Well,
(http://www.superelectricpartymachine.com/artists.html), the infamous NYC club promoter who was one of Michael Alig’s original Club Kids. We caught up with Portia to talk MIA, appearing in Princess Superstar's video and what she's got planned next.
The Debrief: You’re a model, vocalist, make-up artist… what would you describe yourself as first and foremost?
Portia Ferrari: I think that’s quite a hard question because I have interests in so many different things. I don’t really like concentrating on one thing at once. More than anything I’m just an artist. I think art comes through many forms so whatever mood I’m in, or whatever I’m drawn to, I’ll just go ahead with that.
DB: Did you teach yourself hair and make-up?
PF: I was always good at art in high school. Then I did an art course, which spanned over a lot of different types of art. Then I started making hairpieces for projects and applied to London College Of Fashion through hair and make-up. That’s one of the courses I thought I’d like to do, because I hadn’t done a lot at that time. I guess you could say 'self-taught', but if you’re arty you can turn it into anything.
DB: Can you tell us a little bit about Super Electric Party Machine?
PF: It’s where a lot of different people come together. Like, Lady Cartel, DJs like Attack Attack Attack and Larry Tee all come together and create a night where we can all party and have fun. And everyone works together on the music and there’s always a really good vibe. Brooke Candy comes over from LA as well.
DB: Can you tell me about the track itself?
PF: Well – me and Larry kind of met each other properly when he asked me to be part of the music video for Princess Superstar. Then he asked me to come for a meeting and he showed me some of the tracks that he had. And then it just went on from there really. It was it was a bit scary. But that’s why I did it – I thought it would be a challenge. I like doing things I'm scared of.
DB: Your modelling agency is called Anti-Agency. Can you explain a bit about what it is?
PF: It’s not your typical type of agency, they just take you on because they like your character and the way you dress, your attitude. You don’t really have to change yourself that much. It’s cool because you can be yourself instead of just being a blank canvas. You offer a bit more as a model, I think.
DB: Definitely. More campaigns want models with attitude now.
PF: Yeah exactly. It's cool all of a sudden!
DB: So you worked on the Versus MIA Versace campaign – how was that?
PF: That was – oh my God– it happened really fast actually. I got that job through a friend and it was really fun. It was really fun to be working with MIA and watch how she wanted her collaboration to come through. She was on the set working with us. I really liked the pictures as well.
DB: Was she nice?
PF: Yeah, she was really cool. She was very much a businesswoman and I really respected that. When you see someone in a real situation, it feels more raw and it's fun because you’re behind the scenes.
DB: Did you get to keep any of the clothes?
PF: Ummmmm no. I didn’t get to keep any of the clothes, but I think it’s just like that. But I’ve got quite a few things from Anti-Agency – it's been a pleasure to be with them.
DB: Have you got plans to do more music?
PF: Yeah definitely, I want to – because I want to do lots of different types of music. All weekend I’ve been listening to old-school soul artists. But it depends, obviously if I'm going out a lot I like dance and garage and RnB – I like all sorts, even a bit of drum n bass. So I’d like to start playing around with different sorts of music as well, and try and produce something different, but at the moment I'm just seeing how it goes.
Follow Portia on Twitter @PORTIAFERRARI
Bodytalk feat. Portia Ferrari and AttackAttackAttack from Super Electric Party Machine is out on June 2nd.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.