Dragon Lady: Marianne Cheesecake

A few months ago I invited burlesque performer Marianne Cheesecake over to the studio to shoot some images for her Anna May Wong tribute costume. 

Some of you may have already heard of the beautiful Anna May Wong. She was the first Chinese-American movie star, hitting the screens in the 1920s. Wong worked with the top directors and actors of the time, from Douglas Fairbanks to Marlene Dietrich. 

Marianne's act is a beautiful tribute to Wong, with one of the most detailed costumes I have ever seen. Playing on the stereotype of the "Dragon Lady", Marianne plays Wong as a lifesize dragon. The stunning headdress and lingerie was made by Adora Belle and costume by Lenka Padysakova!

Jessica Louise

 I first worked with Jessica over 2 years ago, and then again a few months later. Even then I was impressed by her enthusiasm and posing, not to mention what a nice person she is!

In front of the camera she channels a gorgeous, fierce woman, but as soon as the lens points away she is all smiles. This is such an incredible skill for a model to have - personally I'm just as inspired by a personality as looks. Nobody likes a diva and Jess definitely isn't one!

We finally shot together again a few weeks ago, when she also told me what she had been up to...

 Skip to 1.56 and you will see the first glimpse of Jess on Britain's Next Top Model! I won't spoil the 'ending' but she did pretty well and I am beyond proud of her! 

We shot 3 looks; here is the first, inspired by Josephine Baker, Anna May Wong and Orientalism.