Count on Dita Von Teese for easy elegance, breezy grace

If I could come back as another person, I’d have to choose between Carla Bruni (wife of French president, model/singer, once a love obsession of Eric Clapton’s) and Dita Von Teese (burlesque performer extraordinaire).

I love their larger-than-life personalities and styles, especially in the midst of mundane—you know, like the recession or the “Real Housewives” franchise. Take for example, Coachella, the outdoor music fest. Vanessa Hudgens was trying to be ’70s bohemian cool by wearing a thigh-chain on her leg. You keep trying, Vanessa.

What does Dita do? She wears a sailor’s hat with a vintage Hawaiian print dress! Something tells me Dita doesn’t have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as someone else. And the fact that Dita has a hot 20-something boyfriend doesn’t hurt. Oh, did I mention he’s a French aristrocrat? Just when I thought Dita Von Teese couldn’t get any cooler, she does.

The modern-day femme fatale not only rocks her own ode-to-’40s style, she’s generous about it. Take a look at the June Vanity Fair cover, featuring Katy Perry. Remind you of anyone? In a New York Post interview, Dita says: “People have always copied my style. I used to have friends who would dye their hair exactly the same shade as mine. I see it as a compliment.”

Of Perry, she added: “Katy and I are friends. She comes to a lot of my shows, but she [recently] came backstage and said: ‘I am taking all of this (gesturing at her hair and costume).’ ”

One confession: I still don’t get her marriage to Marilyn Manson (2005–2007). Guess every femme fatale needs a bad decision in her past.

Dita is bringing her brand of burlesque to Los Angeles this month. She is scheduled to appear May 17-18 at the Roxy in West Hollywood. For info, visit http://www.dita.net/info.php.