We’re looking back at past competitors and see how they took on the budget burlesque competition.
Lady Hart, NSW
Lady Hart is a Sydney based burlesque performer who competed in the inaugural 2019 DIY BurlesKoala competition. She describes her usual burlesque style as “ridiculous, raucous and raunchy!” I asked Lady about her experiences competing in the 2019 DIY BurlesKoala Competition.
Why did you enter DIY BurlesKoala?
LH: DIY BurlesKoala was the first competition that really caught my interest in the burlesque world. I’d seen the pin up pageants and straight burlesque comps and absolutely loved them, but they weren’t for me. When I saw how different and open to creativity DIY BurlesKoala was, I knew I had to give it a go. My whole thing has always been to be able to make something from nothing, cos boy, that’s something. And then everyone started tagging me to enter so I guess it was a sign from the universe!
Where did the inspiration for your act come from?
LH: As I touched on earlier, I’ve always been able to make something from nothing, and so I wanted my act to reflect that but have a fun play on it. Being quite known for my unique personal style (there isn’t a Best Dressed I haven’t won yet!), I chose the song “Dressed to Kill” by my favourite drag queen Sharon Needles. Throughout my act, I pull out hidden weapons that I throw into the crowd, so not only am I ‘dressed to kill’ as in colloquially looking good; but I’m also dressed to commit murder.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating your DIY act?
Honestly it was getting myself onto that stage. I put so much pressure on myself to be better every time, push harder, rehearse more… So I battle with my mind a lot. The entire construction of the costume, the whole lead up was a massive internal battle of me telling myself I wasn’t good enough to enter a competition and everyone would be really disappointed in me.
In the end, my performer friend Sadie Stique who was working the bar the night of the DIY BurlesKoala comp was the last person I saw before I went up on stage. She held my hands and she said to me; “You’re motherfucking Lady Hart, now go up there and make them know your damn name”. My husband would later tell me I stomped down to the stage like a force to be reckoned with!
What was the biggest achievement or win you had in creating your DIY act?
I won! But truly the biggest win was the skills that I gained. DIY forced me to sit down at a sewing machine and learn to sew, before the comp I had hand sewed everything. I had never made a full costume before the comp, only accessories or half costumes, and now I make several full costumes every month. I learned to work with wire and different fabrics, and honed the existing skills I had as well. DIY was the start of a journey for me, the best of my life, and it’s still going.
What was your favourite aspect of competing in DIY BurlesKoala?
I felt safe and included. I felt like for the first time I was amongst other creatives which is where I belong. I’m really proud of being the very first Australian winner of DIY BurlesKoala, and it’s an achievement that I will hold so close to my heart for the rest of my life.
If you were to enter again, what would you do differently?
I’d go even bigger!
What advice would you give someone considering entering?
Didn’t I make an entire video series on this? (Yes, yes she did!) Hahaha! My advice would be to have fun, let your freak flag fly, and don’t start working on your costume 2 weeks before the competition! You know who you are!
Have you performed your DIY act again, and if so, where/ when? If not, do you hope too?
I have! Many times! Unfortunately due to Covid, many of my Winner of DIY performances were cancelled. But the act has been seen from the Blue Mountains all the way to Newcastle! It will see NZ and Melbourne one day *fingers crossed*
Have you since upgraded your DIY act? If so, what changes have you made? If not, are there changes and upgrades you plan to make?
I upgraded most of the outfit, the headpiece, bra, underwear. I just wanted to be more sparkly!
What is one DIY trick, skill or experience you learned/ had during the creation of your act that you are most proud of?
I’d have to say it’s the building of confidence as I was gaining the new skills I mentioned before. It’s a really good feeling to be able to master something new quickly; especially when all you need is a push to sit down in front of it and just figure it out.
Lastly…
DIY BurlesKoala is my happy place, and I’d urge anyone to enter. I’d also urge everyone to go and watch. It’s more than a burlesque show, it’s a chance to get to see what performers can do beyond taking their clothes off and I think that’s really special. So many of us in the burlesque community double as creators, designers and makers and this is our competition to shine in; to show the whole world what you can do with $100 and a dream.
DIY BurlesKoala 2022
The DIY BurlesKoala 2022 competition twill be held on Saturday 3 December 2022 at Metro Arts, Brisbane. Tickets available now.
Follow Lady Hart on Instagram and Facebook.
