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Interview: Wednesday Mourning, Gothic Model

When we think of mainstream fashion models, most of us tend to envision these sometimes-beautiful (looks-wise, not body-wise) clothes hangers, married to rock stars, who are also dumb as bricks. (Alright, I do, anyway, because I've personally known enough of them to have experienced the stereotype up close and personal.)

However, what about goth models? Well, having been around the scene since my days hanging out at the Bat Cave in London, I can tell you: Yes, there are some stupid goths out there. Of course there are stupid people in just about any walk of life.

On the other hand, having been a punk/dark wave model (we didn't have the term "goth" way back then) myself during the 80's, I have to say most of us in this particular scene were not dense.

In my experience, I have found most goth models to be a bit introverted, quiet, and book-wormy. These are the kind of girls who not only look stunning, but with whom you can carry on an adult, literate conversation, as well as have deep philosophical debates. (Seriously.) Would you expect anything less from the scene than such intelligentsia? There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.

Wednesday Mourning is not one of these exceptions.

She is bright, articulate, and even has a great Texas sense of humour. Besides all of this, she has appeared in Gothic Beauty Magazine on several occasions, as well as Dark Realms magazine; she's been featured in art books, runway shows, and was even the cover model for the band My Chemical Romance's CD Welcome To The Black Parade.

She is a stunning beauty with looks that any women would kill for - goth or not. Except, of course, the goth woman would use a poison ring.

So my malevolent miscreants, if you doubt my assessment as to whether Wednesday Mourning can string two sentences together, read the interview. After that, become one of her worshipers, send her bookstore gift cards, black roses, dark chocolates, and absinthe. Then have a visit to her links at the end of the interview.
    Lili's Lair: Tell us about WHO Wednesday Mourning is and WHY you are a gothic model.

    Wednesday Mourning: Wednesday Mourning is the public identity of an introverted book geek, who although shy finds ways to express herself visually through like minded artists.

    Lili's Lair: How did you first become involved in gothic modeling?

    Wednesday Mourning: I was working at a Goth club in San Antonio and they needed a model for a flyer so I was asked to fill the position. I was hesitant at first but ended up enjoying the shoot and the images that followed. Soon after local designers started to contact me for work, and since then my career has taken flight.

    Lili's Lair: What is it about goth culture that attracts you?

    Wednesday Mourning: The pivotal point of my pre-teen development towards this culture was watching Bauhaus’s scene in The Hunger when I was fourteen years old. The droning lyrics combined with beautiful dark aesthetics kept me mesmerized. I loved the contrast of pale skin to dark hair, the beauty of gaunt cheekbones and the frail composure. These were the days before the internet as we know it now therefore I went to my local record store and starting thumbing through all the zines I could find. My days were filled with special ordering interesting looking records and publications while drilling those older than me for information on this fascinating new-found culture. The more I researched the more I fell in love with these creatures that have seemed to have walked out of a Poe story. Not any less important is the music that is equally as beautiful, never had a found a more perfect union. I am still deeply in love with this subculture and I am honored to have been able to work with so many people that share my viewpoint within it.

    Lili's Lair: Have you always done gothic modeling? Or have you done other types of modeling as well, and if so what type?

    Wednesday Mourning: I’ve only worked as a gothic model since starting at the age of seventeen, I do not “genre hop” as some call it. It only seems natural to model in the field I am most comfortable in. I think I would feel strange doing pin-up or steam–punk style shoots as that would “not be me”.

    Lili's Lair: What is, in your opinion, the difference between being a gothic model and a mainstream model?

    Wednesday Mourning: I feel that a gothic model should be involved in the scene, listen to the music and live the lifestyle. The model’s own individuality and creativity should translate honestly to film not just as someone playing dress up for the day. A mainstream model does not need to follow such guidelines as they are hired to portray an image outside their own, think of them as a blank slate that is molded to the client’s wishes in totality.

    Lili's Lair: Have you found, in your personal experience and/or personal observations, any difference in the way the goth fashion industry is run vs. the mainstream fashion world?

    Wednesday Mourning: Yes, for one the Goth fashion industry is very close knit and often uses the same models. I also see that the goth designers help each other out, with more camaraderie then competiveness. I’ve not worked much in the mainstream world as I refuse to change my daily look but I imagine they are more competitive and have a much larger pool of models to pick from!

    Lili's Lair: When doing a shoot, is it the photographer that "puts you in the mood," or do you find your inspiration elsewhere?

    Wednesday Mourning: It is often a collaboration between both parties but sometimes the photographer has a specific emotion or feeling they want express and they direct me towards their vision. Others just let me do whatever I want and snap away.

    Lili's Lair: Who, if anyone, is your favourite photographer to work with and why?

    Wednesday Mourning: I love working with Chris Anthony, his dark Victorian work fits nicely with my own tastes and he’s a shy bookish type like myself.

    Lili's Lair: Who would be your ideal photographer to do a shoot with, and why?

    Wednesday Mourning: I would love to work for Eugenio Recuenco, his fantasy work is jaw dropping beautiful.

    Lili's Lair: Can you tell us here at Lili's Lair what a typical day is like for you when you do a shoot?

    Wednesday Mourning: I would love to start out this answer a’ la Patrick Batemen style but I will spare you my extensive morning routine. By afternoon I am sitting in the makeup chair for about an hour depending on the project and then I have a genius hair stylist foaming at the mouth to tease out and stand up my longer than waist length hair. I also seem to get myself into shoots with complicated outfits so at times I have to be dressed… I sometimes feel like a mannequin as I’m pulled and pushed into some odd wardrobe contraption. After a couple hours shoot I head home to try to comb out my hair and take a nap. Sounds like I’m complaining…but I love it! I must be a glutton for punishment!

    Lili's Lair: Do you do live, runway-type shows? If so, do you prefer these shows, or magazine shoots?

    Wednesday Mourning: I have walked in several runway shows, and although the fast paced energy behind such productions is fun I prefer magazine shoots. When doing print work you are able to keep a tear sheet as a memento… which can be sent back home to mom!

    Lili's Lair: Is there a particular client you especially like doing work for?

    Wednesday Mourning: I love working for Kambriel, her work is amazing and she’s a genuinely awesome person. Did I mention her work is amazing too? :)

    Lili's Lair: What advice would you give to someone - male or female - who would like to get into gothic modeling?

    Wednesday Mourning: I would advise them to stay true to what you love no matter what is popular in the current realm of alternative modeling. Gothic modeling is an expression of your inner self and make sure you are pulling from that, find your strength there! Also…have fun!

    Lili's Lair: What are Wednesday Mourning's plans for the future?

    Wednesday Mourning: I am in talks with an artist/videographer to work on some experimental video projects. After working in still images for so long it will be fun to branch out into moving pictures.

Check her out:

www.WednesdayMourning.com

www.Kambriel.com

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