Model Spotlight: Eliza DeLite

Beautiful English rose Eliza DeLite is currently in the USA just starting her fabulous burlesque tour, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be sponsoring her! Catch her at any of her US shows for exclusive Betty Blue’s discount postcards – she has free shipping codes as well as discount codes if you’re really nice to her 😉 The exchange rate is currently great for our US fans so your money will go even further.

Eliza is a London based burlesque artist of international acclaim; we’ve followed her modelling and burlesque work for a while now and it’s not hard to see why she’s such a well loved international starlet. She’s been working in the industry for an amazing 8 years, regularly performing in the UK and internationally, and winning awards as she goes.

Despite her hectic schedule, Eliza made time for a little interview with us inbetween packing for the USA to give a little more information about herself and her career.

What made you want to go into the modelling/burlesque industry?

I started studying art and performance from an early age – the two sat along side each other for years (earning me various qualifications and training). I dipped my toes into burlesque for the fist time during my years at university (where I was studying for a degree in photography and film making).

Whilst my academic life had taken the “art” route – I still craved the theatre and performance aspect. I called upon my previous dance training teamed with my extensive art studies to help me shape and develop myself as a performer in the burlesque scene. It took me the first couple of years to really “find myself” and establish my own voice – and it’s been a joyous rollercoaster ever since.

Being on stage gives me such a buzz and I’ve been lucky enough to take my work all across Europe and to the states on a number of occasions. Travelling, seeing new places, meeting new people and getting to work and perform in beautiful spaces keeps my drive going. I also attend as many exhibitions and events as I can to keep myself inspired.

How do you prepare for a performance?

Show preparation always starts with the hair for me (see why in the next question)! Packing also takes a lot of care and consideration but I’ve got it down to a fine art now – everything has it’s own space in my suitcase and I can get myself packed in under 30 minutes. I spend a lot of time traveling so in the hours before a show I’m usually on a train, a coach or a plane. When I arrive at the venue (usually a few hours before showtime) I try and grab myself a nice cup of coffee to perk me up after hours or traveling.

I find it really important to establish a good rapport with who ever else is on the bill that night. It’s always important to say hello to other performers and set up a good working relationship early on (though I’m lucky now that I usually know most other performers on the bill as you start to bump into each other pretty often after a few years on the circuit, and many of them have become good friends). It just makes the whole experience much more fun and enjoyable for everyone, and helps to lay aside any stresses that you wouldn’t want to take on stage. Being calm and relaxed is key to a good performance! Hair, make up and getting into costume usually takes around 2 hours, it’s during this time that good banter with fellow performers is really beneficial. It’s nice to have this time to catch up with folk I’ve not seen or performed with in a while.

Before I go on stage I stand in the wings and try to at least watch the act that’s on before me, just to get myself in the right headspace. I’m not much of a talker in the minutes leading up to a performance, it’s lovely when people try to make conversation in the wings but I do find it a tad off putting.

Do you have a specific beauty routine?

I’ve spent years wet setting my hair and it is officially the best styling method for my hair in terms of durability – however it’s never a quick process. I try to set my hair one or two days in advance of a show – this set can then last anything up to 5 days!

At night, before I go to bed, I pop my hair back into (dry) pin curls and a headscarf to help prolong my hair set.

I get so many compliments on my skin and complexion but honestly, my beauty routine is nothing more than making sure my skin is well moisturised. I try when I can to remove make up with coconut oil and a hot flannel – but I don’t always remember to pack these and end up relying on make up wipes, which I know aren’t particularly kind on the skin.

My advice for those seeking a clear, alabaster complexion is to simply find a good SPF moisturiser. I’m currently using one by Vichy – it dries nice and matte so putting make up on top of it isn’t a problem.

What are your top three beauty must haves?

• A good moisturiser (see above)
• A deep red/plum matte lipstick – I wear Diva by MAC
• Blusher – because my complexion is so pale, I can look ill without it! I have been wearing the same shade of blusher since I was 18 – “Lilas d’or” by Bourjois.

What is your go to piece of lingerie or loungewear that you just can’t live without?

A nice vintage Kimono. I have a couple, but my favourite is a beautiful silk lined peach number – 1940’s. I also have a lovely Aubergine one that I picked up in New Orleans – this one is a bit more durable / less delicate, so I do wear it more often and quite frequently back stage. And of course my Betty Blue’s pieces!

What is your go to style item of outerwear clothing?

Turbans! Turbans have without a doubt become my signature off stage style look over the last 4 years. They are just such a classic, iconic look that until recently were greatly under appreciated (in these modern times!).

It started out when those pre-made stretch turbans started appearing early on in 2012, I also used to stuff them with extra scarves to add volume – but I’m pleased to say I’ve progressed away from those and learned how to properly wrap a turban from scratch. People often ask me where I get my turbans from and are stumped to discover it’s actually a scarf I have hand tied.

I get a lot of requests for turban tying tutorials and have thought long and hard about releasing one, but I think for now I’ll be keeping that little titbit of info to myself, just to uphold the mystique 😉

Who inspires you style wise in the celeb world (past or present)?

So so many people! From the past – designers such a Paul Poiret, Edith Head, Adrian, Lanvin, Dior, Schiaparelli. Present designers – Gaultier, Zuhair Murad, D & G, Westwood, Ellie Saab and of course the late Alexander McQueen.

Celebrity inspiration is a little harder to pin-point as more often than not they’ve been dressed by designers – however Hedy Lamarr and Marlene Dietrich have been big inspirations for a long time.

Do you have any upcoming events that we should know about?

Well I’ve just arrived in the states for a six week tour which will take me from San Francisco to Portland, onto Chicago, then Pittsburgh followed by New York and finishing up in Cleveland. I have so many amazing shows lined up while I’m here, Trapeze, Hubba Hubba Revue, Papermoon Cabaret, Vaudezilla, Steel City Kitty, Nurse Bettie, The Pink Room just to name a few (you can see the full itinerary on my webpage).

As for the rest of this year, I have some great UK dates booked in including The Starr Bazaar in Sheffield, Burlesque Noir in Blackpool, The Wet Spot in Leeds, Kinky & Quirky in Torquay and the Frou Frou Club in Todmorden.

Where do you see your career being in 5 years’ time?

Tough question – I’m hoping to get a few more ideas out on stage and release some new acts (some of which have been on the back burner for far too long). I enjoy the repertoire I have now but it’s definitely time to release some fresh material. Moving to London a year and a half ago has really slowed down my creative productivity, but I’m fully settled there now – so expect to see some new works soon!

I’d love to come back across the pond to visit some of the places I’ve not managed to schedule in for this tour – I’m getting some online fan requests for visits to LA, Texas, Canada and would also love to see Seattle (which I did originally have pencilled in for this trip but ended up heading over to Chicago instead).

Australia would also be a possible option over the next few years, but I may have to put my fear of creepy crawlies aside first!

I’d like to continue with the strong working relationship I have with the European burlesque scene – of course, who knows how recent political events may affect easy travel there.

I look at how far I have come in the last 5 years and wonder what the projection is for the next 5 – I’d say the first 5 years were spent really establishing myself in the scene, I’m at the 8 year mark now and am very happy with the shows I’m being booked for – so more of that really!

Finally give us all your website and social media links so we can all find you!

Website: www.elizadelite.com

Twitter: @elizadelite

Instagram: @elizadelite

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElizaDeLiteUK

(Hint, I’m most active on Instagram 😉 ).

Thanks so much to beautiful Eliza for taking the time to talk to us, and make sure you go and see her when she’s in a city near you – you won’t regret it!

Lots of Love
Betty and Team Blues xxx