The history of striptease is rich and fascinating, stretching back thousands of years and evolving alongside cultural attitudes toward sexuality, performance, and art. professionals.
The art of striptease, often misunderstood and frequently misrepresented, is steeped in a surprisingly ancient and multifaceted history that spans cultures, continents, and centuries. While the term itself is relatively modern, the act of sensually undressing as a form of performance has roots that reach back thousands of years.
An Ancient And Enduring Art Form
In ancient Mesopotamia, around 2000 BCE, one of the earliest echoes of striptease appears in myth. The Sumerian goddess Inanna, in the Descent of Inanna, removes a piece of clothing or jewellery at each of the seven gates to the underworld, a symbolic act interpreted by some scholars as a spiritual or ritualised precursor to erotic performance. Meanwhile, in ancient Greece and Rome, public and private entertainment frequently included sensual dances. Roman courtesans and performers were known to use movement, gesture, and stages of undress to tantalise and amuse wealthy guests. Such acts were not considered vulgar, but rather part of a broader cultural appreciation of the human form and sensuality.
Through the Middle Ages in Europe, however, public displays of sexuality became increasingly suppressed due to the influence of the Church. Erotic performance didn’t vanish entirely, but it retreated into private circles and travelling troupes. It wasn’t until the 19th century that a more recognisable version of striptease began to re-emerge. Paris, in particular, became a vibrant centre for this new wave of sensual entertainment. Lavish venues like the Moulin Rouge and the Folies Bergère featured performers who teased and teased again, often combining exotic costume, playful dance, and slowly revealed nudity to great theatrical effect. Though still risqué, such performances were also celebrated for their artistry, wit, and opulence.
The Modern Form Of Striptease
The true birth of what we now call striptease occurred in the early 20th century. In the United States, burlesque theatre became a popular form of adult entertainment, blending comedy, satire, and provocative dance. Striptease became a central feature of these shows, but it was rarely crude. Stars such as Gypsy Rose Lee elevated the form with intelligence and charm, developing routines that were as much about personality and timing as they were about nudity. Her style was clever and coquettish, often leaving more to the imagination than it revealed, which only heightened its appeal.
By the mid-20th century, particularly in the post-war years, striptease took on a more commercial edge. With the decline of classic burlesque, strip clubs began to take its place, focusing more on nudity and less on theatrical performance. During this period, attitudes towards striptease grew more divided. While some saw it as mere titillation or even exploitation, others — particularly during the rise of second-wave feminism — began to debate its deeper implications. For some, it symbolised the objectification of women; for others, it represented bodily autonomy and a legitimate form of self-expression.
In more recent decades, there’s been something of a renaissance. Neo-burlesque, emerging in the 1990s and 2000s, brought glamour, creativity, and irony back to the stage. Figures like Dita Von Teese reintroduced the elegance of vintage striptease, blending it with fashion, theatricality, and a strong sense of empowerment. Today, striptease appears in a variety of forms — from cabaret-style stage shows to pole-dancing classes and performance art — and is increasingly embraced as both entertainment and personal liberation.
Far from being a simple act of disrobing, striptease has always reflected the cultural currents of its time — sometimes scandalous, often misunderstood, but at its best, a celebration of confidence, allure, and the timeless interplay between mystery and revelation and unsurprisingly one of the most sought after services by punters. It's no wonder that most independent escorts and escort agency girls offer this service and often take great pleasure in the performance!
If you are looking to spice things up with a sexy striptease escort then head on to our homepage to start your search. We have hundreds of current London escorts listed with us and the vast majority would be more than willing to offer this kinky service when asked for.
Beautiful, professional escorts working as independents. See our photo listings of current London independents ready to thrill you this evening.
Tap into our list of hundreds of genuine London escort agencies. From boutique agencies to agencies catering for every niche and taboo desire.
If money is no object then head on to our high class escort pages listing London's most elite independent and agency companions.
Take things up a notch with the BDSM, fetish and Mistress escorts in London offering a whole host of eye watering and unique services!
English Escorts
Sexy home-grown independent English escorts and agency girls in London.
Russian Escorts
Model looks and stunning toned figures are what to expect from the Russian escorts in London.
GFE Escorts
Hire a sexy part-time girlfriend offering hot and horny GFE escort services.
Busty Escorts
Juicy, top heavy London busty escorts waiting to thrill you with their ample breasts.
Elite Escorts
If money is no object then you really need to tap into the high class, elite escorts on offer.
Mature Escorts
Thrill in the experience and sensual charms of a more mature London escort.
Blonde Escorts
Time to meet the exquisite blonde escorts of London listed with us at Escort.co.uk.
Brunette Escorts
Get intimate with a sexy, sultry brunette escort girl in the capital tonight.
Teen Escorts
See our listings of sexy young 18 plus teen escort girls in the capital.
Black Escorts
Come meet London's most elite black escorts and mixed race companion girls.
Brazilian Escorts
Meet the fiery hot, curvy Brazilian escorts available in the capital right now.
Incall Escorts
Hook up with local incall escorts offering kinky incall services near you.
Outcall Escorts
Book a sexy companion to your hotel or apartment for a hot outcall escort service.
Arab Escorts
Use our list to meet up with a sexy and genuine Arab escort girl tonight.
TS Escorts
Looking for something a little more? Experience what our list of TS escorts have to offer.
Pornstar Escorts
Take things to the next level with the PSE, pornstar escorts for hardcore fun.
British Escorts
Meet fun and flirty British escorts from all corners of the British Isles.
Asian Escorts
From Japanese to Indian, from Chinese to Korean, see our listings of Asian escorts.
Indian Escorts
See the sexy genuine Indian escorts and South Asian escorts working in London right now.
Petite Escorts
See our photo listings of cute and sexy slight, petite escorts of London.
Video Filming Escorts
If you fancy yourself as a pornstar, video filming escorts can make your fantasy a reality.
Cheap Escorts
Feeling thrifty? Meet quality but affordable cheap London escorts if on a budget.
Tattooed Escorts
Hot and kinky inked girls are the order of the day here with tattooed escort girls.
Uniform Escorts
School girl, flight attendant or nurse? Choose your kink with a fully equipped uniform escort.
FMTY Escorts
Fly your perfect elite international companion to you with FMTY escorts.
BDSM Escorts
Pleasure and pain guaranteed by strict or submissive BDSM escorts.
Overnight Escorts
When a short liaison is simply not enough, book an overnight escort.
Roleplay Escorts
Infinitely kinkier than your average amateur dramatics meet is the roleplay escort.
24 Hour Escorts
Late night and early morning meet ups with late night and true 24hr escorts.
Dinner Date Escorts
Incredible food and stunning company make for a perfect dinner date escort.
Freckled Escorts
Cuteness personified. That's the delightful and horny freckled escorts.
Hairy Escorts
Go all natural with kinky, hirsute hairy London escorts looking to hook up.
Independent Escorts
We have hundreds of stunning, elite independent escorts for your delectation!
Escort Agencies
See our list of trusted, established London escort agencies open for business now!
A Level Escorts
Highly qualified and very accommodating! That's the kinky A Level escorts on offer.
Blue Eyes Escorts
Stunning girls with sparkling blue eyes, simply irresistible! Meet escorts with blue eyes.
BBW Escorts
Love curvaceous, full figured women? Then you will simply adore the BBW escorts.
Bisexual Escorts
Plan a kinky threesome with a genuinely bisexual escort in London.
Redhead Escorts
Meet the ever popular, fiery hot ginger and redhead escorts in London.
Party Escorts
Fun and flirty party escorts will make the fireworks go off at any party!
Travel Escorts
Book an unforgettable week away with the elite travel escorts on offer.
£150 p/h Escorts
No need to break the bank for a good time! Hook up with a budget £150 escorts now.
Disabled Friendly Escorts
Kinky services for all. Tap into our list of disabled friendly escorts.
30 Minute Escorts
On your way to work or a short lunchtime liaison. See the 30 minute escorts on offer.
Duo Escorts
What's better than meeting up with one escort? Of course! duo escorts every time!
Model Escorts
Meet top draw women with current and former model escorts in London.
Fair Skinned Escorts
Gorgeous, pale, fair-skinned escorts who are just waiting to meet you!
Tiny Tits Escorts
Lovers of small breasted A and B cup tiny tits escorts head this way now.
Selfie Escorts
No nasty surprises when you choose one of the selfies escorts at Escort.co.uk.
Green Eyes Escorts
Be mesmerized by the beautiful green-eyed escorts listed with us.
Smoking Escorts
Like to smoke before, during or after the deed? Book smoking escorts here.
Tantra Escorts
Taking sensuality to a whole new level are the Tantra escorts available now.
Naughty Escorts
Just how kinky can an escort be? Find out with the naughty escorts on offer.
Massage Escorts
Melt away the day's stresses with the help of attentive massage escorts.
Slim Escorts
Like your girls fit, trim and slender. Head on to our page for slim escorts.
Tall Escorts
See our page dedicated to sexy, 5'10 plus leggy tall escorts in London.
No Fake Photos Policy
We follow a strict no fake photos policy here at Escort.co.uk. If you believe a photo to be fake please report it to us here.