Goth Clothes Interview With Razor Candi

D*Cyber Punk travelled through a space~time wormhole to Ireland to meet with the very punk~alicious Alternative Model ~ Razor Candi where they took a tour of the Jameson’s distillery before getting kicked out for being too mischievous! After that, the cheeky Goth duo headed to a cosy little Irish pub where they ended up throwing darts (at each other) in between sips of Jamesons whiskey and a few rounds of the very unsettling Guinness and Baileys concoction known as ‘Irish Car Bombs’.

Before you proceed ~ BE WARNED! This article contains material that is Adult in nature. If you are a minor (under the age of 18 in Australia) or are easily offended ~ Do Not Proceed!  You have been informed so don’t come whinging to us if you don’t like what we publish… We don’t care if you think this is offensive!

Here’s how the conversation went…

 

 

Goth Clothes: Please tell us, how did you find yourself following the path of a professional “Alternative Model”?

 

Razor Candi: I am not really sure if what I do would fall into the category of ‘professional’ modeling since I do not belong to an agency nor do I work with a staff and crew. I am more of a freelance model, I do all my own makeup, hair and styling (apart from occasional product modeling for designers) and have currently been working with my personal photographer on projects that are my ideas; I’d prefer to think of myself as more of an artist seeing as models don’t generally come up with the themes and concepts for photos or do their own makeup, hair or put together their wardrobe.

Nevertheless, it went like this : Around 1999 I discovered my passion for modeling and in 2003 I started taking it more seriously. When I first started my main focus wasn’t to become anyone, it was simply a leisure pursuit and a way to express myself. I had been posting my images and artwork online since ’99 but in 2003 with the Friendster and Myspace break out it was a break through. I started to get a lot of feedback on my work, I had photographers contacting me from all over, fan art and letters streaming in, it truly motivated me to keep creating new work, it was encouraging for me to know that I had reached out and moved these people, I gave them hope and courage to go out and be themselves and to feel better about themselves and this gave me desire and audacity to continue what I was doing. Modeling has inspired me to create art with my face and body, it is a very emotional process for me, I love that I can portray a feeling through a photo and it’s invigorating to know that I can be a source of producing new art. I feel that art is the loudest voice; it speaks for so many of our emotions and can make the most powerful statements. The mind is a magnificent tool as long as you allow it to expand above and beyond conventional textbook thinking.

Goth Clothes: Your style is so unique ~ punk meets goth meets blood sucking vampire biker chick… how would you describe your style?

Razor Candi: I’m not really quite sure what I would call my over all style since I have so many different appearances and my looks are forever changing. Really the best way to describe my style is alternative, boring I know but it really is just that : unusual, different and diverse, yet it always remains creative and artistic, you will never see me doing mainstream modeling.

 

Goth Clothes: You are an absolute freak (I mean that in the nicest possible way) with your big wide eyes, skin & bone arms, succulent breasts and legs that are way beyond legal height!  How does it feel to be so freakingly gorgeous?

Razor Candi: Honestly it’s not really all that great to be viewed as gorgeous, it creates a lot of envy and jealousy in people. You’d be surprised to know that people who are considered pretty probably get told they are less than more unfortunate people because most people feel they do not deserve to hear it because they probably hear it too much. I often times find myself shunned from things just because of my appearance which I’ve often times been told is too intimidating. Sure it is nice to feel good about the way you look but sometimes it doesn’t count when you aren’t even allowed to enjoy the glory of it because of others insecurities. Finally I’d like to add that everyone has their opinion and personal outlook on what they think is gorgeous, I get told daily that I am too thin yet you are pointing out that my skin & bone arms are a good feature, the best way for me to deal with my appearance is to just be content and confident with myself, no matter what people say, good or bad, I do not let it affect the way I feel about myself because I know anything people say is their personal opinion , so how could I let a positive opinion inflate my ego or a negative opinion deflate it since it is all just personal opinion and not fact. So to answer your question, I don’t really think about how ‘freakingly gorgeous’ I am, I only think about whether or not I am happy with myself as a person and…we.ll, I am.

Goth Clothes: Do you attract attention everywhere you go? If so, does that ever get annoying?

Razor Candi: Yeah I attract attention pretty much every time I leave the house. Sometimes more than other times and yes, it does get annoying especially when I am just out running daily errands like everyone else and I have to deal with jack asses gawking at me or mocking me for speaking English in a foreign country. There is a time and a place, I don’t think it would annoy me as badly if I went shopping decked out in platforms and a Mohawk, I’d kind of expect people to react, but when I make a physical effort to tone down and people still treat me like the biggest freak in the world it can become really frustrating and kind of makes me want to start poking eyes out or something.

Goth Clothes: Do you do anything to maintain your amazing figure?

Razor Candi: Not so much. I don’t eat like a pig but I don’t count calories either. I pretty much have my overactive metabolism to blame here and my unusual genetics.

Goth Clothes: What do you consider to be the essential elements of Gothic style?

Razor Candi: I’m not quite sure how specific I should be here. Personally I do not strive to be Gothic, when going into details about a certain style each has its own quality to make it its own. What I think is Gothic or Punk (or any style) is my personal view and varies from person to person, I do not set the standards or rules to what makes these styles what they are, I can only say what items make them essential to me. That being said, in my opinion the essential elements to a Gothic style is mostly black clothing (sometimes with white accents), Victorian items like frock coats, corsets, velvet, lace, brocade patterns, and ruffle shirts. This style shows an old timeless look, knowing that Gothic is a style of architecture that developed during the late medieval period and was revived in the nineteenth century I think Victorian features are essential elements to this style. The essential elements to my style however, which I consider just alternative more than anything, are shoes and hair. Though I have been fixated on body modifications since those features do not come off and I like the fact that they are permanent. Nevertheless, above every element in a style I think the most vital element is attitude and mind set.

Goth Clothes: Do you have any (Gothic / Punk) designers or brands, styles or elements in particular that you love?

Razor Candi: I absolutely adore my Gore Couture corsets!  My favorite shoe company is Pennangalan Dreams, I own about ten pairs of shoes from them. The custom made lip and nostril chains from Lily’s Graveyard is just awesome and speaking of custom jewelry I love my zombie cameo jewelry from Eternal Autumn. Also, I wouldn’t leave home or do a shoot without them – my crazy lenses from Dracula’s Clothing! I also love my six vinyl outfits that were made to fit by Scar Tissue Clothing, they are perfect for mixing and matching and go with just about every other item I have in my wardrobe.

Goth Clothes: I understand you are married, how long have you been married?

Razor Candi: This August 16^th 2011 will be our 3 year anniversary.

 

Goth Clothes: How did you meet your husband?

Razor Candi: I met my husband online in 2005 and met with him in person in Budapest in February 2007.

Goth Clothes: How did he woo you?

Razor Candi: He was (and still remains) completely understanding and supportive of my lifestyle, our personalities automatically connected. He is charming and has a great sense of humor; we truly connect on every level. I don’t expect my partner to woo me with gifts and style, I do expect to feel comfortable around my partner and understood, there is no room for selfishness, possessiveness or fakeness in a relationship, it is not a competition. My husband goes to extensive lengths to keep me safe and happy, he is motivating, cool, funny and smart and above all honest, he shows interest in the things I am into and the things I have to say. I want to be with someone I know I can talk to and I want the person I am with to know they can talk to me.

 

Goth Clothes: Any plans for the pitter patter of tiny studded booties?

Razor Candi: Not a chance in hell!!

Goth Clothes: What was your wedding dress like?

Razor Candi: A simple red dress with a brocade pattern.

 

Goth Clothes: What was your wedding like?

Razor Candi: We only had a legal ceremony so it wasn’t one of those big fancy pants religious weddings with doves and shit. We got married here in Romania, though the ceremony was in Hungarian so I didn’t understand a single word of the whole ceremony, he had to squeeze my hand on the parts where I had to say “Igen” it was pretty comical, but unquestionably memorable.

Goth Clothes: We want to party with you!  We’ll swing by your place in the Bentley to pick up you and your hubby at 8.  Where are we going tonight and what are we in for?

Razor Candi: We are hitting up Lemmy’s place, getting drunk on Jack and kickin’ back. Then we will swing by Axel Rose’s pad to smoke some dope and get high on coke. Before the night is through we will kick it with the Misfit’s crew at a strip joint called Glow where off stripper’s asses we’ll snort more blow. We will unwind at Megan Fox’s next, where she and I will have sex! You all will be passed out cold, left dreaming of the hangovers tomorrow will behold

Goth Clothes: I believe you’re a bit of a dancer?

Razor Candi: I used to go go dance for one of the largest Goth Clubs on the East Coast – The Castle in Ybor City(Tampa), Florida.

 

Goth Clothes: What do you love to dance to?

Razor Candi: It all really depends on the mood I am in, when I feel like dancing I can dance to just about anything. I prefer to dance to stuff I know, it would be easier if I say what I don’t like to dance to which is stuff with a lot of pauses and sudden beat changes, that really pisses on your mood.

Goth Clothes: Where is your favorite place to dance?

Razor Candi: The Castle was awesome, huge dance floors and I had my very own podium!

 

Goth Clothes: Where do you get your best ideas?

Razor Candi: Usually I get my best ideas when I am inspired by something, typically while watching movies, by paintings, reading, and when I get new items of clothing it really pushes me to create an idea around the item. It is hard to pin point exactly where the ideas come from but I believe when I see something that I feel is artistic or inspiring it stores itself away in my memory so it is sort of an involuntary act of my subconscious, my ideas are a combination of all my influences shared with my own artistic imagination.

Goth Clothes: To whom do you pray?

Razor Candi: I don’t pray, that’s just silly.

 

Goth Clothes: I read somewhere that you currently reside in Romania, is that true?  If so, what led you there?  Plans to stay?

Razor Candi: My husband led me here. One other thing I forgot to mention is that his exotic Transylvanian background wooed me *wink* I thought it was a great opportunity to see Europe; I’ve always enjoyed traveling and experiencing new cultures so I saw the move as a fun and exciting experience. I have been living in Romania since May 2008 so there were plans to stay and I plan to stay a while longer, though it took some time to adjust I am rather enjoying my position at the moment, however I think future plans will take us back to the States.

Goth Clothes: What has been your most memorable Gothic event, experience or gathering?

Razor Candi: The Drop Dead Festival II, 2005 was pretty memorable mainly because I was at my height of fascination with the deathrock culture so it was really exhilarating to be able to see most of my favorite bands perform live and see other people who also shared similar interests in styling, music, and thoughts.

 

Goth Clothes: What is the question you are most often asked?

Razor Candi: How do you stay so skinny? I get asked this daily.

 

Goth Clothes: Who is your favorite Gothic icon and why?

Razor Candi: This is a hard one because I don’t really hold icons or idols, still I have so many influences in the Gothic culture; I’d have to say some of my favorites are Frankfurter and the cast from Rocky Horror Picture Show, the boys from Specimen, Daniel Ash, Peter Murphy and Siouxsie Sioux. However my influences go further back to about 1990 and well outside the realm of Goth. One of my earliest influences is David Bowie, I was also deeply influenced by Cindi Lauper, I still remember the first time I saw the Time After Time video, I thought she had the coolest hair style I’d ever seen and I loved her heavily accessorized untidy clothing. I was also influenced by Billy Idol, I remember seeing the Cradle of Love video, and I thought Billy was the coolest with his spiky hair and studded jacket and the bad girl dancing around in her underwear, these were the women I wanted to be like and the men I wanted to be with.

 

Goth Clothes: I have four spare minions to give you but they can only be programmed to perform one job each.  What jobs are you going to allocate them and what names will you give them?

Razor Candi: Albert, Alfred, Edgar and Jeeves.

Albert will be my very own foot masseuse. He will be at my every beck and call when I want my feet massaged after a long day of sauntering around in heels. He will enjoy every moment and will worship my feet completely, burdening himself with any demands I make.

Alfred will be my cook. Since eating is one of my favorite daily habits he will be very skilled with Vegan cuisine, especially with baking as I love pastries, cakes and all that is related. He will always be sure that I am full and satisfied at every moment of the day.

Edgar will be my maid; since I am quite a messy gal I will need Edgar to clean up after me. Any tissues lying around will be discarded by consumption. He will be forced to wear a maids dress complete with fishnet pantyhose and high heel shoes.

Jeeves will be my personal latex shiner, he will follow me wherever I go and devotedly gravel at every whim to shine my latex clad body from head to toe.

Goth Clothes: What are the most essential pieces in your wardrobe that you simply cannot live without?

Razor Candi: My shoes!!! ‘Nuff said!

 

Goth Clothes: If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

Razor Candi: I’d trade with one of the dying children in Africa because then I would know how good I have it, every day after that would be appreciated, cherished and respected to the fullest. I think living a day as a starving, homeless child would truly make me appreciate life and all that it has to offer rather that want more.

Goth Clothes: We’re throwing you a party with an unlimited budget!

Where will it be?

Razor Candi: The White House

Goth Clothes: What kind of party is it?

Razor Candi: Fetish party

Goth Clothes: Who is invited?

Razor Candi: Fetish Performers, Strippers, Dragqueens, Rock N Rollas, Punk Rockas and all of the pompous White House party so I can watch their faces when Dragqueens come out on stage performing ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ and Strippers are pole dancing in the background and Jane Doe is sticking a butt plug up John Doe’s ass, receiving spankings while hog tied and ball gagged.. hahaha.

Goth Clothes: And what are you wearing?

Razor Candi: Band T-Shirt and patched up jeans – didn’t feel like dressing up, but I did manage to slip some kinky lingerie on underneath so one of the lucky drunken congressmen will have a treat later on.

 

Goth Clothes: What are you reading at the moment?

Razor Candi: Chomsky on Anarchism

Goth Clothes: In a quiet corner of your day, when your time is completely your own, where are you most likely to be found and what would you be doing?

Razor Candi: Reading

 

Goth Clothes: What was the last album you bought and do you still like it?

Razor Candi: Christ VS. Warhol – Dissent ; and it’s awesome!!

 

Goth Clothes: What is your naughtiest habit?

Razor Candi: Smoking

 

Goth Clothes: What is the best habit you’ve cultivated?

Razor Candi: Veganism!

 

Goth Clothes: Who would you throw your knickers to?

Razor Candi: Louis C.K.

 

Goth Clothes: What aspirations or goals are you aiming to achieve within the near future?

Razor Candi: Eventually quit modeling and focus on something a bit more constructive, maybe painting or getting a real job, something like that.

Goth Clothes: What do you never leave home without?

Razor Candi: Shoes haha.

 

Goth Clothes: Have you any fashion, style and clothing tips for aspiring Gothic models?

Razor Candi: Be yourself! I know nothing is original anymore but that doesn’t mean you can’t put your own twist on things. Don’t follow text book rules; wear what makes you feel sexy, beautiful, hot or good about yourself, wear what you feel expresses you and the things you are into, don’t try to fit into groups or belong to scenes, be an individual.

 

Goth Clothes: You are quite the artist.  What are the materials and mediums you most enjoy working with to create your works?

Razor Candi: I started out with acrylic paint and have moved onto oils. I enjoy working with both mediums.

 

Goth Clothes: How did you begin your journey as an artist? And have your techniques evolved / changed over time?

Razor Candi: I started painting in High School; I took art as an elective course and discovered my knack for it then. I wouldn’t really call it a career, I’ve drifted away from painting a lot since I started modeling, in addition to that art supplies are quite expensive and hard to come by in Romania so it’s a hobby that has taken a seat on the back burner, though my techniques have evolved over time, just as any would with enough practice, unfortunately as long as the hobby remains on the back burner my techniques will remain untrained.

Goth Clothes: How does life reflect your artistic creations or is it the other way around ~ your art as a reflection of life?  Do you love portraiture over other styles?  Tell us about your influences and inspiration.

Razor Candi: My art reflects my influences; a lot of my subjects are portraits (which I do enjoy most above other styles). I’d really like to make more time to focus on my art more and paint things that can reflect feelings and emotion more, but until then I will leave my modeling for that (which even my artistic modeling has taken a seat next to painting on the back burner, we all have to make time for money in order to survive).

 

Goth Clothes: What’s important to you?

Razor Candi: My husband and happiness, as long as I have those two things in my life nothing else really matters.

D*CyberPunk would like to say a big ‘Punk You’ to the freakishly fun and very naughty Razor Candi for getting her into no end of trouble with the Irish Cops!

If you love Razor Candi as much as we do, you can follow her by “adding” her personal Live Journal (where you can see videos, adventures, candid photos and more), admire more of her imagery and artwork in her portfolio, like her fan pages on Facebook here and here, check out her images for sale on merchandise here, or show her how much you really love her with a gift from her Goth Clothes wish list!