Dita Von Teese to rock UK's Erotica Sexhibition

When the Erotica sexhibition seductively first threw open its doors ten years ago, many people thought Britain was on the verge of another sexual revolution. Although critics said we weren't ready for a show devoted to bondage, latex and silicone dildos, 15,000 people turned up.

This weekend, more than 80,000 people are expected at London's Olympia – and 60 per cent of those will be women. Erotica's organisers say the brand is going to get bigger and we should expect some shock announcements at the show. Here we speak to people involved in it. They say it's all good clean fun. You can make up your own mind…

Dita von Teese, estranged wife of rocker Marilyn Manson, is credited with being the most famous burlesque dancer in the world. This will be her second year performing at Erotica.

Dita says Erotica has lost its 'dirty mac' image. 'It's wonderful that something taboo, like fetishism, has been turned into something chic, beautiful and yet still risqué. It's the options available to us that have made it so attractive,' she says.

'There are great erotic shops geared towards women who want a certain kind of beauty, elegance and sophistication in their sex lives. Women don't want to buy things that look cheap, vulgar or dirty.'

Dita began her career as a go-go dancer in an LA strip club before she moved on to glamour modelling and then burlesque.

'I'm sure some people think I've just brought fluffy, fancypants striptease back into fashion,' says Dita, whose love of 1940s glamour began as a child.

'But I hope I've inspired some people to embrace glamour and to see a different kind of sensuality. I'm the opposite of the tanned, blonde bikini babe.'

Us Britons have even embraced burlesque more than the Americans. 'Which is odd, considering the “bump and grind” art of stripping burlesque-style was invented on the American stage,' says Dita.

Does she think that we're more sexually liberated than the States?

'I haven't done any true research on people's attitude to sex but I do know that we all like it – we just don't want to admit it.'