La Musica, Part 1

Now I get asked this a lot of the time, about what my preferred style of music is. In fact, sinceI was a little girl I have fallen n love with many artist, many genres and too many songs.


So I thought I would share with you a little of my musical history and give you an insight into the girl behind the Big Blonde Hair!


1) Childhood Years: Elvis
Now Elvis I remember discovering around the same time I found Marilyn, at 7years old and starting my musical knowledge, I found a cassette of my fathers of Elvis' greatest hits.
Besotted by the beautiful man in the picture on the case I declared my love for him as well as confessing to my emotionally void father that I would one day Marry that man.... To which my father responded "he's dead"
Inconsolable, I cried for about a week, rocking in front of my tape player singing along to those immortal songs, those that I still listen to even today.



2) Pre- Teens: Various.
My love for the 50s and 60s continued into my pre-teen years, smothered with Elvis and Marilyn of course, But I started to introduce other "Marilynettes" such as Madonna (IMMACULATE COLLECTION!!!) to my catalogue.



It was around this time also that I began to dress *differently*...my Mother, ever the keen seamstress loved to make me long floaty skirts, buying me big earrings,  cheesecloth and letting me grow my hair....
Some would say I was *BoHo* before BoHo.
My Father was a big influence on my musical taste and I would spend the evening listening to Bowie, Queen, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the Doors the Beatles. My favourite at the time (and an alltime personal favourite) being the following:


3) Early Teens: Various


Still BoHo, still a weirdo at school, My father continued to be a big influence on my musical tastes. This was around the time my parents divorced and I found sanctuary in my music, plus is was the one way that I could communicate with my father, and feel like I was at least still related to him. The Days of sitting on his knee listening to records had long gone, but at least I could sit in the car with him and create some new memories. 


Jimi Hendrix was the artist we listened to most of time.
It was in my mid teens that I discovered my now favourite band, Incubus. Surfer rock from California. I would be lying if I said that it wasn't the sight of Brandon Boyd that caught my interest to begin with....But their music changed my life, and when I listen to it as an adult I remember those carefree days of summer, the route to school, the boy I first kissed, dirving through sunflower fields on my birthday, the long walks through the countryside and my first taste of pot. 





to be continued.... 

Aerial Hoop

Aerial Hoop has been a skill that I have secretly always wanted to learn, but never had the time, money or determination to bite the bullet and go for it!

In the summer of 2011 I finally took the plunge and began my true love affair with the circus art. I joined the Hanger Arts Trust, a small but perfectly formed school in North Greenwich. At first it was a little bit too far to travel just to train once a week, however once I was there it was totally worth it.

I began my 6 week course under the brilliant tuition of Jo Foley, a fellow Cabaret performer who is not only strong as hell, but, to my annoyance, very very bendy!

I picked it up like a natural, whizzing through moves and demonstrating strength that I never really knew I had (hoisting yourself onto a hoop 6 ft in the air requires a lot of strength)
Don't get me wrong, I have always been very strong, due to waving 7ft feather fans each weighing 5kg PLUS air resistance, but these were different muscles, different parts of my body that I has never engaged before.

Since then I have regularly taken a class a week (unfortunately leaving the hanger in November after discovering a friend's "circus warehouse" only down the road) But I have fallen in love with it a million times over, learning more dynamic and challenging manoeuvres, pushing my strength to the limit and building my stamina enough so maybe one day I will perform a "full length" hoop act.... but I do say *maybe*

I have already in fact performed a burlesque Christmas act incorporating my hoop skills. I ceased in continuing this act, despite promising I would carry on into the New Year, as it was a little out of my comfort zone and as I am used to kicking ass at burlesque, being sub standard on hoop, was enough to stop until I kicked ass en l'air as well.

So I still have a long way to go, but I passed a big milestone in my training today! I mastered the Belly Roll!!!!! A move I have been working and working and working on since late October.

I would recommend this to anyone! it has transformed my body, toned me in places I never imagined and made me more determined to develop my craft as a burlesquer and overall cabaret star.


There are of course down sides (which do not mesh well with having a semi naked job) and that being the bruising, the cuts and the manky hands!

Western

Time to introduce to you a sneak preview of my new act, The Western. Based on the movie, The River of no Return...staring MM. (1954)

I didn't want to go with the chaps and jeans cowboy route, but something that was civil war era and could be tied in with a cowboy hat, spurs and some gunslingin', bullwhippin' action, hence being drawn to the look of the film set in Northwestern America just after the civil war (1870s)

The Costume will feature the full length victoriana saloon gal dress in Hunter Green velvet, embellished like the original with black trim and black swarovski crystals.
A hat and flaming heeled boots complete the starting look (as well as some pistols)

As the music unfolds I remove the dress to reveal a gold long line, butt hugging custom made corset, and covered in thousands of crystals.

I am very excited about this act as I will be performing bullwhip sequences and targetting, as well as a little magic and some dust kicking line-inspired-dancing.
I can honestly say that there is nothing like it out there and be sure to prepare yourself for a mind blowing and some seriously green eyed performers.

Yeehaw! 

How to Marry a Millionnaire

For a long time now I have been in Love with this little outfit from one of my favourite MM films "How to Marry a Millionaire" but have never really had any excuse to make it....except for my own pleasure or Photoshoots.

However, having discovered that there will be a POOL PARTY at the Miss Exotic World Pageant in Vegas this June, I decided that I HAVE to get it made.

Her Character "Paula" wears this swim/lounge set in the fashion show scene... I found a very talented lady called Esther in the US.

My version will be in Matte red fabric and the rhinestoning I will do myself (with assorted swarovski sizes as I have just bought 65,000 that I need to use)

She makes many replicas of Marilyn's dresses and costumes from various films and publicity shots.... Including the Gold Lamé gown (GPB), the pink pants and blouse set (SYI) and several from Niagara.

As well as this suit set I shall be ordering the polka Dot wiggle dress from The Seven Year Itch. 

Pinking the Blond

So every year it has been my tradition to have a "christmas" hair-do...failing to do so this christmas past has made me itch for a change.

I have been growing my hair as I realised that the shorter Marilyn cut didn't suit my round face (plus I was chubby and it was PINK too!!!)

aaanayhoo, I decided recently that I was going to pink the hair again...but an ever so subtle babietst of baby pinks!

It needs a bleach first, which will take an hour or so...I use Schwarzkopf Live colour XXL in 00A absolute platinum....it's kinder on my hair for starters, second it doesn;t stink as much as pre-lightener.

Pink Goes on for 15 mins after I have rinsed out the bleach! mixed with A LOT of conditioner...no hot pink here! I quite like the wet look hahah

Stiletto Nails

Today I will be going to get my nails done....not perticularly exciting, I know...however I have been trying to get the perfect stiltetto nail for months now but noone seems to be able to get that SPIKEY cat like point that I am after.

Though because they are gel nails....when they/ the nail varnish wears away....they look a lot less pointy. but that is probably because they were not pointy enough to begin with!!!

I'm talking seriously nasty, vicious looking talons. :) Lets see if they are up to the challenge...

......

Update: Just got back and she did a pretty rockin' job, I bought some leopard nai stickers but that were utter shit....didn't work at all, which was a shame because they were £6 and a complete waste, plus I really fancied some spiky animal nails!

Welcome

Hey All!

Welcome to my blog, Now I am a little new to this writing thing, But I hope to share with you (in the best way I can) a little insight into the world of an international Burlesque performer, Model, Muse and Marilyn fanatic.

Sharing my styling secrets, makeup tips and sacred hair methods I hope that my writing will make the world a little more glamorous.

A little about me:

My name is Banbury Cross, I began burlesque in 2008, though not formally getting any paid work until mid 2009 and finally becoming full time in 2010. It has been a roller coaster ride of exotic destinations, venue headaches, kickass costumes and making some incredible friends a long the way! I will introduce them to you soon.

I have quickly become the "most" in demand performer in London and Europe. And this year I shall be making my U.S debut in Los Angeles and *hopefully* Las Vages (I found out if I have been accepted to BHoF on March 1st)

Thanks to the support of my fans, friends and family, I have grown, developed my craft as well as taken the burlesque circuit by storm - going straight into number 25 in the Burlesque *GLOBAL* top 50!

Currently resident at Proud Cabaret City and Camden (soon to change) and agencies all over the world, 2012 is set to be a very exciting year - 2 new acts, new skills and an exciting tour to boot!

This Bombshell is outta control!!!

www.missbanburycross.com