We were excited when we stumbled onto this model's portfolio, and with good reason...
When she is not running around in the cemetery acting possessed, she is getting her Goth on in the woods.
Bunny has so many sides to her we just know whatever she does next will fit snuggly in our box for the weird and slightly demented.
She took the time to answer a few questions.
Hey Bunny, tell us about your career as an alternative model. How did it all start and where do you want it to go?
I didn't really plan on becoming an alternative model. I was at The Black Dahlia with some of my friends when this lady asked me if I would be interested in entering a Jägermeister competition. At first I was like: "Uh...are you sure you want me to enter?" But when I saw all the cool prizes I thought I'd give it a shot. Got nothing to lose, right?
So one fine eve in December 2010 I got lucky, and was chosen to be Miss November in their calendar.
>>>
That's when I met Sashquita, Founder of Emalyth. She asked me if I would do a Victoria Frances inspired set for Emalyth. I liked the idea and have been working with Emalyth ever since.
To be honest, I don't really care where it goes. Don't get me wrong, I love modeling but for me its not a potential career or anything. Its just kind of a hobby.
Describe yourself to us please!
Well.. anyone who knows me, knows I'm a quiet person. Don't talk much but there are always exceptions. I'm very into art. Like I LOVE art. Various forms. I love going to local metal gigs and headbanging to my fave bands. I'm an animal person - I have 4 puppies at home. Umm I'm afraid of black widow spiders and a have one tattooed on my neck because me being scared of them do not make them less beautiful to me. I (try to) never judge other people and expect the same in return.
What do you consider the criteria to call yourself an alternative model?
Well I think the most important thing is to actually be into "the alternative". Be it, metal, horror, hippie or body mods. Whatever. Embrace your quirks and be unique.
What kind of challenges do alternative models have that mainstream models don't have?
Well for starters, most alternative models do not get paid. It's more for the love of it that most of us keep doing it. I'm not saying its easy to be a mainstream model, but i feel there are definitely more opportunities in mainstream modeling. I believe as the alternative scene grows alternative modeling grows too which will create more opportunities for models.
What does it take to be a successful model?
Hard work, planning and confidence. I believe there's beauty in each and every one of us. Let it show! Always try new ideas and concepts and try to work with as many different artists possible.
What do you like most about being a model and on the flip side, what do you least enjoy?
There are a few areas i like most in modeling. Can't really choose.. First off, doing my make-up. I get to try new things that I usually don't get to try in everyday life. Then the actual shooting. It feels like I'm in an alternate universe.. a different version of me. It's fun! And finally seeing the end result for the first time and thinking "Aww I didn't think it would turn out this cool!"
What I least enjoy? Meeting new people on my shy days. Sometimes I feel so stupid when I can't keep the conversation alive.. Don't get me wrong, I love meeting new people. When I feel talkative and confident.
Tell us about a favourite shoot you've done.
It's got to be the Emily shoot. Let me start off by saying I'm no morning person. On the day of the shoot I had to wake up around 4 to start working on my makeup and outfit. To be honest. I didn't do anything to my hair for the shoot but i figured the mess would work. So we were off to the old Cemetary in Middelburg just before 6 and to my surprise I didn't feel cranky and cold at all. Infact, I had so much fun running around barefoot in the cemetary at sunrise. It got a bit akward when someone came to pay their respects two graves away from where I was acting all posessed, but all and all it was a good day.
How has modelling changed other aspects of your life?
I don't really know.. maybe how i see myself and the world around me. I'm way more confident now than I was before I started. And where ever I go I'm always imagining how shoots would turn out at the specific locations. Oh and I only got into make-up artistry after I started modeling.
Emily Rose. Scary. Did you have any nightmares that night?
Hahahaha Nah. Exorcism is something that i found fascinating from a young age. A while back a few of us had this little project where we made music, videos and imagery around the theme. It seemed only fitting to do a posessed shoot.
The make-up is amazing. Who did it?
Thank you :) I did. I always do my own make-up. I got into it when i started doing modeling. I never knew of any make-up artists in the area I lived, so I had to improvise. A course and lots of You Tube videos later I started not sucking at it. Now it's something I enjoy too much to let anyone else do. It's not a good thing, though. I lose out on getting a fresh perspective from someone with different ideas than I have.
When you're not dressed as a possessed woman you're running around in the woods as a Black Metal Bunny, the concepts of your work. Is it a team effort between you and the photographer or do you choose a photographer whose work fits an idea you have?
Usually me and the photographer both get our ideas, tell the other person and then we make it happen. But the Emily shoot was suggested by our friend, Rudi. It was one of those "yeah we will do that some time"-shoots and one day we just did. Living in Middelburg, I don't really have a variety of photographers to choose from. So when I want to work with someone new, I have to go to Joburg or Pretoria. Although I enjoy doing so, its not always possible. Most of my sets are done by Corpse Photography. We've known eachother for years and work well together. One could say we're like family..
If you could shoot with any photographer who would it be and why?
Internationally definitely Anathema Photography. I just love their work so much! Locally, Nepenthe Ohm.
Are there any kind of modelling you won't want do and why?
I don't want to do anything along the lines of Suicide Girls. Don't get me wrong, those girls are awesome but the SG look is just not my style.
I also won't do any pornographic shoots for obvious reasons and I prefer not to do nude shoots. I would much rather create a horror photo than a sexy nerd photo.
Who or what inspires you?
Everything around me.. and to be completely honest.. Pinterest. I look at a sh*tload of art daily and get a lot of ideas. I can go anywhere and find something that gives me an idea for a shoot.
How would you describe the clothes you wear in daily life?
Sometimes plain and boring, sometimes unusual depending on my mood. Sometimes (let's be honest, atleast 70% of the time) I wear band shirts and jeans with sneakers or skinnys and my trusty Doc's. Sometimes I wear black hippie dresses or eyeball dresses with petticoats and again my trusty Doc's. Oh and I love long black and white striped socks.
We featured your art in the first issue of alt.SA. Do your art and modelling inspire each other?
In a way, yes. But for me its more like if I have this idea and I wouldn't be able to get the results I want from doing a shoot, then I paint it to get the image I want. Although lately I paint way more than I model.
Any upcoming projects we should look out for?
I will be working with the amazing Outsider Girls. The concept involves something that you can say I'm kind of obsessed with but you will have to wait and see.
What advice to you have for aspiring models?
Just get out there and do it! Work hard and get creative. Don't be afraid to be different. Chances are, that's what will make you successful.Ghghghg
alt.SA 4