Model Kerosene Deluxe has been very busy in Europe and we now have the chance to welcome her right here in Canada! This is just a small glimpse of her past work...
1) Can you shed a little light on your background and eventual arrival in Canada?
I was born and raised in Amsterdam, Holland, in a Thai and Caucasian family and have been intrigued with the whole idea of "femme fatale" since a very young age. I believe this was triggered by watching the beautiful silver screen starlets in old Hollywood movies and film noir. They always looked perfect, their hair done, red lipstick on, a stroke of black eyeliner, stockings, garters, etc. They made it look so effortless. To me they are the epitomy of a lady.
My mother herself was a true femme fatale too. Long black hair, red lipstick, very powerful, independent and always well dressed. I would often, as a small child, watch her get ready. When she left the house, I would reach into her beauty case and put her makeup on, badly, haha. I would also attempt to walk in her heels and use her beloved Chanel #5 (not just on myself but on my dolls, etc).
I started modeling off and on from the age of 11 but started to take it more serious around the age of 15. By the age of 16, I regularly booked photoshoots in Holland, Germany and Belgium. Around that time, I also graduated as a Makeup Artist and Cosmetologist and moved to London, UK, around the age of 17 where I would end up staying for almost four years. In that time, I've had numerous collaborations with international photographers and soon earned a good reputation. I modelled, was a pro domme, makeup artist, club promotor and DJ.
It was important to me to make a statement with my modeling work and to prove that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes (being a full figured woman myself).
In March 2007, I fell in love with a Canadian man and moved to Montreal in the beginning of February 2008.
Today I am very happily married. I have retired my work as a Domina, makeup artist and DJ but continue my modeling work with passion.
2) What does appeal the most to you in regards of a photo shoot: doing the work itself or enjoying the end results?
Both! The dressing up and getting ready. "Transforming" into your character so to speak but of course it's the results that count! A picture is forever.
3) Do you estimate that there is a big difference comparing the fetish scene in Amsterdam as opposed to the one in London?
The main difference being that Amsterdam is a small town, so the events are slightly smaller scaled (and less frequent) then those in London (such as Torture Garden and the Rubberball). Having said that, Amsterdam has a very good fetish scene and events such as Europerv and The Clinic have brought many international attendees. The UK scene (in my opinion) is also slightly more fetish fashion orientated and focuses a little bit less on play.
4) Let’s say you just created an awesome makeup job: do you enjoy the same degree of satisfaction if it’s applied on yourself or if it’s on somebody else?
I'd say more so on someone else, I know my face and what it looks like with certain styles of makeup. To see someone else "transform" and to see their reaction when they first see themselves is a great thing.
5) You have the choice on the same day of portraying only one character: a sexy but bloodthirsty rockabilly vampire or a lusty pinup straight out of the 50's? What would be your (probably cruel!) choice?
Both are great themes but I would pick the lusty pin up straight out of the 50's. I find my style and passion lends itself better to it. Plus I'm more into zombies then I am in vampires ;)
6) Do you already have a bit of an impression regarding the local Montreal fetish scene?
Not yet so! But I will be attending Club Sin's "Bizarre Valentine" and I will also make an appearance at the Montreal Fetish Weekend.
7) What in your view is the ideal event/project/performance that you could find yourself involved with?
I enjoy conceptual photoshoots with elaborate props, costuming and styling and of course with an excellent photographer. I'm a firm believer of quality over quantity.
Photos in this set by:
Markus Richter, Dave Wise, Danny Portieous and Sean Kelly