Her modelling career has been a bit of a whirlwind; after losing 6.5 stone she was spotted at a tattoo convention and decided to try her luck at getting signed by an agency. Since being signed by Spirit she has gone from strength to strength. Over the last year, she has been featured in an average of three magazines a month, done promo modellign at Liverpool Tattoo Convention, walked at three high profile catwalks and models for over thirty designers and companies.
She said: “Being signed to such a reputable modelling agency as Spirit has really been a catalyst for me becoming such a high profile model. Sapphira’s invaluable advice and networking with the other models has enabled me to learn so much about the modelling world and has been a massive factor in how successful I have become.”
Now in it’s third year, the Manchester Alternative and Burlesque Fair has become a must-attend event on the alternative calender. Based at Sound Control, next to Oxford Road Station, the quirky venue is chock full of exhibitors and stalls to suit all tastes in the alternative and fetish scene.
The venue is conveniently split into two levels with upstairs being more of a vintage, steampunk and rockabilly vibe but the “Cellar of Sin” caters more for the darker side of alternative culture with latex clothing, fetish wear and sex toys.
Not only is there a dazzling array of goods and quirky items, the fair also promises a fantastic day’s entertainment with regular burlesque shows and fashion shows from latex and alternative designers. September’s fair showcased an amazing collection from Eustrasia latex featuring Spirit’s own Whiplash and Nina Dateschidze. The show was really haunting and had echoes of a summer solstice at a mystical Glastonbury Tor. Downstairs saw an entertaining pole dancing extravaganza from ‘Blush’ which saw many people making their pole dancing debut. Although it must have been nerve-wracking for the performers, it was an amzing show and it really opened the audience’s eyes to what a beautiful art form it can be.
However the main attraction had to be the amazing variety of lovely things there
were to buy. Many stall-holders had been to the fair before, such as Kalandra Wheatcroft who owns ‘Kalandra J Designs.’ Kalandra makes a fantastic range of retro millinery, which I am proud to say I have modelled! She has been to every Manchester fair so far and it is the fantastic atmospeher that keeps bringing her back. “I love the fact that it supports local businesses and offers a really valuable opportunity for designers to network with other creatives.”
However the main attraction had to be the amazing variety of lovely things there were to buy. Many stall-holders had been to the fair before, such as Kalandra Wheatcroft who owns ‘Kalandra J Designs.’ Kalandra makes a fantastic range of retro millinery, which I am proud to say I have modelled! She has been to every Manchester fair so far and it is the fantastic atmospeher that keeps bringing her back. “I love the fact that it supports local businesses and offers a really valuable opportunity for designers to network with other creatives.”
Aside from the usual clothes, shoes and accessories designers, there were also several photographers and artists exhibiting. Natasha Aldred is a freelance illustrater and she brought an amazing collection of greetings cards and prints to sell on her stall. Natasha graduated a year go after studying a degree in illustration and specialises in an urban slightly macabre and quirky style with a pale colour pallett. She finds the fair to be a real inspiration to her “I just leave meeting new people and watching some of the performances. It really stimulates my creative processes and imagination.”
After the success of the Face of the Fair competition at the Birmingham show, Spirit
also had a big part to play in the Manchester fair. Models Collette Von Tora, Strawberry Venom, Abbie Mac, Frankie Lou and Cat Sleigh strutted their stuff around the venue, wearing fabulous creations by Bbarbarella, including leather skirts and bikinis and dramatic feather boleros. Coco Fierce also greeted guests at the entrance of the venue and interviewed stall holders for this review.
I suppose the most impressive aspect of the fair is the fantastic atmosphere that permeates around the venue. From the really friendly and approachable Heresy and Heelz staff to the guests, everybody just seems to really enjoy it and there is real buzz about the place. Definitely an event in the alternative calendar not to be missed!
The Fair has become so popular there are now added venues throughout the UK in 2013 including Derby and Sheffield. See www.thealternativeandburlesquefair.com for more details
Written by guest blogger and Spirit Model Coco Fierce.
