A conversation with Lisa Cherrylips - Burlesque art performer on a journey towards female self empowerment
A portrait of Lisa Cherrylips - courtesy of Lisa Cherrylips, photograph by Marianna Zampieri
Burlesque, and more precisely the Neo-Burlesque revival taking place in recent decades on both sides of the Atlantic, is a constant form of reference and inspiration for many lovers of Boudoir and Erotic photography.
The extravagant style, elaborate lingerie, costumes and props have informed fashion and beauty trends and become synonymous with glamour in everyday life. But is burlesque a tool for self expression and female empowerment? Or does it offer a true critic of gender stereotypes? We asked Lisa Cherrylips, burlesque performer and founder of ‘La Vie en Rose’, a project that helps women achieving the freedom to express their sensual self.
What is your background and how did you become a burlesque performer?
Hi I am Lisa, and I have been a teacher for 21 years.
Around 10 years ago, I attended a burlesque class and become aware of myself and my femininity. Burlesque art taught me how to get to know and appreciate myself physically and how to use irony, playfulness and wonder to express this new awareness. It took me out of the shell where I lived and out of my comfort zone.
However, when my new passion for Burlesque became known in my old workplace, the working environment became hostile and eventually proved unbearable. One night I woke up and said enough! Next morning I resigned and was reborn. Burlesque gave me the courage to abandon my daily certainties and change my life.
I wrote the next chapter of my life merging my greatest passions: theatre, burlesque and magical femininity, and my project ‘La Vie En Rose - libera di essere donna’ was born. Libera, free, is the word on which I pause: free to be myself, free to love myself, free to express myself how I want.
What is the role of burlesque performance in today society?
First of all, it is necessary to point out that burlesque exists in a society that is already developed economically and culturally, although it may still be male dominated, where women are emancipating themselves from minor roles and gender equality is slowly being accepted.
In our society, therefore, Burlesque wants to promote women's roles by giving not only the possibility, but the ability, to women to decide for themselves - rather than being allowed. Burlesque can make women aware of this power and forcing social change.
Do you think Burlesque empowers women or objectifies them?
Surely Burlesque confers a special empowering awareness to women that I strongly believe is needed to achieve many things in life.
Obviously, the boundary with the possibility of seeing women as objects is very thin, and is clearly linked to the way in which a male dominated society sees a woman only for the act of ‘undressing’.
For example, amongst the many questions I receive, some men ask me “can’t you do topless?”. I find this question very disconcerting and embarrassing. These men don’t think that women may be strong, determinate and capable of challenging those who consider them only as objects, so they are usually very taken aback by my answer.
So I think that Burlesque also has this power: to face people with a different reality to what they are accustomed to, and perhaps make them ask themselves a couple more questions before opening their mouth next time.
How do you feel when you perform? What do you love most about being a burlesque artist?
When I create a new act, I feel alive. I create an alternative way to narrate my story, myself and share my fantasies. During an act, a performer always brings on stage a piece of herself, and I think this is a beautiful sharing ritual between the artist and the audience.
When I go on stage I feel pervaded by a unique energy, all my senses amplified. I feel as if I opened the doors of my soul, letting it flow freely, regenerating and energising me.
What is burlesque therapy and how does it relate to your “La Vie en Rose” project?
My project ‘La Vie En Rose’ is dedicated to women who, like me, want to get out of their comfort zone and erase all their existing stereotypes about being a woman (what is the perfect body, feelings of self worth, how other people perceive us…)
La Vie En Rose, through the fusion of the art of Burlesque, Theatre and the exploration of the feminine wants to accompany a woman to see a new version of herself in the mirror - to recognise and meet her real self.
The process, although fun, is a real revolution.
From the art of Burlesque, I borrow aspects such elegance, playfulness and seductiveness to discover and enhance a woman own sensuality. Irony and self-irony are a fundamental part of this path because they allows us to accept ourselves for what we are and thus enable us to relate harmoniously and serenely with others. Laughing at oneself is not making a fool of oneself, just a sign of love.
I use the art of theatre to communicate our emotions non-verbally, letting them flow freely without worries using our own body, harmonising it in the surrounding space, becoming more aware of our body and its potential.
The art of the feminine can be thought of as something purely magic that each of us possess already, like a spark in its own original and creative way.
The true beauty that each and every one of us has, is that uniqueness that makes us feel special and, above all, alive.
Do you have any suggestions on how every woman can bring some ‘burlesque’ into her love relationship?
Certainly attending a burlesque course, or my ‘La Vie en Rose’ program, can help in all aspects of a woman’s life: from her self confidence to relationship dynamics. Exploring Burlesque art, in fact, is not only good for entertainment purposes, but a great opportunity for personal research and self awareness.
At the end of this self discovery journey I always encourage women to book a photo shoot session: seeing your own image in the photo is the greatest help for self-awareness: an extra tool to really see yourself changed!
Lisa Cherrylips ©LisaCherrylips Photo credit: Andrea Rossi
