Femme Fatale

Every once in a while, the RetroKitten staff stumbles upon a model that absolutely floors us. Athena Fatale is one of those models. Not only is she a pretty face, but she is quite talented and is a member of the alternative lifestyle community.

This lovely girl graces the current cover of RetroKitten and took some time out of her busy schedule to chat with us.

Q: Our default question, how did you get started?

Athena: My father has always been passionate about photography, so I was literally photographed as soon as I entered this world. (Quite fitting for a Leo, I think!) I grew up in front of and behind my father’s camera, and by the time I was in college I was more interested in taking the photos than being in them. But I started posing for other student projects (in most every medium) and began to gain some confidence as a model. A few years later I was living in Dallas and working as a Dominatrix, which had been an interest of mine since high school. I began to seek out photographers to work with and continued to meet people within the local art and fetish communities. I launched my first website and things just continued to grow and evolve from there!

Q: Swedish and Cherokee, that's an interesting mix. It's definitely created an exotic beauty. This industry tends to favor the exotic. Would you say your unique look has helped or hindered?

Athena: Why thank you! While I won’t argue that I got lucky in the genetics department, I’d have to say it is my tattoos that have been more of a help AND a hindrance. For every person that loves my tattoos, there are two who hate them. Body modifications are far more accepted and embraced by the mainstream today than ever before, but there are still a lot of negative attitudes toward it, especially in the corporate world. I’ve always enjoyed challenging stereotypes so it doesn’t bother me on a personal level, but there have been a few instances where it did professionally.

Q: It's easy to get pigeon-holed into genres in this industry, yet you seem to have avoided that. How would say you have managed that feat?

Athena: Having started out as a professional Dominatrix, I was automatically lumped into that category which comes with strict regulations. I’ve never been one to limit myself, or be told what I can and can’t do. I can’t live by someone else’s rules. I have an intense need to be true to myself. I’m constantly evolving and my interests changing. My personal style is pretty varied and that seems to be transferring to my professional life as well. And it probably doesn’t hurt that I’m not afraid to explore different looks and moods. I love stepping into different roles!

Q: Are there any areas of the industry that you would like to explore a little more

Athena: I really enjoy performing! I took various dance classes as a little girl, then studied theater until college. I never really lost the desire to perform though, and eventually I took to the stage again. Before long Angela Ryan and Jami Deadly approached me about forming Dallas’ first burlesque troupe, On The Fringe, and that’s when things really began to take off. Since then I’ve performed at fetish balls and special events throughout Texas as well as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Florida, just to name a few. I enjoy exploring the different styles of burlesque, from traditional to modern to fetish. I spent a few weeks performing with the Brothers Grim Sideshow on the Family Values Tour last summer, and although it was a painful, exhausting, underpaid, and very rainy experience, I loved every minute of it.

Q: "Fetish model by day, burlesque performer by night. Rock and Roll Princess on the weekends...". Do you EVER take time off?

Athena: Hmmm, I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you on that one….

Q: Idols, heroes, who do you look up to?

Athena: I’ve admired so many people for so long that it’s hard to name even a few. There are so many amazing people in my life, and there have been so many extraordinary people throughout history. But to pick three talented and inspirational ladies, I’d say Josephine Baker, Frida Kahlo, and Madonna. Josephine overcame enormous social obstacles to achieve fame and respect, yet never stopped working towards love and equality for all. Frida turned immense pain and suffering into beautiful, emotional works of art. And Madonna continues to outdo herself, re-inventing herself regularly and making her own rules every step of the way. You’ve got to admire that!

Q: You've worked with some other RetroKitten favorites. Timothy Dolph, Angela Ryan, Christine Kessler and Perry Gallagher just to name a few. I think its fair to say that you've left your mark on our industry. Where do you see yourself taking your career?

Athena: I have definitely been very fortunate in that regard. I have worked with some truly amazing photographers and other very talented models and performers, and am always looking for new talent to work with. So far my career has taken me across the US and back a several times, with stops in a few other countries as well. If I get to spend the next few years dancing and posing my way around the world, I’ll be a very happy girl! There are some photographers and models that I really want to work with before I’m done, and a few more countries that I’d like to perform in, so we’ll see what fate has in store for me…

Q: Beer or liquor? 

Athena: Skyy Berry or Absolut Raspberry, chilled with a splash of cranberry.

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
I would probably have to say my father, since it was his love of photography that started everything. More recently I would have to give props to my girl Angela Ryan, since she first approached me about forming On The Fringe, which started my burlesque career. Most of our first shows were together, it was a learning process and we helped each other a lot back then. We still collaborate on a lot of projects. We travel together, shoot together, and perform together quite a bit, it’s much more fun that way!

Q: Are they any big projects, appearances or releases that you'd like to tell us about?

Athena: I just returned from BME Fest in Toronto, and am headed to Fetish Con in Tampa in August, and possibly Montreal after that. I’m constantly traveling and am always looking for new collaborations. I have a calendar on my site where I post my travel and performance information whenever possible. I am working on creating a few new routines, and fine tuning some existing ones. I’ve also been busy building the members section of my site, AthenaFatale.com, and it is finally open for business! It has been a true labour of love but seeing it all come together has been incredibly rewarding.

RetroKitten would like to thank Athena for allowing us to use her photo and for being gracious enough to let us waste a little bit of her time.

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