Darenzia is one of the most visible personalities in the New York City fetish scene. One look at her edgy aesthetic, and you know she rarely goes unnoticed. Her unusual beauty paired with an equally unusual imagination has resulted in a true fetish eminence. From her background in classical dance to her "computer geek" mind, this is one kinky cutie who's a force to be reckoned with! Eros Zine had a few choice words with her about her recent world travels and her plans for world fetish domination.
Eros Zine: Tell us a little about your background.
Darenzia Growing up I traveled around quite a bit because my dad was in the Navy, but luckily I spent most of my time situated right outside of Washington, DC. I remember I was always really busy. I'd go to high school part time taking college classes in bio, math, chemistry, physics and writing. Then, the second half of my day I'd be at ballet school and rehearsal. I lived a total left brain/right brain life; my creative and logical sides were constantly at war.
On top of all of that, I was a really wild teenager who was constantly getting in trouble and dating people way older than I probably should have been. Amazingly, I really got along well with my parents-with the exception of a couple of nuclear events.
EZ: How long have you been living in New York City?
D: Oh wow, it's been a little over 10 years and six apartments now!
EZ: What brought you here?
D: I came to New York to be a ballet dancer and to go to university. About two years after I got here, I decided to quit dancing all together-it became too much of a strain, and my knees hurt all the time. It stopped being a fun, creative outlet. I was constantly being pressured to quit my academics in favor of ballet, which was something that I was just not prepared to do. I refused to doom myself to becoming nothing more than a ballet instructor after a very short dance career. I felt that my education was much more important.
EZ: You were booked as a go-go dancer at a lot of Manhattan nightclubs, right?
D: A bit. I used to dance at the Limelight in Manhattan while I was in school and occasionally at Mother. God, I miss the old New York City clubs!
Occasionally I still go-go at events like Motherfucker and Utopia Parkway at Crobar. It's like being paid to have fun and get free drinks.
I've also dabbled in nightclub promotions. Years ago I ran my own small club and last year I produced and stage-managed the SMack! party during the NYC Fetish Marathon. Most recently I co-hosted Motherfucker's New Year's Eve bash. Honestly though, I'm too lazy/busy to do more promo. I've been more focused lately on developing my own stage shows.
EZ: How did you develop your aesthetic?
D: I don't really know, it just kind of evolved. I'll admit that I used to be a goth girl back in the day, and that's where it all started. When I moved to New York I discovered the fetish scene and nightclubs like Mother, and that's where I first learned about fetish fashion and became enamored and aroused by it.
Honestly, the only reason I ever shaved my hair into a mohawk was because it was so thick I could hardly stand it. I've had this hairdo for about eight years; sometimes it's been different colors, but I've stuck with blue because it just seems to work on me. I've also recently started growing my sides back in because I got so sick of shaving daily. My hair grows too fast.
I'd say my look has progressively become more refined over the years, as my tastes have changed and matured. I've got a bit of an odd Eastern European face, so I'm always experimenting with different styles.
EZ: How did you make the transition from go-go girl to fetish goddess / model to on-screen talent?
D: I guess I just met the right people. Going to clubs, I met a lot of designers and photographers who would just casually ask me to pose for them, wear their clothing or be in their fashion shows. Somehow, that all spun out of control and here I am. The first time I went to Los Angeles in April 2003 to work with a lot of photographers I admired, things really began to take off for me.
I'm really picky about who I work with, and I like to work with the same photographers time and time again, since I think the photos improve as your relationship with the photographer progresses. When you become more comfortable and familiar, then you're able to let go more and really create something special. That's not to say that I don't like working with new people-of course I do-it's just that when I click with a photographer, it usually progresses into a long term friendship and collaboration.
EZ: I saw you in Alice in Footland. Have you been doing other movies?
D: I've done some work with Gwen Media, notably The Asylum, and I'll be shooting a sequel to that in March. It was nominated this year for an AVN Award for Best Specialty Fetish/BDSM video, which really tickles my nads. It didn't win, but I still think it's funny that a movie I didn't even show my tatas in was nominated!
I love doing movies, but I can't actually watch the movies I do-I've only seen Alice and Asylum on 20X fast forward [laughs]. I could never watch videos of my dance performances either. I would love to work with Andrew Blake and Marquis video someday! I've also done a bunch of extra work for mainstream film and TV, but I haven't done much of it lately because it's just so tedious, for the most part. Plus I'm too apathetic to keep on my agent's ass.
EZ: Do you consider the movies fetish? Porn? Both?
D: I consider all of the movie work I do to be more fetish than porn. Then again, the definition of porn is subjective. I'm sure people have jerked off or gotten sexual titillation out of some of my movies.
The DVDs I've done have a certain aesthetic and artistic quality which I think sets them apart from most porn, and nothing I've ever done can even remotely be considered "hardcore." I myself love hardcore porn, but could never actually be in one. Okay, I lie. I did do a short intro to a John T. Bone porno that I styled with Inner Sanctum latex in Brazil last year called Rubber Dollies. Other people were fucking in that movie. I just introduced and dressed them. Being on an actual porn set clued me into just how not erotic hardcore porn can be behind the scenes.
EZ: You've been traveling a lot. What have you been up to?
D: This past year I've been blessed with the ability to travel all over the world, and I've already got plans to do tons of traveling in the coming year. Seriously, 2004 was a total fantasy for me-my little side hobby of modeling turned into a full time venture and I was able to support myself doing it. Without the hindrance of a 9-to-5 job, I was able to take off whenever I wanted to! I traveled to Sao Paulo and the Brazilian jungle, Zurich, Berlin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vegas, Philly, Boston and London several times. I even made it to Wales and the English countryside. This year I plan to take over Europe! I love going to fetish events around the globe and meeting everybody in the community.
EZ: What are your personal interests?
D: Exploring and expressing my sexuality. I'm happy to be at a point in my life where I'm finally able to do that professionally and personally. I've got an amazing fiancé who encourages and supports me 100 percent. I also enjoy reading and writing. I need to make more time for myself to indulge in these simple pleasures.
EZ: What about your personal fetishes?
D: Latex, fully-fashioned stockings, heels, corsetry, sexy high-end lingerie, asphyxiation, sock garters, legs and boobs. I could go on for hours here! My number one fetish is definitely latex, from high-end latex fashion to heavy rubber, I cannot get enough of it.
I think my latex fetish started at a really young age. I used to love to go into automotive stores and just smell them. I couldn't get enough of that smell. It wasn't until years later that I realized I was smelling the rubber tires. To this day, every time I pass an automotive store I have to go in. I don't even have a car! Anyway, that smell really gets me going and wearing it is even more sensual. I love pouring lube all over my body and encasing myself in latex.
EZ: So you're pro-domming now. What's that like?
D: It's been a lot of fun and it's not really work for me. SM is something I enjoy quite a bit, and it's fun doing fantasy role-play on a regular basis. My style of dominance is based upon mutual respect. I feel that both myself and the submissive should benefit from our encounter.
I've seen way too many "man-haters" in this profession. The last person who should become a domme is a woman who hates men. I believe that BDSM is not one-sided, and dominance is not something that should be abused. There's nothing more satisfying to me than a slave who has shown his devotion and has been able to realize his fantasy through the scene I have just orchestrated. Pro domination has become a satisfying way for me to express my more theatrical side.
EZ: Okay so you've modeled for web sites. Have you worked for any?
D: [laughs] Well, Abby, as you know I was the photo editor of Penthouse.com for five years and I left in November 2003, when their bankruptcy got really out of control! I have a love/hate relationship with that place, but will always appreciate my time there, because it taught me a lot about the business in general and how to protect myself as a model and webmaster. I made so many excellent contacts there that I really do credit it as helping my modeling career quite a bit. It also looks nice on the resume when and if I ever decide to stop living in my little fantasy world and search for another "real job" [laughs].
EZ: So now you're concentrating on your site. What's in development?
D: I'm working on getting video up on the site and doing some more refinements. I'll be making my "blabber" section members-only so I can get more in depth with my personal journal entries. I've been experimenting with different looks-some a bit softer then what my fans are more accustomed to-and I've been adding more diversity to my shoots. I'll be taking my camera with me on all my travels so I can post more candids and event photos. Of course, there will still be highly stylized pro shoots from my favorite photographers too! I'm even starting to get back into shooting models, so I'll probably be adding galleries of my favorite girls that I've shot myself! I love feedback from fans about my site, the more vocal they are, the more I can give 'em what the want!
EZ: You've been writing for Skin Two, etc. Are you writing content for your website? Erotica? First person stuff?
D: I recently wrote a feature article for Skin Two #50, a report on the Cinekink Festival here in New York this past October, as well as reviews of the movies showing at it. I really missed writing for magazines and papers, as one of my secret fantasy jobs is to be a full-time journalist. So of course I jumped at the chance to write for one of my favorite magazines!
The content I write for my site is mainly journalistic in that I usually write about things that have happened in my personal life. I've lived such an odd life and have had so many adventures that I feel like I should write a book. As for first person erotica, it's not really my forte. Not that I can't do it, it's just not my favorite thing to do. I prefer to write feature stories and reports.
EZ: What are your fans like?
D: My fans range from goth girls and punk boys to businessmen and women to people in their 60's all over the world. Seriously, there's no rhyme or reason to it!
EZ: You've worked with several other fetish models on your photo shoots. Who are some of your favorites?
D: I've worked with both Masuimi Max and Miss Conduct several times and our chemistry is always great. Shooting with both of them is always fun and the pics always turn out super-hot! I love shooting with them and other girls because everyone I shoot with is a friend of mine. I don't think I've ever shot with a girl who wasn't already a friend or that didn't become a good friend. I'd love to work with Emily Marilyn sometime. That girl's got great legs and is super sweet as well!
EZ: Anything you'd like to add?
D: Hmm, I guess to just keep up with my site to stay updated on everything I've got my naughty little hands immersed in. I've got a lot of traveling and performances coming up all over the world this year. I'll be in an upcoming issue of Leg Show showing off my softer side. Plus you'll be seeing a lot more of me in your favorite fetish magazines!
Thanks Darenzia! You can learn and see much more of the blue-headed beauty at Darenzia.net.
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