Ramblin' Rose

How I Became a Lingerie Model

By Brittany Rose


I thought it was going to be a typical show. I had been asked if I could perform a couple of songs at a lesbian country/western bar. I had been in their drag shows before and I like the atmosphere -- very friendly, with a disco saddle instead of a disco ball. And since it was my sister-in-law's birthday, she and her partner agreed to make a night of it with us.

We arrived at her place, visited a while, then I dressed in a comfortable long green skirt, and a beige top, and my sister-in-law, the beautician, did my make-up. The only challenge was all the questions and comments from her 8 year-old daughter.

"Whose wigs are these? Why are you dressing like a woman? Are you going to wear a dress? You look like a woman. (squeal) You even walk like a woman!"

After the babysitter arrived, we four ladies drove over to the bar. When I walked in, a woman I'd never seen before said, "Are you Nicole?"

"No," I replied.

"Well, we're glad you're here, go on back to the changing area."

I carried my change of costume over to the dressing area and was surprised to see a rack of lingerie that had never been there before. After hanging up my clothes I went to see the manager, a good friend.

"Is there something special going on tonight?"

"Yes, we're having a lingerie fashion show, with the regular show, but only one woman and one drag queen are here. You wouldn't mind being a model, would you?"

What a question! "Not a problem. If you need me to help out, I'd be glad to." I was trying to sound very noble, but I think the giggle gave it away.

Eventually, there were four models, a GG, two drag queens and me. For my first outfit, I wore a red slanted skirt with a lace top over my black stockings and boots. It was the first time I had gone braless, and I was worried that the dress wouldn't hold my breasts in, but I was very pleased with how natural they looked. When they introduced me as Brittany Rose, a straight drag queen, the crowd reacted with surprise and disbelief.

After my first walk around, I hurried back to change into my original outfit, with black wig, to sing a K.T.Oslin song, then while others were performing and modeling, it was a rush into a long elegant black nightgown, with an open front showing off my corselette and garters.

The only reason I survived was having my SO as my dresser. She works very hard to accept me as Brittany, but has concerns about losing her man. (A friend's marriage ended when he decided to go full-time, after telling her all along that he just wanted to dress and that was it.) Seeing me in lingerie was a challenge, but she loves me and wanted to help, no matter how stressful. As soon as I finished modeling or performing, she was backstage with the next outfit, earrings, wig, etc.

For my second number, I wore a gold beaded dress, fishnets, and the reddish wig to lip-sync a Tracy Ullman song, "Life is a Rock", and then dashed back for one final lingerie change. After going through several different outfits that showed too much, I settled on a red teddy, and made my final tour.

The hosts of the show were grateful and have asked me if I would be willing to model for them again. Hmmm, let's see. Well... I guess.


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