Shop:
Metro Gypsy
You can find her online:
How she became interested in burlesque:
My interest in burlesque comes from growing up behind, and performing in front of the great red velvet curtain! And like most singer/actress/dancer types I adored old vaudeville, vamps and Lili St. Cyr. The first pic I saw of her and that Ukulele hooked me completely and then BAM I found out alllll about burlesque!
And yes, I am currently involved in a group called Absinthe Cabaret! I have lived and worked professionally in NYC and L.A. pursuing Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, Off-Broadway, Feature and Indie Film work for over 18 years. I even had a role in a film featured @ Cannes Film Festival in France and another distributed through Blockbuster and was featured numerous times on the IFC Channel and Showtime Channels. This pleased by parents VERY much, but I still get lumped in with "she was an actress but isn't super famous stereotypes"...*sigh* My work performing on stage in NYC and my Bachelors Degree in the Arts from one of the leading musical conservatories in the US, was what actually led me to create "Absinthe Cabaret", our performance venue in the vein of old vaudeville, dark cirque and neuvo burlesque that's still going strong: http://www.myspace.com/absinthecabaret
Bring your bohemian ideals, put your dancing shoes on and come check us out!
How she plans to participate in Etsy's Burlesque Beauties:
I'd love a regional gathering of pure bohemia, full of cocktails and feather boas, fishnets, top hats, and with a dash of the good green fairy...maybe a NYC trip? :-)
I'd also have a creative suggestion! I did a great project on Tribe.net, (where I showcase fire performance arts and sell tribal dance goods), where I was a part of a group of artists who decided to create a decorated box that would be sent from artist to artist and every time you received it, there was something added and taken by the previous person and you. Like lace, ribbon, grommets, old stones you're sick of laying around, material etc, really anything relevant or no longer needed by you was then re-gifted and sent along. Every person took and gave back something new! This was a *great* way to help clean out your creative spaces, but also pass along the unused materials to another artist who would create something with it. Then we shared a blog where the new up-cycled wonders were showcased every 2 weeks! It was the best "hand me down" I ever received, and looking fwd. to that box, as well as what amazing things my fellow artists made from my old stuff was a blast!
What she sells on Etsy:
My focus is on original mini top hats, tilt hats, feather fascinators, custom Sally Rand feather fans and one of a kind vintage and up-cycled pieces created for stage performance, burlesque and anyone who loves standing out. Almost every single item that I create is 100% one of a kind. And I use only the best materials. All though my first piece started out with a tiny budget, I will tell you this isn't some shoddy item brought together with 50% off glue and the specials at Michaels or AC Moore with pics of it taken in the bathroom on a cell phone. I use only Grade A imported Ostrich, Hackle, Peacock and varied other feathers. I professionally photograph every item in and out of studio. And I insist on using only fine silk ribbon, divine velvets and absolutely stunning vintage brooches I've collected while traveling acrossed the country.
MetroGypsy's work is made to be dramatic, striking and unique, yet wearable. I want each person to feel like what they take away from MetroGypsy makes them feel more beautiful each time they put it on and can be as versatile as they are. MetroGypsy can be worn with a delicate Italian vintage lace dress, or in a simple pair of jeans a tank, it's all up to the dame who sports the piece.
