Masterclass: The History of Fashion for Burlesque Costuming with Maple Rose
3pm - 6pm
Step back in time with The History of Fashion for Burlesque Costuming — a deep dive into the eras, silhouettes, and style icons that have shaped the glamorous world of the burlesque wardrobe. This 3-hour workshop traces the evolution of fashion from ancient decadence to modern-day stage glamour, with a focus on how historical fashion continues to inspire the extravagant costuming of burlesque.
We’ll journey through time, beginning with the draped drama of the Antique world, the revolutionary opulence of the Renaissance, the lavish ornamentation of the Baroque era and then follow fashion’s evolution through the corseted silhouettes of the Victorian age, the rebellious energy of the 1920s, the high-glam of mid-century showgirls, and into the bold, boundary-pushing looks of contemporary neo-burlesque.
Through a mix of lecture, visuals, group discussion, and Q&A, we’ll examine how each era’s fashion has influenced the theatricality, sensuality, and craftsmanship of burlesque costuming. Perfect for performers, designers, and costume-curious creatives, this workshop offers both rich historical context and inspiration for building show-stopping looks.
What You’ll Learn:
Fashion highlights from Antique through modern eras
How historical styles inform burlesque aesthetics
The evolution of materials, silhouettes, and stagewear
Tips on channeling historical inspiration into your own costume designs
What To Bring
Pen and paper
Your phone, iPad or laptop for research purposes
Any colour markers/pencils you want!
About your instructor:
Miss Maple Rose, known as the “Queen of Classic,” has been described as the unwanted lovechild of Tempest Storm and Lucille Ball. Combining her professional expertise in costume and set design with her foundation in classical dance, Maple guides many a budding performance artist in the art of tease and dazzles audiences with her iconic fan dancing technique!
Maple's education in architecture, set design, costume design and performance art continue her passion for the academic side of burlesque. With a Bachelors in Architecture and a Masters of Art (Performance, Sculpture and Installation), her love of history and art inspires her work.
She’s here to prove that “classic burlesque” doesn’t have to be boring. Either with feather fans or tapping toes, Maple will take you on a deep dive into burlesque history.
Headliner of The Australian Burlesque Festival in 2020 & 2022, winner of the the 1st Runner Up crown at Miss Burlesque Australia 2018, and voted into the 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s Top 50 Most Influential Artists of 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024, Maple has shown that she’s “Australia’s Sparkliest Piece of Bacon” with a tornado of feather fans and couture costumes