1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and background.
I grew up in Florida, but moved out to the west coast a few years ago and love it. I surf, snowboard and spend a lot of time on the computer in between.
2) How long have you been costuming? What kinds of experiences have you had?
Halloween was always a big holiday at my house. My mom would dress us both up for trick-or-treating, then I would see my mom going out later that night in some great costume she made and the next day I would hear about all the contests she won. So I started designing my own costumes and she would make them from pictures I drew. I won my first costume contest at 5-years-old, dressed as a clown.
I have been making my own costumes since 1995, when I made my first big one- Aeon Flux. The response was so great and it was so much fun, that I actuallly was hooked. I actually heard them talking about my costume the next year on the radio and I called the station to tell them I heard them talking about last year's Aeon Flux, which was me. They had me go down to the radio station so they could interview me about my next costume.
3) What's your earliest memory of seeing Return of the Jedi?
I saw them all as a kid, and they all ran into one big movie. It was great when they were re-released so I could get the story straight! I remember the Ewoks the best. My cousins had a little Ewok tree house we always played with, and then we would have light saber fights with my grandmother's brooms. Since I was the only girl, I always had to be Leia by default.
4) When did you get your first "metal bikini" and what drove you to it?
I have been looking for something that was going to create the same excitement that Aeon Flux did, but I wasn't really up to the challenge until last year. I had some great costumes in the past years, but I was ready to create a work of art. And if I was going to do it, it was going to be perfect. I researched the internet, which is how I found this site, and that led me to all kinds of great photos for references. I also rented the movie and paused it over and over and sketched out the details of the costume, jewelry, shoes and hairpiece.
5) What is your favorite memory of appearing as Slave Leia?
It was Halloween and I was in a costume contest. The winner was chosen by the audience. One by one the contestants walked on stage and the audience cheered for their favorite. There were some really great costumes, so I was a little nervous! When it was my turn, I walked out on stage with my cloak pinned around my neck. Everyone was already cheering, but then I reached up and undid the pin at my neck, released the cloak, spun around to show everyone the back of the costume, and the crowd went crazy. Then I heard the announcer say "I guess we know who won this contest!" It was totally worth all the time it took me to make it.
6) If you danced for Jabba the Hutt, what song would you dance to and why?
"Die Another Day" by Madonna - it's got a good beat and kind of fits the theme.
7) Any final words?
Yeah - visit me at my website www.candykeane.com to see what I look like out of costume and to see the rest of my costume gallery. There is a special Leia shoot in the works!
Thanks Candy! |
