Dita Von Teese

Dita in Diamonds

For the first time, Dita Von Teese, the renowned burlesque artist and fiancé of Marilyn Manson, performed wearing only diamonds at The New York Academy of Art’s Take Home a Nude Benefit at Philips, de Pury and Company. In two separate acts, one inside a martini glass and the other a feather fan dance, she stripped down to the first ever diamond pasties and diamond encrusted g-string designed by jeweler Susan Rosen. She also wore $5 million in diamond jewelry by William Goldberg including a diamond tiara and diamond necklace. In the audience were Elizabeth Berkley, Christo, Olivia Chantecaille, Zac Posen, and Lucy Sykes.

The set of diamond body jewelry (pasties and G-string) was especially created by Pennsylvania fine jeweler Susan Rosen for Von Teese's performance. Utilizing a total of 50 carats of diamonds the set features nature inspired design to offset the sensuous form of the performer's body. Two brilliantly paved flowers form the pasties and a diamond encrusted heart, backed by flesh-pink titanium forms the g-string. Never before in the history of burlesque has a performer worn an all-diamond costume. For the Risde trained Rosen, the opportunity to collaborate with Dita von Teese was an exceptional opportunity:

"I have made body jewelry before, but this was different. The challenge was complicated; to combine the engineering needs of a piece that has to be strong and flexible enough to move with the artists body but light enough to reflect the subtle artistry of Dita's performance on stage. For me this was the ultimate assignment, to create a piece of diamond jewelry that could reflect her true eternal spirit: ageless, resilient, unique and beautiful.”

Rosen selected additional pieces to accessorize the performance, including a never -before seen diamond tiara, an important diamond necklace, matching diamond earrings and bracelet, all by William Goldberg.

Featured artists included HRH The Prince of Wales, Eric Fischl, Jeff Koons, Francesco Clemente, Peter Beard, Zac Posen, Derek Lam, Amanda de Cadenet, Glen Luchford, William Wegman, Cynthia Rowley, Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Heidi Klum.

Located in the heart of Tribeca, the New York Academy of Art is the only fully accredited school of fine art devoted to classical training for visual artists. This live and silent auction offered artwork from 300 emerging and established artists, as well as work of student, alumni and faculty.