I N T E R V I E W
I’ve always loved dressing up, poorforming, theatricals in general... my earliest memory involves being transfixed in the bathroom mirror, applying my mum’s makeup! Stella really took off at Kinky Gerlinky, working for Michael and Gerlinde Costif... so they’re responsible!
Tell us about Kinky Gerlinky.
Well dear, it’s something of a haze of vodka, tuinal and fabulash, thankfully it’s caught on video. It was a wild, dress up party nite, clubs do reflect the personalities of their promoters don’t they? Gerlinde was very special. Kinky really set the standard for all the good clubs of the 90’s and things we take for granted now - mixing drag with muscle boys with straights and good house music really started there. It had a sparkly, uplifting atmosphere and that essential ingredient: stars attended, Naomi and Kate, Bjork, Prince, Amanda Lear, Sinead O’ Connor to name but a few.
Where did your career take you after that?
Hooking up with Sheila Tequila and the late, great Leigh Bowery, forming the drag / art clown rap group Raw Sewage, touring Europe covering Aerosmith and Run DMC hits... the inter personal dynamics were as hilariously stimulating and exhausting as any performance. It’s pretty well documented in Sue Tilley’s book.
And the rumours of a film?
Are correct. Sadly Benny Hill and Hatti Jacques are no longer with us, to play Leigh and Sue. I also believe Brad Pitt is very busy, so I may have to turn my paw to a cameo!
Describe your appearance these days.
Well, I’ve been working on my sewing and designing, and am sporting my minomo look (a mini kimono) complete with bona obi ! It’s part geisha, part doll, part ignited sex bomb ! Heavy on the macquillage, maj. on the riah and very Sesame Street hooker.
So where can we find you ?
Apart from Park Lane of an evening? Every Wednesday at Ego Maniac where I hostess and DJ. It’s great as it’s free in, small, loungey and has no dancefloor so there is no pressure to “get the room pumping”. I can play wherever my mood takes me- underground disco, new house, reggae... if it’s got that funky something, it’s a hit. The clientele are very mixed, varying from rent boys to millionaires and their dolly birds so it’s nice and underbelly too, just the way I like it.
Sounds interesting. What else is in the pipeline?
I’m working on my music demos, a one woman semi-autobiographical show, designing gowns, generally hoofing this old face around town. There’s a trip to New York coming up for Wigstock too.
I gather you made the British drag debut on the Wigstock stage last year...
Yes ! What a hoot, a day of riotous assembly on the pier, complete with Virgin sponsored rock stadium screens and sound system, very professional. Bunny compered from 2pm until the 10pm close and there were some great shows, Debbie Harry, Barbara Tucker, Frieda the Living Doll! Seeing is believing...
So what are your thoughts on Mardi Gras, Summer Rites, the scene in general?
No comment. I live in the real world, not the ghetto.
So how does Stella relax?
I AM RELAXED!!!! Reading, definitely, books make and mould us, I am appalled by the closing of so many local authority libraries. I would run into my burning flat to rescue Huysman’s “Against Nature”, it is essential reading for anyone with a loathing of the status quo, anyone wishing to sneer at mediocrity, it inspired Wilde, Beardsley, Stephen Tennant. I am keen on modern classics, lots of history and autobiographies;I like to search for inspiration too, in the films of Fellini, John Waters, and why oh why is there no replacement for the Scala cinema? Make me mayor and it’s the first thing I’ll rectify!
And Art?
I’m an avid gallery goer. I’m interested in craft and passion, so you’ll find me at the National or Sir John Soames’ house rather than a happening Hoxton gallery.
And do you have a personal motto?
Spaghetti’s straight ‘till you boil it.
STELLA STEIN MENU