This year’s Girlesque Expo in Toronto was an especially monumental one for me as it was the debut of a brand new act from myself and Betty Quirk. It is hard for me to even put into words that joy that I felt finally bringing this act to life. It has been a dream of ours for sometime to take the Little Rock number from the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and put our own burlesque twist on it. The scene, which has a very silly theme about finding a man with money, also showcases a genuine bond between two girlfriends who are navigating the world of men and relationships. Betty and I enjoyed playing up both this friendship aspect as well as the silliness of the number and concluded with a whole lot of booty shaking. We also took on the task of recreating the costumes from the film and creating our own fun undergarments. It was a very successful show for us and we are very thankful to have such awesome photos from Photolena of our performance as well as a video from Candid Dragon Fire Productions which is at the bottom of this post.
Way back in the summer of 2013 my uber talented friend Sam asked if I was interested in posing for a portrait for her gallery show. Obviously I jumped at the chance to be a part of the amazing collection of body positive artwork that is Saucy Nudles. I am consistently awed by Sam’s ability to, with a few skilled strokes of her pen, bring to life the essence and beauty of her subjects. Her portraits are honest and show a love and respect for the female form. Saucy Nudles celebrates a changing beauty standard that embraces all bodies. I am thrilled to have my own portrait from Sam and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Saucy Nudles.
Love is in the air today and one lady I love dearly is Zilly Lilly! This gorgeous red head is not only a phenomenal dancer and burlesque babe, she is also a wonderful, smart and funny lady and friend. I was very lucky to have Zilly join me in a saucy photoshoot earlier this year and Valentines day seemed the perfect day to post a little teaser from our shoot. Enjoy Zilly Lilly and I in the first image of our series Behind the Burlesque Curtain.
It’s hard to believe 2014 is finally coming to a close. This year has been so full of joy and success, good times and great friends. I have a new job which I love so much and is the start of a wonderful career. I have the most amazing group of friends a girl could ever ask for, not to mention the cutest kitten on the planet. And I’ve been able to express my creativity through so many amazing fashion photo shoots and design projects. I performed in an international burlesque festival, got a giant mermaid tattoo, met two of my idols (Yaya Han and Tess Munster) and I even started this blog. I can’t believe what a lucky girl I am and I feel so incredibly thankful to have had all these experiences.
So here we go. This is my year in photos; memories from most of the big events, photo shoots, friends, lots and lots of friends and the most fabulous fashions. Thank you for following my blog and I wish the happiest New Year to you all!
Meryle Trouble and Dolly Monroe as Jamie and Cersei Lannister. Photo by If You Fall Photography.Meryle Trouble, Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington and Dolly Monroe preparing for our burlesque photo shoot with Hailey Freisen.Me and Irene of “Petite Plus, Meow!” being models at the Dragon’s Den audition for Your Big Sister’s Closet.Betty Quirk, Laura Desiree and Dolly Monroe shimmying at “Dances the Cramps Taught Us”.Me getting tattooed by Suspira.My beautiful mermaid tattoo from Suspiria.Sam and I celebrating our birthdays together at the Science Centre.My most famous photo of the year (and of all time) from If You Fall Photography.Posing with my lovely friends Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington, Zilly Lilly, and Leelando Calrissian at the Nerdlesque Festival in New York City!My favourite photo from my collaborations with the outstanding photographer Dana Brushette.Meeting my model inspiration Tess Munster!I took the Iron Throne with help from Betty, Brittany and Sam!My naughty Betty Page tribute photo shoot with If You Fall Photography.Hanging out with designer Allie of Amplify Apparel and my awesome friends Leeland and Bri!My first photo collaboration with Geoff Larkin.Mermaid Pride at the Pride Parade with Meryle and Brittany.Leeland and I being cute at Atomic Lollipop.That one time my face was all over the TTC for the Taste of the Danforth Festival.More fun photos with Geoff Larkin.Silly friends Leeland and Sevvy at Fan Expo.Meeting the cosplay Queen Yaya Han!My first official Burlesque poster for the Garters of the Galaxy show.Modelling for Gloomth Clothing with photographer Tyrone Islington.Working hard at my cosmetics day job/taking selfies at work.Bringing my favourite Fairy Tale to life in this Red Riding Hood photo shoot with Geoff Larkin.Filming the Brick Wall Sessions videos with Betty Quirk.Possibly my favourite photo of myself of all time from Geoff Larkin.My Bent Beauty Supremes, Betty, Sevvy, Brittany and Trevor!Best friend photo shoot with Betty Quirk, by Tyrone Islington.I had to end with this photo of some of my most favourite people! Sam, Delicia, Betty, Scarlett, Taylor, Brittany, Sevvy, and Leelando!
On Friday December 19th you can catch me and my partner in crime Betty Quirk in an amazing cabaret show by Meryle Trouble. Just as the poster promises there will be musical ditties and a lil bit of titties! Betty and I will be doing lots of backup dancing as well as our famous Go-Go Cat Fight burlesque routine.
Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door
9pm at the Flying Beaver Pubaret in Toronto
Tickets are available in advance by clicking on the poster below!
I am so excited to announce that I will be performing next Tuesday December 9th at Kitty Nights at Cherry Colas in Toronto! I will be doing 2 brand new acts that have never been done for a live audience before. I hope to see lots of familiar faces in the crowd for a fun night of burlesque featuring…
Dolly Berlin
Kage Wolfe
Kkunt Factory
Go-Go dancing kitten by Harley Payne
Hosted by Belle Jumelle
DJ Johnny B Goode
Special Kitty Nights After Dark set by Esther DeVille
Doors: 8:00pm Show: 9:30pm
TIX: $10.00 at the door
The most recent burlesque costume I completed was a fabulous sci-fi inspired retro space girl look for the beautiful Aviva the Mirage. This look consisted of a cone bra with a large standing collar, tearaway short shorts, and g-string that attached with elastic to a choker. I had a lot of fun creating this look and was heavily inspired by my one of my all-time favourite films, Barbarella. Enjoy Aviva, the space girl, Mirage in these photos from Ruth Gillson and Chris Hutcheson, as well as some of my inspiration pictures!
Today I bring you my favourite photo set to date that I have shot with Geoff Larkin. With a look inspired by Amy Adams in American Hustle, we made use of the dramatic lighting in the bathroom at the loft in which we shoot. I love the plunging neckline with loose cleavage that Amy has in the film and was very influenced by that classic 1970s look. The results are sultry, sensual and seductive with cigar in hand. I hope you enjoy Madame Dolly’s mirrored gaze.
Just a couple pics today from my most recent collaboration with Geoff Larkin. I whipped up this cute little metallic dress a couple of weeks ago for an event. The fabric, which is appropriately called Oil Slick, is so fun I had to make myself a little something with it. Enjoy!
CLASSICALLY CURVY 