Hey Micki!

Downtown Dolls are always on the lookout for badass chicks who will be loyal and fun members of the gang. I took some time to talk to our newest member, Gisela, aka Micki Dagger to get the lowdown on who she is, what she does, and what makes her a rad new addition to the gang.

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

*from the Southwest, the land of rattlers, cacti and shapeshifters. Lived in NY for 6 years. living in williamsburg

How did you get involved with the Downtown Dolls?

*heard about the Dolls through Mess Demeanor and loved the idea as I have tried to start girl clubs myself over the years.

What's your favorite thing about being part of a girl gang?

*fave thing about the girl gang is the cameraderie, my weapon, shared interest in style and the recently started break-off nacho club

(oh yea I bet you didn't know us girls can eat--- and nachos are our favorite indulgence!)

What is your name/weapon- how did you come up with it?

*Micki Dagger/ obviously a dagger is the weapon, but I shoot them from my eyes. Joan Threat gave me the name.

What's you favorite thing about New York?

*fave thing about NY: constant surprises, street style- since I work as a wardrobe stylist.

What makes a great gang member?

*a great gang member has Loyalty and an intimidating vest or hair

What's something about yourself that most people don't know about you?

*most people don't know that I love sassy rom-coms featuring Vivica A Fox, and I really don't like taking showers. I just like to be grimy...

(grimy sounds pretty badass to me)

Check out Mickie everyday on her blog ...www.poppsiecoq.blogspot.com (same name on tumblr) to see what this girl gets into on the streets of BK.

xoxo

Stevie 

A Lil DudeTime

Meet the mascot (and the only boy) of the DownTown Dolls.  
        Sebastien                    Slash


     I recently sat down with this mystery dude to find out his likes, dislikes and what he's most passionate about.  Well, we really didn't sit down...


     It was a beautiful Tuesday morning.  The sun was out, clear blue sky and the weather was perfect.  (or maybe it was a Wednesday)


     We were walking the streets of Brooklyn, where Sebastien calls home.  He's eating an organic granola bar, brushing the long hair away from his face.  He looks at me from behind his black sunglasses and I begin with the questions.



S.F. "You celebrated a birthday recently, what was the most memorable part of the day?"

S.S. "When the balloons got stuck behind the fan."

S.F. "What do you like to do in your spare time?"

S.S. "Well...go to the park, play with my toys and my games."

S.F. "What's your favorite game at the moment and why?"

S.S. "Lego Jones (Lego Indiana Jones for Wii).  I get to use a sword, whip and a gun.  Fight bad guys and fly a plane.

      
    
      Recently, Sebastien was introduced to the music of Radiohead.  He's was told that they were aliens and the music came from space.  This inspired him to try and create some of his own space music on his keyboard.

S.F. "Who's your favorite band of all time?"

S.S. "What?"

S.F. "Favorite music, what do you like to listen to?"

S.S. "Oh. Um...Where the Wild Things Are (soundtrack)."

S.F. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

S.S. "A fire fighter guy."

S.F. " Wow, that's a step up from last months, "nothing"."

S.F. "What's your absolute favorite food?"

S.S. "Hmmm....chicken nuggets and calamari."

S.F. "What about chicken fingers?"

S.S. "Eeeew!  Gross!

S.F. "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?"

S.S. "My home."

S.F. "Very deep.  And one more question if you don't mind.  What do you love most of all?"

S.S.  pauses...taps his finger on his chin.  turns to me and points "You!"

                                  What a doll! I mean, DUDE.          

Third times a charm
SCarlet FeVer

Lights, Lungs, and The Family Jewels

I admittedly have somewhat of an obsessive personality. I find something that I like, and I like it hard. Typically I covet items that I know I just shouldn't spend the money on, [like Makeup Forever concealer that's too expensive to justify], hair color [hence the reason I'm having SCarlet FeVer work her magic this weekend] and/or music & movies. Lately I've been obsessed with a few incredible female artists, interestingly all from across the pond.

Marina and the Diamonds

Marina Diamandis is Marina and the Diamonds: a gorgeous 25 year-old Welch babe putting out some not-so-mainstream pop music. "Obsessions", in my opinion, has much to do with what it's like to have OCD, or just anxiety about something in general. As someone who feels anxious quite often, this was relatable to me. Her sense of style is unlike others, often donning some or all of a cheerleading outfit, bright and girly pinks and Mickey Mouse themed get-ups. Her music videos pull me in and force me to watch, the "Oh No" video showcases Marina's youthful spirit and is peppered with an old comic book flavor. The "Obsessions" video is her piecing together metal bars into shapes, but you have to wait till the end to find out what she created [hint: it has very little to do with the song].

Favorite lyrics:

Don't want cash, don't want car
Want it fast, want it hard
Don't need money, don't need fame
I just want to make a change

Oh No - The Family Jewels

Florence + the Machine

Florence Welch has a haunting voice... she just exudes a mystical quality that makes me believe she's not 100% human. Her songs are so powerful that the first time I listened to "Dog Days Are Over" [no it was not during the Eat, Pray, Love preview] I sat on my bed and got a little misty-eyed. Then, I proceeded to listen to the song on repeat for the next half hour, freestyle contemporary danced around my room as if I'd just discovered life. It was a powerful moment. Every song on her debut album Lungs is a winner. This is a must own. Buy it now if you don't already own... or if you know me, ask politely and you can copy my CD.

Favorite lyrics: 

I took the stars from my eyes,
And then I made a map,
I knew that some how,
I could find my way back,

Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too,
So I stayed in the darkness with you

Cosmic Love - Lungs

Ellie Goulding

This blonde babetron resides in the UK and has a lovely sound, singing with a girl-voice in likes of CocoRosie. Her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" provides a more delicate rendition of a classic love song. All of her original songs like "Starry Eyed", "Under the Sheets" and my [current] favorite "Wish I Stayed" are very enjoyable and a nice alternative to the fluff featured on the radio. 

Favorite Lyrics:

I don't own my clothes but I own my mind

And it's not what you've lost

But it's what you find

Wish I Stayed - Lights

These artists are what's hot in my book right now. Although, judging by my taste, any female singer with an accent and some gold glitter is what I like...

Enjoy!

<3

Kill E. Ka-POW-ski 

P.S. ALMOST forgot to mention... seeing Marina and Florence next week and I've already seen Ellie 2x. BOOM!

(doll)HOUSE GUEST

In case you haven't heard, the Downtown Dolls are expanding! We're always into the idea of worldwide denomination, but we have to start small..meaning branching out chapter by chapter across the country; then who knows--across some oceans? Over some mountains?

But first we'll start with the idea of a Bloomington, IN chapter.

The B-TOWN DOLLS

And who better to head that up than

Joan Threat's psuedo real-life lil' sister?

(So we're not real sisters but I've known this girl since she was a wee lil' baby...so who better than the DTD's President's almost real sista to head up the next chapter of the dolls?)

I'd like all of you to meet our first gang guest--and she'll be with us for most of the summer!

Everyone, sit down, crack open a beer, and get to know

AXL SEWS!

She was kind enough to answer a few questions I had for her, and I hope you'll all welcome her into our rascal-y circle because well, she's awesome!

And here we go...

Joan Threat: How long will you be in NYC this summer; and what brought you here?

Axl Sews: I’ll be in NYC for two months, and an internship brought me to the city! I’m really excited to actually experience living in a big city, as opposed to just visiting!

*****

JT: What made you want to be a part of the Downtown Dolls, or a guest member for the summer? Are you excited to hang w/the dolls? We're excited!

AS: I wanted to be a part of the Downtown Dolls because it seemed like such a great idea. A girl gang filled with your best friends? Can’t get much better than that! I’m so excited to hang with you guys this summer – I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into.

*****

JT: How did you come up with such a bad ass clever name like Axl Sews? I'm overly impressed and slightly jealous I didn't come up with it myself.

AS: Well, I love Axl Rose, and I LOVE LOVE sewing, and the idea for the name just popped into my head one day! I’m actually impressed with myself for coming up with that one!

*****

JT: Once I sit down and write out all the gang guidelines, do you see yourself wanting to head up your own DTD chapter in Btown?

(if so, I'll email you the rules once I got it ready)

AS: Oh for sure..actually, my current roommate and I already made our vests to say “Btown Dolls” and I KNOW my three future roommates and a few other friends will love the idea of being in a girl gang!

*****

JT: All the DTD members have a signature weapon (Snowflake has a 6-pointed throwing star, Stevie Kicks has spurs, I've got a metal chain belt w/a whip used to gank people's ankles and bring them to their knees), sometimes we carry them, sometimes we don't--any ideas what you'd have as you weapon...a handful of sewing needles to gash out eyes perhaps??

AS: A handful of sewing needles sounds great..and maybe my seam ripper too..that thing is killer – I’m always gashing my hand on it!

*****

JT: The dolls have a thing for booze...what's you poison?

Do you like nachos? Some of the dolls are creating a side project: NACHO CLUB--we're on the hunt for the city's best nachos...interested?

AS: Oh I’m for sure interested in a Nacho Club..I’m always making nachos at home!! And my poison is Tequila. I love margaritas, but tequila shots are my specialty.

*****

JT: The dolls have lots of events and extra-curriculars lined up for anyone that's interested. In particular we find ourselves seeing lots of bands/live music whenever possible--especially during the summertime cause there's lots of free shows around the city. What's your fave genre of music? Fave band(s)? Anyone in particular you'd like to try to see in NYC while you're here? Or are you down for just about any type of show?

AS: My favorite genre would definitely have to be Rock N Roll, followed closely by Country. I also love Blues and Rap. My all-time favorite band is The Rolling Stones and I’m also a huge fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan. My current favorites are Mac Miller, Lupe Fiasco, and whatever country artist happens to be playing on my online radio. I’m really down for any type of show, I love music in general, and I definitely love free!

*****

JT: Outside of whatever fun DTD finds themselves in, what are some of your personal "TO-DO/MUST-SEE" things on your list while in NYC?

(I'd like to suggest you get your butt to the Metropolitan Museum of Art before end of July to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit--hands down best costume exhibit I've ever seen!!!!!!!!)

AS: Well I’ll definitely want to see as many art museums as possible, and I’d also love to go to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty again! And as lame as it may sound, I’d love to go visit the libraries around the city!

So there you go...

it's apparent Axl Sews is a badass vixen with a tricked out vest and a rock n roll attitude to back it up.

She might be found sightseeing, at the library, or taking in a free outdoor concert, but don't cross her path cause she'll have her seam ripper ready to gash out eyes and she'll knock you dead with a stare like sewing needles thru the heart!

Keep your eyes peeled, you might see the dolls and Axl Sews at a bar near you, shootin' tequila and being our feisty selves.

Consider yourselves warned.

(We welcome guests with open arms and take them under our wings, but don't think we're a bunch of mushy hearted softies over here!)

Dressing Up

It's no secret that the Dolls love clothes considering that this is how a lot of us met.  It's true that our gang uniform is pretty straightforward because nothing says "tough grrrl" better than a denim vest.

Photo courtesy of bkbooth

But fortunately for me, the ladies don't mind going beyond their sartorial comfort zone from time to time to do a Dusty Rose Vintage photo shoot. They put things on that they'd never even consider wearing in public, but it takes a confident gal to pull off such feminine looks without compromising her ferocity. 

 

These ladies may look like cupcakes, but they are always ready to do some damage if necessary.  Don't be fooled by those charming smiles. 

SCARlet Fever and Snowflake gearing up for the summer in Bermuda shorts and straw hats. 

Kill E Kepowski, Stevie Kicks and Joan Threat rocking the 50s school girl look.  You know they were dating the greasers and then they decided that they were more bad ass than their pretty boy boyfriends and decided to start their own gang.  Hos before bros!

Joan Threat maxed out and Kill E Kepowski mini'd up. Legs that long are dangerous and should be considered weapons in and of themselves. 

Kill E Kepowski, Snowflake and Joan Threat go Americana. 

Joan Threat and Kill E Kepowksi are their own kind of Simply Irresistible.  Meow!

Stevie Kicks, Kill E Kepowski and Snowflake look pretty convincing as good girls.  But don't get on their bad side or things could get ugly.  

The Dolls could teach lessons on how to to kick ass in a skirt.  Being girly will never get in our way of taking care of business if necessary.  

Thanks for continuing to rock my world, Dolls.

Love and punches,

Mess Demeanor