Dita Stripteese - book discontinued by Harper Collins - review by Ms. N

I have a bit of a girl crush on Dita Von Teese. What a beautiful woman she is! When I saw this set of three flip books featuring the lovely Ms. Von Teese, I really, really wanted it. I am fortunate enough to have a generous friend who gave me the funds to purchase it.

The packaging is as beautiful as the lady herself. The cover of the "book" (which is more of a case to hold the three smaller flip books) has a pretty pink lace and sequin-type design, almost certainly inspired by Dita's stage costumes. In the middle of the cover is the title, in soft, velvety letters. The back cover features a photograph of Dita wearing a corset and a pillbox hat with a see-through veil (taken by Sheryl Nields, as were the rest of the photos in the set). This is a woman with style! The sides of the cover are the same soft, velvety material as is used for the title. It is tied in the middle with a silky burgundy-colored ribbon. The cover is a sensory experience in itself. The real treasure, however, lies within the packaging...

When the cover is opened, it reveals the three flip books within, carefully inset in three separate divisions to insure the pristine nature of each book. Each of the three flip books measures 2 3/8" x 4" x 1/2". They are smooth and glossy, as are the full color pages inside each book. The flip books contain two different sets of pictures, so that one can see one of Dita's performances when "flipped" one direction, and another when "flipped" the other direction.

The first book is entitled Bird of Paradise (underneath the section where this book is stored, there is a second title - Swing). The two sets in this book are Dita in a life-size birdcage, twirling on the "seat" in the middle, wearing pasties, undies, and what appears to be ballet slippers, and Dita performing a fan dance.

The second book is called Classic (with the second title being Seduce). Forward and backward, the same scene plays out...Dita is wearing her outfit from the back cover (the corset and pillbox hat, along with a jacket, slim skirt, black panties, stockings held up by garters, and shoes. She then proceeds to take it all off...well, except for the pillbox hat. She must be familiar with the Joe Cocker song "You Can Leave Your Hat On."

The third book bears the title Martini Glass (and the second title Splash). Inside Dita wears a very sparkly, shiny, form-fitting silver ensemble with stockings (again, attached to garters) along with silver shoes. By flipping the book in one direction, one sees her take these off, piece by piece. If the book is flipped the other direction, Dita is wearing pasties and panties, and she drenches herself in liquid (presumed to be champagne), as she saunters around in a giant martini glass.

The great thing about flip books is that the viewer controls the speed of the action. Want to see Dita strip slowly? Flip the pages slowly. Rather see her motions move more quickly? Just flip the pages faster!

Since the first time I saw pictures of her online, I have thought Dita Von Teese was one of the most beautiful, elegant creatures I have ever seen. As I became more familiar with her and the particular talents she possesses, I realized that it was not really a crush...I just want to be her! I am perfectly willing to skip the Marilyn Manson stage though; that's something I don't quite get.

Dita is still my hero. What a divine woman. Hopefully, this item will become available for purchase again in the future, so that others can bask in her beauty and grace.