by: Bernadette Giacomazzo

Fashionista, artist, model, musician, and dilettante Doe Deere -- a/k/a Xenia Vorotova -- has been a staple of the New York City underground music scene for years. She built a large and loyal fanbase all over the world, first with her clothing line Lime Crime, then with her pop-rock band Sky Salt, and finally with her well-attended Maskara fashion shows, which featured independent designers and rock bands. Today, Doe Deere is playing a retro-brand of pop -- think Gwen Stefani meets Studio 54 -- blogging on the Doe Deere Blogazine, and launching her Lime Crime Makeup line. In her free time, she plays with goth legend Voltaire in his side project, The Oddz, and volunteers for various cat rescue charities. But the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Russia native is most happy at home with her husband, Mark, and their two Persian cats, Puffy and Felix.

In October 2008, Bernadette sat down with Doe Deere to discuss her new makeup line, as well as who she is, where she's going, and what her loyal fans can expect from her in the future.
(Lime Crime Makeup Website)
(DoeDeereBlogazine)

1. Tell us about the Doe Deere project. Where did you come up with the name Doe Deere?

The idea was born, literally, overnight. The rock band I'd fronted for 4 years had just called it quits, and I wanted to continue doing music. I went bed to thinking, 'What's next?' and woke up with this crazy idea to wear antlers and play 80s disco. It was a wild idea at the time because 2 years ago the retro dance sound wasn't as popular yet. Now I fit right in! :)

2. How does the music of the Doe Deere project differ from those of your previous project, Sky Salt?

Sky Salt was an alternative rock band with goth undertones. Dark, very brooding. We were often compared to Flyleaf, Birthday Massacre, Rasputina. Doe Deere is 80s pop with a modern twist. It's a little dark, but lots of fun and very danceable!

3. Tell us about the blogazine. Where did you come up with the idea? What is your readership demographic? Do you have sponsors?

Doe Deere Blogazine is a magazine in the form of a blog. I started it because I had an overabundance of GLEE within me, and felt like if I didn't share it with someone - anyone! - my brain was going to explode in a million sparkly, glittery particles. Haha. I needed a space where I could disperse my GLEE unabashedly - and so the blog was launched. My readers are mostly women in their late teens-early 30s who are looking for some inspiration and positivity. They are girly, enthusiastic, intelligent go-getters. I call them "Deerlings". We chat about style, makeup, feminism - any issue pertaining to women.

I've heard of the importance of finding your 'niche' and catering to it. Well, I don't know what my niche is. I've been called a 'Personality Blogger' but am not sure what that means, either. I guess people read my blog because I write about weird subjects like whether women should take their husbands' names and my imaginary date with Karl Lagerfeld. Haha.

As far as sponsorship goes, I am a big supporter of independent, women-run businesses. I create advertisement opportunities for them and they support and promote me in return. At the moment, I am partners with ShanaLogic and Isabel's Rose - both make cute, unique accessories!

4. Along the same lines, you've developed a following with your erstwhile fashion line, Lime Crime. Take us through the history of Lime Crime -- why are you no longer doing your fashion line? Would you consider doing it again?

Lime Crime was, originally, a DIY line that saw the light in 2004. I made a name for myself reconstructing t-shirts and using bright patterns and colors. I had a great time running it for nearly 3 years. But I'm the kind of a person who needs to constantly be moving forward. DIY movement was on the decline and I myself grew out of it. I released a vintage-inspired collection of velvet-and-lace babydolls - very Betsey Johnson. The line did fairly well and was a huge hit at the fashion show in Brooklyn [Maskara fashion shows] with over a thousand people in attendance. It was around the same time that I got into makeup - which was a turning point in my career and my life.

5. You seemed to be doing multimedia before it was fashionable to do so -- Lime Crime, Sky Salt, the Maskara shows. Any plans to branch out like that in the future?

I like this question. You will not believe how often I'm asked 'If you had to pick between fashion, music and makeup, which would you chose?" All those things (and more!) are a part of me and interlace with each other seamlessly.

Multi-media and multi-functioning is what I'm best at. When I start a project, I like to be involved in every single aspect of it. Initial brainstorming stage, production, marketing, design. I do all my own websites (even if it means learning a new programming language from scratch!), design my own flyers and everything in between. Maskara was an example of how I bring all these things together: a fashion shows showcasing up-and-coming talent, best of indie bands NYC had to offer. We ran Maskara for a couple years and always had a blast! I've met many, many wonderful people through it (including you!) and can still feel the 'ripples' of the splash from 2 years ago. But, like all good things, it had to come to an end - organizing events is a lot of work, which is fine if it's your main job. With me, I felt it was siphoning my time away from other things, most importantly - music.

6. Tell us about your modeling career. How did that take off? What sort of exciting things will be happening in the future, in that arena?

I like to have several hussles going on simultaneously to keep me afloat financially; modeling is one of them. I started out at 17 when a local painter cast me to pose for him; I had no idea I could even be used for modeling at the time. I was quite dorky! In my early 20s, I began experimenting with self-portraits using a digital camera and a tripod. It took me a couple years to build up the confidence to pose in front of a real photographer. As of today, I have an extensive portfolio and have shot with remarkable photographers like Debbi Rotkowitz (shot with Mosh, Audrey Kitching, Raquel Reed).

I am always on the look-out for interesting projects. I just took part in a Pinup Pumpkin Carving event - it was a blast! My favorite type of modeling is editorial, followed by glamour and beauty. I like to tell a story with my body and always put a lot of thought into poses, facial expressions, makeup and wardrobe - which I usually do myself. The best work I've produced was with the photographers who are not tied down to a single vision (although having a vision is important!) and who welcome my creative input.

7. As you know, many of the NYC area bands have fallen victim to a series of circumstances -- time, the economy, decline in quality. Yet, you remain to stay not only relevant, but vibrant, fresh, and thriving. What would you say is the "secret to your success"?

My secret is insanity. And possibly stupidity as well - after so many failures, you'd think I'd learn. Nooo. I keep going, like a freakin' Energizer bunny. Part of the reason is because, I feel like if I don't keep doing *something*, the depression and my declining sense of self-worth will finally get a hold of me, haha. I need to be constantly reminding myself that I'm worth something as a human - and the process makes me happy.

8. I'm going to delve into something I've noticed that not many people have asked. As the daughter of immigrants, I've noticed that there is a different work ethic inherent in those trying to "make it" in a country that is not their own. Would you say that you, as an emigre to the United States, have a different work ethic or "need to succeed" that your native peers don't have? Why do you believe this is so, or not so?

Having come from a poorer background, you learn to appreciate the nicer things in life, once you have them. Some people get caught up in the whole prospect of wealth and financial success, but it's not me. At the same time, commercial success of my enterprises is highly important to me - not because of the money it brings but the satisfaction I derive from it. I am delighted with the whole idea of giving people something they want.

As far as my work ethic goes, I think I'm the same as everyone else (then again, I'm from New York and everyone here is an immigrant): I only have the discipline to carry out projects I'm extremely passionate about. That's why I could never, ever, ever work at the office!

9. I know you eschew "definitions," but how would you best "define" yourself? In other words, if you, Doe Deere -- not your music -- were a CD, where would we be able to find you?

Believe it or not, I openly call myself a goth. Even though I hardly resemble Morticia Adams and my wardrobe is anything but monotone and black, deep down I'm fascinated by the macabre. I just don't let it define me. My favorite band is Type O Negative (Brooklyn! Represent!), closely followed by Madonna - who can be quite dark too, by the way. With me, it's all about innovation, motivation and a sense of humor.

If I were a CD, you would probably find me in the discount bin somewhere between the Gothic and the Japanese Fascination isles.

10. You take a very strong stand in favor of downloading your music, even if for free, which is vastly different from the stance taken by many of your peers. Why is that?
Not sure about my peers, but definitely different from the major record companies at the moment. I happen to love my fans and don't believe they're out to rip me off. So I offer my digital album for free to those who ask. Those who could afford the CD already bought it - withholding it from the rest is simply ridiculous!

Today, more than ever, it is important to develop a solid, trusting relationship with your fanbase. Kids who are too young or too broke to buy my record today will buy my next one, in a couple of years. It's my job as an artist to keep them interested in the meanwhile!

11. Approximately every week, you provide a new makeup tutorial for your loyal readership (and for tomboys like me who never really learned how to do her makeup properly!). Which, would you say, is your favorite? Take us through it -- how can we achieve this look?

My most favorite is the 'rainbow' look I just posted. It's colorful, iridescent and looks like you're wearing butterfly wings on your eyes! The key is to use eye shadow that blends well, colors that complement each other, and the technique itself called 'blending'.

I recommend starting with the lightest color (like Circus Girl yellow) and working your way to the darkest one (Empress purple). Blend the border of each color into the neighboring one with a round brush. The result is a beautiful, shimmery rainbow!

12. When, and where, did your fascination with makeup begin? How has it evolved over the years?

I was a tomboy in high school. My first experience with makeup was when a friend, who happened to be a professional makeup artist, offered to do my makeup for prom. With a touch of a brush, she turned me from a browless, lashless dork into sultry red-haired vixen! On the way to the prom (I walked), I got quite a few stares and whistles - it was weird. Classmates didn't recognize me at first. For the first time, I felt... attractive.

The experience changed me forever; I began wearing mascara and lipstick every day. The next twist in my makeup career was in my 20s. I was going to a fancy party where I knew there would be a lot of gorgeous women, and I wanted to look foxy. So I bought some cheap makeup from the drugstore and spent 40 minutes smudging it on my face. The result was horrible; but I didn't know what I did wrong or how to fix it- that night, I ended up going out in just mascara and lipstick again. But, I promised to myself to not give up and practice until I got better.

I met Amy (aka Shrinkle) in 2003 on eBay. Amy wore vintage babydolls with 'hooker'-blue eye shadow - and looked amazing in it! Meeting her made me realize that makeup can be used for more than just hiding imperfections and enhancing your natural features - it was a tool of transformation! Amy and I both got into Kryolan (a makeup line that carries a lot of bright colors). Eventually, she went on to become their official distributor, and I branched out into makeup artistry.

My first makeup tutorial launched in 2005. I still remember: me wearing red eyeshadow with black shading - very goth. The tutorial was a big hit and attracted a lot of attention. A few months later, fanmail started pouring in - people drawing pictures of my makeup; girls doing their own versions of my looks; and a whole bag of requests for more, more, more tutorials! It was all entirely unexpected - still, it was just a hobby and I had no idea how to convert it into a career.

13. Is there anything exciting developing on the "makeup" front? Can we expect a book, a magazine article, something more?

The ironic thing is that though I became known for bright makeup, I'd always had trouble finding vivid eye shadows. I've gone through several brands - MAC, Make Up Forever, Kryolan, Ben Nye - all known for making brighter shades - but it still wasn't bright enough for me! I'm like Will Ferrel, I NEED MORE COWBELL!!! Haha. I couldn't believe it when I'd spend $15-20 on eyeshadow that looked bright in the pot and nothing like that on the eyes. I later discovered this is due to the fillers makeup companies mix with the pigment, to bring down the cost. They also think it makes eye makeup more 'marketable' - who wants to look like a clown?! Well, apparently me and a few other girls did... So it all started with a desire for bright, affordable eyeshadow...

Less than 24 hours ago I launched my highly-anticipated cosmetic line, Lime Crime Makeup. I was 'hiding' the website from the public for the past 2 months - and yet, somehow, 4,000 curious minds found it, haha. When I finally announced it yesterday, my hits counter exploded from 4,000 to 20,000 in less than 5 hours!

This line is truly my baby. I oversee every part of the production - from the colors I carry to the smallest packaging detail. So to have all this support means a lot to me. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to offer something that people really, really want. That, to me, is the fulfillment of my dream.

14. What would you say is the biggest -- forgive me -- CRIME that girls commit when doing their makeup? How can they avoid it?

I think overplucked and overshaved eyebrows are both a pretty common offense. Eyebrows are responsible for expressing emotions on our face, so a poorly drawn brow can make one look angry or surprised for no reason. This effect is commonly used in clowns - sad clown, happy clown.

Another faux-pas is poorly applied makeup - but this often has nothing to do with the person. Low-quality eyeshadow and brushes can create an unsightly mess, no matter how good you are.

15. Finally, what would you say to a young girl who looks up to you who wants to break into fashion, music, or beauty? What sort of advice would you give her?
If you love it, do it! If you don't absolutely, utterly, can't-live-without-it love it, don't do it. Practice on everyone you know. Don't waste your time with getting a degree in fashion, music or cosmetology - it doesn't mean a thing in either of those fields. Let your skill propel you instead. Get involved with as many events as you can and meet new people. If there aren't any events in your area, organize one yourself!

Last but not least, be super-friendly and nice - people love that! :)