Olivia Rouge is an alternative model, drag queen, designer and one of the first burlesque performers from Finland. While she is best known for her pinup and burlesque style, don’t be fooled! There’s a dark starlet aching to get out! We can’t wait to see what Olivia’s future beholds. Find out more about Olivia Rouge below.[caption id="attachment_99173" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Photography by Victoria Spiridonova[/caption]Tell us about your career as model. How did you get started?I was very interested in being an alternative model back in my teenage years but didn't know where to start. Modelling for me started pretty much at the same time as my performance career back in 2008, those two things go very much hand in hand.What was your first shoot as a model like?Honestly I am not sure what was my absolutely first official photoshoot if you don't count photos taken by my husband! But one I can recall was actually for a quite a big local newspaper interview I did that was about me being a burlesque starlet and they took some photos in the studio. So in a way quite a nice way to start, huh?Do you love any one genre of modelling more than another?I am probably most known for the pin-up/classic style and of course those are very close to my heart but I am also very drawn to anything bizarre, occult and dark. I'm really looking forward to doing some more shoots with these themes! I also am looking forward to shoots as my alter ego, drag artist Dye Nasty. Those will be something different for sure![caption id="attachment_99172" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Photography by Rudi Thomas Photography[/caption]Tell us a bit about your style? I like to think I am pretty versatile, you can catch me as a smiling cheesecake pinup or as a true femme fatale or just something really outside the box.Wow, you were one of the first burlesque performers in Finland in this century! What is that like?It's fantastic! Burlesque is not just an occupation for me, it's a true lifestyle since pretty much everything I do for a living revolves somehow around it (performing, teaching classes & workshops, designing clothes and producing shows). And most of my friends are also from the scene like my partner in crime Albine with whom I have a duo called Holy Curves! I am so happy to have been able to do what I love for so many years already and have people still come up to me and tell me how much they enjoy my shows. It truly keeps me going! At the moment I can't wait to get back on the stage after giving birth to my first child but only a few more months and I'll be back in the game!Who are some of your burlesque inspirations?Some names that pop into my mind first are Kitten de Ville, who is also my very dear friend, Medianoche, Aurora Galore and Dirty Martini and from the Finnish scene Bettie Blackheart (Finland's mother of burlesque!) and Miss Acrolicious. Of course there are so many more!What has been your most memorable performance to date?All Helsinki Burlesque Festival performances are in my top 10 for sure but in addition to that I always love to perform at my monthly Teerenpeli Tease show. One of the most memorable shows is also my performance at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas 2010 and 2011, first time performing with a group on the same stage that Frank Sinatra used to sing in and second time performing by myself.You’re also a designer. What do you design?I have my own web boutique where I have my vintage inspired collection for sale. I design and make all of the dresses myself. I also provide made to measure service for example for brides and other performers like me.Let’s talk tattoos for a moment! What first drew you to tattoos?I have been interested in tattoos since my early teenage years and was committed on getting one once I turn 18 and so I did. It's not the most awesome tattoo in the world but I am not thinking about covering it up either since it is a reminder of a certain point of my life.[caption id="attachment_99171" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Photography by Mikko Niemi[/caption]Are you planning any more body modifications for the future?Yes at some point! I think my only modifications are tattoos since I'm not that into piercings on me, on others they look great! I should start thinking about booking a time for my tattoo artist Veera since after I'm done with feeding my baby I shall get some more ink as soon as possible! I have many plans for tattoos but I like to take my time in the process of planning them and actually putting them on my skin. I'm in no rush decorating my skin.Where do you hope to be in five years?I hope to be pretty much where I am now but maybe in a bit larger scale, I have accomplished a lot and made most of my dreams come true. I wish I can still work only for myself and continue to do the things I love. In my personal life I hope maybe to have another child and live in the countryside in a house with my husband and plenty of animals.How much have you changed since you first started modelling and performing? I have started to be much more forgiving to myself body wise. I have also started to pull myself away from the "just pretty" point of view and I am trying to make myself even more versatile and not always think about what makes me LOOK good or what other people may like or dislike about me. My favourite sentence nowadays is "Don't rely on beauty" and "perfection is boring". This doesn't mean that I don't do a lot of work with things and put a lot of effort into them - for example my burlesque acts. Nowadays I just wish it would be something else than just a pretty girl on stage in a pretty dress doing pretty things. I like people to FEEL something through my art of performances and also modeling.Do you have any tips for new models that find you inspiring?Be yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and accept yourself the way you are. I keep saying this to my students at my weekly burlesque classes and it makes me sad how women nowadays are afraid to even look at themselves from the mirror and accept what is looking back. Life is too short to be complaining if there is something "wrong" with your body. The things aren't flaws, they are part of who you are. This took me a long time to understand but now I am able to live with myself the way I am and if someone has a problem with it, well then it's their problem, not mine. So embrace the beauty that you have in yourself but also be prepared to do a lot of work in other ways to make yourself known in the scene. Be creative!Find more from Olivia Rouge in Facebook, her official website and her official webstore. Before you go don’t forget to check out the gallery of images below! Let us know, which are your favourites?
Photography by Jarno Lindholm
Photography by Atelieriohaapala
Buy our “I Suffer from Resting Bitch Face” Tank at Rebel Circus
Photography by Marko P Photography
Photography by Mikko Niemi
Buy Strange Children’s “Snitches Get Stitches” Tee at Rebel Circus
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