Eleganza FREAK-stravaganza 2
April 1st 2018 5pm-10:30pm
Vision Comics & Oddities
3958 S. Federal Blvd., Sheridan, Colorado 80110

What sparked your love for fashion?

Growing up on a fiber farm, textiles have always been a natural medium for me. As a teenager, I wanted to wear the most fabulous clothes, so I began making them myself. With my mom’s help, I put together all of my formal dance dresses, made most of my every day clothes, and even did 2 runway shows in the HS talent show. I have costumed many people since, designed logos for band shirts and fliers, and made many circus freaks’ stage costumes. Born Ugli fashion is an attempt to pull beauty out of overlooked places and dress in an “out of the ordinary” manner. My friend once told me to “be worth looking at”, so when planning costumes, I want them to look like royalty…keeping in mind that the circus sideshow has its own style of royalty…

Who is/are your favorite fashion designer(s)? Why?

Hard to pick one favorite designer, but I like what GUCCI is doing with human heads this season. I liked it because it was unexpected. Bloodlust Productions will be at our Eleganza FREAK-stravaganza show April 1st, and they do amazing latex costumes and furniture. I really love what they do. Orlan is an amazing inspiration, as she uses her body as art, which I would categorize as “design” work. Heatherette comes up in my mind a lot lately, I go back to their early 2000’s runway looks. LOVED them all.

What is your favorite type of fashion? (Couture, Evening wear, Daytime wear, Accessories, etc…)

I’m drawn to pastels, and minty tints happen to be my color this season. I love unique business suits, with pencils skirts, button ups, shoulder pads, and ties. However, my love will always be for stage fashion…bloomers, corsets, rhinestone accessories, dreads, wigs, xtensions, and handmade bras. For Eleganza FREAK-stravaganza, I know I will likely be wearing a gown, but changing it up throughout the night. I can love any style of fashion as long as it is executed in a special way. As an artist, I try to take something we see everyday and show it like you have never seen it before.

How has your life been influenced by fashion?

I majored in fashion design, but found my way to the life I was meant to live. I toured with my freak show for about 10 years since college, and now have landed in a place where I can focus and comfortably organize a fashion show that is different from all others. I always wear handmade creations in my live freak shows (Show Devils, Scissor Sweethearts, Born Ugli, etc..), but this show is more fashion focused. The past 5 years, I have been costume designing for music videos, and horror movies. I have been gathering lots of influence from late 80’s early 90’s business women fashion made with a grunge-circus freakshow twist.

What inspired you to do your upcoming fashion show on April 1st?

I am glad you asked! For all those out there who didn’t make the “cut” for some of these other high fashion events, we welcome you home…to our world of fashion rejects, freaks, and risking social status by willingly doing “fashion don’ts!” Our second bi-annual event will be a a unique experience for everyone big and small. We are grateful to our sponsors for offering fabulous prizes for the Drag Queen Pinball brought to you by Bloodshed Deathbath, hosted by Regina Gorgina Darling. We encourage everyone to flaunt their weird side with the FREAK ME OUT contest as well. Here, the winner gets a cash prize, $200 in gift certificates from Sage Piercing, $100 in merchandise from Born Ugli Fashion, limited edition comics and artwork, and more prizes TBA!!!.

Because it is a double holiday, we are having a “HAPPY EVERYTHANG!” runway set. Born Ugli spring/summer fashion will be made available for the first time here. You will have glorious photo ops with Peggy the 7 foot boa and Little Tim: Denver’s smallest man. You will witness classic sideshow acts such as sword swallowing, fire eating, glass walking and other glassy-classy acts, comedy, outlandish runway models, and your favorite snippy hosts, the Scissor Sweethearts! We are bringing in some fresh faces with designer Anton LaRosa, and Mina Stevens from Morbid Creations. Come get frightened and enlightened this Easter Fools day! Why not wear a wedding gown! Or a birthday suit…we encourage everything unusual..come on out and CELEBRATE WHATEVER with Eleganza FREAK-stravaganza 2!

What artistic projects or contributions are you most proud of?

Building props takes time and lots of energy, but Siara and I are pulling it off once again. Building a runway is a doozy, but we are working on building a better runway this year. Our props are big and beautiful. Our ladder of scissors is the only one of its kind in the world. I take pride in bringing my community together for something that is sweetly unique, for all ages, and celebrates the American tradition of Circus Sideshow.

Artistically, what environment are you most successful in? Do you prefer to be alone? Listening to music? Surrounded by people?

I like to listen to electronic music while working on my sewing projects. It makes me work faster. I work alone usually to avoid distraction but when I am doing shoots, It is good to have a tight-knit talented core group to work with. I am grateful to have found my place and my people here in Denver.

For more info:
show info: www.SCISSORSWEETHEARTS.com
fashion line: www.BornUgli.com
more about little old me: www.SeranaRose.com