Interview With GiGi La Femme

by Cary

GiGi La Femme is the perfect Pinup and Burlesque person for Fixe Magazine, both our names are fun faux French. Also, she's really hot! :)

Classic pinup has become a huge phenomena lately, what about it first captured your interest?

I was always a big fan of pin-up art--photographs, illustrations, paintings, you name it--because I really fell in love with the aesthetic: the pretty girl, a tongue-in-cheek situation, adorable clothes (not to mention the shoes!) and the talent of the person behind the brush or camera.

When I was thinking of getting into burlesque, I researched the classic vintage artists and models, but was so excited to see a pin-up community thriving in my own lifetime. I swear, I was on the computer for days surfing from site to site and reading about pin-up culture, past AND present. It was all so very inspiring.

What do you think about pinup becoming part of the mainstream culture?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it in the slightest and besides, what’s wrong with a little attention? Fads will come and fads will go, but communities like those in the pin-up world have been around long before it found a place in popular culture. I’m sure its not going anywhere!

What is it that excites you about pinup modeling?

I love re-interpreting classic pin-up pieces and applying modern twists. Sure, any girl can mimic a Vargas, an Elvgren, a Driben…but how do you make it YOU? The collaboration between an artist and model to make that very thing happen is what excites me more than anything.

Are there any other creative mediums you work in?

Burlesque serves a big function as my main creative outlet, but I also like to sing and once upon a time, was an avid photographer. It’s a field I definitely would love to explore again.

What are your favorite types of outfits to model in?

I love to model in my costumes and all types of lingerie ranging from classic to fetish inspired pieces. However, within the last couple of years, I found such a comfort in posing nude. It really is my most comfortable outfit!

What are your least favorites?

I can’t say that I have any least favorites to date. I’m a firm believer in it’s not what you wear, but how you wear the clothes.

What kind of music do you like?

I firmly choose not to discriminate--I love it all! Some of my favorite bands and solo artists include (in no particular order) AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, New York Dolls, Aretha Franklin, Benny Goodman, Jimi Hendrix, Beck, The Beastie Boys, Amy Winehouse, The Cure, The Beatles, Del The Funkee Homosapien, Led Zeppelin, MC5, Booker T. and the MG’s, The Donnas. Brian Setzer (Orchestra and Stray Cats) Pretenders, Rolling Stones, Cat Power, Feist, The Gorillaz, The Kinks, Gwen Stefani, Madness, The Misfits, Pixies, Stevie Nicks, Reverend Horton Heat, Supersuckers, The Runaways, Suzi Quatro, The Specials and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

What do you like to do for fun?

I adore socializing with my closest friends, drinking tasty cocktails and whipping up good eats. Making costumes, watching classics of The Golden Era, dancing up a storm on bartops and in my living room, getting pedicures, kissing and you guessed it, getting photographed and drawn by some of the best artists I know, also rank pretty high on the list.

See more of GiGi La Femme at:

www.gigilafemme.com

www.myspace.com/gigilafemme

www.myspace.com/revealedburlesque