Goth Girl of the Week

Goth Girl of the Year 2011 Winner

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2011 Goth Girl of the Year.

This is the second year in a row that we've ended up with an Australian as Goth Girl of the Year. Of course being runner up isn't a bad thing either, last year's runner up did very well on Next Top Model.

Voting this year was strange, as none of the public used the designated Google Plus vote, so none of the public votes were counted. Also very few of the Goth Girls voted, only eight of the nineteen girls voted this year, very unusual. This is the first time I have ever seen the Editors vote make a change to the selection of Runners-Up.

That being said there was a Public Poll that picked Lisa Jablonski as The Goth Girl Peoples Choice Winner.

This year's 2nd and 3rd place winner are:

Runner-Up	Second Runner-Up

Rachel Dashae	Rip van Winkle

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Year in Review 2011

2011-11-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

I know things have been slow at Goth Girl of the Week, but until recently I just wasn't getting the interviews in. I have two I'm working on right now, but I'm going to hold them till the new year.

The last part of the year was a little slow, but we did manage to Feature 19 Goth Girl of the Weeks. Six were from North America and 10 from Europe. We seem to have broken the excessive number of North Carolina models from previous years, maybe I've just interviewed them all.

Visits per month are down slightly to 10,880 from a last year's 10,900. I think it has to do with me getting fewer interviews up this year. We've increased subscribers to 369, up 150 from last year.

Now that Google has Google Plus and there are now Google Plus Pages, I have created a Goth Girl of the Week Google Plus Page. This is where we are going to take public votes this year for Goth Girl of the Year. So sign in to your G+ and follow GGotW+, look for the GGotY 2011 post and read the rules carefully.

No one seems to want to use the Google Plus voting option, so I'll let the public vote with the app at the bottom of the page, but it will not count towards GGotY. Public voting will end on Januarty 15th.

As in past years, the girls will vote, as will my assistants and I. The final result will be revealed as Goth Girl of the Year 2011 in January.

Below is a review of all 19 girls from this year. Take a look over them , click their links to read their interviews and use the G+ Page to cast your vote. Feel free to leave comments too.

If you want to have a chance at being Goth Girl of the Year 2012, send me your submission. I'll conduct an interview with you by e-mail and you too could be a Goth Girl of the Week.

Manchester USA Mid-West	Yulia Molotowa Germany	VampireDrug Romania	Georgya Spain
Dia Romania	Anneke Necrophyle Spain	Chelsea Belflower USA West	Lisa Jablonski USA Mid-West
Rachel Dashae USA Mid-West	La Esmeralda Germany	Winter Frost Australia	MaryC Italy
Rip van Winkle Germany	Alecto Mania South Africa	Rinnie Riot USA Mid-West	Svea-Jill Czech Germany
Kae Bambi Australia	Noise Noire Germany	Saphire Rainforest USA East Coast

Feature: Saphire Rainforest

2011-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

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ModelMayhem

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	25"	39"	5"9'	133lb
Metric	81cm	63cm	99cm	175cm	60kg

GGotW: What got you started as a model, and when?
SR: I started modeling about 3 months ago as a way to be included in the fashion industry in another way. I'm also an aspiring fashion designer, but I know that will take years to break into. Modeling allows me to meet photographers, models, designers, MUA's, and lots id wonderful people. People have told me for a long time that I should model, but I'm not interested in traditional modeling that would limit my creativity. I'm open to many forms of modeling and I'm not limited to alternative styles, but I prefer it.

GGotW: Who have you worked with?
SR: I've worked with Ren Garczynski, George Skepton, Darren of OSG Photography, Jason Mahafey of Jason M Photography, and Alena Interrupted.

GGotW: What has been you best experience as a model, to date?
SR: I've had very good experiences as a model, Modeling for different sites, receiving positive feedback, and having the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people. I'm discovering Designers, opportunities, other Alternative Models, and lots of things that I probably wouldn't know about if I didn't model.

GGotW: So do you usually wear your own fashions in your shoots?
SR: I try to wear my own fashions whether they are made from scratch or reconstructed. I wear store bought clothes too. I would love to wear designs by some of my favorite brands and designers though.

GGotW: What Are your favorite brands and designers?
SR: My favorite designers and brands are MT coffins, Retroscope, lip service, cyoflesh, toxic vision, demoniac, dark fusion boutique, blu zombie, bibian blue, Isabelle batz, decadent designs, hyde's vice, sugar and spice DIY, etc.

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Feature: Noise Noire

2011-09-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Model Kart
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	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33"	25"	33"	5"3'	112lb
Metric	84cm	65cm	85cm	160cm	50kg

GGotW: You've been Modeling for five years, what got you started?
NN: I always loved the gothic stuff and clothes and also anime cosplays. At different conventions (where I was first at 14/15 years) I met some cosplayers who also knew a photographer and we did some short shoots at different conventions together. It was really fun and I loved being creative with my styling and posing. After a while (I was 17 then) I decided to register at a German model & photographer community to meet new photographers. I also wanted to make new experiences and get more advanced. After only one day I already had a few requests and so the whole thing started to become a regular part of my life.

GGotW: What is your favorite colour?
NN: Oh I guess everyone will know looking at the color of most of my clothes or parts of my hair! I LOVE pink/fuchsia!

GGotW: Why?
NN: Maybe because my genes are of a woman... ;) I'm not sure but I always love intensive colors because they have so much expression.

GGotW: Who are your favorite photographers to work with?
NN: There are so many really great and creative photographers! Though I'm doing many many shoots with Catherine Lee Mason - he is also my life partner (I was already modeling for over three years when I met him so it's the "every Jack will find his Jill" thing I guess). And of course I also like Uwe Zeller, because he was the first photographer I did a shooting with in the community and we still are doing shoots from time to time!

GGotW: What has been your best experience as a model?
NN: There are so many great experiences! It's always great to get response from others for your whole work and meeting new people (photographers and other models, too).

GGotW: Who do you look up to?
NN: No one special, but generally I look up to people who are creative and adventurous and are just living out the styles and things they love!

GGotW: What do you hope to be doing in the future?
NN: I hope that I can go on with modeling and to get more paid work for this 'cause all the clothes and also materials are sometimes quite expensive. First of all I always want to express something and be creative. I also love doing makeup for other models and designing accessoires. My biggest wish is to get my expenses paid through one of these creative things, some day.

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News: 6th Goth Shoot

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Model: Niche Unique
Corset: Athanasia Fashions
Photo: Don McCaskill

A month ago I gathed a small band of Models and Photographers for a little location shoot under a Gothic theme, here in Victoria, Canada. This year we managed to get access to a metal foundry with shops and gear that we were allowed full access to.

Because the City of Victoria, had a conniption a few years ago over me making it a public shoot with a facebook page, and 80+ attendees, to a city park. I have now made these shoots invite only, and while I invited about 30 people, this year I only got two models and three photographers. Its all about time and availability,

Model: Betty Kate
Corset: Athanasia Fashions
Photo: Don McCaskill

I'll post more images from this year's shoot on my personal photography blog.

I wonder if I announce this every year would other Models and Photographers from around the world be interested in organizing and participating in shoots in their areas? Could we get an Annual LA Goth Shoot, an Annual Whitby Goth Shoot, or would you attend the Annual Salzburg Goth Shoot? Would you be a model, photographer, Make-up Artist, wardrobe assistant? Lets hear your comments and see what we can do for next year.

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News: Next Top Model

2011-08-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Recently I heard that one of our GGotW family members was auditioning for Next Top Model, I thought it was for the American show, which doesn't air till September sometime, and thought little more of it.

Now I have discovered it was Australia's Next Top Model, she made it on the show and is still on after four episodes which have aired, and rocking in the Top 5 each week. Episode four's photoshoot was "Graveyard" themed. This is promising :)

Please send some hugs and encouragement out to Isabelle Faith (Izzy Faith Vesey), who we Featured back in October of 2010. Back then she expressed her self as the Pink Godzilla and said "...treat every shoot as a learning experience!". Isabelle is best found on Facebook, if you like, join her fan-page and watch the show. Please show some respect to the other girls on the show too, by not making catty and snide remarks about their performance on the show. We are all goth and alternatives, we take the dislike of others all the time. We don't need to dish it out.

Photoshoots

Episode 1	Episode 2	Episode 3	Episode 4

Episode 5	Episode 6	Episode 7	Episode 8

Episode 9	Episode 10	Episode 11	Episode 12

Images courtesy FOX 8 Australia.
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Feature: Kae Bambi

2011-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Deviantart
ModelMayhem
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	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	34"	28"	35"	5"4'	120lb
Metric	86cm	71cm	89cm	162cm	55kg

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
KB: I have been modeling since I was 17, doing a few shoots a year casually, but since I've been at university I haven't had much time for it, but I've been getting more involved in it each year that goes by. My holidays are generally very busy, and during the semester my weekends are always filled. I graduate soon though so I'll be able to devote my full attention to modeling and be able to travel around more.

GGotW: What is Neko Nation, and its connection to cats?
KB: Neko Nation is an anime/gaming club event held in Australia (currently we are doing a tour of Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne). The dj's play lots of gaming/anime themes and Japanese pop/rock/dance. The cat part is the best part. The hosts of the evening are sexy catgirls that give out free sushi in pairs and are very dressed up and are the eye-candy of the event. Me and another model (Saccharine Darling) were the first two Catgirls and have been in every Neko Nation since it's beginning.

GGotW: Has you modeling afforded you the luxury of travel?
KB: Yes I have been able to travel to Melbourne to work with a lot of amazing photographers who were just great to work with and I have a lot of work set up for me when I go back there, whilst I am on tour with Neko Nation of course. I plan to travel to Brisbane and Sydney as well for modeling and then internationally.

GGotW: Do you get to shoot with a lot of different photographers?
KB: I have shot with many different photographers but I always love to meet creative minds that can just make spectacular art. My most favourite photographers to have worked with would be Kimothy, David Woolley and Ojo Magico. Every photographer that I work with has their own particular style and I tend to adapt pretty well to their demands (or lack their of!) I feel very privileged to be able to collaborate with such amazing minds, and I cannot wait to work with more photographers that will stimulate my creativity.

GGotW: What are your hobbies?
KB: Besides modeling, I spend a lot of my time studying, watching anime, or gaming. I also really like to read, at the moment I'm re-reading all the Harry Potter books. My favourite anime of all time would be Sailor Moon. I plan to get a big tattoo of Usagi and Tuxedo Mask dancing in their royal outfits. I also love Azumanga Daioh and have started a new obsession with Nichijou, which are both comedy girl animes. The last game that I finished was final fantasy thirteen, but the last one I played would be call of duty: black ops. My boyfriend, housemate, and siblings are all gamers and anime freaks like me.

GGotW: Do you work or go to school?
KB: I study :) I am completing a double major in psychology and counselling. Right now I am in my third and last year of my undergraduate degree. I am planning on having a gap year between when I finish and when I start my honours degree. Then I will probably end up doing my masters in either clinical neuropsychology or school psychology. I haven't quite figured out which one I want to do yet. Honours will take me a year full time, and then masters would be two years full time probably. So I have a lot of more studying ahead of me! But I will do those when I decide to settle down in my career as a psychologist. I still have a lot of traveling, moving, and modeling ahead of me.

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Feature: Svea-Jill Czech

2011-07-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

Model-Kartei
DeviantArt
Facebook
Blog

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	34"	25"	36"	5"9'	120lb
Metric	87cm	64cm	91cm	177cm	55kg

GGotW: Why did you start modeling?
SjC: I started modeling because a photographer at the festival M'era Luna asked me to take some shots with her and I had nothing else to do I had a shooting with her. It was so much fun, I hadn't thought about posing could be that interesting and funny! So after that I created my own sedcard on a website with some quite bad photos, but I did more shootings and time after time I really got great pictures of myself! I love that feeling when you hold the photos in your hand and you see that your hard work has paid off!

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
SjC: I've been modeling for about two years now.

GGotW: Who have you shot with?
SjC: I had shootings with many different photographers like Katarina Hildebrandt, Tom Ahrens, Ingo Steinert but also with some more popular ones like Jens Burger and Michael Wittig!

GGotW: Do you prefer the gothic shoots or the high fashion?
SjC: I actually prefer the gothic shoots because they're more creative and more individual and you can also realize your own ideas. Most fashion shoots are strictly defined: You have to look this way, wear that outfit and pose like this. I think that's kind of boring after some time! Though, I sometimes have really interesting outfits during those shoots and I love them!

GGotW: What kind of hobbies do you have?
SjC: In my free time I love doing lots of creative things like writing short-stories or adding small self made details to my clothes. Right now I'm also traveling through Germany!

GGotW: As a writer, have you had much stuff published?
SjC: I've only had published a lot of stuff in our pupils' magazine Der Spargel (which nearly always wins the prize as Germany's best one) and in Gothic - Magazine for underground culture. I'm looking forward to finishing the work on my first book, but I think it'll take some more time...

GGotW: What are your plans, now that you are out of school?
SjC: My plans are to go on an acting show maybe in Cologne or Bochum. But before I'll travel for one year through Germany.

GGotW: In your acting, what kind of stuff have you done?
SjC: I have acted in small theater productions or as an extra in some series that are common in Germany like Die Schulermittler or Richter Alexander Hold, but unfortunately with no one famous yet.

GGotW: You're Traveling Germany now that you're out of school. Have you had any interesting adventures?
SjC: Nearly every journey is an adventure as the trains in Germany are normally not on time and there are always some problems. Too less seats, broken air conditioning / heating... And you always meet lots of interesting people! Last week I sat next to a guy who looked like an Indian just escaped from a picture book - weathered skin, an outfit made from leather and necklaces with teeth on them. I still don't know why he looked that way...

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Feature: Rinnie Riot

2011-07-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Deviantart
Facebook
Blog

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	24"	34"	5"0'	85lb
Metric	78cm	65cm	84cm	159cm	46kg

GGotW: What started you on the path to modeling?
RR: At first, I always tried to find an outlet to express my feeling since it was hard for me to speak to people. I grew up watching anime and I got interested in it. I was amazed when I saw cosplaying photos and that lead me to see other models expressing themselves through photography. It influenced me to do the same. I love to experience art in different forms.

GGotW: How would you describe your modeling style?
RR: My style is usually dark and edgy but I always try to do sweet as well.

GGotW: Who in your life really supports you and your endeavors?
RR: I didn't have supporters before I started showing my work. I'm happy and thankful I have gained the supporters I have now.

GGotW: Where do you get your outfits?
RR: I create my outfits myself.

GGotW: In creating your outfits where do you draw your influences?
RR: I'm usually influenced by music artists such as David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, etc.

GGotW: Do you get to work with a lot of different photographers?
RR: Unfortunately, no

GGotW: What photographers do you work with?
RR: I have only modeled once for Quang Le-Huynh. I usually do self-photography.

GGotW: Do you travel much for conventions or modeling?
RR: No, I wish I could

GGotW: What is your favorite anime?
RR: I had a lot of favorite animes; animes such as Trinity Blood and Chobits.

GGotW: So you draw a lot of inspiration from Anime and Cosplay?
RR: No, it was just something that lead me into fashion, photography, and modeling. (:

GGotW: Do you attend anime conventions?
RR: I've been in one once but it was just for fun.

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Feature: Amiria Divine Pt.2

2011-07-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Personal Site
Tumblr
DeviantArt
ModelMayhem
Facebook
Youtube

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	22"	18"	37"	5"5'	115lb
Metric	81cm	56cm	46cm	94cm	165cm	52kg

Amiria Divine was originally Featured in October of 2009, since then a few things have changed in her life, so a whole new feature is in order.

GGotW: What got you started as a goth model?
AD: It's difficult to say really. I've always been a fan of the weird and unique not to mention photography so as a very young teen I combined the two and bam here is me :) The influences in my life were video-games (Final Fantasy mostly) and believe it or not Fran Drescher from The Nanny. She is the definition of a real woman. I love her.

GGotW: What took you from the windy city of Chicago to the south of England?
AD: It was my other half :) Having known him about 2 years over the net, sparks flew in late October 2009 when we finally chatted via Skype and it led to us meeting two months from that time. We just couldn't wait and since then we have been inseparable.

GGotW: Who have you worked with?
AD: Wow I've been lucky to work with many artistic individuals the past 8 years I've been modelling. Here is a small list:

Photographers: Dastardly Dave, Emspace Photography, Steven Ledell, MProphet, JohnnyFlameThrower, VAM, Kevin Thayer, Cannibalized.

Models: Asphyxia, Ami Amnesia, Autopzzy, and of course Duck.

GGotW: What keeps you modeling?
AD: The drive to create art and to create something epic. I love sharing what I can create whether it's photography, modeling, or drawing/painting.

GGotW: How often do you get out and shoot?
AD: It's really random. When Duck and I were in Chicago we shot at least 3 times a week. Now that we are back in the South-West we hardly shoot because he has loads of work to do. Hopefully in a few months time we will shoot more than once a month. Really sucks when you just have this drive to suddenly shoot and just can't. We will be making items and shooting but will not be posted til sometime in late 2011 or beginning of 2012 so you need to stay tuned.

GGotW: What do you do when you're not modeling?
AD: Hhhmm My days are mostly lazy really. I do love video-games so I'm constantly on my PS3 or on my laptop editing images or video. If I get sick of sitting down glued to a screen I end up modifying my clothes or making jewelery pieces. I also love spending time with my husband, Duck, so we are always doing something such as traveling, building (sets, cars, etc.), or cuddling up watching a new movie every night. Oh did I mention we love ghost hunting too?

GGotW: Have you have any particularly interesting Ghost hunting tales?
AD: Sadly I have none. It's usually the same thing, investigate places that could be haunted (usually looking on the net or finding out from the people around the area), exploring and getting spooked by the occasional odd noise that usually ends up being made by one of us hahaha. We are new to it and look forward to exploring Europe's most haunted places.

GGotW: That could make a cool web series.

GGotW: Are the photographers in England different than the ones in the US?
AD: I haven't been shot by anyone in the UK but I have been observing and speaking to a few for over a year now. I can honestly say though they are less creative here and rely immensely on (celebrity) status. I think because it's just such a small country everyone wants to be known and no matter how shit you are as long as your status is high they will kiss your ass and consider you 'amazing'. Latex is extremely common here, so common it's a bit sickening. Creative models are also rare here but what is abundant is the make-up artists. There are very few creative individuals that I have been blessed to speak with. I'm currently in contact with them so it's only a matter of time before I get to work with them. I really miss the States, it sucks here when it comes to the entertainment industry.

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Feature: Alecto Mania

2011-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Alectomania.co.za
Myspace.com
ModelMayhem
Facebook.com
Twitter

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	26"	31"	5"1'	95lb
Metric	81cm	66cm	81cm	155cm	44kg

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
AM: Well I have been modeling now for three years and still going strong.

GGotW: What got you started as a model?
AM: I used to express myself in the form of words, one day I came to a conclusion of how wonderful it would be to express myself through visualization.

GGotW: You listed singing and playing instruments. Are you in a band?
AM: No I am not currently in a band, but do plan on doing a solo project in the near future.

GGotW: Your profile also said you dance, what kind of dancing do you do?
AM: I do freestyle dancing as well as the usual EBM and burlesque dancing :)

GGotW: Why did you want to be a model?
AM: I decided to become a model to express myself visually.

GGotW: How do you manage to be Goth in Africa?
AM: Pretty easy actually, there are many goth and like minded people in Africa, we are just not as exposed as the rest of the world just yet :)

GGotW: Is there much of a goth scene in South Africa?
AM: Quite a large goth scene in South Africa, but as I mentioned we are still not as exposed yet.

GGotW: As a goth, if I was to visit your part of South Africa, where would you
suggest I go to shop, party, chill?
AM: Well we have Iron Fist shops, tattoo parlours, the works actually. The bigger goth scene and shops ect can be found in Pretoria or Johannesburg. This is where you would find anything from corsets to Demonia boots. There are regular Metal events as well as EBM events in those areas so for a small town girl like me if you wanna party and hang out, you gotta travel! Haha

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Feature: Rip van Winkle

2011-06-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

DeviantArt

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	25"	18"	34"	5"4'	112lb
Metric	79cm	63cm	46cm	86cm	163cm	50kg

GGotW: Is there a story behind your name?
RvW: Yes, in an anime called "Hellsing," there was a vampire woman called Rip van Winkle. I was so impressed with this character, she was so strong and proud, so I chose this name for me.

GGotW: How would you classify your particular Gothic style?
RvW: Dominant, elegant and glamorous. I prefer red lipstick, curly hair, eyeliner and snow white skin. The extraordinary burlesque inspired me a lot. I am fascinated by beautiful accessories like pasties, pearls, feathers and gloves. I would describe me as a "Cabaret Goth". But I don't like just the burlesque and cabaret styles. I really love Steampunk and the Victorian fashions, too.

GGotW: How did you start modelling?
RvW: Art was always a big part of my life. As I was child I started drawing pictures and created my own world.. I always want to make art, and modelling was the best way, in my eyes, to show my art to the world. All the hundred of ideas in my head.

I am not just a display dummy. Modelling, clothing designs and make-up are my big passions.

GGotW: As a Model do you have a favorite style?
RvW: Yes, most of all I prefer the Cabaret / Dark Burlesque style. It´s the most elegant way of the Gothic style and I love it very much!

GGotW: Do you work with a few photographers or a large range?
RvW: I have found my root photographers I worked regularly with. But I often look around for new photographers they impressed me to make pictures in different styles and different techniques It will be very boring if I work with just one or to photographers all time.

GGotW: Who is your favorite photographer to work with?
RvW: I have worked with so many great photographers! My personal favourites I've worked with in the past were Joachim Ruf and Lichtreize Photography.

GGotW: Do you have any fetishes?
RvW: I have a big weakness for corsets. Yes, it sounds typical but there's no better feeling than to have a minimally reduced waist. I wish I could wear a corset every day! And I love to wear tight nylons. It´s like a second skin. It's the best!

GGotW: What got you started designing fashions?
RvW: I have so many ideas in my mind. For example, If I want a dress full of pearls, I make it myself. I can´t buy extremely extravagant clothes, and If you can buy them, they would be cost an fortune.

GGotW: What are your plans once you're out of school?
RvW: First I want to get out of this small City I lived, meet new people. I want study fashion design, but it won´t be easy. It will be hard work. But learning to create professional fashion, that's what I always wanted to do.

GGotW: As a fashion designer do you have a favorite style?
RvW: I like the elegant way of clothing best. I cannot do anything with unspectacular dresses, skirts or something else. I don't need much of buckles, chains or skulls on my clothes. That's so typical and boring. I need details, glamour and beauty in my self designed clothes. I prefer for example a simply black corset, combined with a conspicuous bustle skirt and a detailed hat.

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Feature: MaryC

2011-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Personal Site
MySpace
ModelMayhem
ArtModelPlace
GothicModels

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	24"	34"	5"7'	114lb
Metric	81cm	61cm	86cm	170cm	52kg

GGotW: I understand you are a writer. What kinds of stuff do you write?
MaryC: I love the Gothic Literature and I started to write goth novels when I was 16. A few years ago I sent my dark stories to various editors with good results, so I decided to continue. Actually I’m working on a dark urban story and a few short stories, so... Stay tuned!

GGotW: You've done modeling for artists, do you sit and pose or do they generally photograph you and work from that?
MaryC: A few times I tried to sit and pose, but it’s very boring for me and hard for the artist, while working from photos is more simple because he can complete the work in more sessions. I shared some dark pictures in the web, then I’ve found many artists who painted me.

GGotW: How would you characterize your style?
MaryC: It depends on the mood and on what I want to realize with each particular image , but I often choose dark, gothic and retrò-alternative style. I 'm interested in all things that can be a source of inspiration for not conventional art and beauty and

I love recreating the atmosphere of the gothic literature with the most dark and enchanting representation of the beauty.

GGotW: Would you say you're a typical Italian Goth?
MaryC: I don’t know... Probably it isn’t so, because I have no piercing or tatoos over my body, while all the other alternative models (Italians and foreigns) are famous for their ones! However, I always try to be open to different ideas and concepts. I think I’m quiet versatile and it is very easy to work with me, tatoos or not tatoos!

GGotW: What are you reading/watching/ listening to these days?
MaryC: I'm reading Gerald's Game by Stephen King and The Story of One Forgotten by Marie Corelli. I love every kind of music, but in these days I prefer Evanescence and The Rasmus. I always watch so many movies, but now I'd love to see the new by Robert Rodriguez, Machete.

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Feature: Winter Frost

2011-06-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33"	25.5"	33"	5"7'	105lb
Metric	83cm	64cm	83cm	170cm	49kg

GGotW: What got you started as a model?
WF: I have always been artistically creative and basically treated myself as a canvas. When I was fifteen I was asked by photographer Kimberley Camilleri to model. She told me she liked the way looked and wanted to get it onto pictures. I liked to paint myself up and dress myself into whatever themes inspired me at the time and she loved to photograph them. It was a perfect relationship. I prominently modeled for her for a few months before she introduced me to photographer Peter Coulson who I mainly work with today. A lot of my pictures I have put up though were taken by Matthew Bush, mainly to model wigs I customized to sell.

GGotW: What kinds of wigs do you do?
WF: I mostly customize big theatrical wigs. I’m inspired a lot by wigs from the 16th century, though it may be hard to see the similarities. I love to have volume in my wigs and coloured sections. Making them involves bleaching, dying, cutting, styling and sewing. All the images that I appear to have explosive hair are 99% wigs I have customized.

GGotW: Have you had the opportunity to work with a lot of photographers?
WF: I have had the opportunity to work with a decent amount of photographers. I am actually fairly picky with the photographers I chose to work with as I need to feel I have a connection with them. There are too many photographs that are produced that don’t work because two artists reluctantly clashed their two visions together.

GGotW: Is there a story behind the name; Winter Frost?
WF: I use never leave the house during the day and because of that lost all colour to my skin. An old friend mentioned I had winter white skin and I guess I pinched it from them. Frost seemed to fit I guess.

GGotW: What kind of works do you paint?
WF: Whatever I am inspired by at the time really... I am really inspired by Roy Lichtenstein at the moment and am painting a comic fem fetal series. I also want to do an oil series based on the beautiful animal, Cheetahs. I am hoping to put together enough paintings to hold an exhibition at the end of the year.

GGotW: As a dancer, where do you perform?
WF: I have done Burlesque shows but mainly go-go dancing. I am dancing at Red Bennies in Melbourne (Australia) at the moment doing a few stage shows and go-go dancing. It’s a fun way to make some money. I have danced Jazz, ballet and even Contemporary too.

GGotW: When you're not modeling or dancing what keeps you employed?
WF: I don’t have a stable job if that’s what you’re asking. My arts are my life and how I make my living. I mainly make money through modeling and sell my paintings when I can. It always manages to get me by though I am getting hungrier to make a better living through my arts. I’m working on a variety of projects which I am hoping will get me more publicity leading to more work.

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Feature: La Esmeralda

2011-05-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Deviantart
Modelmayhem
Facebook.com
Fotocommunity
Blog

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	34"	26"	21"	38"	5"5'	128lb
Metric	90cm	63cm	46cm	96cm	164cm	58kg

GGotW: Who got you in front of the camera first?
La E: I made my first experiences with some friends because I wanted to have some beautiful photos with the lovely horse I had. Today I am not riding anymore but taking those photos was so much fun that I wanted to become a model and I started to search for professional photographers.

GGotW: What kinds of creative things do you like to participate in?
La E: Painting, Sewing, Crafting, working with photoshop... and modeling, of course :)

GGotW: What is your day job?
La E: I am studying Latin and Religion at the moment - but choosing this was not the best idea I had so I am currently looking for something else. I would love to do something more creative :)

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
La E: I was working with a lot of photographers so this would be a long list... People I worked with most often are Alex Blyg, Jörg Timm and LuxProfundi but I am also very impressed by people like Nightshadow (Achim Webel) and Sabine Schöneberger. I hope that I can work with them again, soon - even if they live pretty far away from me.

GGotW: Have you traveled far, for photo shoots?
La E: Yes, I did... and I would love to do it again. I live in the north of germany and have just made a tour to the south, that was a bit more than 700 km. I spent two weeks there and had some awesome shoots :)

GGotW: Is there a particular photo or shoot that you are really proud of?
La E: I love a lot of the photos I have in my gallery but I love each one for another reason so I am not sure if I am proud of a particular one.

What I am proud of is that photographers I adore, decided to work with me and would do it again. All the shoots were wonderful on their own way, some were better than others but a lot of them were pretty awesome. I couldn't decide which one would make me most proud.

GGotW: What are you reading these days?
La E: I love fantasy literature - at the moment I am reading "The Vampire Lestat" by Anne Rice and the next book will be something by Terry Pratchett, I think.

GGotW: What are you listening to currently?
La E: Right now I am listening to Kamelots "Kamelots "Ghost Opera"
" and love everything from Gothic to heavy metal :)

GGotW: Where do you like to shop?
La E: I like to go to the city to have a look at the shops - usually I buy small things for crafting there - but I also love ebay and lots of onlineshops, too :)

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Feature: Rachel Dashae

2011-05-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

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Flickr
Zivity

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	23"	34"	4"10'	87lb
Metric	81cm	58cm	86cm	147cm	39kg

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
RD: I have been doing this for 5 years. :]

GGotW: What got you started as a model?
RD: I posed for pictures for friends in highschool for their photography projects, posted them on Myspace and got contacted by a photographer, and then made a ModelMayhem account. :]

GGotW: You seem to do a lot of traveling for your shoots, whats the farthest you've gone?
RD: For shooting? Huh! I guess Manchester, NH. :]

GGotW: As a model, who inspires you?
RD: No one in-particular inspires me, I like to see other people's work, but I try my best to be as original as possible.

GGotW: How would you describe your ALT style?
RD: I guess I go with the mainstream just a little, and mix with my always kind of gothy girl style, haha. The long black hair, and all black clothing usually helps I guess. ;]

GGotW: What do you do when you're not modeling?
RD: When I'm not infront of a camera , I am usually booking and updating. Other than that I excercise, read astrology and psychology books, and clean a lot haha. :]

GGotW: Who do you consider to be some of the bigger photographers you've worked with?
RD: I guess Corwin Prescott is definitely one! :D

GGotW: Do you check out goth clubs or meet-ups?
RD: Yes! I used to frequent a club "Fallout" in Richmond, VA and actually was a cage dancer there. I have recently moved to Philadelphia and have checked out Shampoo on their Goth nights.

GGotW: What are you reading/watching/ listening to these days?
RD: I have been reading books about domestic abuse , and a book about lost cities in the southern states of United States. I have been following Game of Thrones, and way too much Hoarding shows, or anything like that, hahaha. I haven't gotten into much music lately, TV is easier for noise sadly, and my speakers on my laptop have recently shorted out for no apparent reason. ._.;

GGotW: Out of all the different accounts, where do you get the most contacts?
RD: Definitely Deviantart. My account is plastikstars.deviantart.com!

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Profile: HearseCon

2011-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

HearseCon
GGotW: How did Hearse con get started?
Zach: I started HearseCon in 2007 partially by accident. I had wanted to get all of the hearses in our local club, the Denver Hearse Association together in one place for an aerial picture, a show of force kinda thing "Look at how many hearses we have!" but I knew most people wouldn't stick around for long unless something was happening, so I invited a band. Then I figured screw it, let's invite some dancers. Before long I just decided to do events for 3 days and see how it turned out if I made it open to out-of-towners. Ironically I forgot to take that picture, not just in 2007 but also in 2008 I spaced it out as well.

GGotW: How many people showed up for the first one?
Zach: 32 hearses showed up, 3 from other states.

GGotW: Did you know then that you were going to keep doing it?
Zach: Well after the first one went off well I decided to keep going. I set it up so that I wouldn't lose any money. I had done another meet a few years prior for another club and they left me holding the bag so I decided to make everything free, that was there was not a bunch of money involved, it was simple and affordable which is good because this hobby attracts people who aren't rich (myself included)

GGotW: How did you get your first Hearse?
Zach: I bought my first hearse in 1994 directly from a mortuary in the mountains.

GGotW: Did you have to do much work on it?
Zach: You always have to work on hearses, especially if they are your only car. If you've got a regular car and only bring the hearse out on occasion then you don't have as much to deal with, but a lot of people in this hobby use their cars as their daily drivers so you're pretty much always working on it which is why I advocate learning some automotive skills, it saves money.

GGotW: The HearseCon has gotten a bit of media attention, how did that happen?
Zach: The media stuff always cascades it seems. I had made an ad last year that was an A-Team parody which got noticed by Attack of the Show on the G4 network and it rolled over into Associated Press and Discovery noticing us and sending out reporters to cover the story.

GGotW: Why is Alexi equipped with flamethrowers?
Zach: Because traffic is too congested in Colorado for rocket launchers.

GGotW: I understand you have multiple unusual vehicles, have they caused an police issues?
Zach: Alexi causes less attention from police than you would think, I probably only get pulled over 3 or 4 times a year, but in my 1964 Olds I will get fucking harassed non stop because I've got purple scallops on it, and I think cops equate that with the car being a hot rod. Somehow the thought that I might be the kinda guy who would speed is of greater concern than the solid fact that I'm in a car that has fire capabilities.

GGotW: What kind of acts are scheduled for this years HearseCon?
Zach: Good question...well, we usually have dancers and a DJ, we usually invade a diner or two and we always do a graveyard picnic on the last day. As for actual "acts" it all kind of depends on who decides to show up and crash the event.

GGotW: How did the HearseCon commercial come about?
Zach: We do a commercial every year. I do films on the side as sorpfilms.net so making a short video is something I always do to help promote it. People are always willing to take 2 minutes to watch something with girls and cars in it.

GGotW: Who are the HearseGirls?
Zach: The Hearse Girls usually start out as friends of mine that I've met at clubs or around town and I ask them to model for me or they are people I've met online and approached that way.

Some of the girls have modeled professionally but quite a few are completely new which is a lot of fun to work with as well because sometimes they think they're not cut out for it. The fact is, if you model for someone and the set comes out bad about 99.9% of the time it's the fault of the photographer because they didn't know how to showcase someone's beauty correctly or what angles would compliment them well. I'm not the worlds most advanced photographer, I didn't go to art school, I don't own a camera lens that is gigantic (I have a theory that your camera lens should never be longer than your dick because if it is, it's a sign you might suck badly at photography) and I shoot on a fairly cheap Nikon. I feel like if I have all this extra stuff I'll rely on it to make fancy photos instead of just making good, well composed photos.

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Feature: Lisa Jablonski

2011-04-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

MySpace
ModelMayhem
Facebook
Borzig

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33"	24"	34"	5"4'	110lb
Metric	79cm	65cm	84cm	159cm	46kg

GGotW: I see images of you with an Amp and Guitars, are you part of a band?
LJ: A lot of the gear in my photos isn't mine, but yes, I am in a band. It's a metal band called, called Borzig, in which I play guitar and vocals.
We should have new music up sometime soon! Check us out if you'd like.

GGotW: How long has the band been together?
LJ: I've been in this band since December 2005. We're currently going through another major lineup change. All we're lacking at the moment is a drummer, and we should be recording and playing shows as soon as we find our last bandmate.

GGotW: Who are you band-mates?
LJ: Currently my boyfriend, Kevin, is my lead guitarist and backing vocalist, and our bass player is named Jim.

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
LJ: I've been modeling for about a year.

GGotW: Why did you start to model?
LJ: I started to model because it seemed like a funny hobby that I can wanted to try for a while. Everyone had always told me I was really photogenic, but I never really had the confidence to go and get photos taken. But I tried it and loved it! Now I model to show the world that different people aren't all freaks. We're beautiful as well. Maybe even more so than the generic fake women society pushes us to believe are beautiful.

GGotW: Is there a story to the blue streak in your hair?
LJ: I look so plain without it! I have a really strange skin tone. I love cool colors on my myself. People always try to make everything warm - Their hair, skin tone, etc. I believe humans are naturally cold beings, so why fake warmth? Blue has also become my favorite color.

GGotW: You do make-up as well, which came first?
LJ: Makeup came slightly before. I'm self taught, as my cosmetology school only really taught us about hair.

GGotW: Do you enjoy being on set as a MUA, or as a Model more?
LJ: I like doing both actually. I'm super picky about everything, and everyone always knows their own face best, so I prefer doing my own makeup. When other models see what I can do, they trust that I'll also do their makeup well.

GGotW: What photographers have you shot with?
LJ: XZanthia, Jim Sorfleet, Tim Anders, Jedediah Speer, George Alvarado, Gene Kresser, Sergio Vasquez, Akilam Studio, Matthew Dolinar

GGotW: What is you favorite photo to date?
LJ: Probably the one taken by Jim Sorfleet, with the two guns and red background. I love when photographers know exactly how to direct a model to get a good shot, and Jim is great at that.

GGotW: I see you're a spokes model for the Illinois Modeling Network. Who are they?
LJ: We're a new group started by XZanthia from the Flordia and Colorado Modeling Networks. We help models and photographers network and plan events to get together and create some awesome photos! We're also looking to help people who are new to the industry succeed and reach their full potential!
Check out our site!
IllinoisModelingNetwork
Facebook

** December 2011 Update

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Feature: Chelsea Belflower

2011-04-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	24"	34"	5"4'	112lb
Metric	81cm	61cm	86cm	162cm	50kg

GGotW: Is there a story behind the name Chelsay Belflower?
CNB: My real legal name is Chelsea Noel Belflower. To me as model you are a role model and should embrace yourself to the fullest to inspire other girls and women out there to be who they are and be comfortable in there skin so I choose to keep my legal name and not go under a stage name.in

GGotW: How would you describe your ALT style?
CNB: My modeling style is kind of off the wall because i do so many different styles, I do pop, nude, fetish, alt, fashion, glamour, tattoo and promo modeling for companies. I try to do everything I can in the modeling industry because I feel I represent a real women, I have tattoos and piercings, I'm short, no agency will accept me but our generation is changing and not everything is clean cut anymore, I try to represent that when modeling and try to be a chameleon.

GGotW: What got you started as a model?
CNB: I really fell into modeling, I always wanted to model or be an actress as a little girl. I've watched Americas Next Top Model from the begining, but after I started getting tattooed I figured I could never do those things. Then when I was 19 my friend told me she was going to a photoshoot and wanted me to come because she didn't know the guy. After we got there the photog asked if I wanted to do a shoot, I agreed and a passion was born from that moment on. Its deff been a rocky road to where I am now, and I doubted myself along the way a lot but I just kept working at it and now 2 years later, being 21 years old I feel like my career is really starting to bloom and i couldn't be more excited.

GGotW: What came first, modeling or Hair & Make-up?
CNB: Modeling came first then I moved on to become a Make up artist and hair stylist, I'm planning to attend Aveda and MUD in CA within the next year or so to take my skills to the next level. I also do photography and design latex.

GGotW: Is there a strong ALT/Fetish scene in Reno?
CNB: Reno is a small town, I rarely model in Reno unless an amazing photographer comes into town. Last summer I started to tour I drove all the way to NC VA DE and PA it took me 2 days of driving non-stop but it was worth it! I just got back from a CA tour in Feb I leave in May for the east coast again then ill be back on the west coast touring in June. Modeling is a job in itself networking on the computer and going to big cities meeting new people in the industry and setting up shoots.

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SteamGoth

2011-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I don't need to explain to the readers here what Steampunk is, But I thought you may like a look at this video made for the BBC News America. I think Steampunk is the perfect mixture of my Gothic personality with my love of things Victorian and Post Industrial.

STEAMPUNKS 2011 from Andy Gallacher on Vimeo.
Shot on a Canon 7D, Canon 17-55 f/2.8, Zeiss 50mm f/1.4, Z cage, Z finder, Zoom H4N, Sennhesier G2 wireless mics. Special thanks to Ay-Leen the Peacemaker and Dr Grymm. Commissioned for BBC World News America.

Many thanks to my friend Andrew(pictured top left) who keeps finding me such interesting videos and articles.

While I'm on the subject of Steampunk / Steamgoth, here are a few more videos.

A bit of enjoyable music.

Feature: Anneke Necrophyle

2011-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

MySpace
Deviantart
ModelMayhem
Facebook
Ultravixens

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	25.5"	33"	5"3'	101lb
Metric	86cm	62cm	87cm	166cm	50kg

GGotW: You are not the first Goth model on GGotW from Espaina, is there a large Gothic crowd in Spain?
AN: I'm not considered a Goth, because I love a lot of music styles and aesthetics, like metal, punk, afterpunk, noise, blues... etc. When I was 14 years old, and started to get into alternative things, we were very few. Now things have changed, the alternative movement emerging like it did in the 80's.

GGotW: Your a clothing designer. What do you design?
I design lingerie, corsetry and latex costumes. All the clothes I wear on stage are designed and created by me.

GGotW: Are you wearing any of you designs in your shoots?
AN: Not yet, now I'm working on my first lingerie collection. At the moment I'm currently only working for stylist.

GGotW: When you do photo shots, are the photographers coming to you or are you traveling?
AN: Depends, I have worked with several photographers from Barcelona, sometimes (but rarely) I had to travel, my problem is that I haven't much time, I have to combine the dance, photo shoots and design, sometimes It's really crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
AN: I shot with a lot of Spanish photographers (Tentesion, Yasmina Moya, Polymer Boy, Claude Guerra, Darkmoon & Blackwolf Studio...) and I've worked with a few French and Italian photographers too. Now I'm working a lot with Lolo Fo nt (one of my favorites photographers from Spain) and I'm work at Raw Estudio like a workshop model and stylist.

GGotW: What keeps you going?
AN: Dancing!!!! Modeling is more relaxing than dance!

GGotW: What came first dance, or modeling?
AN: I started dance classes four years ago, and I start acting about two years ago, and I started to modeling almost parallel.
But dance has always present in my life.

GGotW: What do you spend the most amount of time doing?
AN: I need to try to dance at least four or five hours a day. It's a really sacrifice!

GGotW: Where do you perform?
AN: I have been dancing at a vintage club in Barcelona, called Minusa, and at several festivals in Barcelona, but last year I had a knee injury and I turned away from the stage. Now I have some new shows!

GGotW: I understand you also do Burlesque, can you describe your act?
AN: Sometimes I perform an antique striptease like 20's to 40's, sometimes even I perform a Victorian striptease, but normally I combine the Belly-dance and the 1990's exotic dances with the classic Burlesque. My references are Mata Hari, Tórtola Valencia and film characters like Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra.
I combine several elements like the veils, swords, daggers or candles.

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Feature: Dia

2011-03-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Fandiaxd

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	37"	26"	36"	5"4'	110lb
Metric	95cm	67cm	92cm	164cm	50kg

GGotW: I understand you design fashions, what kind of stuff do you do?
Dia: Here you can see what kind of fashion we do: www.fandiaxd.ro

GGotW: Have you done much modeling?
Dia: I was Miss Diaspora Germany in 2004 and yes i have done modeling in Germany.

GGotW: What do you like about goth Modeling?
Dia: I like the Gothic style. I like the way it represents me.

GGotW: What got you started making fashions?
Dia: I took attended a three year Fashion school in Germany, and have been busy making fashions since.

GGotW: Do you travel around a lot for your modeling?
Dia: No i did not travel for modeling any time, to me is more important to create than to model.

GGotW: Why did you start to model?
Dia: I began modeling some occasionally in Germany, where I've lived

GGotW: I understand you just had a baby in February. How do you see the baby affecting your fashion business and your shoots?
Dia: My baby is 1st place now, he doesn't affect my designing career but my time for anything else is limited.

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Sophie Lancaster Remembered

2011-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sophie Lancaster was murdered in a park in Bacup in 2007. Black Roses is her story told by her mother Sylvia and through a sequence of poems for Sophie by Simon Armitage.

For those that don't know who Sophie was: Wikipedia

Thanks to my friend Andrew for this link.

Feature: Georgya

2011-03-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

DA-portfolio
DeviantArt
ModelMayhem
Vampirefreaks

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33"	24"	18"	37"	5"8'	110lb
Metric	85cm	62cm	53cm	94cm	174cm	50kg

GGotW: When did you start modeling?

G: I started fashion modeling when I was 10 years old. And 2 years ago the idea of alternative modeling came to me, but I had my doubts about it because it was pretty unknown here in Spain. I've only started 1 year ago.

GGotW: Why did you start modeling?
G: My mother took me to an agency called InterStyle Models.

GGotW: What kind of modeling were you doing before the Alt modeling?
G: I was a fashion model since I was 10.

GGotW: As a Fashion model, did you get to tour around?
G: I did some catwalks in my home town, and when I moved to Barcelona an agency hired me.

GGotW: Where did you travel?
G: I have traveled through entire Europe, but not because of modeling. I simply love traveling and learning about other cultures.

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
G: I've worked with many photographers, some names I remember: Marco Antonio Marin, Daniel Berlanga, Alfonso Ruíz...

GGotW: What attracted you to Alt modeling?
G: My style is alternative, so I wanted to try doing the kind of modeling I liked.

GGotW: What do you do when you're not modeling?
G: I study Tourism, learn new languages, go out with my friends, go shopping, etc.

GGotW: You speak about seven languages, what do you plan to do with your talents?
G: I'm a Tourism student, tourism and languages are my true vocation. My main plan is to become a great business woman in the Tourism Industry.

** December 2011 Update

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Feature: VampireDrug

2011-02-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Vampirefreaks
Myspace
DeviantArt
Facebook

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	31"	24"	35"	5"10'	123lb
Metric	80cm	60cm	90cm	180cm	56kg

GGotW: What is it about the goth scene that you are attracted to?
VD: Well, in the first place, I could say that I am attracted to the goth culture, which I think everybody who likes goth in general knows that it's a very ancient and interesting culture. I have studied this culture since I was like 16 -17 years old and I must say that it has marked me in a special way.
Second, I like being goth, from goth clothing, goth make-up to goth music, because it makes me feel different and at the same time special. I like to move into another world when I am doing my photo sessions. Maybe it sounds weird, but you have to live it. If you are not living it, you are leaving it: you are not a goth girl.

GGotW: What is the story behind your Vampiredrug name?
VD: There is not much of a story behind my name. The reason I chose the name is because I love legends of vampires and werewolves. So, it's kind like, in translation: addicted to vampires :).

GGotW: Have you done many goth photo shoots?
VD: No,not a lot. I began modeling this past summer, but took like 2 or 3 photo sessions. The rest is my own work.

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
VD: I haven't worked with a lot of photographers...I worked with a friend of mine..and she's my only photographer :). And basically I am my own photographer ;) (sounds weird, I know)

GGotW: What photographers would you like to work with?
VD: I am proud of my photographer and well...I don't have any idea with who else I could work with.

GGotW: Is there a lot of Goth culture in your part of Romania?
VD: Well, the Gothic culture is not very developed around here and people look at you strange when you appear in public dressed and wearing Gothic style make-up.

GGotW: What do you do when you are not modeling?
VD: When I am not modeling I like to spend time with my friends and enjoying the beauty of life: taking long walks in nature (I love all nature's beauty), camping, and, playing guitar which is one of my hobbies. I like to practice in my spare time, I just love it :)

GGotW: What kind of music do you play?
VD: I like to play medieval music and rock ballads...and recently I began to study some black metal songs.

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Feature: Yulia Molotowa

2011-02-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

DeviantArt
Model-Kartei

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	34"	24"	19"	34"	5"2'	103lb
Metric	86cm	62cm	48cm	86cm	160cm	47kg

GGotW: When did you first become interested in the Gothic style?
YM: I first became interested in the Gothic style with about 14 years. I had this sort of insatiable desire to find out who I am. Since I can think I had been fascinated by morbid things and 'dark' aspects in art and styling, which inevitably led me to the Gothic scene someday.

GGotW: Did you dive into it yourself, right away?
YM: Mainly I did, yes, although I cost me a lot of arguments with Mum and Dad :) But now, they accept it pretty well and see that this is me. *laughs*

GGotW: When did you start modeling?
YM: I had my first photo shoot just for fun in summer 2009 with an acquaintance of mine. Doing photo shoots earliest became a hobby in April 2010, where I had my first rather professional and more planned model shoot. But I usually do not think of myself as being a model until October 2010, when I became more active with living out my ideas in sets and scenery and where photo shoots became not only a hobby, but a passion.

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
YM: I have worked with photographers like Andi Bell, Michael Kueper and Moritz Maibaum, and also Catherine Lee Mason and some more :)

GGotW: What styles do you like to wear?
YM: I like a lot of different styles and aspects of Styling, I mainly prefer the fetish style with lots of patent, PVC and latex, classical Gothic styling and parts of cyber-styling. But also Burlesque styles fascinate me a lot.

GGotW: What do you do when you are not modeling?
YM: Besides modeling, making my own clothes, accessories and hairfalls is one of my greatest passions. I like to be creative, I occasionally also draw and paint. I like meeting my friends and going out clubbing all dolled up, but there are other days where I rather prefer staying at home reading a good book.

GGotW: What has been you best experience as a model?
YM: I think that would be definitely meeting Andi Bell for working with him for the first time. I was very surprised he was interested in working with such a "newbie" like me, as he has been shooting with other, more experienced models as me. I was very excited and nervous but also very pleased how well it went actually - it was a good feeling to get this confirmation that I got somewhat of a talent for it.

GGotW: What would your ultimate photoshoot involve?
YM: Lots and lots of different costumes (preferably self-made), make-up craziness, creative ideas and a good laugh, things to talk about besides the actual shooting stuff - well, I think every photo shoot I did so far had been a sort of ultimate one, because I was lucky to work with such interesting and nice photographers.

GGotW: How do you prepare for a photoshoot?
YM: I often sew/make my outfits and accessories myself, and invent/practice new make-up, ideas that have been spinning in my head.
Mainly this is all of the preparation I do, because I think the rest often comes whilst shooting - a bit of spontaneity is important, maybe even more as a good planning.

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Goth Girl of the Year 2010 Winner

2011-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

I am please to announce the winner of Goth Girl of the Year 2010.

Bellow Dark Water

This fiery Aussie red-head is also in the running for Miss Alternative 2010 and has been modeling since 17.

Runner-Up	Second Runner-Up

Isabelle Faith	Ambellina

Feature: Manchester

2011-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Site (coming soon)
Model Mayhem (Modeling)
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Twitter
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Model Mayhem (Make-Up)

	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	28"	33"	5"4'	105lb
Metric	81cm	71cm	84cm	163cm	48kg

GGotW: What is the story behind your name, Manchester?
Manchester: Manchester is from a song in the movie "Hair", it's a musical and the song is called "Manchester, England". That song in particular is reprised at another major point in the movie.

GGotW: What came first Make-up or modeling?
Manchester: Ever since I was little I was obsessed with the aesthetics of goth, punk, rockstars and other alternative looks. I call it catholic schoolgirl opression, never being able to express any individuality led to lots of (now terribly embarassing) experimentation with different looks and makeup once I started public high school.

GGotW: When you got out of Catholic School, what style took you first?
Manchester: Towards the end of my Catholic grade-school experience I got really into wearing excessive amounts of bracelets, black eyeliner and big 69 pants and kikwear with little sparkly cat collars. I was pretty much your typical Hot Topic mall goth.

GGotW: Who got you to model first?
Manchester: Triplesix and I had a mutual friend named Jason who'd shot photos of her. He was a medical student but also an artist, he took photos and manipulated them extensively in photoshop to create interesting looking scenes. I'm sure some embarrassingly outdated and awkward shots of me that he took still exist somewhere on the internet. He went under "Misery Loves" photography. I don't think he's done any shooting in recent years, but although our experiences together are always brief and sparratic, he was also the first person who told me about Burning Man and encouraged me to go the first time, great guy!

GGotW: How many times have you been to Burning Man?
Manchester: I've been to Burning Man twice now, in 09 and 2010.

GGotW: Can you describe Burning Man to those that have never experienced it or heard of it?
Manchester: Burning Man is like walking inside a giant Salvador Dali painting for a week. There's something for everyone, you truly can't describe it and have to experience it yourself, it's a total stimulus overload.

GGotW: You've had a few magazine appearances, what has that been like?
Manchester: The bulk of my magazine appearances so far have been smut-related, because Hustler's Taboo is smut. Lots of toys and dildos lol. As much as I love erotic my print work is slowly getting a bit more "reputable", I had the Halloween cover of Giuseppina and the launch cover of Dstripped, and a feature in an upcoming Imposter Magazine, which are online publications. As far as actual prints go, I recently had some shots in Retro Lovely, and will be in an upcoming Gothic Beauty, and an upcoming Bambi Magazine (an online fashion magazine who's first print publication will feature a photoset of mine)

GGotW: What has been you favorite magazine shoot to-date?
Manchester: The Giuseppina cover was pretty cool because I got to wear wardrobe from Eirick Asawang, an amazing designer, and my boyfriend came along to because he's an FX artist - I was a bride of frankenstein, and he had sculpted and molded the stitch appliances to make the wounds as authentic looking as possible, even sticking real stitches out of the appliance. It was his first print credit so it was more personal to me to give him that opportunity, and it was generally a fun day.

GGotW: When you've done magazine work, who hires you?
Manchester: Every magazine is different. Sometimes you shoot trade for submission, other times the magazine pays you and the photographer both for submitting. Other times photos you shoot with a photographer wind up in submission, even if that was not the original intention. I was recently in Retro Lovely's Taboo edition - the magazine had contacted Chas Ray Krider for an 8 page spread, and he just sent them some of his favorite recent work he had "laying around", which happened to include one of my shots from a trade shoot we did several months before.

GGotW: Is there a magazine out there that you'd like to appear in that you haven't?
Manchester: Harlow and Alt would be great :) If I made it into those I could die happy ;)

GGotW: You have a long list of photographers that you've worked with, is there one or two you keep going back to?
Manchester: Overall I shoot the most often with Marcie Coabbert in St.Louis, my hometown, and Chris Gooden in Pittsburgh where I currently live. There's a few I've shot with only briefly that I'm dying to make it back to, Dastardly Dave in New Hampshire and Chip Willis in Columbus to name a few.

GGotW: What occupies you when your not shooting images?
Manchester: Modeling and Make-up are my full time jobs. Although I enjoy time with my doggy and time with my boyfriend. I'm working on a vintage resale etsy store, and of course starting to build my own websites both for modeling, and for my makeup art. I've been shooting a lot of photography myself lately and I'm starting to submit to art galleries. I always have something up my sleeve.

GGotW: How do you describe your personal style?
Manchester: Admittedly I've been rocking the sweatpants and hoodie look when I'm at home because I'm usually just lazing around the house and catching up on work when I'm not out modeling or doing Make-up :) Generally though I don't think I have style, I'm definitely not anywhere near "gothic" although much of my modeling appeals to that genre. I guess most of what I wear when I dress myself is inspired by travelers, bohemians, hippies, hipsters, lingerie and fetish wear, vintage clothing and DIY. I'm nothing in particular.

** December 2011 Update

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Goth Girl of the Year 2010

2010-12-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

The time has come for our annual review of Goth Girls of the Week.

Features were split quite evenly with 12 from North America, 3 from the British Isles, 6 from Europe and 3 from Oceania (Australia/New Zealand). This year we got our first entries from Canada and from the American Pacific Northwest. Out of our 24 entries, 2 were from Belgium and 6 from the American East Coast.

What is it with North Carolina? We have had more Goth Girls of the Week from that state than either New York or California or any other territory, not what you would expect.

Visits per month are down to 10,900 from a high of 12,300 last year, must be the economy. On the good side we have picked up over 220 subscribers, thank you Google.

As I posted this article originally on Dec 8th, I received word of the passing of one of our members from 2006. Cyanotica was the 5th Goth Girl of the Week and the first with dreads. There is a Guest Book on her obituary page, and a Facebook page.

Its time to take a look at the girls from this year and vote for the Goth Girl of the Year. I am going to try a new system to allow you, the public, to vote for your favorite. Let me make it clear now, the public vote will NOT! be the final determiner of Goth Girl of the Year. For details read here.

As in past years, the girls will vote, as will my assistants and I. The final result will be revealed as Goth Girl of the Year 2010 in January.

Below is a review of all 24 girls from this year. Take a look over them , click their links to read their interviews and use the Poll at the top left of the page to cast your ballot. Fell free to leave comments too.

If you want to have a chance at being Goth Girl of the Year 2011, send me your submission. I'll conduct an interview with you by e-mail and you too could be a Goth Girl of the Week.

Miss Deadly Red England	Keep it Sleazy Honey Germany	Nephertity Belgium
Ky_phosis USA East coast	Renee Rockwood USA West Coast	Katayna USA West
Miranda Adria USA East Coast	T foxxx USA East/Canada	Drusilla Killswitch USA South
Kat Kalashnikov USA East Coast	Ophelia Darkly USA Mid-West	Mechanic Geisha Ireland
SinDelle Morte USA East Coast	Below Dark Water Australia	Zenith de Sade Romania
Sindrel Psykhe New Zealand	Ambellina England	Sara Scarlet Belgium
Eileen USA East Coast	Izta The Netherlands	Isabelle Faith Australia
Stiletto 13 Canada	Rifká Spain	Iniquity USA East Coast

Feature: Iniquity

2010-11-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Clips4sale
MySpace
ModelMayhem
Youtube
Fetlife

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	37"	26"	24"	37"	5"3'	137lb
Metric	93cm	66cm	61cm	93cm	160cm	62kg

GGotW: What was it that gave you the bug to be a Goth Model?
I: Being an artist means being able to appreciate aesthetics. I have always wanted to model gothic clothing in particular, due to the feeling I would get when I would see those gorgeous gothic models online. I just imaged how it would feel to have true freedom over yourself, and just wear whatever made you happy regardless of how others felt about it. I loved the confidence those men and women helped bestow upon me at such an early age. I wouldn't trade my style for anything, it makes me feel like I am who I am supposed to be. Being overweight really hindered any fantasy of gothic modeling for me. I felt that no one would want to look at someone model anything at such a heavy weight. I wore a size 24 pants before, and it took a LOT of work to get to where I am today. Modeling is kind of like the cherry of top. It just puts everything I have done into perspective. It's important to me to be able to see the fruits of your labor, and getting an opportunity to have a dream come true through hard work, dedication, and motivation makes it all worth it.

GGotW: Have you been able to do a lot of modeling?
I: I wouldn't say that, but I have worked with a few really awesome photographers here in NC. I have also been a nursing student for awhile now, I am just about to graduate in the summer of 2011 and so it hasn't given me much time for modeling. I work specifically with Michael Koontz of Aerozz Photography. We do mostly fetish and artistic modeling, but my goal is gothic clothing.

GGotW: I understand you are a looner, is that the right term?
I: The looner fetish is new to me, and new for me. The fetish community has a fantastic variety of people in it, and a close friend of mine introduced me to the looner community two years ago. Being a looner is soo much fun. I love hopping on balloons, grinding on them, blowing them up till they pop, sitting on them to pop. I love the feeling of the latex on my skin. It's very similar to wearing a latex outfit, except much less expensive. Balloons are just amazing. Whenever I go into my room, I always have about 5-20 balloons hanging out. I have to be aware of their location because sometime I accidentally step on them and my cat get super freaked out. The looner community is very friendly as well. I have a lot of fans because most looners are men from my experience.

GGotW: What is the looner fetish?
I: The easiest way to explain the looner fetish is : a person who gets sexually aroused through playing with, popping, and touching balloons. Most people LOVE the popping aspect, but there are popper and non-poppers. To my knowledge, there are way more poppers, and I myself am a popper. Poppers love the sound of the balloon popping, the explosion of the balloon turns them on. I love when I blow-to-pop (or B2P), blowing up the balloon (especially very large ones) till they explode right in my face. I've never been hurt, but once popped like 40 balloons with my ass wearing a thong, and my butt was hurting for sure.

GGotW: What other things are you into?
I: If you mean hobbies. I love to paint, draw, make clothing, I sculpt occasionally..and I am a great cook. I also exercise everyday, mostly weight lifting, tae bo, and I have an evil elliptical machine who I have a love/hate relationship with. When I have the time I go to fetish clubs, and goth clubs..but like I said I am a VERY busy woman. I also work full time taking caring for elderly and disabled people in their homes. I LOVE my job, and wouldn't trade it.

** New images from Iniquity for 2010 year end

Click on the images that appear with the article to see larger versions. Please feel free to leave comments below, you don't need to be a member to leave comments.

Feature Rifká

2010-11-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

MySpace
DeviantArt
Twitter
Ultravixens
ModelMayhem

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	35"	25"	22"	37"	5"5'	116lb
Metric	88cm	63cm	57cm	95cm	165cm	53kg

GGotW: Spain, where you are from, always seems to be portrayed as sunny and warm place.
Rifká: How does a Goth survive in such a climate?
In winter it can be really cold! and in summer I just keep the boots and the black clothing, but I wear short pants and skirts, and strap shirts.

GGotW: What is the story behind the name Rifká?
Rifká: I was at a conference given by a Jewish ex-spy and I asked his wife the meaning of my name Rebeca. She couldn't translate it, but she told me the original pronunciation was Rifká (Reb-kah, literally).

GGotW: How did you get started modeling?
Rifká: I liked modeling, but I didn't like the average clothing and styles. I discovered Lady Angellyca (forever slave) and then I found out alternative models existed. I booked a shoot and then I made my portfolio to start modeling.

GGotW: Who have you modeled for?
Rifká: I am in several websites and I have worked with some photographers. But I have modeled for Miss Selfdestructive's alternative clothing, for the metal band Fifth Wound, I was the first featured model in Antipretty and I was last year walking on the Goth Week of Madrid's parade, going to repeat this year also.

GGotW: Is there a lot of call for Alt modeling in Spain?
Rifká: Not really. There are photographers who like some dark images for their portfolios and also some goths who like taking photo shoots just for fun. But Alt models are few.

GGotW: What is the Metal scene in Madrid like?
Rifká: There are not lots of metal fans in general, but there are certain places where you can find an interesting metal community here. They usually hang out in Bajos de Argüelles and they meet at lot in concerts and metal pubs.

GGotW: What is Bajos de Argüelles?
Rifká: Bajos de Argüelles is a big concentration of rock and metal pubs in Madrid.

Click on the images that appear with the article to see larger versions. Please feel free to leave comments below, you don't need to be a member to leave comments.

Feature: Stiletto 13

2010-10-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

DeviantArt
ModelMayhem
Facebook
Peroxide and Garlic
Curvy and Rocker Pinups
Cherrystems
Gorgeous Freaks Models

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	35"	28"	24"	35"	5"4'	110lb
Metric	89cm	71cm	61cm	89cm	162cm	50kg

GGotW: Where do your influences come form?
S13: My modeling influences come from the Post-Punk music scene , the emergence of the Gothic culture and music of the mid 1980's, Victorian fashion, the Baroque era, and from Old School Gothic rock!!

GGotW: You seem to be a current hit in Alt modeling, what do you attribute that to?
S13: Thank you! : ) - I think that my current popularity stems from these things: the fact that I'm still modeling in my mid-40's is one reason! It is unusual for a woman of my age to still be modeling on a regular basis! I actually began modeling when I was 18 years old, as a mainstream Petite Model, but then switched to Alt Styled Modeling because I was more comfortable with it, being a Goth since I was 15 years old!!

I was forced to take a break from my modeling career, as my previous husband did not approve of it. After that relationship thankfully dissolved, I got right back into what I love to do most , and the rest is history!

Also , I am of Japanese- Canadian descent! I have an unusual look that you don't see that often, and that does help! Because I look young for my age, I am able to look younger in my photos, and this also is a plus!! I have a very positive and outgoing attitude, and I believe that this, in and of itself, has helped me to re-launch my career!

Being this age is beneficial, in that I feel the most self-confident that I have ever felt. Maturity does have its rewards.

GGotW: How does your music play into that current popularity?
S13: I have always loved music, and played in a Punk rock band when I was 18 to 25 years old! I believe that music and fashion are strongly intertwined and inter-related! Music and fashion modeling puts you in the foreground! They both attract attention from an attentive audience, and they are both creative in that they affect all of our senses! I think that being on stage and in front of the camera are both very similar experiences , and project a certain mood and affect. They both require confidence, creativity and energy! Being a Goth model and a Goth musician binds the two together in one intensely powerful creative force!

GGotW: Does being Asian or Canadian make it harder to model and find modeling work?
S13: The answer is both Yes and No! On one hand , being of a unique looking ethnicity can be fascinating to some photographers, and also being a mature model can be intriguing! It creates excitement because it is rare and different! On the other hand , many people in our society do not value maturity, or of being of an exotic , unique culture or background! So, I would say that it is both difficult and easy - it depends on who you're dealing with, and for what reasons! Some will love me for who I am and how I look; others will choose to overlook me altogether! It has been pretty much 50/50! Being Canadian is somewhat challenging, as most of the big Goth/Alt designers and businesses operate and thrive in the USA , UK , Australia , and Europe. The Alternative Scene in Canada is small and more limited, so I find that the Internet helps to put me in touch with the Alternative Modeling Scenes outside of my native country!

GGotW: Give us an idea of some of the photographers you've worked with?
S13: I work with photographers who are still in training, to some of the best in my location! Some have been students that are fine tuning their skills, whilst others are well-seasoned and experienced photographers who are very well-known and in high demand! I have also worked with photographers that specialize in Portraiture, Landscapes, Fashion and Hobbyists as well.

GGotW: Where have your images appeared?
S13: My images have appeared on various Goth / Alternative Fashion Sites , such as : Art of Adornment , Retroscope Fashions, Supervixens Boudoir Photography, Recollections, and Ms Purdy. I have photos that will soon be appearing on Kambriel, Chicstar, and Pink Label Corsets. I have been published on the following Alternative Fashion / Scene Magazines: Carpe Nocturne Magazine, EGL Magazine, and recently on fiXE Magazine!

GGotW: Tell the readers about your current musical works.
S13: Currently , the band I am part of: Groit, is in rehearsal mode , for upcoming performances in our local area. It is a mix of New Wave, Electronic, Goth rock and Industrial genres. We also write new music to add to our repertoire, to add variety and something fresh now and then! Our next performance will be in Winnipeg, for our annual New Year's Eve Goth event: Apocalypse 2011! I am really looking forward to this Night, as it is well-attended and is a big event for our local Goth community!

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Feature: Isabelle Faith

2010-10-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Deviantart
ModelMayhem
Facebook

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	34"	29"	23"	36"	6"0'	132lb
Metric	88cm	73cm	58cm	92cm	183cm	60kg

GGotW: What got you into modeling?
IF: Originally I signed up to mainstream agency at about 15-16, and entered a few model search competitions in school. But my agency kept sending me out to these typical gold coast style shoots, bikini modeling and promo work, that kind of thing. It was obviously not my cup of tea, nor was I really suited to it, so I quickly lost interest. It wasn't until my love affair with the work of Lithium Picnic that my passion for modeling was rekindled, and I decided to take it up again. I found myself spending hours lurking on his website and Deviantart account, and always felt I wanted to be involved in something like that. When I knew it was what I wanted to do, Model Mayhem was a huge step in the right direction, having being without an agency for so long.

GGotW: I understand you work at a cool Gothic establishment?
IF: Yeah, I work at a cabaret restaurant called Dracula's. It's a horror themed restaurant, built in the shape of a castle. Guests have to ride a ghost train to make it into the theatre, and the castle walls are lined with taxidermied heads, paintings of men with tentacles protruding from their eyeballs, and all kinds of vintage horror movie memorabilia. It's all kinds of crazy! And It really is one of a kind in terms of a work environment, the CEO and company directors encourage us to be as outlandish as possible. Got a new tattoo? Fantastic! Died your hair green? Awesome! Got a piercing in a place you'd rather not mention? Show me!! There's really very little that shocks them :P I feel very blessed to work in a place that pays me to put on theatre makeup, a PVC sailor scout costume, a set of fangs, and prance around telling guests how much I'd like to eat their brains. Wait...wrong monster.

GGotW: When you're not working, what do you like to do?
IF: I'm always working on some creative project or another. I come from a hugely artistic family, so you'll always find me creating something, mostly it's drawing ( sometimes in inappropriate places, such as the tablecloths in restaurants, behind the crappy cliche paintings on hotel room walls...or on my own bedroom wall). Other than artistic endeavors though, I invest a lot of my time at the local sushi train, making conversations with weirdos on public transport ( just the other day I met some guy who told me he was Quentin Tarantino's autistic brother), or lots and lots of ridiculous Youtube videos.
GGotW: I was wondering where they were hiding him.

GGotW: What Photographers have you had the chance to work with?
IF: I've been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented and very diverse individuals! It's great when a photographer who's work I've long admired contacts me with a concept, I always have to take a second and suppress my inner fangirl. There's a few to many to name here, but I can tell you they have all brought something weird and wonderful to my portfolio!

GGotW: What is your favorite image in your portfolio right now?
IF: At the moment, it's probably one from my recent set with Kate O'Brien Creative. They're so far removed from anything else in my portfolio, Kate has such an amazing talent and vision and I really think they're true works of art and was so happy to be involved in their creation.

GGotW: I understand you have a love of Japan, what does that encompass?
IF: Oh, where do I begin!!! It first began in primary school, when I stared Japanese lessons and in grade 7 when I first traveled there. Since then I've been back 3 times, and each and every time I find something else to love about the country. It's just absolutely wild, this fascinating mixture of old history and modern culture. Tokyo itself is just a mess of contradictions, in the best possible way, There's no other place like it! Last time I was there I had Japanese school girls stalk me and chase me into a sex shop, got stranded in Shinjuku and had to spend a night in a 'love hotel' with my best friend, was filmed and featured on street fashion show 'Kawaii TV', and spent a night hitting the sake in a karaoke bar with 4 of the craziest middle aged men I'm ever likely to meet. Being over 6ft, I just tower over everyone there, I love it so much that I'm currently studying for my TESOL diploma, so I can move there to teach English, and take my place as the Pink Godzilla :P.

GGotW: Do you have any advice to aspiring models?
IF: Always follow your instincts! If you're unnerved by a person, or a situation, chances are you feel that way for a reason! On a more positive note, modeling is such a creative outlet, if it's something you're passionate and determined about being involved in, take every opportunity that presents and treat every shoot as a learning experience!

Click on the images that appear with the article to see larger versions. Please feel free to leave comments below, you don't need to be a member to leave comments.

Feature: Izta

2010-10-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Myspace
DeviantArt
Vampirefreaks

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	30"	24"	19"	30"	5"5'	99lb
Metric	76cm	63cm	48cm	76cm	165cm	45kg

GGotW: What styles influence you?
Izta: In my childhood, like most children, I used to have a great interest in fantasy stories, but especially the horror genre. I used to read a lot of horror novels and as a teenager this interest started to turn more in the direction of movies, music and the Gothic subculture. Over the years the macabre has kept its central place among my influences, alongside other subcultural genres such as punk and deathrock because it matches my aesthetic ideals about beauty and destruction. For me beauty can only reach perfection when it has an element of destruction in it. Run down buildings and people with scars fit in this category for instance. Japanese Guro drawings have also given me a lot of inspiration because it combines the beauty of idealized human beings with all kinds of destruction to their physical appearance. One last influence that reached me mostly through movies and video games is cyberpunk and the post-apocalyptic theme in general, because destruction to a whole society is my utopic ideal.

GGotW: What have those influences done for you?
Izta: All those influences have helped me in developing an aesthetic ideal I like to express in art and my way of living at the same time. For this reason I started to design clothes and accessories in which I try to combine different styles in order to adjust the end product even more to my specific taste. Most of the clothes I model, I wear in real life as well. I refuse to change my appearance as a result of social pressure, because I like to surround myself with beauty all the time. My room is filled with both creepy and colourful decorations, and I'm looking forward to having a whole apartment to decorate:)

GGotW: How long have you been making your own clothes?
Izta: I have been very much into creative projects for as long as I can remember. In my early teens I started to make mostly goth clothing, because I didn't have the money for the stuff that was being sold in shops. My relationship with Raza, which started years later in 2006, put this creative process on the fast track. We discovered that our aesthetic ideals and purposes were very similar and together we developed a lot of ideas to express this. For the first time we started to make complete outfits, which also involved different hairstyles, jewelery and makeup. In this period I also started to model from time to time to show off every completed look, with Raza as my photographer.

GGotW: Have you worked with any other photographers, other than Raza?
Izta: I've worked with a few other photographers, but never with such satisfying results. Their goals and aesthetics are usually different from mine so the pictures don't benefit me much. This doesn't mean I'm not available or interested in other shoots, I just think it's important to share some ideas first to see if you have enough common ground.

GGotW: Have you worked with other models?
Izta: Yes, I've worked with other models on some horror themed shoots. It was a lot of fun to do, but never my own initiative so the styling didn't quite live up to my ideals. It would be interesting though to occasionally include other models in my own projects. It would would have been awesome for instance if I'd had a pretty looking girl model as a dead body to re-animate in my last nurse shoot. It just takes a lot more styling and organizing to include more than one person in a picture.

GGotW: Where do you see your clothing and accessories going?
Izta: In the beginning, making a piece of clothing was mostly modifying an existing item by adding decorations to it. I collect second hand clothes and objects I can use as decoration at flea-markets, to spend as little money as possible, but mostly because of the great variety of things you can find there. Gradually this designing process has become more advanced, as both me and Raza developed more technical skills. My ideal is to develop as many creative skills as possible, so I hardly have to depend on the services of people with different aesthetic views. With this in mind I think I can keep improving my designs and pictures, by adding and combining more styles as well as giving more attention to detail, which is crucial in making interesting pictures. I would like to spend more time looking for nice photo-shoot locations for instance and making back, and foreground props to improve the theme and sphere of my photo's.

GGotW: How do you describe your products to customers?
Izta: I've never made anything with the purpose of selling it. Every item is unique and not easy to reproduce, because I buy so many materials at flea markets and second hand stores. Gathering interesting materials takes so much time that I would have to ask unreasonable amounts of money for one item and I would hate to rip people off. On top of that, I think creating beauty is a much higher purpose than making money:)

GGotW: How has the clothing effected your modeling?
Izta: Gradually the making of clothing has become more important than modeling. I see the pictures usually as the end product of a clothing project and I don't really do shoots anymore when I don't have a new outfit and theme ready. Of course it's very tempting to keep producing pictures at a rapid pace, but doing too much of the same thing would only compromise the quality. A lot of people seem to think looking pretty is the only important thing in modeling, but for me pictures have to look interesting on more than just one level.

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Feature: Eileen

2010-10-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	36"	25"	37"	6"0'	128lb
Metric	91cm	63cm	94cm	183cm	58kg

GGotW: I understand you have returned to modeling, what kept you away?
E: I modeled MANY years ago in the Hampton Roads area,when I was a teen and younger. Back then modeling gave me self esteem and something to be proud of. I was 6'0 tall,5 inches taller than most of the boys in my school. I was uncomfortable with my height and "olive oil" skinniness. Being around other tall models and an industry full of people who loved my build did wonders for me. I never forgot about my "silly" dream of being a professional working model....but for many years it was just out of reach. I got married and had 2 perfect boys, Cameron and Keagen. Our little family was my life and I was devoted to it. I never thought things would be any different than what it was and at the time was content with that. The funny thing about life is,it forces change in you.

GGotW: What drew you back to modeling?
E: If you can imagine being a wife and mother one day and then the next a unforeseen tragedy taking most of that away,then you have great insight. I never saw the death of my husband,Blake,coming. It has been by far the hardest thing I have ever had to go through,and portions of my life have not always been easy.I was lost as a mother,wife and as a woman. I suddenly had no identity but now looking back it was actually just then,when I was really learning who I was. In time I found I am survivor,not because I am built different than anyone else, rather women as a whole, are strong by default. When you are faced with a major life change it forces you to question everything you ever believed to be true and I did. The end result for me was learning that I am my stone, I carry me, no one else. All the fairy tales and enforced beliefs have no impact on my life, I believe what I want to and accept responsibility for all aspects of my life,good and bad. Which leads me to your question,life circumstance drew me back to my old love of modeling. I had to let go of what was and find what I wanted out of this here and now . I want to model.

GGotW: How long have you been back?
E: I had my first TF shoot in Raleigh N.C. in January. A man from Myspace convinced me to shoot with him and its been on since. (girls do be careful when meeting strangers for a shoot always bring an escort) The mommy in me had to throw that in.

GGotW: What are you liking now that you are back?
E: I really like it all,especially when its a paid event! :) If I had to choose something though I would say that being body painted and photographed so far has been the most fulfilling and creative modeling I have done so far. It is an opportunity to not only create art but be the art. It was hard at first but again,its just another test of courage from life. I am proud to say a collaboration between me and Bob Axel will hang in the So Ho Art Gallery in December. A year ago I couldn't imagine that being true.

GGotW: What would you like to do in a shoot that you haven't yet?
E: Well.....if give it away it may piss off a certain photographer or even worse, someone might get to it before me! I will say this, I am a widow and the set would, in some way, include a spider. HMM :)

GGotW: Who have you worked with?
E: I have been so very fortunate to work with some of the best photographers, artist and designers around. In some cases I "stalked" them on modeling sites and in others I met them through word of mouth. Rick Myers,although the FURTHEST from goth as you can get is simply one of my favorites. He can capture your mood in your eyes, every time. He is the best. Bob Axel, from"bodies of paint",N.Y.C. is so talented in that he is a painter and photographer (and I say a "case of the nerves"soother). Ellen Griffin,V.A., is a friend and a sick photographer,in more ways than one. lol She is responsible for most of my digital artwork photographs I am collaborating with Danny of Denart Studios in N.Y.C. on a future project that I am so very excited about. James Crawford and Bob Wise are also amazing at their craft and I am fortunate to work with both of them. These are a few of the talents I have worked with but I continue to be inspired by those I dream of working for like Tracy of Victoria Velvet.Her designs and photographs inspire me to "live the dream" and when I have had the chance to speak with her, I'm giddy like a school girl. :)

GGotW: What advice would I give to teen girls in this industry
E: Aside from all of the redundant replies such as...'follow your dreams' and 'no means yes' I want to tell the ladies reading this: that in fact You are a lady and should always expect to be treated as such. We as woman are born with insight, instinct and sensuality that should never be overlooked or put to waste. Each of us are strong by default and built for survival. So never question your ability to "make it" in what ever life you choose. As long as you listen to your instinct, go with your gut and challenge yourself to be your authentic self, each and everyday, you all will be better than fine.

GGotW: What do your sons think of mom the model?
E: Seriously......Keagen,(or Turtle Head) is still a baby,one and a half,so,I haven't heard his views quite yet. lol As far as my oldest goes, Cameron (9 years old) he thinks its a normal job. He is proud of me and happy I'm happy but until I have a shoot with John Cena (a wrestler) he wont be all that impressed. Anyone out there got that kind of connect please email me!

** New image for Year End 2010 from Eileen

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Feature: Sara Scarlet

2010-09-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

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ModelMayhem

	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33B"	25"	21"	31"	6"2'	139lb
Metric	85cm	63cm	53cm	79cm	183cm	63kg

GGotW: How long have you been modeling?
SS: From summer 2007, so 3 years now.

GGotW: What do you like about goth fashion?
SS: I love designers like Bibian Blue, Steampunk Couture, Louise Black and Vecona, but their work is very expensive of course. But compared to 'normal' fashion designers it is affordable. The goth street fashion could be better, what I see at parties sometimes is just horrible.

GGotW: Who have you worked with?
SS: The biggest names are: Vecona, Viona, Awik Balaian, Sylvie Huybrecht, Koziel (furniture and wallpaper designer).

GGotW: Have you been published?
SS: I'm going to be in September's Elle Déco in France and in September's WAD Magazine with the Koziel picts. Can't wait!

GGotW: What has modeling done for you?
SS: Modeling has made me so much more confident, has made me accept my body and learned how to use my features. I got more interested in fashion and styling, little make-up experiments and I even made lots of friends (photographers, other models, stylists,...). It opened a whole new world for me and I'm enjoying it so much. I can express myself fully and artistically by developing ideas and then find the right people and create art, because I see modeling and photography both as arts. I'm also planning to travel for new projects. Or when I go on holiday I always check if there are interesting photographers in the area to do a shoot with.

GGotW: Where do you want to see your modeling go?
SS: I would love to work with better photographers and designers, modeling is and will stay a hobby for me, because I still think that studying and finding a good job is the most important thing to do now. Modeling for a living is a dream, but of course that will never happen. I would also love to do more fashion shows for alternative designers, because that's also something that I enjoy very much. I would also love to start doing burlesque. I am working on a group shoot project with some friend and if this works out well, I'd love to organize more of these.

GGotW: When your not part of a shoot, what do you do?
SS: Studying and going to school, working for school ( I am a Bachelor of Journalism student) , writing, blogging, surfing the internet for ideas, watching movies, reading, watch theatre and opera, travel, go to parties, festivals, concerts, some DIY but I don't find myself good at it, ..

GGotW: Is there much of a goth scene in Belgium?
SS: I should be careful of what I say now :D There is a scene in Belgium, but it's divided. There are cyber parties and electrogoth/industrial parties that attract lots of people, young people too. Then you have mixed parties, but they're getting rare and attract an older audience (30-40 years old). And then there are deathrock/batcave parties which attract older and young people too, but less than cyber and electrogoth/industrial. And then of course you have commercial new wave parties, organised by people that are not in the scene at all, but they do attract a scene audience too besides people that just want to relive their youth.
I myself prefer mixed parties, where they play a bit of everything, but they are dying and I'm really sad about that. I don't like that the scene is so divided, people should be more tolerant and not hate each other because they are a little different but all have the same Gothic roots. I personally think that cyber is getting too cyber and even too mainstream, I sometimes can't tell the difference with hardcore, jumpstyle and techno anymore, same for their style of dressing, it looks all rave to me. On the other hand deathrock is getting boring. The same old hits are played over and over again and the new music is all the same. Don't get me wrong, I like deathrock music very much. And darkwave and coldwave is never played. I never hear bands like Goethes Erben at parties And I love that music even more than deathrock.
Also, the Belgian scene is nothing compared to Germany or France where they have huge parties even with several rooms or several floors.

GGotW: If I was coming to Gent and want to see the local goth crowd, where would you send me?
SS: In Gent we don't really have a goth pub, there's a metal pub called "Den Drummer" and some Irish pubs where I like to go. For parties there's the monthly deathrock night Fresh From The Grave, then there's Nocturna every month and they're organizing a big event called Nocturna XXL in September, then there's Beatnation (electro, ebm, industrial, future pop) every month and also Dead by Dawn organizes occasional parties. New Wave Classix organizes monthly parties and concerts every now and then. You could also go to goth stores, you'll find goths there I guess.

	More images from the October 2010 Elle Déco France

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Feature: Ambellina

2010-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	33"	24"	19"	34"	5"4'	126lb
Metric	83cm	61cm	48cm	86cm	163cm	57kg

GGothW: What influences your Gothic style?
Ambellina: I often find a lot of photos on art sites such as Deviantart, that I end up saving to my computer and then looking through them and mixing different styles together. I think I first liked a lot of the 'classic' goth styles with a lot of the lace and velvet because I thought those types of clothes just looked more beautiful than some of the stuff that was in high street shops. Often though I like taking ideas from catwalks and designers with regards to how I actually put outfits together - Alexander McQueen's outfits always appealed to me with how creepy some of his models looked on the catwalk - they stood out and that's how I wanted to be.

GGothW: Where do you like to go to buy your favorite clothes?
Ambellina: To be honest, my FAVOURITE clothes are often from online. I love shopping on etsy.com because a lot of the stuff is one of a kind. Otherwise I'll go to shops just on the highstreet and customize clothing so that I know it's something I won't see anyone else wearing. When I travel to buy clothes I love going to London and places like Camden just to go explore the markets and independent shops - there's always some really nice pieces that I would never have thought of.

GGothW: For those not familiar with the term what is highstreet?
Ambellina: Highstreet's the sort of shops where 90% of people my age buy ALL their clothes from - it's really hard to buy things from independent designers or shops now, because it's chain stores like Primark, Topshop etc. that make up most of the shops on the main shopping street in a city. It's a shame because some of the nicest things in my wardrobe are one offs from local designers, and often if I do find something in a highstreet shop I'll end up customizing it in some way.

GGothW: Who have you shot with?
Ambellina: I tend to work with a lot of local photographers so I can fit it round my a-level work, but one of my favourite experiences so far was with Ben of Gallerino Studio in Bridlington, who has also worked with the likes of Ulorin Vex (one of the models who I think has a gorgeous look). There's a lot of people studying photography at university I have worked with which I always find nice, because I find they have some really fresh ideas.

GGothW: When your not modeling what do you do?
Ambellina: I'm currently studying for my A-levels, doing Biology, Chemistry, Physics and maths up to AS. I'm not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, but hopefully something in biosciences. (Complete geek at heart) Hobby-wise I've played classical piano since I was fairly young which I enjoy. I've sometimes composed my own pieces, although they often end up unfinished somewhere! For many years I did ballroom and latin dancing which I hope to go back to when the school workload eases off. I'm technically a semi-professional dancer - it's a way for me to relax and it goes well with my love of music.

GGothW: Again this is strictly a British term, what are A-Levels?
Ambellina: A-Levels are like the big exams you do before you go to university, I think it would be a bit like an American Advanced Placement maybe. Sometimes you can get onto university / college courses without them, but most of the time if you want to study something like science, maths, english etc, you need them. It's split up into two years, in the first (AS) people usually take 4 subjects, then drop one and carry on 3 in further detail for the second (A2).

GGothW: Will you continue to model as your studies go forward?
Ambellina: Definitely! I think modeling gave me a lot of confidence when like a lot of younger girls I didn't have much body confidence. It also gave me a platform to work with different stylists, makeup artists and designers who often come up with ideas that you'd just never think of otherwise. I think I'll always have time for modeling because it's a hobby for me, and because I have a career separate from it, I'm not under the same pressure that a lot of models are, and I think that's definitely been a bonus, because I can just relax and enjoy it.

GGothW: What tips can you share with new models?
Ambellina: The best tip I can give models is to just be confident. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but I've found in photos, you need to just try new things in terms of posing, facial expressions, and it pays off! I've started really enjoying trying different poses and drawing inspiration from other photos I see, and I think the photos end up looking better - after all, there's only so much you can do with modelling with just your hands on your hips.. The second tip I think was one of the best I picked up was to do with how your face looks on camera. I'll be the first to admit I have a 'photo pout', but if I want to soften up my lips and subtly change my face shape without looking uncomfortable, someone once told me to look in the mirror and quietly say the vowels out loud. You'll see the shapes your features naturally fall in differ slightly in a,e,i,o,u. There we go, top 2 tips!

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Feature: Sindrel Psykhe

2010-09-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	32"	25"	21"	33"	5"1'	104lb
Metric	81cm	63cm	53cm	83cm	155cm	47kg

GGotW: What is the story behind the name Sindrel Psykhe?
SP: Sindrel is from my partners World of Warcraft character and Psykhe from my love for Mythology, she is the Goddess of the soul.

GGotW: What photographers have you worked with?
SP: I have worked with a few photographers such as: Mark Bennett, Antyo Gito Anggono, Phil Bailey, Jonathan Doherty, Photography 46, Les McHarg, Brent & Shirley of NakedArt, Tim Brown and Alain Hervier.

GGotW: What caused you to move from France to New Zealand?
SP: My mother moved to NZ with me when I was 10 to get married. At the time I didn't speak a word of english and learnt it as I went. I have lived in NZ on and off for about 10 years now.

GGotW: Have you had a favorite shoot or favorite photographer to work with?
SP: My favourite shoot out of all things would have to be the one I did with my partner :) He has no photography experience and yet the photos turned out great :) It was a lot of fun too with no pressure :P
My favourite photographer to work with is Mark Bennett, he is very skilled and creative and I like that in a photographer.

GGotW: Where in your travels have you found the better goth community?
SP: So far in my travels I have found that France doesn't have much of a gothic community, Paris alot more than Brittany. Even though NZ is a lot smaller I have found it to have a bigger goth community than France. I would love to visit Germany and Japan in the future :).

GGotW: If someone was coming to Christchurch from abroad, where would you send them to see the local goth culture?
SP: Well when I said the goth culture was bigger in NZ than France I really meant the fashion side of things. People on the street here seem to be orientated more to the alternative fashion unlike my small town in Brittany :P As for the night life though....don't think there is much of one here but the North Island might be different. In saying that if someone was to come down here from abroad I would probably send them to the Christchurch Fetish Ball (happens once a year), also there are a few events to go to every now and then (fashion, skin suspension, burlesque, music, art etc...) that you just have to keep an eye out for.

GGotW: Other than modeling, what else do you do in fashion?
SP: I've been designing my own clothing collection over the years. It's a mixture of different styles, just as I am ;)

GGotW: Have you shown any of your fashion designs in you images?
SP: Not in the images I have sent no. Most of my designs are still in France. I am planning a trip over there in June next year to work with French photographers and retrieve any thing of value I might have left over there :)

GGotW: Have your fashions been shown on other models?
SP: Not yet but I'm planning on working with latex this year and hope it will be a success as I am a newbie. I have never worked with this material so lots of research and patience is going to be needed :P ;)

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Profile: Miss Alternative

2010-09-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary GGotW. I started this little venture four years ago, and am very happy with the way it has turned out.

I thought I'd take a break this week from the normal Features and Profile something a little different. Australia's alternative scene have banned together, something most other areas have a hard time doing, and created a Miss Universe-like pageant. Miss Alternative.

To see all the models click on 2010 Models at the top of their page. You'll see a drop-down menu appear and some letters. For those not familiar with Australia, it's divided up in to six states: NSW (New South Wales), SA (South Australia), Vic (Victoria), QLD (Queensland), WA (Western Australia) and TAS, (Tasmania). Each state has a large slate girls representing it and the voting, which ends September 15th, will help the judges par down the girls for state finals, then in January they all come together in Sydney to crown one as Miss Alternative. I encourage our readers to get out there and help pick your favorite. If you are in Australia, I encourage you to get out to your regional finals and cheer on the contestants, and have a Foster's for me ;)

With nearly $2,500 in prizes and three guaranteed photo shoots to the winner and great prizes for 2nd and 3rd places too, I think Miss Alternative 2010 will be a very happy girl.

I have already Featured one contestant and will be Featuring more in the near future. While it seems like the Miss Alternative contest might be a great source for me to get Features, I don't want Alternative girls in other countries to think I wont be doing any Features on them. I currently have seven interviews in various stages, and am more than willing to take ten or twenty more. If you want to be a Goth Girl of the Week, and be in our own contest, Goth Girl of the Year, just send an email to submit.ggotw@gmail.com or look at our submission page.

Feature: Zenith de Sade

2010-09-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	37"	27"	23"	39"	5"7'	138lb
Metric	95cm	70cm	60cm	100cm	170cm	63kg

GGotW: Where did you hear about GGotW?
ZdeS: I was introduced to GGotW by a friend who knew of my passion for alternative modeling. Since I first visited the site, I was hooked! I always tune in to check on the gorgeous models featured, and since I am an aspiring model myself, I thought I'd send in a submission.

GGotW: Who has been you favorite feature on GGotW so far?
ZdeS: It's really hard to choose as all of the models so far are absolutely gorgeous and they have some amazing pics but I have to say that I loved Katayna's photos, they're awesome and she's quite versatile

GGotW: Who have you worked with for your modeling?
ZdeS: So far I haven't worked with a wide range of photographers and I hope this will change. I have discovered I do enjoy being in front of the camera quite recently. I have worked with a handful of amateur photographers in my hometown and when I moved to Bucharest to attend college, I met a very skilled photograph and we got along like a house on fire from an artistic point of view and I hope to expand my portfolio. Also, I have shoots booked in the future with other professionals here and I'm quite optimistic on how things will turn out.

GGotW: What do you do when your not being a model?
ZdeS: When I'm not a model I also work on shoots as a make-up artist. I'm a beginner in the field, but the fact that I've been painting for years really helps. I like to make stuff, paint scenery and draw portraits, and I love to get involved in anything that takes creativity.
Another of my projects involves the theatre, since I have a great admiration for Edgar Allan Poe, I intend to take his unpublished drama "Politian" to stage, but this will take a while.

GGotW: What kinds of stuff do you make?
ZdeS: I make accessories that can be worn for gothic, medieval or fantasy outfits. I also modify clothes that appear to be dull and give them a more dark and tantalizing twist.

GGotW: Where do you sell your accessories?
ZdeS: I sell them exclusively on the internet and I make many of my thing to order, but I usually make unique stuff as I think they would have no more art in them if I made them by the dozen.

GGotW: Where do you hope to get with your modeling?
ZdeS: I sincerely hope I will add more work to my portfolio and that I can contribute to the creation of visual art through modeling, to the creation of stills taken from a world of dark fantasy, that may inspire myself and hopefully others.

** Two new images from Zenith de Sade

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Feature: Below Dark Water

2010-08-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

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	Chest	Waist	Corset	Hips	Height	Weight
Imperial	30"	25"	19"	30"	5"6'	103lb
Metric	76cm	63cm	48cm	76cm	168cm	47kg

GGotW: In some of your images you have black hair in some red, are you in truth blond?
BDW: Yep, caught me! I'm a natural blond, I'm really thankful for it too because it makes changing hair colours so much easier without the hours of bleaching and touch-up's, so it's in really good condition. It's been blue-back for over 5 years, so I decided I needed a change and went cherry!

GGotW: When did you start to model?
BDW: I started modeling when I turned 17. After wearing my friends self-made clothes in school projects and friends photo-shoots, and after being asked for a shoot or two by local photographers as a result, I decided that this was what I wanted to do and really got into the modeling scene. When I saw an alternative jewelry line online looking for alternative models, I jumped at the chance to do some more professional work. It's all really taken off from there, one shoot at a time.

GGotW: Why alt-modeling?
BDW: Since the age of about 15, I began to realize I wasn't really in tune with my current friends. As much as I fake tanned and suffered through Video Hits and pool parties, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was pretending for everyone. When I found out about alternative girls, girls who were different and relished it, it just felt like coming home, though I lost a few friends over it because they couldn't see the appeal.
But I fitted right into the scene, I felt normal. I think that's why I love alternative modeling- you're something that's a taboo, someone most people don't like to admit they enjoy looking at. But at the same time, you're just being you. You don't have to pretend, the viewer will do that for you.

GGotW: Is there a lot of opportunity to model in Australia?
BDW: Because I haven't modeled overseas yet, I don't really have much to compare it to, but Australia does have a rapidly emerging alternative scene. When I started modeling it was rather hard to find photographers in my area who were as into my somewhat strange shoot ideas as I was. But there are more and more alternative models and photographers and designers popping up all the time, I think it's fantastic. There certainly are some amazing veterans of the Australian alternative scene who've been here for ages keeping it growing. I really admire them. I just wish we had more alternative agencies!

GGotW: Who have you shot with?
BDW: I've shot with stacks of fantastic photographers, both local and those who've traveled here from overseas, other alternative models, make-up artists and hairstylists, and alternative designers like Tentacle Threads, Dusk Moth, Asylum 7 and Obsidian Lace, who've all given me fantastic opportunities like runways and promo shows and publications, I really owe them a lot. I'm looking to do more runway work at the moment, just for variety.

GGotW: How often do you get to do a shoot?
BDW: During the beginning of the year, for some reason the Sydney alternative scene is a little quieter, and it's harder to find regular work. Around now, in the middle of the year, it really picks up and there are so many shows and runways and shoots to go to, it can get quite hectic! At one point, I've done 5 shoots in one week. For me, that was absolutely exhausting.

GGotW: What do you do when you're not shooting images?
BDW: I'd love to say it's party central, but I'm also an art student at University, so when I'm not shooting, my time is either spent writing essays, painting things, or with my boyfriend. Until the holidays come, it's shoot, work, shoot, work! But I'm not complaining- being an art student sort of gives you inspiration for shoot ideas, it all overlaps and affects the other in some way.

GGotW: What are you taking in University?
BDW: I'm currently undertaking a Visual Arts course, majoring in textiles. Despite all the sewing and the cutting and the styling, all attempts at making my own clothing always seems to go horribly wrong!

GGotW: Do you have any interesting projects coming up?
BDW: I'm actually part of Miss Alternative 2010, Australia's first beauty pageant for alternative girls. Hopefully if I get through, I'll be representing NSW in the state and possibly national finals, I'm really excited for it! But there's some really amazing competition so all I can really do is keep my fingers crossed and hope whilst voting commences.

GGotW: What's involved in the competition?'
BDW: At present I'm uncertain of the 'talents' section of the pageant, but after voting, the top girls from each state of Australia go to the semi finals, and after that, the winners from that continue on to the finals in January next year, held in Sydney, both involve being on stage in-front of a panel of judges. It's pretty much for girls of goth, pin-up, rockabilly, burlesque, tattooed, punk and every other alternative genre you can think of, it's fantastic that some people in Aus are getting behind this. Hopefully this really takes off!

GGotW: What was your most recent shoot?
BDW: My most recent shoot was in Sydney, 2 weeks or so back outside a Cathedral in Sydney. It was a sort of 'Tim Burton' styled shoot, we were going for very elongated body and legs, sort of elegant and dark. We even had a body-painter for the day, it was brilliant until it rained and ran everywhere!

The church security guard didn't seem to like our appearance as we were sheltering inside the church until it stopped raining, and actually kicked us all out into the rain, but let everyone else stay inside! That's what being a goth in a church does for you!

Two new images from Below Dark Water, for the end of the year 2010.

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