Interview with Burlesque Beauty & Published Pinup Miss Sugar Rush

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography 

Back again after a very busy period! There really is never a good time for your car to break down is there? Especially with a baby! So from things very non glam let’s bring a bit of glamour back! There’s no place better for some glam and sparkle than the wonderful world of burlesque. We’ve so many costumier interviews lately we’ve been missing our burly 101’s so here is a 101 just for you! Miss Sugar Rush is a burlesque performer and published pinup model. I have had the pleasure of having this lovely lady perform at one of my own burlesque shows. Her classical performance style, infectious smile and high energy drew me to her and I just had to have her in my line up.  Her sassy style, pinup look and gorgeous smile have caught the eye of many brands and photographers alike and not only a burlesque artiste but Sugar Rush is a well-known and published pinup model who is well sought after and very experienced.

Take a read below of my interview with this wonderful lady and learn all about another burlesque beauty!

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

How did you get into the burlesque industry? 

I've always been fascinated by the art of burlesque, one day I finally had the courage to take a burlesque  course at Burlesque Baby in London (http://www.burlesquebaby.com) – for fun, curiosity and to learn this beautiful art, after the first class I was hooked!! In this course I met so many wonderful and supportive people from and I instantly felt a sense of community, sisterhood so I knew I was in the right place. 
After my graduation, at the Garage in Islington/London I was buzzing for three days, that was it!! I was completely addicted and I couldn't wait to be on stage again.

How did the name Miss Sugar Rush come about? 

During the burlesque course at Burlesque Baby, there is a module where you learn about your stage persona, your style and your performer name. At that point I was in the process of developing my character and style so my teacher Divine Miss Em asked us to bring a mood board with all the things we would like to express on stage and how we wanted to be perceived as performers. Well, I'm a Libra - creative, indecisive, dramatic - and I was so excited that I made not one but three mood boards!! The first mood board was very dark, Gothic, noir. The second was very sweet, kawaii with pastel , candy colours and the words 'sugar rush' on it. The third mood board was very high fashion, high couture with designs and catwalk inspired images. I also had a list with name choices written down for my burlesque persona.

After looking at my mood boards (I was so scared) Divine Miss Em, looked at me and said, ‘well…I get you!!’ After giving me a major advice on my style and stage persona, she also said, ‘I really like your name’. I was like what??? (Sugar Rush was just a word featured on my mood board, I actually had a list of names in my bag) but she thought was brilliant, so there you go, I can say my name was given to me by Divine Miss Em.

You have performed in a huge amount of places. Do you still get nervous about going on stage? 

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

I don't get nervous, I get super excited, enthusiastic and extremely grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love, so yes, I feel that ton of butterflies in my stomach and I absolutely love it. Having said that, I'm my worse critic, so even after giving my very best on stage I never think it was enough, I always find room for improvement and I constantly keep pushing myself.

Who is your favourite burlesque performer to watch? 

I'm obsessed with the American burlesque performers, currently I really admire the work of Miss Mosh, Ginger Valentine, Roxy D'Lite and of course Dita Von Teese

What is your favourite prop to use? 

Instinctively I'm always drawn to props with a flow such as wings, fans, silk fans, ribbons because it creates a dramatic visual impact on stage

What did you do to earn a living before you started burlesque? 

My background is in the fashion industry, I'm a fashion stylist and image consultant by trade.

What do you like to do with your time off from being Miss Sugar Rush? 

I love art, so you will often find me in theaters, expositions, fashion events, I also love travelling and shopping.

You are on stage and being photographed a lot of the time. Looking after yourself must play a big part in your life. What are you favourite beauty products and why? 

I think we have to be really careful to what we put on our skin, I have very sensitive skin, so I prefer keep everything as simple and natural as possible. My personal favorite product at the moment is coconut oil, is great to remove make up even waterproof mascara and it's a great mosturiser.  I love drinking coconut water as well; it's refreshing and super hydrating.

Do you have a set beauty routine?

I wouldn't say I have a beauty routine, but I always make sure I remove my make up before going to bed, I apply a hair mask and face mask every time I can and I drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Who is your beauty idol? 

I love the timeless beauty of the Hollywood silver screen goddesses such as Veronika Lake, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner ... I adore Bettie Page, Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe.

On that note how to you keep yourself in shape for your performances? 

I love dancing since I was a child. I do Ballet, Pilates and Yoga as often as I can.

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

What is your diet like? 

I'm a pescatarian, I don't eat meat but I eat some kinds of fish, apart from that I really don't follow any diets or have any restrictive diet, I love chocolate and I'm crazy about ice cream, it's all about the Sugar Rush! 

What are your must have pieces of make up? 

I love the foundation Double Wear by Estee Lauder, lip stick by Mac Ruby Woo or Unicorn blood by Jeffree Starr, and I love wearing fake eyelashes on stage

Do you style your own hair yourself? 

Yes I do, well, I love having my hair done by a professional hair stylist, but normally I style my own hair and I must confess I'm not very good at it, but I'm practicing and trying new techniques. I love doing my own make up though.

Do you have any hair tips to share to get your glamorous look? 

The best tip to achieve a flawless vintage look I learned from a very experienced hair stylist is to not wash your hair on the day, because vintage styles are easier to achieve when your hair is a bit dirty... sounds gross but it's true, the natural oils will help giving the look a smooth finish. I would recommend a deeply conditioning treatment every two weeks if possible because after all that hair spray and back combing your hair will definitely benefit from some tlc.

Everyone no matter what shape or size wants to feel confident and happy about themselves. What advice would you have to feel glamorous and boost your own confidence?  

I feel that when you accept yourself the way you are with your traits and faults that's very powerful, you realise that you are unique and there is no one else in the world like you, that's when you start to love yourself. It's hard to be confident all the time, I don't think anyone is, we all have our down moments, especially with all the negativity and pressure to look a certain way going on, all this body shaming and the toxic side of the social media, but we have to bounce back quickly because life is short and we are all too fabulous to be down.
Every opportunity I have I promote self-love, confidence, I'm all for supporting other women, I'm all for the sisterhood, I think we have to lift each other up.

You are not only a burlesque performer but a successful model too! Can you share some of your fabulous modeling experiences with us?

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

I think modeling is a great way to express yourself, I absolutely love modelling and I'm always open to new ideas, for me a great shoot is when the creativity flows and when there is good communication  between the photographer and the model. I have quite a few histories/experiences because sometimes it's not as glamorous as it seems but I'm very grateful for all of them.

Where can we see your published work? 

At the moment you can see me in the current issue of Tease and Cake Magazine with photos by Terry Medonza - Retrophoto Studio

How do you prepare for a shoot? 

Normally there is a brief discussion with the photographer/client about how the shoot will be, location/time/date/mood board. If it's a product shoot  I'm also a  stylist so I know how important is to be prepared and ready for anything so I always have some essentials in my bag such as a sewing kit, tape, hair and make-up products,  food/water (seems basic but it comes handy in location shoots), an extra pair of heels (or two).

What advice can you give for the upcoming pinup models out there?

I would advise to invest in a good and professional portfolio and to use social media wisely.

What is your favourite perfume? 

I might sound like a walking cliché but I love sweet scents and vanilla based perfumes, I wear several perfumes (not at the same time) according to my mood. At the moment I love Marc Jacobs Decadence because it's fresh and sexy for summer and Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

What is your approach to fashion? 

I've always loved fashion it's definitely a form of art and expression. Nowadays I don't really follow  fashion  but I have a creative approach towards the trends. I always try to express myself and my mood through fashion and I love mixing high street/vintage and creating or customising pieces of clothing and accessories.

Where are you favourite places to shop, both for burlesque goodies and for yourself? 

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

I shop everywhere really, I love the high street, small shops, vintage shops... eBay & Etsy are great to find unique pieces.

What are your biggest inspirations and why?

My inspiration comes from life itself, my day to day life, books/articles I read, music, people, friends, quotes, images.

What advice would you give to a girl (or guy) reading this interested in getting into this industry? 

Be creative, be true to yourself, work hard and be nice.

What else is coming up for you? 

Oh there are quite a few things coming up and I'm extremely excited:

I'm working on new burlesque acts with costumes by the very talented Laura Nixon from Nixon Point Costumes, so expect 'eleganza and extravaganza', I'm currently filming I’m part of the cast of the film Mephisto's House of III Repute part of Films Confiscated from a French Brothel by the Director Salem Kapisaski and this will be my second experience on set with professional actors, stay tuned!!

My new website will be launched very soon designed and developed by the wonderful Nadia Silverstone. 

I'm super proud to announce I'll be again involved in the Miss Pinup UK this year, after the amazing experience I had last year as a contestant (Semi finalist of the Miss Pinup UK 2015), I'll return as a mentor of the Miss Pinup International contestants. Miss Pinup UK 2016 is happening on the 23rd/24th September at the London Tattoo Convention.

Photo by KW O'Keeffe Photography

I would like to thank Miss Sugar Rush for her time with this interview. Check out her website for more info! Stay tuned for more interviews coming soon!

xoxo