. There, it tends to be all about "comfort" instead of fashion sense. Playground and grocery store cool seems to revolve around expensive jeans and which top you are going to put with them. All of that just escapes me . I love my skirts and dresses .
Are you a thrifty shopper? What do you splurge on?
If I told you that I was a thrifty shopper I am affraid that my girlfriends will write in to you and tell you what a liar I am! So no, I am not thrifty when shopping. That being said, I don't have endless amounts of money to spend on buying clothes to try to keep up with all the events that happen or my fashionable friends. I am a single mother of two little ones after all. I believe in spending as much as you can afford on the best available to you. I would rather have one or two beautifully fitting little black dresses that have classic style and can be worn over and over again rather than spend less buying the most "in style " dress every season. When you think about it , if you add all of those dresses up that you won't wear anymore (because they aren't in style) you might have had a Dior that went on sale . They do have sale's you know!
One really wonderful thing that I have absolutely SPLURGED on was a long black one shoulder Valentino gown . I was going to an event with Dita for the Oscar's and I was so nervous about what to wear around all of those famous and fabulous celebrities . I found it and fell in love because it reminded me of Ava Gardner's black one shoulder look . I was sooooo fortunate that it was on sale ! I would never have been able to afford it if it wasn't . Of course it made me sick to my stomach when I signed the bill but I felt that just once in my adult life I was going to own a designer creation! A smaller splurge that I indulge in lately seems to be candles by Killian. Two sents are my favorite : Rose de Damas and Taste of Heaven . I cant stop , they are an addiction at this point.
Your website cites Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth and Judy Garland as your inspirations. Who else inspires you?
I always say that I am inspired by anyone who wakes up in the morning and decides to do something different with their life. It takes courage to change and grow. I am always trying to do both of these things . I know it sounds cliche' but I want to be an example to my children that they can do and make anything happen if they can only dream it for themselves. Sooooo.... it's not necessarily a celebrity I can name that inspires me , its more like my friends and the people around me that I meet that make the biggest impressions on me right now. Their examples help keep me positive and on track whenever I am feeling down. You probably wanted me to say someone famous or something like that , huh?
Some would say that a look like your is expensive to recreate. Would you agree?
I think whenever you are trying to recreate someone else's look you should focus on shape and fit. That is the most important thing to me . I am in love with my black pattent Yves St. Laurent handbag and think it is the most elegant thing, but I have also seen some brilliant versions of it made by other designers for alot less. It is really about classic shapes and lines . Who cares who made it. What I do not agree with would have to be buying the counterfeit handbags or products in order to get the same look . To me its kind of like lying and just feels dishonest .
How has being a burlesque artist affected your personal style?
When I decided to go back to being a performer it seemed to seep into my everyday style almost immediatly. I stopped caring so much about people starring at me for looking different . I really became most concerned with dressing myself however my mood took me for the day .
What designers are successfully bringing the glamour of the past into these modern times?
From what I have seen in the past couple of years , I would just die to have one of the famous Roland Mouret "Galaxy" dresses. They are so chic and timeless. I think that his designs have the perfect blend between past and modern. That's why you see celebs like Victoria Beckham and Dita wearing him day in and day out . Perfection achieved .
Now when it comes to my new favorite ( and thankfully much more affordable $$) fashion designers I would have to choose the fantastic Rachel Pally. She designs for glamour and comfort! It CAN be done . I didn't think it could until I saw her collections. She loves vintage and does a great job merging it with the worlds most comfortable fabric : jersey . Her style can range anywhere from the 30's to 60's and 80's ... its never borring . I find that with her clothes I can still be super stylish in the playground as well as a cocktail party and never look out of place or like I am trying to hard . Check her out , you wont be sorry.
How would you advise aspiring burlesque performers( or the girls that crave the look!) on building their wardrobe in these tough economic times?
Economically for everyone right now it has become hard. I don't know anyone who hasn't been effected . We all would still like to build our costume closets and personal wardrobes but now just isn't the time for endless rhinestone shopping , is it? I recently heard a call to arms for the return of the sequin! Why not? Have you seen the amazing sequins they make now? Oh my gosh! Some so tiny they shine like rhinestones . They can be so impressive. I would like to see all of us who enjoy burlesque get more into the shapes and flow of our costumes instead of the over decorating. I know that with my next act I am working on right now , I am more interested in the beauty and drama of the dance and the overall production than I am into the "shinyness" of the costume.
Do you think your style translates well on all body types?
To me it seems that a woman should know her body shape and flow with it instead of work against it . I know that I am curvy on top and in the hip area.( I have been told about my J-Lo booty for years. Ha! ) So I choose styles that seem to accentuate my curves in a Jessica Rabbitt kind of way. Sure this look might be harder for you to get if you aren't "gifted " up top or you are lacking in the curves all together... but why not buy a great waist cincher and a push up merry widdow bra to create the look of curves ? Put on the perfect strapless black velvet dress ( available on my site www.theblackglove.com soon) and POW! Go see if your victim can resist you now.
Thank you for a great interview! Did you ever get those ruffled panties for Christmas?
Hahaha! Yes I did........
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