Trendwatch: Burlesque is big in beauty

Lingerie label Agent Provocateur has announced a new licensing partnership for its fragrances October 26 amid a growing boudoir beauty trend.

The brand known for its burlesque-style boutiques and creations has teamed up with fragrance manufacturer and distributor Designer Parfums for a ten-year contract of perfume launches starting next year.

Agent Provocateur has been successful with its fragrances since 2001, and it's not the only lingerie label in the sector. However, a growing influence of the burlesque theme on beauty is undeniable: Nivea launched a collaboration with lingerie designer Chantal Thomass this summer, for example -- the lipsticks, blushes, and eye shadows are still available in Europe priced at around €10 each.

Even more recently, the world's most famous burlesque dancer Dita von Teese announced in September that she would release her first beauty guide next fall, while fashion designer Vivienne Westwood released an update of her Boudoir fragrance and the Parisian cabaret Crazy Horse launched a full makeup range this month.

The burlesque wave in beauty follows lingerie trends in fashion of wearing underwear as outerwear and gyms introducing striptease-inspired fitness classes.