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Dawson in Studio, 2024

This session is part of an ongoing series that will involve queer people in Dallas pulling looks from my favorite campy films.

Makeup by Brooke Shivers 

Hair, Styling, and Modeling was done by Dawson of Lorelei K

Separated into scenes, each look showcases key moments in the 1995 film, Showgirls.

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Scene one is inspired by Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) in her simplest look during her initial trials at the Stardust Hotel and her rival Cristal (Gina L Gershon) who is the Star of the Goddess performance. She also has deep dark hair like Dawson with the touch of glitter around beautifully large doe eyes. 

 

The lead of the show that soon found herself at the mercy of gravity

and the earnest youth of the incoming beauty, Nomi Malone.

scene one / scene two / scene three

With the momentum of the film and the ache for stardon - we enter into look one of Nomi's opening night as the lead in Goddess, while greeting the paparazzi.. Her desire to be the star and win it all leads her to this moment. She doesn't just play the part, she is a goddess the Las Vegas strip was waiting for.

 

With the brilliant mind of Brooke Shivers, we were able to replicate the scenes bedazzled striped look.

The Finale.

Nomi's performance of Goddess was intoxicating in it's vision and design. This entire shoot with Dawson is born from the pure spectacle of that final performance. This is where I hoped to capture the ferocious ache for the lead that Nomi possesses as she viciously gained the star role in Goddess.

 

 From the intricate and time consuming gem placement by Brooke Shivers to the intensity of Dawson's eyes, this final part of our session was me pressing pause on the film and reveling in the glory of Nomi's success. Glory and gore just for an undeniable overwhelming moment of stardom. This is all she ever wanted and it lasted for one performance before it all came crashing down. As Cristal says to Nomi in the last moments in the film:

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There's always someone younger and hungrier than you coming down the stairs behind you.​

All looks were inspired directly from the film “Showgirls” by Director Paul Verhoeven. This 1995 film garnered an awesome 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and won 13 Golden Rasberry (RAZZIE) nominations.
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In 2000, the film was named Worst Picture of the Decade..

Which only makes me love it more.
What it lacks in plot or acting it makes up for in visuals.
Cinematically it is pure excess and glam. 

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