London, Jul 23 (IANS): Actress and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese says she doesn't distinguish between her raunchy stripteases and performances by pole dancers as they are related and she respects them all.

"Initially, I worked in strip clubs, as did most of us that were at the forefront of the burlesque revival in the early 1990s, and I'm not ashamed to say it. I respect strippers of all forms," she told a magazine, reports contactmusic.com.

"I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't wandered into a strip club and wanted to know more about striptease history. I've always been able to admire what makes a dancer an individual, whether it's really raunchy or tame," she added.

Von Teese also revealed she thinks stripping can be "elegant", it just depends on how it is done.

"In my opinion, elegance has nothing to do with 'how much' is shown and far more to do with the way one presents herself," she said.

"I've seen beautiful, highly erotic, nearly pornographic shows that are more elegant than some burlesque acts. You can't equate the degree of nudity or suggestion, it's all about the overall way it's done," she added.