Lisa Carmen. Photo: FreeYourVixen.com

Dallas burlesque instructor and enthusiast Lisa Carmen talks being a ham, the Burlesque Experience®, being “everybody’s cheerleader”, and stripping like you mean it.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but your personal foray into burlesque started with the creation of the Dallas group Les Femmes Aplomb!, right? Care to share a little more about the development of the group and how it shaped your burlesque future?

Yes, that’s right! I like to say I didn’t find burlesque- burlesque found me! In mid 2009, a friend and I got this ‘crazy hair’ to create a burlesque group and learn burlesque. I invited 7 of my boldest, bravest friends to join us for the adventure. We created characters, routines, worked our butts off, put on a few shows, had a great time and each of us was changed, somehow, by the time we were done. It was transformative.

"I was born for burlesque." Little Lisa Carmen

I want to know about Carmen Diablo the performer. I’ve read that you’ve been performing since age 2 (theater? dance? both?) and you’ve described your style as “fusion,” meaning that you’re not entirely classic or entirely neo. Please tell us about your background and your creative process for developing a new act for yourself.

Family legend has it that at age 2, I was two years too young to start tap and ballet class, but my mom had me meet the teacher and she made a special exception for me after that! I was doing solos on stage by the time I was 4 and my mother was the quintessential ‘stage mom’. I’ve always been a showgirl, or a ham, and frankly, performing was one way I quickly learned how to feel loved at a very young age. I also danced Ballet Folkorico for most of my childhood, as well as acting in many theatre productions. I’ve always loved the stage. Sadly though, once I hit puberty, like many young dancers, I rebelled and resisted, and eventually rejected my dance practice entirely. My dance practice was waiting for me when I returned to it as an adult. A bit different this time around, but it’s felt like coming home.

You’re the creator and instructor of the Burlesque Experience®, a burlesque series located at Dallas PinUp which is totally different from its contemporaries. You’ve described it as having more of an emphasis on personal growth and expression rather than a hardcore burlesque technique intensive. What else can you tell us about the journey of a Burlesque Experience® student?

I’m a life coach and personal growth champion, first and foremost. My daughter teasingly calls me “everybody’s cheerleader.” It’s what I do and who I am. For me, burlesque became a vehicle for my personal growth and empowerment. It was so important and exciting and inspiring, and served as such a catalyst for me, that I knew others would find it to offer the same benefits, whether or not they wanted a future in burlesque. Women come to the Burlesque Experience® for a variety of reasons, and more often than not, they get WAY more than they’d anticipated. They show up desiring their moment in the spotlight, but scared and full of insecurities. They move through those feelings through weeks of planning, work, rehearsing and learning, and then they “bust out” in front of a huge, loving and supportive live audience, in a gorgeous theatre setting, red carpet and all. It changes them. I’m also continually blown away at the support system they provide for one another, and the genuine love and affection that develops within the group.  I think every woman deserves her moment in the spotlight and I love supporting that process.

The winter session of the Burlesque Experience® just started this month, right? Could you dish a little about your new batch of students and their progress thus far?

Yes! We are having SO much fun. I have ten women journeying with me and preparing for their “BUST-OUT”, which will be held at Quixotic World, just a few doors from Dallas PinUp, on Friday, February 24th. They’re nervous as hell, and they’re doing it anyway! It’s such a profound joy for me to watch the transformation. We get together weekly to dance, learn, laugh, tell the truth together… it’s seriously one of my life’s deepest pleasures. This particular group is blowing me away with their passion. I asked them the night of our first session “Are you ready for a new obsession?” They have all caught ‘the burlesque bug’! It’s like a flu- it gets inside you and spreads quickly, infecting everything else!

I’ve asked a few other burlesque instructor friends about this, and I’m curious to know – when teaching burlesque (especially act development, choreography, etc.), do you find that the process makes it more difficult to create new acts for yourself since you’re essentially always immersed in it? Or do you find that seeing others being inspired is what inspires you to create even more?

That’s an interesting question! As I work closely with most Burlesque Experience® students on their solo acts, I feel involved with the creative process and output of about 10-12 acts per show, even though I’ll only get on stage to dance once during that show!  The energetic demand of coaching, teaching, producing and marketing each Bust-Out, while being present and available to the women for support and encouragement is intense! It’s like planning your big fat sparkly wedding every three months!  Luckily I have a lot of support and help, from artists like Vivienne Vermuth, Violet O’Hara, and a load of graduates who love to stay involved in a bunch of different ways. I love it so much, and the satisfaction I get is immeasurable, but yeah, I’ve learned to keep my calendar clear for the days immediately following a show… I am so emotionally, mentally and physically spent by then!  And then I get ready for the next one…

Carmen Diablo. (aka Lisa Carmen) Photo: Dee Hill

I’m curious about your project SacredSexyU®, and I’m sure our readers would like to know more as well.

SacredSexyU® is the umbrella under which the Burlesque Experience® and several other components of my work fall. I am completely and utterly in love with my work and committed to supporting women to live their most bodacious, wildly blissful, powerful, spirited lives, to heal the gap between sexuality and spirituality, masculine and feminine, to heal self-esteem, to annihilate self-loathing and to abolish shame! I think life is supposed to be a sexy, fun adventure, and I believe in joy and pleasure as a spiritual path. I have a number of retreats, workshops, coaching groups and one-on-one coaching clients that I do this with, or through. It’s an incredible honor and joy to do what I do every day. Not a day goes by that I don’t think “lucky me!”

In January you were the featured speaker at the DFW Burlesque Industry Meet and Greet. What were some of your discussion topics? What was the most memorable part of the evening?

When I speak publicly about The Burlesque Experience®, it’s impossible for me to contain my enthusiasm. I glow and overflow. It’s one of my favorite topics, and yeah, I gush! I’m really grateful to Jerry Fedora for the invitation to share my passion for this work with the Dallas burlesque community.  What’s most memorable to me about that night, and every time I attend Jerry’s events, is to see everyone come together as a community. I’m a huge believer in supporting others, and I’d love to see that nurturing and supportive energy continue to grow in the Dallas burlesque community.  I think the blossoming mainstream popularity of burlesque is so exciting and cool, and that there’s enough room for everyone to do what they love on this beautiful landscape of possibility. Let’s consider it an honor that our art is inspiring so many others, and let’s support the passion we’ve ignited. Imagine if no one ever wrote another song, because John Lennon wrote so well … there’s always room for more creative expression, and now more than ever, the world needs people who have come alive. If burlesque makes you come alive, DO IT. Support your local scene. Get up there and strip like you mean it.

What’s next for Lisa Carmen?

More, more, more! More adventures, more speaking, more classes, more burlesque, more Burlesque Experience® Starlets productions (my alumni group of B.E. graduates who finished and said ‘more, please’!) More connection, more healing, more tales of aplomb and transformation. More community, more joy, more success!

Anything you’d like to add?

You can learn more about me and my work at www.SacredSexyU.com and/or www.theburlesqueexperience.com.  Thank you Pin Curl Magazine for this opportunity to share, and Dallas PinUp for supporting this work! The ripple effect is immeasurable.

Roxie Moxie. Photo: David Peterman

Roxie Moxie, founding member of The Lollie Bombs (Dallas), and later Stripped Screw Burlesque (Seattle) talks big glittery ponds, sexual role-reversal, inside jokes, and surviving marathons.

Q: You got your start in burlesque as one of the founding members of The Lollie Bombs.  Can you share a few stories with us on the early days of burlesque in Dallas?

Those early days were so much fun – mostly, I think, because we had no idea what we were doing. We made a lot of it up as we went along.  Not everything we created was stellar, but because we were free to explore the avant-garde side of burlesque, some of it was really ground-breaking and unique. We used spoken-word poetry and even conceived a number where we formed a giant human spider that crawled around the stage as Lawless sang about the “unrighteous government.” It was weird and silly and fun, but I suppose my favorite story is of the time Angi’s balloon-popper broke and she had to tear apart the balloons with her hands instead. Now THAT is dedication to your craft.

Q: In regard to your early days, you are quoted as saying in your interview with RAW that “I told [The Lollie Bombs] I would be in it as long as I didn’t have to strip”.  Obviously you have changed your mind about the stripping part.  In your mind, is doing a full reveal essential to calling yourself a burlesque performer?  Why or why not?

I suppose that depends on how you define “full reveal.” A burlesque reveal is less about showing your body and more about showing the audience something special. Something they didn’t expect. I don’t think you have to take your clothes off to have an effective burlesque routine. I’ve seen some great numbers that don’t incorporate stripping at all.

Of course, most of the time your body is at least part of the reveal because the naked human form is beautiful, tantalizing, forbidden, and hot and a hell of a thing to see onstage surrounded by feathers and rhinestones.  If you make the decision to incorporate classic 50’s style striptease into your burlesque acts then yes, you do have to remove your clothes. Preferably nearly all of them. There’s no reason at all to be ashamed of doing so.

Roxie Moxie live. Photo: Ben Britt

Q: In 2008 you moved to Seattle.  How hard was it to come from a place where you were very connected with the “scene” to being completely on “the outside”.  What did you learn about how to break in to a new burlesque community that you could share with our readers who might be having the same experience?

It was really very difficult to break into the burlesque scene in Seattle. Some would argue New York is the burlesque capital of the country, but I beg to differ; no offense to Jo Boobs or Tigger. Seattle is a well-established scene that is saturated with fabulous performers. Many of them come from Indigo Blue’s burlesque academy and are driven enough to begin performing almost immediately after they graduate. So by the time I got there in 2008, I was a very small fish in an enormous glittery pond.  I kept pushing, went out to as many shows as I could, took classes (acting, voice and dance), met producers, and took any gig I could get.  I did a lot of awful gigs, but I just refused to give up. Eventually I hooked up with some like-minded burlesquers and formed Stripped Screw. After that things really skyrocketed for me.

Q: In 2009 you formed Stripped Screw Burlesque in Seattle.  What is it about being part of a burlesque troupe that appeals to you so much, as opposed to life as a solo performer?

The best part of having a troupe is you’ve got a built-in sounding board for your ideas. Sometimes you don’t realize an idea is terrible, or already been done by another performer, or logistically impossible, until you run it by other burlesquers who understand your mindset. They often have creative insight on how to change or improve an act so that it works. Having a troupe means you also have a ready pool of available actors/dancers/singers to pull from for specific roles in a show.  Having talented people to work with in a group setting is invaluable.

Don’t get me wrong. Being a solo artist has its perks. You don’t have to depend on other people to show up to rehearsals, get their costumes finished in time, or remember to send you the right cut of their music, but you also have no one to share the workload, no one to laugh at your inside jokes backstage, and no one to gripe to when the sound guy screws up your music. Your troupe is your showbiz family.

Roxie Moxie. Photo: Steve DeMent

Q: In Stripped Screw you began producing shows that were more narrative from start to finish, reading more as a play then “just a burlesque show” or even “a themed burlesque show”.  What was your thought process behind the move, and what were the pros and cons of such a structure?

First of all, I still love burlesque shows of all kinds, themed or not. But I noticed in Seattle that the most successful shows, the ones I wanted to see over and over like The Burlesque Nutcracker, House of Thee Unholy and Shine (the burlesque musical in which I played “Feral” in Seattle and New York), were shows that followed a more narrative structure. With a cohesive show that follows a narrative framework, each number can advance the plot and provide audiences with a more effective and engaging story. You can also create really interesting, complex reasons for characters to take their clothes off.

Q: In your RAW interview you also stated: “I use sexy strip tease to send a message.”  Can you please elaborate on this?

Sure – actually I suppose I should have said that I use sexy strip tease to tell a story.  Whether or not you want to interpret the act as having a message is entirely up to you. It’s not my goal to beat the audience over the head with a message. For example, my Roxie the Riveter act is, on one level, a cute story about a Rosie the Riveter character who transforms into a military-costumed pinup girl. On another level, it plays around with female stereotypes and sexual role-reversal. You could see it as a feminist piece or an anti-feminist piece, or both. Or you could just watch me strip into a heavily-rhinestoned military costume with sequin shoes and the cutest army hat EVER.

I prefer to create acts that work on multiple levels like this. You can choose to over think or to turn off your brain. Either way, you’ll be entertained.

Photo: David Peterman

Q: Later this month you are performing in the first ever Lollie Bombs Reunion show, on January 6^th.  What should audiences expect, and what makes The Lollie Bombs so unique?  With so many troupes that come and go, what is the secret to keeping together and strong for as long as The Lollies have been going?

I think audiences should expect to see how each of the Lollies have grown as performers over the years.  One of the unique things about the Lollies is that we always emphasized the individual girls’ personalities. We each had strong show personas that shone through in the types of acts we danced, the clothing we wore and the music we chose. We prized that individuality and somehow it never got in the way of creating a strong troupe of performers that worked well together. Also, we were the “old school” of Dallas burlesque. We stuck it out through a lot of craziness in those early years and pushed into new burlesque territory. Because of that, we all have a very intense bond that will never be broken.

Q: Speaking of the new year, what are three of your New Year’s resolutions?

I’m running my first marathon on February 19^th, so my first resolution is to survive that.

If I succeed in surviving, my second resolution is to push new boundaries in my burlesque routines. I’ve got a few new tricks up my sleeve for 2012 that I’m sure no one has seen before. I’m super excited about that.

Third, I want to really get involved in the Austin burlesque scene. I’ve only just returned to Austin after seven years away, and I think the scene is really ready to take off. I’d love to be a part of it.

Dallas female impersonator Patti Le Plae Safe talks Home for the Holidays Texas, Viva Dallas Burlesque, Miss Gay America, small town life, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, witch hunts, doing what you love and Orange Power.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka. Photos: Michael Stephenson of Modern Noir Studios

You’re the president of Home for the Holidays Texas, a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life for persons living with AIDS. You and your team work feverishly to raise funds for this cause, and you just completed a black tie benefit for the group, right? There’s also the December Viva Dallas Burlesque show, Festivus Follies, which will again be a benefit for this organization. Please tell us about the outcome of your black tie event and your expectations for the upcoming burlesque benefit.

The 2010 Black Tie Dinner Organization chose Home for the Holidays Texas (HFTHT) to be one of the 20 charities receiving benefit money from the Annual Dinner.  If Black Tie hadn’t chosen us I am most sure we would have faltered within a few years.  Raising money for charity these days has gotten very hard and small organizations like HFTHT work ten times as hard.  It has become a daily need to raise more money just to keep up with the requests our organization gets.  We just have to be more creative with doing it.  Luckily, Black Tie notices us and respects us and was more than willing to support us last year.  They gave us $23,475 – enough to stretch us out for the roughest part for almost 2 years.  Next year we will go knocking on their door with the hopes that they will support us again.   We aren’t greedy; we know there are other organizations that need help too, so we don’t intend to ask for money every year.   Yes you are correct the December 2nd Viva Dallas Burlesque show Festivus Follies will again benefit HFTHT.  We are so honored to have been selected again to receive money from the producers of VDB!  Last year was so much fun, and I certainly plan to make it fun again.  We have auction items and a 50/50 raffle planned.  If you remember the winner of last year’s 50/50 auction gave the money back to HFTHT!  She was so generous to do so.  With the VDB crowd you never know what to expect; we are so full of surprises!

Speaking of Viva Dallas Burlesque, you are the host of the monthly show at the Lakewood Theater, and have been since its inception last summer. Now that you’ve grown accustomed to the burlesque world, I’d love to hear your input on how hosting burlesque differs from your other hosting and performance gigs. What are your favorite aspects of hosting Viva? What are the biggest challenges for you?

You know I really didn’t think I would be accepted and/or fit in with the BurlyQ crowd. I still wasn’t convinced until the audience started asking for my autograph. OMG they want my autograph, are they sick or something?  Really?  This is going to be so much fun for me!  Now I can’t wait to play with the audience and make them smile or laugh about what ever my brain cooks up.  I plan a script for each show but oh so many times I ad lib on a dime and hope that it plays off well. I am stalling for the “Panty Wranglers” to clean the stage and prepare props for the entertainers.  Truthfully, I think I do my best work when I have no script at all.  Like I said before you just don’t know how a crowd will be with the VDB audience.  You have to be up and ready for them at all times.  Can you believe people come up to me and ask me to pick on their best friends (usually hot straight men) and try to ruffle feathers and scare them? Now that is hard work, sometimes a little scary, but it is so much fun to do.  Especially after the show when “fans” tell me they enjoy me as much as they enjoy the performers.  I’ve even stripped a few times.  In the early years of Burlesque, there were famous performers that were men and absolutely no one knew.  It’s all about the costume and lighting and the total tease.  I have no intention of trying to fool anyone. I know I am a man in a dress, a pig in a wig!  Who is the wiser here?  I am having the time of my life and I think the audience is too. At least they tell me with laughter, applause, get pictures after the show and ask for my autograph.   You wanted to know the difference between VDB emceeing and other hosting appointments.  There is a huge difference.  The VDB crowd most likely has never met a female impersonator LIVE!  All of my other hosting appointments are typically gay and lesbian.  I’d rather work for a primarily straight crowd like the VDB audience.  They are so much more fun to share with, learn things from, play with, tease, and mostly get laughter from.  They laugh with me and never at me.  I think to be honest the straighter crowd is a hell of a lot more “open” than my gay and lesbian crowd.  What do you think of that statement!  But I really mean it.   I would so much more play with a straight crowd!  Our little Burlesque family is perfect!  I am so lucky that Shoshana came to GayBingo that month and invited me to emcee.  Who would have ever known?  But I think now after a year and a half we are the perfect match!

You were Miss Gay America 1995 and really took to the pageant circuit. Are you still doing pageant work? If so, how has the dynamic of the pageant scene changed since you first started? (If not, do you have any plans to resume doing them in the future? Why or why not?)

I entered Miss Gay America on a dare, not knowing I had what it takes to be a winner.  It was my very first time to enter a pageant and I became the winner above 82 contestants.  I’m not bragging but in 40 years of the MGA pageant that has only happened 2 times.  I’m the last one it has happened to.  I have a lot in my life to be proud of.  I did a ballroom dramatic dance and theatrical performance for the talent category and I was up against girls that did illusions of Janet Jackson, Madonna and Cher.  My talent was refreshing and it told a story that either made you want to be on stage as me or my dance partner.  It was so romantic and so different from the high energy dance numbers everyone else was doing at the time.  Pageants were so different back then.  Now if I were competing, there is no way I would win.  Kids today start planning and playing in makeup (secretly no doubt) in the early teens and once they hit the pageant circuit they are primed for the “look” of a winner!  It took me years to perfect my look and I am still changing.  In my day, lordy I hate that phrase, but it’s true, back in my day, interview was the most important category next to talent.  I won interview with only 6 points from a perfect score.  Today, scoring has changed and the system has changed a lot.  The winners are more seasoned each year and very prepared when they finally win.  For some winners it has taken them as many as 12+ years to win.  It is a very serious entertainment business, and a very different world once you get involved!  I wouldn’t be the entertainer I am today if I hadn’t simply tried it.  MGA made me polish it up and glam it up for the stage.  Burlesque in the last year of hosting has allowed me to be more myself and let me have fun with being who I am.  I am so very happy that I am still evolving and becoming so much more than I have been and that is because of my Burlesque family! As far as entering pageants again……..nah prolly not!   After winning the best title in the Drag World on my first try, why enter something lesser just to say I won something else?  And maybe have to enter 12+ years to win it?  Not only no but hell no!

You grew up in a small town in Arkansas, and since early childhood you were planning your escape to the big city of Dallas. Do you find that life in the big city was all that you thought it would be growing up? Do you find yourself missing the peace and quiet of Arkansas now that you’ve been in the city for so long?

I grew up in a town that was so small you couldn’t hide from anybody! Picture this: if I opened the back door and stepped out with my left foot, before I blinked or breathed and even begun to lift my right foot — the phone would ring!  The neighbor lady next door would tell my Mom she needed me to bring her a gallon of milk since I was going to the store… HOW DID SHE KNOW?  To this day I still never knew how she knew, but she did and of course I returned with her gallon of milk!  Do I miss any of that? Yes I do!   We all cared for each other.  Life was simpler then, but I had dreams.  I wanted to be famous!  I had to go or I would have committed suicide.  Life was simple but oh so slow and certainly unimaginable for a gay boy like me.  I had needs and desires that fueled me and motivated me to get out and make a name for myself.  I always knew it would be Dallas. I sort of took a long route to get here, but I knew once I made it that it was perfect for me.  I was bullied pretty badly during my school years and recently at my 35th reunion one of those bullies apologized to me.  He honestly meant it; shocked as I was over it, it was closure and certainly made me feel differently about the past.  I have forgiven him and thanked him too.  All that bullying made me the strong person I am today.  I am a survivor and today a better person because of it.  I am walking proof that “IT DOES GET BETTER!”

You were a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and you also worked as a computer programmer on an Army base. I’m curious to know about your experience in the military and your thoughts about this year’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

HAHAHA too funny!   I am not a bit different today than I was back then.  A nelly boy never carries a sledge hammer. I have screamed more than once “Stop the War!! I forgot my Purse!”  I have survived so many witch hunts during my time in the USAF and as a civilian in the Army.  They were ridiculous.  We were interrogated in front of groups of men and singly with men who tried to entrap us into the “gay” world.  Once I was interrogated by this super hot guy (like a very young Kevin Costner or a Ryan Gosling kind of guy.  Trust me he was hot!)  He sat in front of me with his knees touching mine and tried to be “overly” friendly.  Funny thing is if he was my type of man I still wouldn’t have touched him back because I knew what was happening.  I was born on a farm but I wasn’t born stupid.  He tried so hard to get me to admit I was gay, and it really was too funny to watch him try.  I don’t know what made me think to do this, but today I admit it was a brilliant move on my part.  I told him he was wasting my time.  If he had some kind of proof like pictures or a video (back then it was 8mm) or a taped phone recording of me proving I was involved with someone of the same sex, then I would never need to admit anything, but until he did come up with that proof, I wanted to return to my job. I put my foot down and stuck to my guns with that thought and they couldn’t bother me anymore.   You have no idea how many of my friends fell for the entrapment tricks and were kicked out of the military the very next day.   I am a decorated soldier with an honorable discharge given only to those who complete their term of service with exemplary commitment to the military.  So you see if you are strong nobody can knock you down.  I am proud of my military past.  I learned so much from serving my country and hopefully our country is a better place because I did.

Patti Le Plae Safe’s daytime alter-ego is Hott Rodd the Hair Godd, who has his own salon in Dallas, correct? Can you share with us how and when you got started doing hair? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your day job?

I was born to do hair.  My motto is “If you like what you do, you’ll do it well!”  So I ask you, would you really get your hair done by somebody who bitches and complains every time you sit in their chair?  Do you really want someone who doesn’t enjoy coming to work every single day?  I have found my calling.  I used to cut hair in the dorms while I was in the military.  We were poor and couldn’t afford to get our hair cut twice weekly to keep it perfect in standards.  So I offered haircuts just so I could get free drinks in the night clubs.  T’was in my blood long before I ever took professional classes and got my license.  I was in computers bored to tears; I could do that with my eyes closed!  When the insurance company I worked for here in Dallas decided to move our company to Indianapolis, I had only one quick question that needed to be answered. Does it snow in Indianapolis?  I knew the answer, but it broke the ice in that big meeting.  I offered to take the severance package whatever it was so that I could stay in Dallas.  I took the offered package that was enough to live on for two years, went to school and well the rest is history.  This past Valentine’s Day I opened my own salon just big enough for me and two clients at a time.  I could not be happier.  My career is great.  I can always take new clients and never have to worry about the owner being upset because I am working too many hours. What doing what I love?  Really?  Okay I deserve my own place and the happiness that I create for myself.   I wish I could bottle it and give it to those who hate their jobs… now that is sad for them.   I just wish for them to have what I have!

I read a really beautiful story about you in the Dallas Voice, and I was very taken by your personal spiritual philosophy that you call “Orange Power.” Can you tell our readers what Orange Power is and how it affects your decisions and actions?

Orange Power (OP) isn’t real to anyone but me.  I can’t help but to be honest.  I don’t feel like everyone else in this world.  I’m not saying I’m alien.  I just don’t fit in with organized religion but I do believe there is a sense of a higher power.  God to some people is very, very real.  S/He speaks to them, but I have never been spoken to!   I do know what is right and what is wrong.  We all do.  So I need something to make me feel closer to the good vs evil.  The color Orange does that for me.  I feel surrounded by the warmth of Orange when I see or wear it.  I felt it was the perfect choice to develop an OP and not worship a god of any type. I find so many holes in blind faith.  Religion is something I cannot touch when I need to. I can’t lean on it physically.  Naturally, I’d rather tell myself to be good. I’d rather tell myself to stay on the right side of life.  I’d rather tell myself to be proper, professional, and polite, etc.  OP does all this for me and I’m not giving money to a bigger church in a country that tells the local church what they can and cannot do in their own local church.  I prefer the warmth and love I get from the simple vibrant color of Orange.  Pick your own color and make your own OP!  It’s cheaper and you can touch it when you need to.

I know a number of us Dallas burlesquers have had this chat with you backstage, but you look DAMN good, and we’d love to know some of your secrets! How does a gal like you stay looking youthful? We’ve also discussed with you the similarities in aesthetics of drag makeup and burlesque makeup. Do you have any drag makeup tips that could be used to enhance a burly gal’s stage makeup process?

How do I stay so young? Miss Thang I am 53 and I look every wrinkle of it!  If you really want to know my secret you’ll have to move in with me and watch my routine!  A girl never gives her secrets away.  You are so right drag and burly makeup is very similar! I just say more, even when you think you have enough on, don’t stop put more on!  The spotlight is so bright and harsh on unpainted faces and skin that you tend to disappear on stage under all those lights.  So the more you put on the more you are seen. I have a big face, so I have to enhance it with lines and shapes to make it look smaller.  You might notice I don’t use shadows on my cheeks.  I spend lots of time on my eyes and lips!  I have to draw attention to where I make the most expressions. It might be ugly up close but on stage for your 6 – 10 minutes you will be marvelous!   Oh and always more mascara so you can flutter those loverly lashes.  I have to wear fake lashes and without them I look naked (in a different sense) on stage.  I sometimes double up my lashes so that they totally frame my eyes……  I think we should have a class!  Would you attend a class if I set it up?

The new one-stop pin-up shop Dallas PinUp opened to much fanfare this month.  A unique store model, the first of its kind, Dallas PinUp is a retail space featuring several “booths” where independent, local, and all female owned businesses sell their vintage inspired merchandise.  Everything from pin-up clothing, lingerie, jewelry, accessories, shoes, and make-up can be found in the retail store on Main Street.  In addition to the retail side, Dallas PinUp is also the new location of Through the Looking Glass, Dallas’ premier pin-up photography studio, and home base for award winning hair & make-up artist Ladonna Stein.  Dallas PinUp is Dallas’ first pin-up and burlesque store, and the only all female owned collaborative in Texas.

Photographs provided by Mark Kaplan of NakedLens.org, and were taken at The Dallas PinUp Grand Opening on October 26^th.  Dallas PinUp is located in the heart of Deep Ellum, Dallas’ original Arts District, at 2928 Main, Dallas 75226.  Store hours are W-F 4-8pm, Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11-4.  Studio hours vary by appointment.

Interview with Dallas PinUp owner, Shoshana

Editor’s Note: This just a small part of the interview & photoshoot, for the full reveal (literally) get your hands on a copy of the Best of Spring 2011 online or at our Issue Release Party at Hot Rods and Heels 2011!

Miss Coco Lectric, crowned Texas Performer of the Year at Hot Rods and Heels 2010, talks titles as currency, travel, and the burlesque community evolving.

Interview: Divertida Divotchka. Photos: DallasPinUp.com

My goodness a lot has changed for you since Pin Curl last spoke to you.  You were crowned Queen of Burlesque in New Orleans last September.  How have titles changed things for you?

The biggest change is being held to a higher standard every time I hit the stage. When someone introduces you as the Queen of Burlesque, the audience sets their expectations a little bit higher. They’re expecting to be blown away. I don’t know if I’ve always been able to live up to this higher standard, but I’ve certainly tried.

Producers have also had a good excuse to hire me for their shows, since the New Orleans festival, which has given me the good fortune of making burlesque my full-time job. Having titles is like currency in this business and everyone wants to see for themselves what all the fuss is about. I’d become accustomed to performing for an unassuming audience, and these days they prepare themselves to see something spectacular. I have to bring it just a little bit harder every show to live up to their expectations.

Congratulations on being voted number 13 in 21^st Century Burlesque’s Top 50 for 2010! We’re so thrilled to hear the news, what’s your reaction?

I was thrilled! I didn’t lobby for votes and I really didn’t expect to see my name on the list at all. I don’t know what happened, to be honest. I was watching the list and cheering on my pals, for sure. After it got to the top twenty performers I figured that I didn’t have a chance. I feel truly honored that so many people even know that I exist, let alone like my work. I’m still sort of in shock about it and I thank 21st Century Burlesque for always having such kind words to say about me. They’re doing great work to get the word out about so many talented performers and promote burlesque around the globe, and that’s priceless.

I’m told you’re focusing more on the education realm at the moment. As headmistress of the Austin Academy of Burlesque, do you mean teaching more, taking more classes/workshops, or both?

I love teaching and I love learning, so I plan on doing a lot of both. Learning from the legends and contemporary performers is key to keeping burlesque alive and well. It allows the community to grow and shape the art. Burlesque performers are like a family in a lot of ways, only we’re not born into it as much as we’re brought in by learning from the life and art of those who came before. I’m proud to be a part of this family, and by teaching I get to help other burlesque performers and students with the lessons I’ve learned from the greats.

In your last Pin Curl interview from July 2010, when asked about being the only Texan to perform at Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend in Las Vegas you said, “I was nervous that if my performance wasn’t so great, they really wouldn’t take Texas seriously. I’m hoping I made a big enough splash this year that they consider more Texas performers next year.” Considering that you’re performing in the Reigning Queen of Burlesque competition at this year’s BHOF weekend, it would be safe to say you made quite a splash, don’t you think?

I’m delighted to be performing in the competition this year. It seems as though the selection committee is looking a little harder at Texas performers, which is exciting to all of us in the Lone Star State. Congratulations in particular to my friend and colleague Ginger Valentine, who was chosen to perform in the debut category this year. I have high hopes that we’ll rock Saturday night and encourage performers from out of state to come to Texas and perform with us, too.

As always, you’re a remarkably busy woman. You said in your most recent Pin Curl interview that you were making festivals a priority, and boy did you ever! You’ve traveled all over the place this year, including Key West, LA, San Diego, Chicago, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, Las Vegas, all over Texas, and plenty more that I likely missed. How do you manage to keep everything balanced?

This year I’ve had no choice but to take everything one step at a time. It’s wonderful that I get to do what I love, I wouldn’t change a thing, but I’ve had to remind myself more than a couple of times to breathe. I also remind myself that if I ever get tired of doing burlesque I can just stop, but I don’t think I’m in danger of that. It’s still the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind as I fall asleep. It’s my absolute dream job and I am so thankful that I can tour so much and make friends with performers all over the world. I suppose I manage to balance the craziness because this is my chosen profession and lifestyle and I’d like it to stay that way for as long as the universe allows.

The Jigglewatts, the Austin burlesque troupe you co-founded, was voted best burlesque troupe in Texas at Hot Rods and Heels last year and is also a finalist for the same award in this year’s event. How have the Jigglewatts evolved in recent years?

We’re constantly evolving because we recruit such great performers. Miss Ruby Joule and I love being solo performers, but having a group is so rewarding and allows us to reach more people. Selecting new Jigglewatts is a process, and in the five years we’ve been producing shows we realize how important it is to have a troupe full of headliners who all just happen to get along. We need to keep the cast small and everyone needs to be confident in their abilities and recognize how valuable their individual talents are to the group as a whole. This year we added Jolie Ampere Goodnight and Ruby Lamb to our cast and 2010 Jigglewatts Pearl Lux and Goldie Candela will be performing again with us very soon. We recognize that as a group we’re so much more powerful and entertaining than we are individually. The Jigglewatts mission has always been to support the beauty and talent in other women, and it might be a little hard to do that without showcasing as many different beautiful and talented performers as we can.

Anything you’d like to add?
The burlesque world changes and grows constantly, and with its increase in popularity there’s an opportunity for the community to come closer together and there’s also more potential for the genre to grow. It’s our responsibility as the current burlesque community to work together and help it become the best and most wonderful thing it can be. I understand that there’s been some concern about the recent increase in the popularity of burlesque and a lot of us are afraid that it will morph into something new and different and unappealing to those of us in the field now. I feel strongly that if we stay true to our studies and our roots and we keep our eyes open to the world around us, we will be able to help guide the art form as it develops. We just have to continue to support each other.

Oh, and I love Pin Curl! Thank you for all the great things you do in the community, and for working so hard to promote burlesque as the wonderful art form it is. See you May 21st!

Find the full interview & photo shoot here!

Dallas based pin-up and fetish model and performer Courtney Crave talks Germany, being a klutz, dissecting brains, and body modification. Courtney is performing at Viva Dallas Burlesque’s “Dirty, Sexy, Funny” show on Friday, January 7 at the Lakewood Theater.  We thought a naked gal a much better depiction of “Happy New Year” than an old Father Time, or a baby in a diaper- we hope you agree.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka. Photos: Shoshana of DallasPinUp.com

You’re known as the “German Dream Girl,” but not everyone is aware of your background. Where were you born, when did you move to the states and why?

I was born outside of Naples, Italy, in the town Sophia Loren is from.  Interesting factoid, in parts of Italy they prefer to call people by biblical names, so from birth until about two years old everyone other than my parents called me by my middle name, Rebecca.  When I was two my family moved to Germany where German became my first language and I started in the German school system.  I’m really only 1/8 German by blood but since it was my first language and I was raised as a German that’s how I identify culturally.  I moved to the USA in 2002 after only having visited a few times as a kid.  My friends all started moving here for college and I was left in Germany feeling like I was missing out.  I lived between Texas and Germany for four years before settling in Dallas.  I still go back to visit and hope to move back permanently one day.

You spent two weeks in Germany in September, correct? What was on the agenda? What do you find that you miss the most about being there?

My boyfriend, Allen Falkner, was booked to lecture at a body modification conference called BMX.net.  We had been to it before and it’s a really great conference and a nice opportunity to see all our European friends.  I was brought out to do live translation for some classes.  We spent four days in Amsterdam visiting with friends and touring museums.  We saw the Helmut Newton exhibit, Sex Museum, and Torture Museum.  I also managed to chip my tooth at the Rijksmuseum on an exhibit, don’t ask, I’m a huge klutz.  One of our friends there has his own boat so we spent a day drifting through canals, drinking beer and eating cheese, it was amazing.  We spent the rest of our time in Berlin, which I hadn’t been to since before the Wall came down.  I wanted to see some of the famous museums (and not chip any more teeth) and see where the Wall had been.  It was tremendously sad and moving to be there as an adult and understand what was happening while I was growing up there.  Eating good food and drinking beer is always on my agenda.  The things I miss are too numerous to talk about, plus it makes me cry.  I miss my home.  I cried at the airport when we left.

You’re a model, fetish performer and burlesque performer. How and when did you get started in each of those endeavors? How do you feel you have grown as a model and performer over time?

When I was growing up in Germany people were always telling my parents I should be a child model.  My parents, however, had different plans.  They preferred that I live a “normal” life and use my “brain”.  When I moved to the USA I was approached by photographers at a local goth/fetish club.  Some were legit and some were creepy and just wanted to get me naked.  I gave it a shot and discovered I loved modeling.  I was always pulled more towards fetish, I love nudity and stockings and latex and corsets and super high heels.  Modeling for photos lead to modeling in fashion shows which lead to performing.  It all seemed like a natural progression to me.  Adding pinup modeling and burlesque was just another way for me to have fun and add to my repertoire.  I feel like I’m constantly growing as a model and performer.  Different people inspire me and drive me to better who I am and what I do.  I feel like if you aren’t growing why continue what you do?  New challenges are part of what makes this so fun and rewarding for me.  I’ve had help and support from a lot of people along the way and wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.

A little known fact about you is that you have a degree in psychology. Tell us more about that.

I have a BA in Psychology.  I managed to get my degree in 3.5 years with a 4.0 GPA in my field.  I had lofty ideas about getting my Ph.D. and forcing everyone to call me “Doctor” but was burnt out on school.  I was taking 21+ hours a semester, that’s a lot of classes.  I’m very passionate about psychology and love research as opposed to counseling or something with direct patient interaction.  I have enough of my own problems; I don’t want to spend all day listening to someone else’s.  I’m much happier dissecting brains of people who have committed suicide or analyzing lab data.

You’re open about the fact that you have OCD. What challenges does that present in your daily life? Do you have any advice for others who live with these tendencies?

I do have OCD.  For real though, not like when people want to impress upon you that they are particular or have an attention to detail.  It’s part of my larger umbrella diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome.  Primarily I have very obsessive thoughts about food being contaminated and things needing to be symmetrical (seriously, look at all my piercings sometime).  My TS manifests as multiple tics, I probably have about 30 that I do almost daily.  I’ve had Tourette’s since I was about 9 or 10 so I know how to mask these tics so that it’s not noticeable.  It’s hard to give advice to others with these conditions because everyone experiences them differently.  All I can really say is, be good to yourself and take care of yourself mentally because most people won’t understand what you are going through, you have to be your own advocate and number one supporter.  In that same vein, screw what other people think about your fleeting attention span, need to count things, or noticeable twitches; you have to be okay with you and not with anyone else.

You’re a big fan of vegan baking, body modification and horror films and books. Please tell us a little about each of these interests.

I became a big fan of vegan baking out of necessity.  I am deathly allergic to eggs but also highly addicted to baked goods.  If I wanted to eat pastries I had to either make them myself or risk hospitalization.  Most people assume vegan food can’t taste good and they are always surprised when they find out my cakes they’ve been enjoying are vegan.  I love tattoos and am working on collecting more.  Recently I acquired a full back piece done by Scott Ellis of Triple Crown Tattoo in Austin, TX.  I have so many friends that are tattoo artists that I would love to have work from, I just have to figure what.  I belong to Eerie Books Horror Book Club which meets monthly at the book store.  It’s great because it exposes me to authors or horror genres I might not have read on my own.  And it’s fun to meet with people and talk about what you’ve read together and dissect the story.  My all time favorite horror novel is The Shining by Stephen King.  I read that book in broad daylight and couldn’t be alone in the room with it, if my dad got up and went into a different room I would get up and follow him without ever putting the book down.  I torture myself with horror.  I’m a huge weenie, I’m scared of the dark, I startle easily, and I suffer from chronic nightmares and sleepwalking.  God knows why someone who has to sleep with a nightlight would constantly immerse herself in such horrific things but I do.  I’m sure it has to do with the interesting psychology of the characters.  The more messed up in the head someone is the more I want to learn about them and figure them out.

According to an October Facebook post, you were 13 photo shoots shy of your goal to have 52 shoots this year. Have you reached that goal yet? What are your goals for 2011?

I have to admit, I stole the idea for my goals from another Dallas model, Melissa Meaow.  I’m very close to reaching that goal, which may be the first time I’ve ever accomplished a New Year’s resolution.  For 2011 I’d like to get back to my fetish roots as a model and performer and work more outside of Dallas.  I’d also like to do more publications and covers.  I never share my personal goals; I feel a better sense of satisfaction when I accomplish them if I keep them to myself.  Then I know I’m actually doing them for me and not because I’ll look bad to other people if I don’t.  Plus if my personal goal is to eat chocolate and donuts every day or adopt five new kittens and my boyfriend knew that he would probably try to thwart my efforts.

You can find Courtney at CourtneyCrave.com and follow her at GermanDreamGirl.com for all of the latest photos, appearances, and daily musings. Looking for this month’s Cooking with Courtney Crave?

Cassandra MacGregor, milliner and owner of The House of MacGregor in the Bishop Arts District in Dallas, talks New York, family, vintage lace, happy customers, color palates and Japan.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka.  All photos courtesy of Cassandra.

You’re from Dallas, but you studied millinery at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. You quit your office job after completing your studies and spent 5 years learning from and making hats with theatrical milliners on Broadway, fashion show hat suppliers and couturiers. What are some of the most important lessons that you learned during that time?

How important it is to work for other people!  What I learned from the millinery classes I took is so scant compared to what I learned working under these talented people who had been making hats for so much longer than me.

Your designs have appeared in W, Italian Vogue, D Magazine, and many more publications. What are some of your proudest moments/biggest accomplishments as a milliner?

The W cover was my first big boost to let me (and my supportive friends and family) know that I was moving in the right direction and to stay on this path.  My proudest moments though are when my customers come to pick up their custom hats and they love them.  When they so obviously feel good in them, I know I did my job well.

You moved back to Dallas in 2008 and opened your own shop. What prompted the move and what are some of the biggest differences between working in New York and working in Dallas?

I moved back to Dallas to be closer to my family again.  I had been gone for 8 years and am so fortunate to have a grandmother who is 95 and still here.  This also is a much friendlier market to start a new business in.

The majority of my New York business has been cocktail hats while Dallas is all fedoras and newsboys.  I don’t think there is a culture yet in Big D where putting on some veiling for an evening out feels natural.

What are some of the biggest rewards of being a small business owner? What are the more challenging aspects?

One of the biggest rewards is working so directly with my customers and putting a look together that expresses them.  I am also not a numbers person and am surprised how satisfying it is to balance my accounts every month.

The most challenging aspect is that you are doing everything.  Marketing, sales, inventory, the books…you juggle so many balls at once!

What is your all-time favorite millinery project that you’ve completed?

I have a dear customer who is a burlesque dancer in New York.  She will come in with outfits she is working on or dances she created and we will come up with hats to finish the look.  A felt teapot cocktail hat down to some nude colored veiling with rhinestones, she lets me explore my more creative side.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

For designer fashion I am loving Marc Jacobs right now. All those ruffles and long skirts, I think they are flattering and whimsical at the same time.  I just met an amazing artist the other day named Magda Berlinger who creates true art out of vintage lace pieces.  Each one is unique and so gorgeous on.

From where or whom do you draw inspiration for your creations?

I have a great archive of vintage hat books that I thumb through every season or when I am stuck on an idea.  I also visit museums if I need to refresh my color palate.  I follow the fashion trends to make sure my hats are wearable with the clothes people are buying.

What does the future hold for The House of MacGregor?

I would like to start selling my hats in Japan within the next year or two.  They are avid hat wearers!  I will probably maintain my second floor retail space; it gives me a lot more flexibility than a traditional store would to work on my pieces.  I will continue to source high quality materials to keep making my hats a step above what you would find in a traditional store.

Learn more about The House of MacGregor by visiting www.thehouseofmacgregor.com. You can also view more of her work at http://picasaweb.google.com/cassandra.macgregor.

Our recent Josephine Baker inspired shoot with Miss Noire is exclusive to the Best of 2010 Print Edition. To get your copy, visit our shop!

December cover girl Perle Noire, the Rare Gem of Burlesque, sits down to talk the “burlesque look,” New Orleans, Josephine Baker, Australia, gold glitter and Prince.

By: Divertida Devotchka  Photos: Shoshana of DallasPinUp.com

You’ve stated before that you don’t think that you have a “burlesque look.” As an avid fan, let me say that in my opinion, your sultry sass is the embodiment of burlesque, but in your opinion what characteristics must one possess to have the burlesque look? Based on your ideal of the burlesque look, who comes to mind (either legend or modern performer) as the epitome of burlesque?

Well, when people think of burlesque stars of yesterday and today they think of a woman with European features such as Tempest Storm, Lili St. Cyr. or Bettie Page. These women are the definition of a beautiful Bombshell! Tempest Storm, with her fiery red hair and that perfect voluptuous figure had the ultimate burlesque look. You can’t mention the word Bombshell without paying respect to the infamous Lili St Cyr, who had beautiful long legs and luscious lips. They were flawless. When you asked your average Joe or Joan about burlesque these names and images pop up.

Of course, when I think of a Burlesque Goddess, I think of my idol Josephine Baker. Josephine had a theater background and had perfect comedic timing. She was so beautiful and electric, but she became a Legend overseas. Even though she knew how to connect with her audience and had an exotic look she would have never became a burlesque legend in the states due to the fact that she didn’t have the standard ” burlesque look”.

Over the years as a Burlesque artist, I’ve sent my promotional kit to magazines( burlesque and aboard) and producers and thou they love my performances, I’ve been turned down for numerous jobs and promotional marketing because I don’t have the ” burlesque  look”. This is something that I’m working on and I’m enjoying every moment of it. Make up and Wigs and Heels.. Oh My!

Tell us all about your recent exploits in Toronto and at the New York Burlesque Festival.

Toronto was amazing! Starlight Burlesque put on a wonderful show and the band made me get a standing ovation. The NYBF is one of the oldest Burlesque Festivals and it was so organized. Angie and Jen put on a wonderful production.

I got a giggle when you recently posted on Facebook that you were “looking to be in ‘like’ with someone.” You also said, “I need someone who can handle my ambitions and many different personalities. I need a mixture of George Jefferson, James from Good Times, Rick James and Prince.” I’d love to know which specific qualities from these men that you’d like to see in a companion.

George Jefferson was an entrepreneur and very outspoken while James Evans from Good Times was a Man’s Man. He was faithful to his wife and children. Even though his back was often against the wall, he keep pushing and striving for a better life for his family. He never gave up. Rick James was so eccentric and confident. We would probably fight over gold glitter but I know he would go to war for me if anyone disrespected me. Finally, we have Prince. Prince and Rick James are the epitome of a true artist and performer. I love the stage presence that Prince has and I would love to borrow his clothes.

In our September 2009 interview, you stated that you really hoped “to become a burlesque queen one day.” That very same month you were crowned queen at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, and last month you handed over the crown to Texas’ own titan of tease, Miss Coco Lectric. What have you learned since being crowned queen? Do you have any advice for new queen Coco?

I’ve learned that a title doesn’t make you a queen in the community. The title will come from the mouths of the fans. Before I competed for the Queen of Burlesque title I was honored with recognition from my fans and burlesque royalty. 21st Century Pin Ups posted an on line poll for the top 50 burlesque performers worldwide and I made the top 20! I didn’t campaign for votes, the fans voted for me and I’m truly grateful. During my burlesque career I’ve performed with Immodesty Blaize, Dita Von Teese, Dirty Martini, Kitten Deville, Michelle L’Amour and many others. How many people can say that they had a chance to work with people that they admire and respect as artists?

When I made that statement, I thought that with a title I would gain respect from my peers or producers who feel that I don’t belong to the world of burlesque. Truthfully, as an artist you have to keep pushing and striving if you want to be the best. I won a title, but I still have to keep pushing until I break through the barrier. My work is far from over. My advice to Coco Lectric is to stay true to your fans, the stage and yourself.

It’s well known that Josephine Baker is one of your biggest influences. You did extensive research on her to plan your tribute routine. Tell us more about how her life and career inspired you.

Josephine danced through so many doors as an artist. She was the first black woman to appear in a silent film and the only woman to speak at The March on Washington. What I love about her was her drive and passion to grow as an artist and individual. She started out in Vaudeville performing in blackface and ended up a glamorous singer who lived in a castle. Every morning I look a photo of her from an early theater production, in which she is wearing blackface. Then, I look at a picture of her singing with her rhinestone microphone, wearing a larger than life head dress onstage in Paris. This ritual reminds me that the only limitations I have are the limitations that I set for myself.

You’re going to Australia! Tell us all about it! Do you have any other plans for international travel in the near future?

The name of the show is Burlesque Royale. Danica Lee will present the show Saturday, January 22, 2011, at The State Theatre in Sydney. I’m working on performing in Paris and in London again in the near future.   I would love to perform in all the venues that Josephine performed in including the Follies Bergère. She was the first and last exotic burlesque beauty to grace the stage. It is a lifelong dream of mine to perform my tribute to her at the Follies Bergère and at Theatre des Champs-Elysées.

You just moved back to New Orleans. What brought you back and what are you doing next?

New Orleans played an important role in my burlesque career so I wanted to go back to my burlesque roots.  I have a few top secret plans that I can’t reveal at the moment but keep your eyes open!

Costumer Megan Martin of BetterThanStuff.com talks Trinity Blood, Sci-Fi, Styrospray, cosplay, MTV, and well finished seams.

Interview: Shoshana

Q: When did you first become interested in costume design?

I was always into dress-up when I was a kid. I think I was doomed from the very beginning to get into historical costuming. I used to layer my dress-up dresses over each other so my skirt would be puffier, like I was wearing petticoats. When I was about 11 or 12, I decided I wanted a really huge, elaborate Marie Antoinette style dress. Of course, I couldn’t afford to buy one, so I set out to learn how to sew one for myself. I took a few lessons from shops and friends, and then just dove in head first. The first dress I ended up making was a simple Regency styled dress, like what’s seen in Jane Austen movies. It all snowballed from there!

Q: Have you always been a geek? (I use the term lovingly)

Hehe, yes, definitely! I’ve been a very devoted Star Trek geek for as long as I can remember. I even used to get into trouble in class because I was reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy books that I had hidden in my desk, instead of paying attention to the lessons. I got into anime later on, and that led to anime cosplay, where you dress up as your favorite characters for competitions, meet-ups, and photo shoots.

Q: Did you take formal training?

Well, sort of. I took lessons at a local sewing shop for about 6 weeks, during which we only managed to make a single vest. Instead of enrolling in the next set of lessons, I took a couple more lessons from a friend’s mom, and after that I started to teach myself. It was definitely a bumpy start, and the first skirt I made on my own was absolutely horrendous, but I was determined!  I learned a lot from online sewing sites, back in the days when online bulletin boards were a good place to get information and help on projects. Thankfully, there were some really great sites, which are still around today, like Marquise.de and The Elizabethan Costuming Page, which had great tutorials, pictures of extant period garments, and reference pictures. I’ve used those sites as references for at least 10 years, and still go to them whenever I need a jumping off point on a new historical costume.

Q: What was your proudest moment as a seamstress?

This September, a friend and I competed in a local costume contest and ended up winning “Best in Show”. I had never felt quite as giddy! We both had put so much work and time (and blood and tears!) into our costumes, and it was a really proud moment for both of us.

Q: What’s the most complicated costume you’ve made?  Most fun costume?

The most complicated costume was probably for a character name Cardinal Caterina Sforza from an anime series called Trinity Blood. Admittedly, I probably made it much more complicated than it needed to be, but I wanted to get every detail perfect. It ended up taking quite a bit of time (and sanity!), but the end result was more than worth it. As for the most fun, I love crafting anything that has a large headdress, or some armor! My last costume had this gigantic gold headdress, which was hugely detailed and had at least twenty different pieces. I made it out of craft foam and dimensional fabric paint! I did the same thing with some plate armor for another costume, where I used different thicknesses of craft foam to create detailing and designs. I think I really just like playing with craft foam.

Q: I know you did some costume work for an MTV awards ceremony a while back, if you could costume any celebrity who would it be and why?  If you had your pick of any film or television series to do costuming for, who which would you choose and why?

Oh, wow, that’s a good question! I’d love to do some costuming for Jennifer Ehle. She’s such a well known actress for period films and she has a great figure. I’d also love to do something for Kate Winslet. I love the characters she’s played, and she’s absolutely gorgeous.
For film and TV, I’d love to work on a period piece set in the 1750s-70s. It’s still one of my favorite eras. I wouldn’t mind working on the next installment of the Sherlock Holmes movies, too! Bustle gowns, gadgetry, all the Steampunk-esque elements, what’s not to love?

Q: What’s your most fun new product find?

I recently learned about this stuff called ‘Styrospray’, which is used in construction and insulation. It’s basically a hardener for foam materials. I’m really excited to try it in prop and armor making. I’m rather scared to try my hand at working with fiberglass because it’s such a mess and has such a small work time, so the Styrospray is a great alternative. It has a much longer work time (24-48 hours vs. the 5-7 minutes of fiberglass), you don’t have to embed anything in it like fiberglass cloth, and you can clean it up with soap and water while it’s still wet. It’s really exciting stuff!

Q: What should readers look for in quality costume construction?

Look for well finished seams.  They don’t necessarily have to be surged as long as they are finished off nicely with an edge stitch or some pinking. Make sure your costume fits you well, and doesn’t hang off you like a potato sack, or is tight enough to show any unflattering rolls or bulges. If you don’t provide the fabric for your costume, then make sure your seamstress will be working with quality materials. Some commissioners will use cheaper fabrics to save money, but the end product may not be as nice. Avoid things like panne/crushed velvet, cheap costume satins (shiny=bad!), and acetate velvets.  Fabrics made from natural fibers not only look better, but they breathe better, too.

Jayme Foxx sits down to talk marriage, life in L.A., her hosting career, Monroe the Chihuahua, and Wu Tang Clan.

Interview by Divertida Devotchka. Photos: Shoshana of Through the Looking Glass Studio

Q: In addition to your extensive modeling experience, you also host a number of online/mobile shows. How did you get into that and how long have you been doing it? What is the best part about these gigs? The most challenging part?

I found my niche with hosting/interviewing after I moved to Los Angeles.  I was approached by a web-based TV show called Altitude TV (recently bought by Revolver TV). I went in and did some green screen tests for them. When they offered me the job, I was surprised and a little nervous. I never really pictured myself doing that kind of thing. I always had my sights set on modeling. But it was rewarding to take on a new adventure and challenge.  And as it turns out…I absolutely fell in love with hosting!  It’s an amazing experience to interview people who have accomplished so much, are so driven to continue to succeed, and who are so passionate about what they do.  I get to meet people and do things that people dream of … and I get paid for it!  I am one lucky girl.  The most challenging part of the job is scheduling.  Trying to line up the perfect window of opportunity for everyone to meet and spend a couple of hours whenever they are already so busy can be hard.

Q: You just got married in April of this year, correct? How’s married life?

It is going very well!  I was never one of those girls that really pictured herself getting married.  Whenever I met my husband it was seriously love at first sight. As cheesy as that sounds, we both dove right into the deep end. Six months after knowing each other he proposed to me, and a year later we got married! There is no one else on the planet I would want to be married to. He is awesome. It’s weird to see your future in someone else! I never could see past a year or two with other boyfriends (sorry guys) but honestly with him I can see forever!

Q: You’ve been modeling since age 12 and just returned to Dallas from a stint in LA. What are some of the major differences between working and living there as opposed to here? What made you decide to return?

LA will always hold a dear place in my heart…from a distance.  I loved living there! It was fun, exciting, and the opportunities and experiences I had were awesome!  Before moving, I traveled to LA quite a bit for work. But living there… you’re in the hustle and bustle of the city – constantly dealing with fake people, getting parking tickets for everything, inhaling smog…and the TRAFFIC!!!  It’s a tiny city with a lot of opportunity, but there are too many people fighting for those opportunities and they’ll do anything to “make it”.  Don’t get me wrong – I love California! I am blessed to have lived there as long as I did and accomplish what I accomplished in my career, but moving back to Dallas has made me a much happier person!  I moved back to Dallas last year simply because Brad and I got engaged and having a long distance engagement was not something we wanted!

Q: Your dog Monroe is featured with you in several of your photos and he’s obviously a big part of your life. I also saw that you’ve done some work with PETA. Would you consider yourself an animal activist? Why or why not?

Oh man!  That little guy is the apple of my eye!  Monroe is a Blue Merle Chihuahua! He is about to turn four.  I don’t have any kids of my own but I feel as if I gave birth to him.  The Peta 2 shoot was AWESOME. I was so stoked when they asked me to be a part of it. It was an anti-fur ad for Fred Segal.  We posed with live bunnies and did a small interview on buzznet.  It was featured in AP Magazine, as well as other publications.   I wouldn’t say I am an animal activist. I don’t have any plans to blow up any facilities or do anything extreme, but my heart is very connected with animals.  I don’t like abuse or animal testing.

Q: What are your professional and personal aspirations for the future?

Well, professionally I would like to continue to focus on and expand my TV hosting career. Maybe one day you’ll see me on MTV or VH1! In my personal life, I just want to grow old with the hubby, have babies, and live to be 87!

Q: You have some interesting tidbits about you on your website, such as the fact that you can play the saxophone, you don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs, and you can quote almost every Wu Tang Clan song. Care to share more about any of these things?

HAHA! Well the Wu-Tang story is short and sweet. When I was in 10th grade, I had a friend named Raul. He had this “W” drawn really big on his notebook, and I asked him what that was. He explained all about Wu-Tang and the 36 chambers. Then he pulled out his Walkman and played some songs for me. At the time I was heavy into old school punk rock, so it was pretty funny to see me jamming out to Wu Tang. I just really connected with the Wu. Haha!

As for the other stuff – I just try to take good care of myself. I’ve never been a smoker and I’m not really a drinker. I haven’t had a soda or anything carbonated in 10 years. I don’t do much dairy (no milk), and I take a bunch of herbs and vitamins to keep me healthy for as long as possible.

Q: Anything you’d care to add?

Feel free to check out my interviews with some awesome bands at www.RoyalArtistClub.com and my blog at www.RoyalArtistClub.com/RACblog