What do alternative models even model anyways?

I saw this post on facebook and a lot of people are still confused about this. What do we Alternative models, model?

There are agencies all over the world, not many if any US based. But models signed with Alternative Agencies work with various clients and still pursue their own interest as well.

Dark Arts

The Twisted 

The H.V. Quenzer  They represent US models too.

Nocturnal Agency

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Adora BatBrat is signed with Nocturnal Agency but she's most famous for her Youtube channel and blog 

Razor Candi 

She has her own website for booking. 

Maxsuimi Max 

She's a fire performer and alt model. She has her own website called I am Truoble, her own makeup line called I am sin. 

Visha Loo

She's a multi-talented model, contortionist , and all around performer. 

These are examples of famous alternative models that are very well known for their talent and art. As well as published in multiple magazines, books, performed on many stages, have various accounts on facebook, deviant art, model mayhem, youtube, etc. 

Different models model different things, it depends on their interest, talent, work, experience, etc. 

There's a lot more where they came from and I'm sure there are more to come. 

Haven't you noticed that all Goths dress the same? NOT Goth Questions

This is a quick post to show the different styles within the Goth Community to show we don't all look the same based on a question I received from a friend .

Cyber Goth

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Trad/Batcave Goth 

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Romantic Goth 

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Nu Goth

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Pastel Goth

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Goth Lolita 

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Ice Goth

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Fetish Goth

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Geek Goth

Perky Goth

Styles of Goth

We are a culture not a costume.

That's sort of the logic behind this year's halloween plans for this year. I am going to dress normal "typical black chick" My costume is going to be called Ghetto.

Yes I am making fun of people. Why because I am sick of the cheesy Goth Halloweeen Costumes that come out every year and shit people say to Goths everyday.

I've told a few people about my plans and some were offended, shocked, and think it's rude. But that's the point this is a social experiment.

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My lifestyle and culture is not a costume.

 



 

 

Outfit Post: Today's look Ghost and Jack Halloween look

Half Ghost and Half Jack-O-Lantern That's basically the logic behind today's orange, black, white, and grey look.

Blah starky makeup look I forgot to put on my consealer over my liquid makeup. The Orange didn't come out as vibrant as I'd like. Here but once I added the black it began to show more. 

Yes I am wearing a bra layered over a shirt. 

I cut a bat out on my back but didn't take a picture, grr. 

I felt so 80's I put my hair in a high pony tail, while walking to school. 

Outfit Post: Gothic Makeup

Yesterdays Makeup look. Blue and purple mix match eyes. I was in more of a Vampy Mood.

Goth questions: Answers Part 1

So I get lots of questions about my appearance and lifestyle from friends and strangers alike. I get it people aren't used to seeing Gothic people out and about especially being that I am African American.

I joined a group at school called African Student Association. I was bit nervous to join because I don't really identify as African because I was not born in any of the countries nor am I second or third generation African. I am mostly African American and partially Native American, but not no contact or relationship with that side of my family.

I got a few questions about my appearance and lifestyle. Some of which I've heard and some are new so I decided to type this to answer them here.

Are you Gothic?

Yes, I do Identify as being Goth.

So what made you decide to be Goth?
It's not a decision based on one thought or one action. It's a process that takes years to really dig into. I'm attracted to the art, the music, the culture, the fashion, the literature and everything about it. I liked a lot of these things long before I even knew what the Gothic scene was or that it even existed. My gosh this is complicated to answer because it leads to further questions, and more and more, and more.

First I am flattered that you are so intrigued by me and my lifestyle to ask so many questions out of pure curiosity. I appreciate that you approach me in a calm and respectful way.

But, you have to understand that you are asking me to tell you my whole life story which is not a one liner or something that can be simply explained.

What is Goth?
There are many blogs, books, websites, and pages that can answer this question far better than I can. But keep in mind that it is in the eye of the beholder so each answer may vary depending on who you ask, how you ask, what you are looking for, and so many variables.

To me, Goth is a lifestyle filled with interest in dark colors, dark fairy tales, history, literature, music, art, and tons to enjoy. It goes back centuries before  the 80's goth music scene emerged.

What is Goth?

What is Goth art? What makes it Goth? Who decides what is and what isn't Goth?
Art is an umbrella term filled with different mediums, experience, talent, etc.
Here are some examples of Gothic art

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What makes it Goth?

The emotion conveyed, the use of colors related to darkness, death, strength, halloween inspired  looks, spooky, etc. 

Who decides what is and what isn't Goth?

No one really decides what is and what isn't Goth. But there are certain things that just isn't. It's more of a hit and miss. There is not a secret society or league that decides what is and what isn't Goth? We aren't run or controlled by any higher power. It's basically a movement that celebrates those who have an interest in the darker, spoookier things in life and who aren't afraid to embrace it. The subculture just brings together a group of people with similar interested so we can celebrate our uniqueness. 

What is Goth music? 

Goth is an umbrella term for a wide variety of things. 

There are the 80's goth bands like 

Souixsies and the Banshess

Switchblade Symphony

The Cure

Sisters of Mercy

Bauhaus 

Christian Death

Dead Can Dance 

The newer Goth bands 

Nightwish

Lacuna coil

Bands and music that don't identify as Goth but Goths tend to like

Emillie Autumn 

Marilyn Manson

Goth Lolita Bands 

RazorbladeKisses 

Tons on Youtube

There's a long list of them Here

Metal, alternative, soft rock, country bands aren't considered to be Goth but Goths and non Goths alike do tend to like or dislike them. 

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Goth myths

• Goth is Not a Religion. Goth's ranges from all sort of religious and none religious backgrounds. 
• You do not have to sign and Oath's to be Goth
• There are no Goth police checking up on people to see who's following all of the rules of Gothom
• There are elitist who would like to have you believe otherwise, but most of us just end of making fun of them 
• Yes, we do have Goth slang and terms that you may not get if you aren't affiliated with the scene
• Yes, Black, African American Goths, as well and many other races and cultures can identify themselves as goth.
• It does not mean that I am attempting to conform to standards of "white Beauty" 
• It's a subcultures that's open to all who are interested
• You do not have to wear all black all of the time
• You do not have to like everything considered Goth
• You can dress however you want
• It is not a cult
• I do not want to be a vampire when I grow up, however vamperish is a religion that has nothing to do with being Goth. Though some Goths do practice this religion.
• I am not just doing this to piss people off, however it can happen. Those that mind don't matter. Those that matter don't mind. 
• You do not need body modifications to be Goth. 
• You do not need tattoos to be Goth
• You do not need to shave your head, dye your hair, or do anything you are not comfortable with. 
• We do not convert people into Gothom. It is a choice not force.
• It is not a phase. 
• It has nothing to do with self mutilation, though some do it's a psychological problem that goths and non-goths alike suffer from. It is not "cool" it's serious. 

More can be found here, 

How do I get into Goth? Do I just wear all black?

No it doesn't work that way. You should be genuinely interested in most  things associated with the culture, lifestyle, music, fashion, art, and naturally gravitate towards these things. Not because it's cool, or you saw someone else do it and want to try it.  I strongly urge you to do tons of research in books, magazines, web, youtube, blogs, websites, etc to see if this is something right for you. 

More research links

The Ultimate Goth Guide

Gothic Charm School

The Everyday Goth

I have a side panel of Blogs I read often. Check them out

This is beginning to get quite lengthy, so I will make it into a series and answer them more in depth as much as a can and refer you to as many places as I can. I highly encourage you to do your own research as well. Thanks fro stopping by :-)

Outfit Post: On my way to Shoot with Niall Hartnett

Rain Alt Model- Lingerie shoot with Niall Hartnett

Niall Hartnett work

These are a few work safe pictures from my shoot with Niall Hartnett in Downtown Chicago. 

These are the black and white/color contrast The rest can be seen here

Birthday Shananigans!

My Best friend through me a surprise birthday party. I came home greeted with silly string and a nice loud Happy Birthday!

Makeup was one of my presents. It's one of my favorite gifts. 

I stabbed my cake. 

Sibia made Chalupas

I got silly string in my hair

Attack of the silly string, till this day no matter how many times I clean the house there's still pieces of it everywhere. lol

My balloons!

My birthday cake before I stabbed it lol

Someone reported me as an endangered child!

That akward moment when you go one day without makeup. Go to dunkin donuts with your boss (an older white male). And someone reports you as in endangered child and three cop cars pull us over and ask a bunch of questions to confirm that I am a consenting adult. Wtf Dunkin Donuts I just wanted a grilled cheese and tea.


I don't know rather I should be insulted or flattered but wow. On the positive note I am glad there are people out there on the lookout for signs of endagered persons. I thank you for your concern whoever you are. 

These are pictures of me and how I looked. No makeup

What do you get when you hire a Freelance model if it’s not nude?

                I saw a few post online directed at models who don’t shoot nudes. A lot of photographers will not actually agree to pay a model unless.

1. They are being hired by a third party.
2. The model is extremely talented can wear multiple hats, I.E makeup, design, editing, good wardrobe selection, flexible, willing to travel, will enhance their portfolio in some way, is published in various magazines, books, etc.
3. Is nude or semi -nude for their portfolio, own personal reasons, art, hobby, website, etc.

But what about the multi-talented models out there who don’t shoot nudes, and those that do who are capable of creating good art. Without taking their clothing off. A lot of photographer feel like “what am I paying for if the model isn’t nude.”

1.       The ability to emote (Expression emotions from without on the outside using facial expressions and the body).

2.       The ability to Pose. Lots of models when they first start out, me being one of them. Do not know how to pose. I for one had trouble getting out of the conditioned Cheese, smile every time you see a camera. And I didn’t understand how to properly move my body. I focused way too hard on trying to memorize poses and look cute. Smiling in all of your pictures look way to family portrait and high school seniorish, which is fine if that’s what you’re going for. but if you are looking to market fashion and create art this will not work. You don’t want to attempt to look cute or memorize poses and copy them. You’d want to focus more on how you feel, the music playing in the background, the energy you get from the photographer or team of people you work with, the character you are portraying, etc. You’d want to hire a model with experience in doing so to create various looks in a shoot and emote different vibes. You shouldn’t aim just to take cute pictures of cute models. You’d want to create art that shocks and intrigues people to draw them into your work and get a feel for your imagination.

3.       Wardrobe selection. Models pay tons of money on wardrobe not just for their own personal use but often rent things from designers just to wear once. Make clothing and accessories needed for that look. And are often willing to purchase new looks for the purpose of one shoot just to make sure that it all comes together right.

4.       Makeup, most models do their own makeup and hair which a skill that’s not always easily acquired. Or they will hire their own makeup artist and makeup artist for shoots.

5.       Concepts, we spend 10-20 hours a week looking for concept inspiration and brainstorming our own ideas that are unique to the shoot. We are artist and each of us has our own style and way of doing things.

6.       Props, We buy and make props needed for shoots to make it all come together elaborately. Including wigs, umbrellas, dolls, etc and all kind of random things. Some models will design a full set and put everything in place.

7.       Passion, we are passionate about creating art and collaborating with likeminded individuals who appreciate us and have similar goals in mind. We don’t aim just to take pretty pictures just to get a bunch of likes and tags online. We aim to create art and share it with the world. We are vulnerable beings in front of the camera. By allowing others to take our picture and open up a part of us that is left otherwise dead. We are trusting you capture that side of us when we are truly being ourselves to the fullest. With all of the pent anxiety, stress, and creativity that overflows from us.

8.       Purpose, some models aim to be published in magazines, join agencies, walk in runway shows, and work with the most talented designers in the world. Not to just take pictures to get attention. We are driven artist.