Contribute to funding the Stargazer gown
Be a part of modern burlesque history and accept gifts of gratitude from Lily, her sponsors, and friends.
Use your major credit or debit card to contribute via the safe secure PayPal system.
Note that your contribution is not a tax-deductible donation, but a purchase of gifts through Lily Verlaine Presents, LLC.
Contributions to the Stargazer Gown will fund materials and over 200 hours of work by Danial Webster's studio.
Lily Verlaine's collaboration with costumier Danial Webster on the Stargazer Gown continues a tradition of couture in burlesque theatre. There is perhaps no better example of this than Erté's stunning pieces for Ziegfeld Follies.
The Stargazer Gown will make it’s debut at the 2011 Burlesque Hall of Fame in Lily's new signature piece.
The gown is inspired by the unabashed sensuality of the Stargazer lily itself: the dripping stamen, the dark, staining pollen, the disorganized blossom, its brazen glamour and its unapologetic palette.Such a gift of nature supplies ample inspiration in the minds of two artists who enjoy making defiant spectacles. Combining Lily’s vivacity and retro-style glamour with Danial’s spontaneous sophistication, the two intend to create a jaw-dropping wearable work of art.
Lily came to Danial fixated on the flower’s vibrant palette, struck by the obvious sensual display of the blossom and intoxicated by its scent. Danial was quick to point out that though the flower is indeed striking and intoxicating, it is also an organic, living thing that is beautiful even as it wilts. He pointed out the irregular fuchsia splotches on the white underpinning, the way the ocherous pollen dusts the petals and the subtle green and violet iridescence that lay beneath the flower’s famous hot pink veins. He pointed out the infinite variation in size and shape of the posy’s ruffled edges, and observed how willful a seemingly delicate blossom can be.
It is a shameless display of beauty, beckoning its admirers in, and threatening to leave its stain forever if it is handled carelessly-what an excellent recipe for a burlesque spectacle.
Contribution levels and gifts
Note: Caffe Vita and Via Tribunali gift certificates are only available with contributions received before June 5, 2011.
$5-$25- signed postcard sketch of the gown, and a Caffe Vita drip coffee.
$25-$50- 8x10 photo of Lily in the finished gown, and the drink of your choice at Caffe Vita.
$50-$200- framed, signed, and personalized 8x10 photo of Lily in the finished gown, pepperoni or margherita pizza at Via Tribunali and the drink of your choice at Caffe Vita.
$200-$250- attend wine and cheese catered fitting with Lily and Danial, signed and personalized photo of Lily in the finished gown. Pound of Caffe Vita Coffee and a pepperoni or margherita pizza from Via Tribunali.
$250-$500- Thank You video of Lily performing her signature act in the finished gown, signed and personalized photo of Lily in the gown plus a pound of coffee from Caffe Vita and a $25 gift card to Via Tribunali.
$500-$1500- One 30 minute private burlesque lesson with Lily (excellent gift to an aspiring burlesque starlet), Thank You video, framed, signed and personalized photo of Lily in the finished gown plus a pound of Caffe Vita Coffee and a $50 gift card to Via Tribunali.
$1500-$5000- attend photoshoot with Lily modeling the finished gown and stay for catered picnic for 4 and classical music performance by Seattle Freelance String Quartet led by Teo Benson post-shoot in the glorious Seattle summer, 4 signed and personalized photos of Lily in the gown. Plus, a 3 month Caffe Vita subscription and a $100 gift card to Via Tribunali.
$5000 or more- catered cocktail and hors d'oeuvre party ("Lily Verlaine" Signature cocktail will be served) for 20 with live jazz by The Matt Jorgensen Trio and burlesque performances by Fuschia Foxxx and Lily Verlaine in the finished gown, 20 signed and personalized photos of Lily in the finished gown, plus a year- long Caffe Vita subscription and dinner for four at Via Tribunali, including wine.
The Stargzer Gown funding effort is made possible with the gracious support of:
