Let me Introduce to you the Dazzling Raquel Reed

Pinup Bombshell, Burlesque Star, Creator of Wink my Way, and overall Creative Mover & Shaker.

BB)  
Hello Raquel thanks so much for the interview.
First of all, let me say you have so many skills under your belt – Model, Makeup artist, Burlesque performer, and your amazing product lines; One multitalented lady, with a ton of fans who admire your every move.
How did this creative journey start? I imagine it’s something you had in your bones from childhood.

RR)
I actually started modeling underage, at the age of 15-16.  Truthfully though modeling at that point was having friends shooting me in my room for myspace ha-ha. My extreme looks at that time gained me major popularity, which caught like a wildfire and ultimately led to more serious work. Quickly I had pretty well-known photographers taking interest in me, which led to me having to really step up and become more professional in my modeling.

Burlesque is another story, one I started about five years ago.  I always knew about burlesque and was a fan, but I never thought it was possible for it to be a full-time career.  A client of mine I was styling for a shoot was a burlesque performer and she took me to the NYC show.  I had no idea NYC was such a major area for international burlesque; girls were actually performing for a living!  At that time I had hundreds of photoshoots under my belt, and I started feeling bored and unfulfilled, professionally and artistically.  I realized I could dress up and make true moving photographs through a performance – there was some kind of natural transition for me from being in front of a camera to being in front of an audience.

BB) 
I love your vibrancy and style, and you have a fantastic way of putting styles and colours together. Where do you get your inspiration from, and is there anyone who particularly inspires you?

RR)
Truthfully, regarding color, vibrancy, and style I am my own inspiration.   I see some color, some fabric, a hint of shading in something and that can be all it takes to create some kind of look.  In some cases it’s a piece of lingerie that begs to be added to a costume, in other cases it just a passion and vibe of a certain color that I fall in love with.

As for specific people who inspire me, there are so many talented designers; specifically, theatrical costume designers. Mugler is a great example of the kind of eccentric style that absolutely kills me in such a good way.  The Blondes are also so amazing at what they put out.  There is so much talent out there and it doesn’t take too much to find inspiration.

BB) 
How do you keep looking so fabulous? Do you have to have a special diet and exercise routine to stay on top of things? I imagine you have great discipline.

RR)
My job is very active. I’m not in the gym every day, but a couple days a week helps to keep things toned up.  I’ve been lucky that between work and some gym time I can kind of eat whatever I want.  I can imagine in a handful of years that may change ha-ha, but for now that’s really it, no secrets.

BB) 
I love your make up gallery – so talented! The pictures are stunning.
You also sell fantastic lashes on your sister site www.winkmyway.com
What was your inspiration when creating these beauties?

RR)
I was always looking for lashes that just didn’t exist.  I would always cut up store bought lashes and mix them together to make my own.
Eyelashes are huge for me and an important part of my look for most of what I do, I love them!  I wanted to provide something I’ve always been looking for but couldn’t find, so I made the decision to start my own line.  I really hope to bring these looks to girls who, like me, couldn’t find what they were looking for, and to make them affordable.

BB)
This brings me to your stunning contribution to burlesque, and I must say you have dazzling costumes and performances.
How do you come up with such great themes and how long does it take to build these costumes and routines?

RR)
Kind of ties in with my inspiration ideas – themes can come from anywhere; a song I hear, a color I fall in love with, or an idea in my head that needs to be developed.  Honestly, maturity and timing can decide exactly what I’m feeling and determines what I may come up with.  My costumes take around a year a piece to develop and produce.  It’s usually a collaboration between me and two other designers to create these costumes, from all corners of the world.  Tons of planning and mailing back and forth until the final product is dazzling and impressive. It pays to be picky and specific in the end, even though the process can be tiring as hell!  My designers are amazing and I know that when something is done it will be worth all the time and effort I put into it.

BB)
where does one go to catch a Raquel Reed show?

RR)
You can check out my schedule at Ihateraquelreed.com , however I’m a regular at both Duane Park, and The Slipper Room –  both located in the Bowery of Manhattan’s Lower East.

BB)
I have seen you are engaged. There’s nothing like a great romance. Congrats, that’s so beautiful.
So where did your man pop the question?  (we girls love a good romance story).

RR)
Thank you so much!  I’m the happiest girl.  He did it at one of my most prestigious venues, and a regular home for me, Duane Park.  I was so happy it could be in front of friends and colleagues.  I came out onto the staircase to start my number.  I was performing the whole way down the stairs and towards the stage.  I saw some shadows on the stage and figured “damnit they didn’t clear the stage”. I was actually totally ignoring my fiancé on stage while trying to keep it professional. I had no clue lol.  Finally I figured I just had to deal with it, and as I walked on stage I saw the ring box planted on a chair and my man on one knee waiting for me!  He even flew my mom in and kept it a secret from her too!  It was amazing and I’m so thankful for all of it.

BB)
So what type of wedding gal are you; small wedding with friends, or maybe a big over the top wedding? There are so many themes a girl could go crazy.

RR)
I actually want a rustic wedding in the woods ha-ha, no sparkles allowed this time.  This is something my man and I both share, the desire to be in the woods, in nature, then party somewhere low key, but rustic and beautiful.  It’s not my usual MO, but it’s something I’ve wanted my whole life.  This is one chance to really embrace the nature loving, wedding obsessed side of myself!  We do plan to have a ton of people though, maybe an aerialist or two, and of course live music, I mean, it is our wedding after all lol.

BB)
Last question, what does Raquel Reed do to relax in her downtime?

RR)
I like to escape from the usual.  Nature, water, woods, and plants.  My fiancé and I love to hit the Brooklyn botanical gardens and just be old people for a day.  Good food and peace of mind is where its at.  We do like a good venture every now and then, but it’s usually focused around wine, food or nature, and maybe some antique hunting every now and then lol.

Thank you so much Raquel, I’m excited to watch what you do next.
Hooray. xoxox

Ihateraquelreed.com

www.winkmyway.com