Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese on her curious collections

Our friends at Collectors Weekly interviewed Dita Von Teese about her penchant for vintage lingerie, antique hats, classic cars, burlesque memorabilia, and a lifetime of flea market finds.

Collectors Weekly: What are the most unusual items in your collection?

Von Teese: I have a corset that Betty Grable wore in a film called “The Farmer Takes a Wife,” and I also have a shawl that Dorothy Lamour knitted. It has her little “Knitted with Love by Dorothy Lamour” label, and I have a photo of her in her chair on set knitting the actual shawl. I keep both of these garments in glass cases that can be opened so I can wear them or show them to people anytime. I also have lots of rare vintage books about burlesque and about beauty. I have a collection of vintage flared riding pants—I guess that’s kind of odd.

My hat collection is massive, too. I have several hundred, and a whole room in my house devoted to them. I collect vintage taxidermy: I have two big heart-shaped domes filled with birds, I have a bear rug, a monkey, and a full ostrich. I also have a collection of rare feathers I got from a famous place in France that supplied feathers to Josephine Baker, Mistinguett, and all the showgirls in Paris for 300 years.

"Va-Va-Voom Vintage: Dita Von Teese on Burlesque, Fast Cars, and Old Lingerie"

• [A C]

  I was blown away when I first saw this woman, and even more blown away at her exceptionally good and meticulous taste in just about everything. The article even taught me a few things! I am the same way as her but only with timepieces and scientific instruments. I have exceedingly specific and refined tastes, and only certain particular things appeal to me.

  Very cool article David, nice find.

• [Melinda9]

  I love her style and collections – I cut out the pictures from that Instyle photo shoot last year. Thanks for posting this.