Dita Von Teese: 'Underwear makes me feel feminine'

Speaking at the launch of her Von Follies lingerie collection, the burlesque star told us underwear is the main thing that makes her feel feminine.

Speaking at the launch of her Von Follies lingerie collection, Dita Von Teese told us underwear is the main thing that makes her feel feminine.

'Underwear is one of the main things that makes me feel feminine. I started working in a lingerie store when I was 15 so it’s something I feel very knowledgeable about. It sparked my entire career as a burlesque dancer.'

Wearing a vintage Valentino dress and Louboutin heels, Von Teese explained to us how she really enjoyed the process of designing her debut lingerie collection: 'I had free rein to do what I want to do whilst also ensuring I kept all pieces within the Von Follies price point.'

In keeping with her own personal style the range has a vintage feel with balconette bras, lace corsets and high waisted briefs in opulent colours of red, black and teal.

'A lot of the process is me finding ways of making pieces from my own personal vintage lingerie collection more modern and wearable for women today. It's been great because I have an endless supply of references and inspiration.'

With bra sizes ranging from an A-cup to E-cup, Von Teese revealed how her lingerie retail experience as a teen had helped her in the design process.

'I learned a lot from meeting women that would come into the store and seeing what they liked and didn't like and how we all have definite ideas of what kind things we want to wear. It was important for me when designing the line that we had very strong preferences of cuts like briefs versus thongs and the shape of the bras such as bustiers versus balconette.'

The collection is available from selected Debenhams stores and online at debenhams.com now.