Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Alisson Gothz. This Brazilian scene queen is considered one of the objets d′art of São Paulo night life; adorning some of the coolest DJ booths, doorways and dancefloors the city over. Journalist by day, creature of crazy fantasy by dark, and a whirlwind of fabulous 24/7 Alisson goes way beyond simple gender bending, cross dressing and drag. His portraits have already been exhibited in Finland (2010) and just this year in São Paulo. But before the imagery stage of his artmaking, Alisson takes dressing up to another level by bringing to life his imagination, contorting it, and applying it to himself as a canvas.
Christel Escosa: Can you tell me a little bit about how you came to be the fierce whoa-man that you are? How you discovered queen culture and how you entered that world?
Alisson Gothz: Oh well, I guess I’ve always known. I have an older sister who was really into new wave when I was a child, so she introduced me to all sorts of crazy artists like Boy George, Grace Jones, Nina Hagen… I always thought “Gosh, I wanna be like them when I grow up – fuck school, I wanna wear lipstick and dye my hair green.”
Christel Escosa: What does it mean to you when you put your face on?
Alisson Gothz: Hope I don’t sound too cocky, but I always see myself as becoming something like a walking piece of art; like if you were in a museum and a surreal picture woke up to life in front of you and started dancing like crazy. I’m not saying “ooh I’m super artsy”; it’s just about the idea of becoming one.
Christel Escosa: Is there a difference between the you dressed up and the you in ‘normal’ clothes? Do you feel different in either guise?
Alisson Gothz: Actually, in “real life” I’m painfully shy. Seriously. That kind of shyness that makes you rehearse three times in front of the mirror before calling someone on the phone. When I’m in drag I feel more outgoing, more sociable. I love this duality!
Christel Escosa: For ease of categorisation, do you prefer to be referred to as ‘he’ or ‘she’? Why?
Alisson Gothz: Even though lots of people think I’m a girl, I’m not! (*shocking*) And I love being a man during the day and a fierce ruling diva at night. That’s why all my looks tend to be more based on “freakness” rather than “realness”. So if you see me during the day, call me “dude”, and if you see me at night, call me “lady”!
Christel Escosa: What item of clothing makes you feel the most sexy and why?
Alisson Gothz: Heels!!! The bigger the better!!!
Christel Escosa: What makes a person attractive to you?
Alisson Gothz: A good sense of humour is essential. I mean, I’m super goofy, so it takes a lot of good humour to be around me. And, of course, style! Style doesn’t mean being overdressed in the latest fashion, it means to be yourself and loudly proud of it.
Christel Escosa: Who/what inspires you most?
Alisson Gothz: David Bowie, David Bowie and that other singer I can’t remember the name… oh, it’s David Bowie, I guess.
Christel Escosa: What do you admire most about music right now?
Alisson Gothz: Actually, 80% of the music I like it’s from 1977/1979. I really hate that kind of band that Pitchfork loves and says it’s the new big thing. Tyler The Creator? GIVE-ME-A-BREAK. But I admire how Internet has changed the way artists produce music and make their sound circulate around the world without the need of a major label behind them.
Christel Escosa: Favourite fashion designer?
Alisson Gothz: I loooooooove Walter von Beirendonck. Really, I would wear all his clothes 24 hours a day. Of course I also love McQueen, Vivi Westwood, Gaultier, Gareth Pugh, Kansai Yamamoto, Alexandre Herchcovitch…
Christel Escosa: Skirt or trousers?
Alisson Gothz: Vintage pinstripe pants!!!!
Christel Escosa: Describe your style…
Alisson Gothz: Something like a “German cabaret star from the 20s” mixed with a “Glam Rocker in platform glitter boots”.
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