One summer evening in London, a ruined church and its garden hosted a new photo session with Olaf Szmidt from Capturing Emotions.

Since I’m supposed to be a time traveling vampire, a reference to Dracula is only fitting, and this churchyard-like location might have been on the vampire’s list when he was living in London.

Dracula was written by Bram Stoker just before the 20th century,  and is now a famous story that led to the creation of an archetype through countless adaptations and references.

The novel has been analysed quite extensively, but arguably Bram Stoker was more likely unconsciously reflecting the questions of his time period than writing with a clear message in mind. Still, a lot can be said about some allegories subverting accepted gender expression or sexuality from the period.

A quote that embodies that is:

 “I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips.”

Red is quite heavy in term of symbolism, it does tend to be associated with blood, lust, love…

The red lipstick I’m wearing is a layering of the amazing Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Dazzle by Kat Von D, over the liquid lipstick in Outlaw by Kat Von D as well. Appropriate names for a subversive colour I guess? Kat Von D also has a red lipstick called Santa Sangre, well suited to a vampiric theme.

An adaptation of Dracula that I particularly enjoy is the 1992 film by Francis Ford Coppola, which stays quite true to the original story while adding a lot of erotic elements.

I really love the dress that Mina Harker is wearing. Eiko Ishioka won an Oscar for her work on Dracula. A few more red dresses can be found on Pinterest.

The dress I’m wearing is a shade of red I’m rather fascinated with.

It comes from Coast, so it’s supposed to be a bridesmaid type of dress, here more tongue in cheek bride of Dracula I guess!

I do wear it for formal events like award ceremonies, but I subverted it with this amazing accessory, the Bondage Body Belt harness from Alien Baby that got magically back in stock when I wanted it and arrived home on the exact same day of the photo shoot. It’s faux-leather and out of stock again, but I’m sure it will be back soon.

To keep on subverting the outfit, I have added a matching spike bracelet I bought something like 10 years ago from a Paris goth shop, and my lovely spiderhug ring from Rogue and Wolf.

The labret piercing is something I had dreamt of doing for quite a while. I went to Nemesis Camden in London, which I can highly recommend.

References

📷 Olaf Szmidt, Capturing Emotions

Model, make-up, styling: me

👗 Red infinity dress by @coast_stores
Faux-leather harness by @alienbabyco

⌚ Spiky wristband bought in a goth shop about ten years ago, probably Darkland Paris

💍 Spiderhug ring by @rogueandwolf

👄 Labret piercing by @magdapiercing from @nemesistattoo

🧦 The amazing black and red tights are from @virivee

👠 Stilettos by @lascarpa_paris

👁️ Burgundy and Tomato “Artist color” eyeshadows by @makeupforeverofficial
Ruddy eyeshadow by @maccosmetics
Shade + Light eye palette by @katvondbeauty
Tattoo liner in trooper by@katvondbeauty
Lash liner by @katvondbeauty
Perversion mascara by @urbandecaycosmetics

💄 Everlasting liquid lipstick in Outlaw by @katvondbeauty 
Everlasting glimmer veil in Dazzle by @katvondbeauty

😊 Lock it foundation by @katvondbeauty