5 Minutes With a SuicideGirl

Photo: Missy Suicide.


SuicideGirls was started as a two person operation out of a loft in downtown Portland, OR in 2001 with the belief that creativity, personality and intelligence are not incompatible with sexy, compelling entertainment, and millions of people agree. The site mixes the smarts, enthusiasm and DIY attitude of the best music and alternative culture sites with an unapologetic, grassroots approach to sexuality.

Co-founder Selena Mooney (Missy Suicide) tells us about getting recipes for cupcakes from girls in Colombia and meeting fellow Elvis Costello fans, all because of SuicideGirls.


Guns N' Roses - "Welcome To The Jungle".

Q1. Music is a big part of the SG identity-what was the first record you bought and what effect did it have on you?
I bought the cass-singles for "Like A Virgin" and "Welcome to the Jungle" on my 8th birthday. As far as effect, I will let you infer what you like from that.

Q2. Where did you find the inspiration to create SuicideGirls?

I was inspired to start SuicideGirls by all of the amazing women that I knew in Portland. They were so strong and beautiful and confident but I didn't see images of women that look like them portrayed anywhere in the media. I wanted to shoot them in a way that would show off their beauty and destination where their voice can be heard.



Q3. What's the best ‘SuicideGirls moment’ you’ve ever experienced?

It's been really great to have the opportunity to meet girls who share my interest all around the world. I never thought I'd meet another girl who's as big a fan of Elvis Costello as I am or get recipes for cupcakes from girls in Colombia. I've also had some amazing opportunities such as starring in CSI: NY and posing for a Peta ad campaign. These have all been wonderful SuicideGirls Moments.

Q4. Do you think that SuicideGirls is as controversial as it was a decade ago given that body adornment and subcultures like burlesque are now considered to be more mainstream?

I believe that women with tattoos and piercings, women of all body types are being accepted in the main stream but I think there's still a long way to go before they're considered beautiful.

Q5. Do you feel that the SuicideGirls could only be possible in the age of online communities?

SuicideGirls was started in 2001 tapping into the social nature of the internet prior to the online community phenomenons like Friendster, Myspace and Facebook. I think that without the social nature of the internet that SuicideGirls would not be possible and we're glad to see that online communities are prospering. I truly believe that social connectivity is the most exciting thing about the internet.

If you are a fan of SuicideGirls you may also want to check the work of Richard Kern:

http://rebelrebelantistyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/5-minutes-with-richard-kern.html

Elvis Costello-'Geek Chic'

The looks and style of outsiders, musicians artists, rebels and the subcultures on the cutting edge of the visual arts have been the greatest influence on me as a fashion designer. In my book 'Rebel Rebel Anti Style' I have name checked many great style rebels-from Bowie to Pete Dougherty, Amy Winehouse to Soo Catwoman. Beyond the references in the book there are other style icons to consider......

 "Less Than Zero," Costello's first single on Stiff records, was released on 25 March 1977. In May, his debut album, My Aim Is True (1977), was released with Costello appearing on the cover in what became his trademark oversize glasses, bearing a striking resemblance to a menacing Buddy Holly. The 'geek chic' that became Costello's classic look was revolutionary as it provided a departure from the stereotype 'punk' look that had rapidly taken hold in the UK. Elvis rebelled against the rebels.

Costello's look reflected his working life-most famously at a make up factory — immortalized in the lyrics of "I'm Not Angry" as the "vanity factory" — where he worked as a data entry clerk. He also worked for a short period as a computer operator.

 Therefore Costello was categorized as having the look of a ' angry computer programmer'. Not very rock & roll and therefore totally appropriate for the New Wave's understated cool.

Ben Sherman’s recent men’s wear look book contain a number of pictures that showed models in an Elvis Costello look- Complete with geek glasses, Costello hair, trilby hats and drainpipe trousers. Recently Elvis has begun to sport polka dots shirts that are certainly a nod to his roots in 1977.  

Last Fall I interviewed Elvis about his new TV show 'Spectacle'. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMNVTAxdjIY