Taking it off is the simple part.

A striptease costume is the culmination of countless hours of labor- designing, drafting, testing, fitting, repeat – to put the ease in the “tease.” Our upcoming exhibition, Built to Bare, will shed light on burlesque costume creation, shifting the focus from the performers who peeled them to the artist that engineered them. Featuring the work of classic burlesque costumers Rex Huntington, Gussie Grosse, Hedy Jo Star, Tony Midnight, Grant Philipo, and more, as well as original design sketches from contemporary costumers, this exhibit will give you a peek at the burlesque costuming process both past and present.

Built to Bare: The Art of Engineering Clothes Designed to Come Off is on display in our temporary exhibition gallery through December 31, 2023, and is included in your admission price.