There are now only SIX Mondays left until I’ll be boarding a big jet plane and crossing the seas to arrive on the shores of the United States ahead of Viva Las Vegas 20. I can’t believe it! If time could just slow town a tad, that would be great.
Although I’m feeling a wee bit nervous about it all, on Friday evening I was gifted something very special that I can bring along on my trip that I want to tell you about.
On Friday, the wonderful Bombshell Burlesque Academy I attend had its annual Bombshells Ball. This regular event showcases the routines each different group and individual soloists have been funneling their energies and efforts into throughout the six week term.
Funnily enough, it was actually pinup that brought burlesque into my life. After being lucky enough to take part in the Garterbelts and Gasoline Pinup Contest and then being even luckier to call myself Miss Garterbelts and Gasoline 2014, I received a term voucher to the Bombshell Burlesque Academy in my winning prize pack.
I headed along to my first ever burlesque class a few months later in late 2014. Despite being somewhat skeptical and scared at the realisation that burlesque would involve removing articles of clothing on a stage in front of a bunch of people I didn’t know, I came back for more. I finally took to the stage in early 2015 and now burlesque is very much a part of my life and one that I am proud of.
Burlesque has brought a whole lot of sparkle into my life. But rhinestones aside, the best part of burlesque has been the wonderful bunch of truly inspiring and encouraging women I have become surrounded by. It’s wonderful to be in the company of women who are creative, motivated and determined and I feel truly privileged to call these women my friends.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending lots of time with a select group of these lovelies as we prepared the Premiere Season of our show A Brief History of Burlesque. Headed by our director Lila Luxx, it was something I felt very honoured to be a part of.
So on Friday as the show drew to a close, I was surprised to hear my name called and be beckoned to the front of the stage by our lovely MC CeCe Shabam. What followed was a complete surprise announcement about my upcoming trip to take part in the Viva Las Vegas 20 Pinup Contest and if that wasn’t enough, a surprise gift too! It completely caught me by surprise and I was very aware of how awkwardly I was standing there not knowing what to say as a result. As the show ended and everyone began filing back to the change rooms, Evelyn, Diamond and Kira all told me that I simply had to open this mystery gift there and then on the spot.
Opening the box led to me immediately losing it and bawling/babbling like a baby at the gorgeous and incredibly thoughtful contents inside. Lila had organised for the amazing Coppelia Jane to hand make me my very own personalised signature Glamour Gown to take to Viva to which all of these beautiful women (Lila, Ella, Evangelene, Jacqueline, Kira, Evelyn, Diamond Cello, and Evie) had contributed too. David had even been in on the action because Lila managed to get a copy of my logo so it could be embroidered on the gown. This is hands down, the most beautiful and thoughtful gesture that I have ever been on the receiving end of and still now, I cannot find words to adequately express how much this means to me.
Upon thanking Lila for initiating such a beautiful plan, she said it was “a little bit of us to take with you”. I feel so blessed to have such a supportive posse of women behind me and I’m so chuffed to have this beautiful gown to bring with me on my travels and remind me of you all! In all honesty, I owe the level of confidence I have today to doing classes with the Bombshells and being constantly supported and encouraged by these beauties. I can see the growth and changes in myself and to these women I say thank you. Thank you for constantly having faith in my abilities and assisting me to have faith in them too! Special mention to Lila Luxx who is my Beyonce: A fierce and intelligent woman who knows what she wants and just goes out and gets it.
Now I leave you with some shots of this beautiful gown I speak of. Also, 10 points to all of these people for managing to keep this a secret for several weeks! Yet another thing about you all that impresses me! <3
