For those unacquainted with Dita von Teese, she is the “Queen of Burlesque”—a dancer, actress, model, vedette, and savvy businesswoman. She grew up in West Branch, Michigan, as Heather Renée Sweet. Her father was a machinist, her mother a manicurist. “It’s a universe away from the colored Klieg lights of Hollywood and Paris,” she once said. “But on weekend afternoons, my mom and I had a front seat on a rocket ship to those faraway worlds by way of old movies starring the most glamorous creatures—Betty Grable, Mae West, Carmen Miranda, Marlene Dietrich. They were our muses.”
She trained as a ballerina until the age of 15, then took a job at a lingerie store, poring over lacy ensembles. She visited a strip club at 19 for the first time and was soon hired. Why were all the other dancers so boring, she wondered? She adopted the name Dita as a tribute to the actress Dita Parlo, and developed a signature look. “I might be a one-trick pony for it,” she once said. “But it’s a pretty good trick!”
Over the course of her career, Dita Von Teese transformed burlesque into a contemporary art form, headlining international shows, appearing in films, authoring books, and building a successful business spanning lingerie, beauty, and live entertainment. When the star is not in Las Vegas for her residency at The Venetian, or traveling the world with her new Nocturnelle burlesque tour, she’s at home in Los Angeles. Here, the performer shares her guide to the city she calls home.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Open since 1963, this charming marionette theater is fun for kids and adults alike. They have different shows all year, and you can also book private events and parties there. The theater is devoted to restoring and caring for these darling vintage puppets—it’s truly one of the sweetest, most kitschy places in the world, and I hope it lives on forever. Plus, they created a dancing Dita marionette for my show! (bobbakermarionettetheater.com)
THE MAGIC CASTLE
The ultimate club for fans of magic. I trained for my Nocturnelle tour with several master magicians who perform here. It’s a private club, but you can be granted access by visiting their site. My favorite things there are the vintage posters and the 1930s Richard “Cardini” Pitchford tuxedo on display. (magiccastle.com)
the Musso & Frank grill
The perfect time capsule restaurant in Hollywood, with the best martini in the city. I always like to dress in my best 1940s attire for dinner here, and often drive one of my vintage cars over to get the full vintage Hollywood experience. I love reading the original menus that are on the walls. (mussoandfrank.com)
The Tam O’Shanter
Another favorite Hollywood time capsule, this restaurant, located in a 1920s English Tudor-style building, was one of Walt Disney’s favorites. I love to sit in a booth at the bar. The pool house for my English Tudor home is decorated to look like the restaurant … I call it my Glam O’Shanter. (lawrysonline.com)
Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream
My favorite ice cream shop, Mashti Malone’s has locations in Griffith Park, Hollywood, and Westwood. I love the saffron rosewater and orange blossom ice creams, and their Herbal Snow and Rosewater sorbets. (mashtimalones.com)
Jitlada
The absolute best Thai food in Los Angeles. There’s always a line to get in, but it’s worth it. The owner Sarintip “Jazz” Singsanong brings joy to the restaurant in her cherry red lipstick … always order what she recommends. (jitladala.com)
THE PARAMOUR ESTATE
My home away from home, this exquisite estate is often the backdrop for my lingerie brand’s campaign shoots and my special events. It’s also a private boutique hotel with beautifully decorated rooms. (theparamour.com)
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
I love walking around cemeteries. Hollywood Forever is extra special because they host events like yoga, live music, and film screenings in the summertime. I find it very touching to walk around and read grave markers, thinking about people’s stories … it’s a reminder to be grateful for life while we have it. It will certainly be my final resting place! (hollywoodforever.com)
The Huntington Botanical Gardens
One of my favorite ways to spend the day is to peruse their rose gardens and their beautiful faux-bois pergolas. I’m fascinated by their exquisite collection of Bonsai trees, and I love having tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room. (huntington.org)
Antique Flea Markets
I love hunting for vintage and antique treasures, and although most people know about the Rose Bowl, my personal favorites are the Santa Monica Antique Market, the market at Pasadena City College, and the Long Beach Antique Market. (santamonicaairportantiquemarket.com; pasadena.edu; longbeachantiquemarket.com)
Hollywood Museum
In addition to seeing the museum’s thousands of showbiz treasures, you can visit Max Factor’s famous beauty rooms, where stars would be made up before heading to the studio. It’s a must-see for fans of Hollywood’s Golden Age. (thehollywoodmuseum)
Griffith Park
I love Griffith Park, and live within walking distance. I often walk up to the observatory, an easy little hike, and sometimes I’ll see the planetarium film. There’s a great view of the Hollywood sign and view of the L.A. Basin. I usually drive my vintage cars up there at the crack of dawn before the tourists head up. Another great part of the park is the 1926 Spillman merry-go-round, which has the bench where Walt Disney apparently had the idea for Disneyland. I also like the Travel Town Museum, where you can see authentic antique steam trains. (recreation.parks.lacity.gov)
Santa Catalina Island and the Queen Mary
The perfect day trip from Los Angeles involves a ferry ride to Catalina and a visit aboard the art deco Queen Mary. I’ve been going to both of these places since I was a teenager. It’s fun to rent a golf cart to cruise around the island, then return to the Queen Mary for the second half of the day to wander around, or even spend night. (visitcatalinaisland.com; queenmary.com)
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