Show me how you burlesque

The Boston Vintage Factory opened in September, but they already have many loyal students returning for more classes. On March 5, they kicked off their third round of its eight-week Burlesque 101 classes. The Joy Street studio, which opened in September of last year, currently offers classes in burlesque, sewing, makeup, and yoga.

Pictured: Instructor Geegee Louise demonstrates stocking removal for his class.

In order to avoid a feathery mess on the studio floor, the class used their own jackets to practice feather boa techniques.

Student Becca Brady mimicked Louise in satin gloves that matched her yellow pumps.

According the Boston Vintage Factory co-owner Kristen Augenfeld, the studio is unique in that all materials are provided for the classes they offer.

Here, students take their pick of a colorful assortment of gloves and black thigh-high stockings.

During the class, Louise emphasized that framing the face is an important move in a burlesque performance.

Here, Heather Oblon [left], Sara Felice [center], and Becca Brady [right], practice this principle.

Louise occassionally turned his chair around, facing his students to show leg-centered gestures. “

We’re not accenting the booty, we’re not accenting the boobies,” he said. “If you’re sitting with your legs crossed, it’s all about the legs.’’

Louise wore stockings with dark seams up the back of the legs, a classic vintage look.

“Seams are an aphrodisiac. They’re not work appropriate,’’ he said. “Unless you want to get a raise.’’

A common theme in Geegee Louise’s burlesque class is slowness.

“Each body part has it’s own reveal,’’ he said.

Throughout the class, Louise gave the students advice based on his own burlesque performance experience. He warned to always fold the gloves after a performance to avoid wrinkles next time.

Louise taught two ways to remove a glove. One is a base removal where the performer slowly pulls the glove off from the base of the glove with the other hand.

Sara Felice [pictured] practiced the second way: removing the glove with her teeth.

A long satin glove and a high heel are seen on the floor after students learn how to take them off in the classic burlesque style.

Geegee Louise’s class is reflective of the old adage about enjoying the journey rather than a destination.

“Burlesque is not about being naked. It’s about how the clothes come off,” he said.