A delve into my design archive.

While I am working on customer orders and developing my new range, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and have a look at some of the designs which I have produced over the last two years.

mmm....strawberries. Maybe these were not as popular as the cherries, but they are something just a bit different. I've done quite a few food related designs......

The ever popular cherry design, this time with a black background. I've lost count of how many cherries I've done, but I never tire of making them. They look great on gingham or with a sequin or fabric background. very versatile.....I just love this design!

I designed these magic 8-ball pasties around the same time I made the lucky 7's dice. I've also made playing cards which lots of people seem to like.

Arriba! I remember making this design, it was really popular and I am thinking of revisiting it by doing some other mexican designs as it still seems to be quite a trend.

Aww....these were the first pair of pasties that I made (and sold) Since then I have made many other pairs in this design. They also look good with a tassel added.

Watch out for more designs on my website. I am working on a new range which will appear!

http://www.helenebachburlesquestyle.co.uk/

Re-Vamped : The beginning.

Having been asked to help promote this show, I viewed the teaser trailers for this show on BIO channel’s website and I have to admit I was a little unsure about the potential “revenge” motive of this series. However, after viewing the first two episodes, I am fully appreciative of the way that burlesque can help transform many women’s lives – especially as I have first hand experience of learning the art which has enhanced my own life – in fact, turned it around.

The opening show saw a group of eight broken-hearted women, from diverse backgrounds who were feeling pretty down about themselves after being “dumped” by the men in their lives, men who they had previously had unshakeable faith in. The “dumpings” were done by various methods, but one which beggars belief was by email! I couldn’t believe it! I was sucked in…..the way the show has been produced leaves you anticipating what happens next.

The burlesque “journey” (I hate that cliché!) started with the women opening up, telling their stories and attempting to dump their own baggage and bottled up feelings, with the obligatory tears that seem so necessary in today’s television. I can remember a time when cameras would stop rolling when people got upset on TV, but as this sort of thing is commonplace now, I could see that the “Re-Vamp”-ing clearly becomes an emotional and spiritual thing as well as a physical one – making a much more compelling show than a simple “pretty makeover” which would significantly lack in substance.

The women were also introduced to a healthy lifestyle change, with some of them not too impressed with the choice of diet, with certain foods being banned. This element of the show was potentially informative, and I would have appreciated a bit more detail here. Perhaps a Re-Vamped website would be a good idea, to make such information accessible.
The best piece of advice given was; “Living well and looking good is the best revenge.” This set the tone.

On this note, the team of experts set about whipping them into shape, on the first stage of the transformation into burlesque queens. The boot-camp approach was in direct contrast with the studio training required for burlesque choreography, which some of the women struggled with (tears again).

Different tasks and challenges are to be set throughout the series, from an aerial rope assault course which tested the women’s nerve, confidence and physical strength, to a photography project and song writing task which helped nurture their creative side. (How many hoops do people have to jump through to make good TV?) These contrasting tasks are hoped to be character building, but I wondered why the women didn’t get to choose their own burlesque character – instead it was chosen for them. I thought that with a little research, they could have managed this. From my point of view, a burlesque character can take quite some time to develop- okay, so you have a name, costumes, also some routines, but I for one am still developing as “Miss Helene Bach”. This aspect of the show was slightly disappointing, I have to admit.
As a reality show, it works well. Potential conflict and upset makes these shows into “good TV”, also the anticipated outcome where the women perform in a burlesque show “sticking it” to their exes, who will be in the audience. When all this has been taken into account, I have to say I have enjoyed watching it so far, despite a couple of minor misgivings, which will hopefully disappear as the series progresses. We will see….
Worth a watch!

Re-Vamped is on BIO channel on Tuesday, 8.00pm and 11.00pm,
Repeated Friday at 9pm, also Saturday at 6pm.

Find out about Re-Vamped

Find out about Re-Vamped (Click here to see more!)

Tuesday 7th December will see the next episode of Re-vamped on Bio Channel. Be sure not to miss this compelling show as a group of eight women get revamped through learning the art of burlesque. In this episode, some of the women struggle with the choreography for the show.

A visit to Burlesque Salon!

Burlesque Salon is a hidden gem of a shop, tucked away in the fashion mecca that is the Oasis on Corporation Street, Birmingham.

Opened by Ella Young, this welcoming little shop is an absolute aladdin's cave of burlesque goodies, with something to tempt everyone. There is a range of excellent corsets in an array of colours and patterns, also a selection of pretty ruffled knickers, bustles, and hosiery, costume details such as hats and wigs can also be found, in fact everything you need to kit yourself out for burlesque.

You can even find my tassels stocked there, with a christmas range coming soon!

Well worth a visit as you do your christmas shopping in Birmingham.

Hallowe'en Masquerade Show at THE PUBLIC, West Bromwich, Saturday October 30th 2010

The setting for this well attended burlesque show was the "long room" rather than the theatre. This could have had an effect on the atmosphere due to its dimensions which sometimes meant that the audience energy was not so concentrated towards the stage Nonetheless, there were a variety of performance styles on show which meant that any audience newcomers to burlesque saw an almost complete spectrum.

I am usually a traditionalist as I like to see a male compere, but I was delighted with Gigi Golightly's elegant turn, she gave each act, including mine, a lovely introduction. However, as there were indeed a lot of newcomers (who knew little about burlesque) in the audience, she had her work cut out when it came to encouraging them to cheer the acts on.

Plenty of people turned up to see some real scary glamour. Black Country Burlesque regulars such as Delilah Cherry Blossom, Ava Quinzel and Lola Pops showed their finely honed skills and fabulous costumes in neo and gorelesque performances, taking delight in "freaking out" some of the ladies on the front row! Another thing which struck me was the expertly applied make up of these performers. The great amount of work that had gone into these performances was all too apparent. The stage manager for the evening was Celeste Chiffon who did sterling work in her own inimitable style, with horror make up and a fluorescent green wig.

Other performers to appear were trained by Maggie Palmer at Wolverhampton's Burlesque Academy. Blue Bell Noir and Starr Rouge, are a sister act who performed in perfect synchronisation in a traditional cabaret style. Tiger Lilley was another academy girl who made her debut with a sensual performance to the music "Teach me, Tiger".

I myself did two performances which included my debut act and a new one which used Robert Plant's "Fortune Teller" to tell my tale.

The evening had a couple of departures from burlesque with the Jawahir Belly Dance Troupe from Kingswinford dazzling us with their stunning costumes and routines.

Another part of the evening was an appearance by "Angel Eyes Helen" a medium who did readings for randomly selected memebers of the audience. Not everyone's cup of tea, but a different act which added to the variety of the evening.

As always, it is difficult to rate a show you have appeared in yourself, but I would recommend this show as worth a visit should there be another one, but I might suggest some format changes.

(Many thanks to Robin Lowe from Black Country Burlesque for the use of photographs from the night.)

A Burlesque Workshop that's worth giving a twirl....

Ladies enjoying themselves at the Burlesque Academy.

By popular demand, there will be another Beginner's Burlesque Academy workshop at DANCE BY DESIGN STUDIOS, Blyth House, 130 Hordern Road, Wolverhampton WV6 OHS. It will take place on 28th November 2010, starting at 10 am and lasting all day until approximately 5pm with an hour's break for lunch.

This intensive day-long course is aimed at beginners who have little or no experience in Burlesque, but in my opinion it could also be a useful refresher for ladies wanting to brush up their technique.

You will be expertly taught by professional dance instructor Miss Maggie Palmer, a.k.a Divine Destiny who will teach you the basics of walking, posing, posture and some choreographed routines in vintage and modern styles. The basics of "peeling" and "teasing" are also covered so you will be able to go home and give hubby a demo!

Although there are elements of striptease included in this course, no nudity is required, so your blushes are spared. You will need to bring some items with you, but you will be advised of this when you pre-book your place.

Miss Maggie Palmer teaching at the Burlesque Academy

I would highly recommend this course, although only a day long, burlesque is well worth a try just for a fun day out or it can be a life enhancing experience for those ladies wishing to learn more and take it further. (Like me) I wouldn't have dreamed I would be doing this two years ago. It is a real confidence boost and can also provide a toning workout, very good for the legs, back and abdominal muscles.

So, why not get a little glamour in your life, if only just for one day and try this marvellous course?

Cost for the day - £20

For details and essential pre-booking please ring Maggie Palmer on 07881 538780

Burlesque designs for Hallowe'en!

Many apologies for the delay in posting. It is a very busy time for me as I am training to be a fitness instructor as well as continuing with my burlesque!

I thought I would give you some pretty pictures to look at, courtesy of my good friends at Lady K's just in time for Hallowe'en!

Visit www.ladyks.co.uk

to buy these designs.

Spooky spiders web pasties

Skull and bones tassels

Skull pasties with holographic effect