Interview With Sakura Tsui

by Cary

Sakura Tsui brings a unique and exotic spin to the world of Pinup and Burlesque.

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

I first noticed the classic style during my high school. I was researching for an art project and was taken with the impossibly pretty girls in aesthetically attractive poses. I love the emphasis the poses and costumes puts on the desirable attributes of female figure, the curves! The stories that often accompany the pictures and the themes given also attracted me.

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

I have to admit I can feel quite disconcerted when something I enjoy becomes popular. It can take away from it some how and sometimes, it becomes so distorted as a result of coming into the mainstream, it can lose it's original appeal. I can say however, that I love the fact it has made this type of modeling more acceptable and possibly changed some peoples attitudes to tasteful nudity, implied or otherwise is a positive change. The fact it has become popular also makes it a little easier to come by photographers. I can also say that I have absolutely no problem seeing more photos of pretty girls with cute hair and make up in lingerie.

What is it that excites you about pinup modeling?

I love the vintage hair and make up. The corsets, pretty lingerie and impossibly high heels. It's not something I can implement into my everyday life, so having that platform is something I really enjoy. I love to think of themes and then putting together a set, props and styling to make a set of photographs based on that.

Are there any other creative mediums you work in?

I am an apprentice tattooist at the moment, so I spend a lot of time painting and drawing. I also make a lot of my burlesque stage costumes. This can involve hours of sewing on hundreds of disc sequins, soldering, gluing feathers onto a train or even fabricating large props. I perform with fire and on a static trapeze, so I have to train regularly if I have a upcoming performance.

What are your favorite types of outfits to model in?

I adore my stage costumes. Usually based on vintage patterns with a twist encrusted with rhinestones or covered in sequins. I feel especially comfortable in these and vintage lingerie as I feel it suits my figure allowing me to relax and enjoy the photoshoot. My favourite at the moment is my peacock costume which I made a few years ago but have continued to develop. It consists of a 4' peacock feather train and matching bra which I usually wear with a sweetheart corset. The colours are incredible and photograph really well.

What are your least favorites?

Anything I feel uncomfortable in. I would say latex isn't something that flatters my curvy body type, but I did enjoy modeling long latex gloves for a photoshoot in the summer. They looked great in the photos and the contrast against the skin was interesting.

What kind of music do you like?

It depends on the situation really, my iPod is pretty insightful with everything from the Fantomas to the Foo Fighters. I play alto saxophone so I really appreciate that genre and have done from a young age.

For performing I prefer rock and rockabilly, but it depends on the venue and I might use breakbeat or jazz and blues if it suits the venue better. I have a lot of soundtracks from Grindhouse films that come in handy also.

If I'm going out to a club it would have to be breakbeat or drum and bass, but gigs I prefer metal and alternative music. I'm going to ATP curated by Mike Patton and The Melvins in December, which I am really looking forward to.

What do you like to do for fun?

As most cat owners know, we are there to serve them and their every whim, so my life pretty much centres around that creature. When I am allowed, I enjoy baking, drinking tea, studying anatomy and various scientific subjects. I'm usually kept busy with making costumes and props, millinery taking the most time.

I collect vinyl toys and lowbrow art, graffiti and prints from my favourite vinyl toy designers and artists, I enjoy painting in this style myself and spent considerable time making money to support this expensive hobby of mine.

Performance is a real passion of mine, and I enjoy the planning, choreographing and sewing process behind each show. I love nothing more than putting fire in my mouth for fun.

See more of Sakura Tsui at:

http://www.myspace.com/tsuisuicide

See more of Sakura Tsui at:

http://www.myspace.com/tsuisuicide

Photos by: Kiara Roumie, Keidi Kuisma, Venus Blue, Stephen Mcleod, Elph