Revealed: The sweet face of Dita Von Teese before she became the queen of burlesque

By DONNA McCONNELL

Last updated at 16:28 03 March 2008


She was never a plain Jane.

But with her long blonde hair and girl next door sunny looks, there was little inclination that this fresh-faced teenager would undergo a stunning metamorphosis, into brunette bombshell and burlesque star Dita Von Teese.

In 1990, her senior year at University High School, 18-year-old Dita - or Heather Sweet as she was known back then - posed for her high school yearbook.

Few could have forseen the raunchy future ahead of her, in which she has become famous for writhing around in a giant martini glass.

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Before she was famous: Burlesque star Dita Von Teese aged 18, as she was captured in her high school yearbook in 1990. Von Teese changed her name from Heather Sweet to its current incarnation when she embarked on a career as a glamour model and performer

But behind that sweet smile, as she approached her 18th birthday a steely Heather knew exactly what she wanted to do when she passed that milestone.

And in the same year the yearbook picture was taken, she began the metamorphosis which set her on the path to fame and fortune.

Dita said in an interview: "As soon as I was of legal age I wanted to take my clothes off and be photographed recreating old pin-ups."

And at just 18-years old, she arranged a shoot with a photographer who had taken pictures of her older sister for Penthouse, and posed in just a pink and black corset.

She gave the pictures to her then-boyfriend for his birthday.

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Girl in a glass: Dita has become famous for her burlesque performances where she can be seen writhing around in an over-sized martini glass

Born Heather Renee Sweet in Rochester, Michigan on September 28, 1972, she adopted the name Dita as a tribute to silent film actress Dita Parlo, and her breakthrough 2002 Playboy cover gave her the last name "Von Teese".

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How she looks now: Dita as she is more commonly seen in her signature old Hollywood pin-up glamour style

Dita told The Telegraph: "There were times my parents weren't so sure about what I was doing, what this bondage modelling was all about.

"When I was on the cover of Playboy my father suddenly had much more respect for what I did."

Now she can regularly be seen on stage in oversize champagne glasses and once performed naked save for $5million worth of diamonds for a benefit show at the New York Academy of Art.

The former glamour model has even outlined her unique take on undressing in public in a bestselling book Burlesque And The Art Of The Teese/Fetish And The Art Of The Teese.

And she recently appeared completely nude in the January issue of Spanish Playboy.

The 35-year-old was revealed as the new "face" of bra-manufacturer Wonderbra last week.

She will also design her own collection of 40s-style lingerie for the label.

She said on her website: "I've been passionate about beautiful lingerie my entire life, so to team up with Wonderbra, a brand that is known for undergarments of exceptional quality and beauty is a great privilege for me, and I am immensely proud of the collection.

"I really hope that with this new range I can share my passion for sensual, wearable lingerie that will add a touch of glamour to people's everyday lives."

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