American burlesque shows were an offshoot of original Victorian burlesque. The show consisted of three parts: (1.) songs and comic sketches; (2.) assorted acts such as acrobats, magicians and solo singers; (3.) chorus numbers. The entertainment was usually concluded by an exotic dancer or sporting match.

American burlesque flourished and developed an increasing focus on female nudity. Exotic dances increased as part of entertainment provided in clubs and cabarets, as well as music halls and theatres.

The transition from burlesque entertainment to striptease was gradual. At first soubrettes showed off their figures while singing and dancing in elaborate stage costumes. Eventually burlesque entertainment fell out of favor as female entertainers moved away from entertainment acts to acts that were centered solely on increasing amounts of female nudity.

In the 1940’s and 1950’s to increase their public popularity burlesque entertainers, strippers, glamour models and actresses started using photographic advertisements in the form of postcards, calendars and magazine images.

This led to the creation of the term pin-up girl. The popularity of pin-up girls exploded when Esquire magazine released a series of drawings and cartoons of the Vargas girls. The Vargas Girl cartoons were often transformed into images being painted onto the WWII bomber aircraft nose. This was considered to be a symbol of good luck to the airmen. An example of this can be found on the aircraft Sentimental Journey in this gallery.

The pinup era gained more popularity with Bettie Page who was a fixture in many glamour magazines in the 1950’s. This trend led to the eventual introduction of Playboy magazine. Today burlesque is making a comeback as a unique type of entertainment and the nostalgic look of the pinup girls is still being recreated by photographers to this day. Gigi Vanilla re-creates the original glamour of burlesque and the pin-up girl. Enjoy a nostalgic trip by visiting the Gallery.

Watsonphotography.ca creates unique images of fashion, models, people, travel, nature and racing sports by Toronto photographer Peter Watson.

Credits:

Model: Gigi Vanilla

MUA: Kofo Owolab

Art Direction: Toni Wallichy

Studio: Pink Panther

Studio Assist: Maureen Littlewood

Photography: Peter Watson

Post-Processing: Peter Watson