As Captain of No Pants Society, the impossibly vibrant writer and photographer Paddy Jane also curates burlesque shows, organizes no pants dances, and hosts Toronto’s No Pants Subway Ride. If your life is in need of a dose of excitement, look no further than this Toronto super-gal to lead the way…
Tell us a bit about yourself. What should people know?
I’m Captain of the No Pants Society, a conversation opening up opinions about what we do in our pants and out of them. Pants are more of mindset than a fashion choice, so we don’t care if you wear pants as long as you don’t care if the person next to you isn’t. We throw burlesque shows and no pants dances, host Toronto’s No Pants Subway Ride, shoot boudoir and pinup photos, and host an online magazine where we talk to musicians and culture makers about good love and good music. We break people out of pants prison – one party, photoshoot and interview at a time.
I’m also shooting the FiftyTwoPinups project this year; a pinup a week ’til the end of the year. FiftyTwoPinups aims to take the word pinup back to it’s roots – a photo or illustration worthy of pinning up on your wall – shooting everything from turn of the century pinups to experimental street pinups. Half of sexy is mystery, and living in a culture where subtlety is rare and everything is explicit I love capturing someone burning up the lens with just the slant of their gaze, the flash of their leg, or curve of their back.
What have been some of the most amazing things you’ve had the chance to shoot as a photographer?
The incredible people I met on the street in Cuba and Saul Williams chilling on a grand piano are a close second, but the most amazing thing is when I’m doing a photo shoot with someone whose not totally comfortable or used to being in front of the camera. They start the day with nerves and uncertainty and by the end they’re laughing and rocking their gorgeousity. They’ve become comfortable in their own skin and their beauty pours from the inside out into the photograph. I live for that moment. Photography has the power to transform how we see ourselves and if my camera and sense of humour can help someone realize their inner awesome and express that in a photograph, that’s all that matters. I believe the camera sees everything and it’s my job to pull someone’s spirit to the surface and capture it.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Sunny days. Lake swimming. Friends who make me laugh my ass off.
Finish this sentence: I love Toronto because…
…of the food. Toronto has one of the most diverse food selections in the world, and it’s so beautifully executed at places like Lisa Marie and Woodlot. I also love Toronto for the fun, open-minded people I meet on my adventures, free live music almost every night of the week, and summer festivals. There is always something to do in the city, even on mundane Mondays.
What’s currently in your beauty bag?
Coconut oil. It’s heaven on earth for lips, skin and hair.
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. I’m dangerously addicted to red-stained lips.
MAC Iridescent Powder for fancy nights. It’s the trick to cheeks that pop on stage and in photographs.
And on your iPod?
Electro swing everything at the moment – best way to shake your ass out of bed with a smile.
How do we stay up-to-date with you?
FiftyTwoPinups.com for a weekly dose of pinup eye candy and NoPantsSociety.com for our next party, contest giveaways and all things No Pants. Also: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.