What’s in the stitch of a caviar bead on a corseted bodice, or the sparkle on a strappy stiletto heel? Plenty when it comes to both the haute couture and the couture level of burlesque costumes. And both share the hyper fantasy of glamour and satire, makeup and motion, art and craft.
Their dual impact on the culture and on one another is the subject of tonight's “From Burlesque to Couture: The Ultimate Show and Tell,” a presentation hosted by documentarian Liz Goldwyn with special guest Dita Von Teese at LACMA (tickets are available at the box office).
The pair will discuss the relationship between the costumes of burlesque and the fashion of the couture tier. It’s a fantastic pairing, given Liz’s scholastic approach through her film and book Pretty Things, as well as being an avid collector of vintage burlesque costumes and vintage and new couture. More than just the queen of the neo-burlesque, Dita’s mannered, meticulous appearance has made her a high fashion muse. Consider her run at the Crazy Horse in Paris last fall brought out no less Jean Paul Gaultier, YSL's Stefano Pilati, Christian Louboutin, Dior Joaillerie artistic director Victoire de Castellane and milliner Stephen Jones. From the return of opera-length gloves to pencil skirts, her impact can be seen everywhere. And both Liz and Dita are fixtures in front rows at fashion shows from New York to Milan.

Dita won’t be dancing tonight, instead directing the spotlight on her long-time friend and current protégé, Ava Garter. Only two years into her new incarnation as a feathers-and-crystal striptease artist, the sultry rising start will mark a first for the institution by dancing there. She talked to La Vie en Rose about her new career and tonight’s show:

RA: What’s the story behind the name?
Ava Garter: It has to do with my fascination with Ava Gardner. At around 10, I got out of my Judy Garland phase when I discovered these stars who embraced their womanly assets--Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth. I realized there was more than being a singer and dancer: there was sex too. You had to have sex appeal. You couldn’t deny the power these women had. Even in the 1951 version of "Show Boat," Ava Gardner was so very powerful. The way she carried herself. She symbolized grace and sex appeal. I thought, that’s what I should want to grow up to be.

As for my name, a couple of years ago, there were three of us hanging out at Dita’s house, just drinking tea and laughing. We began playing with names for me to take on. We knew we needed something with a bit a humor, some fun. Since I was such a fan of Ava Gardner, the name just evolved from that. Dita was like “that’s too good to pass up!” So Ava Garter was born.

RA: For you, what is the appeal of burlesque?
AG: It’s that age-old story. Shy girl growing up in suburbia. In my case, it was Lake Forest in south Orange County. I was not into playing with friends outside. I would spend my entire Saturdays watching the “Family Film Festival” with Tom Hatten, glued to these old movies and soaking up everything I saw. I would be captivated by these gorgeous showgirls, and these big production numbers. To me, that was the way life was supposed to be. With burlesque you can have the essence of that.

RA: But your trek from the audience to the stage is more recent...
AG: I’ve been performing burlesque for less than two years, and performing for 18 years. I met Dita on her 18th birthday. She walked in with a friend of mine. Here was this girl with big blonde hair, red lips and fishnets. She was a bit shy. I took one good look at her and I was very unimpressed. I didn’t want anything to do her. By the end of the night, we were...