All studio photos by Carlton Mickle.

I have been  the costume designer for Bustout Burlesque since January 2005,

right before the show started up again after Hurricane Katrina.  All the

costumes and props from the previous incarnation of the show were completely

destroyed during the hurricane. The show had no budget at all when it started

up again after the storm, but I really wanted to be involved so I did the best I

could with limited resources. And I didn't really have a million clients knocking

on my door wanting ball gowns. New Orleans was a weird place then... I love

working with the show because the girls are all sweet and gorgeous and it's a

pleasure to make really nice costumes for such ideal creatures. We are

constantly updating costumes and making new ones. The show looks more and

more professional as time passes. We've sold out shows and get lots and lots of

really great press. It's a vintage-style Bourbon Street burlesque show and

features a live jazz band, Wild Cherry who worked on Bourbon Street during

it's heyday as an exotic, magicians, singers and other surprises.  Check out

bustoutburlesque.com or myspace.com/bustoutburlesque for more info.

Many, many thanks to Carlton Mickle for such gorgeous studio photographs.

Check him out at carltonmickle.com.