Fancy Pants - Adira Amram

When we decided to start a new style feature which will profile performers with distinctive looks, Adira Amram was the obvious first choice for an interview. Adira’s sequins, spandex and glitter make her act unforgettable, and give a visual look to her sparkly R&B- and dance-inspired music. We wanted to find out how she does it - and she wanted to tell us.

Ok, How would you define your costume style?
Ghetto Fabulous mixed with Jazz Dancer and Circus Star. I find pieces randomly and then usually put them together. So I mix and match a lot of the time. I look for things that I would want to see someone wear on stage.

So, how much does that differ from your regular everyday style?
My everyday style is much more low key. I’m usually in jeans most of the time. But that’s just because I like to be practical. I can imagine shlepping my keyboard up and down the subway stairs in one of my outfits. If I could just take cabs everywhere I’d probably dress more fabulous but something about walking home late at night in Bushwick dragging a keyboard makes me want to just make it as easy as possible, especially in the snow. That’s where it gets a little hilarious. Post show with some glitter on my face fighting snowbanks. I’d sink in heels!

A lot of performers - especially comedians - don’t worry too much about costumes unless they’re creating a character. How did you decide to start using costumes in your act?
I first just started wearing these fifties style dresses, just to look nice and then I just started experimenting and trying crazier and more fun costumes. And found that I really enjoyed that aspect of performance as well.

How important are your costumes to your act?
Firstly, it’s something that helps me get in the mood to perform. It gives me a chance to prepare and have something else to focus on so I can relax but also get excited about performing. It really is a part of who I am, I love making costumes, my friend Amy Chapman and I in college would spend hours dressing up. And I think because I write my songs, it’s kind of like the visualization of my songs for me. It’s just part of the whole thing. I also love to see performers in costumes, there is something about the spectacle that makes it larger than life. It’s like when people go on late night talk shows in incredible designer gowns just to talk about a movie, it’s to help create an image of beauty. I just like to add a little of the absurd to that.

Cool - So, what specifically do you look for in a costume piece?
I buy most of my stuff second hand so when I go to a thrift store I usually look for something shiny, with sequins, usually these items are near the lingerie, which is hilarious to see all the 80’s style sexgear that Moms rocked for their husbands. I love leotards so if they aren’t too gross I’ll usually scoop them up. I am also obsessed with shoes from the 80’s, Pumps as they are called. I have about 20 pairs that are AMAZING! That’s where I usually go to first. I don’t have much luck buying anything in the city that is ready made because it’s too expensive. I take lots of trips outside the city to small towns and hit up the Goodwill or Salvation Army. But the fabric stores in nyc are amazing. Especially the kind of rundown ones in Chinatown because they have remnant fabric for really cheap, and with a little hot glue you can make yourself something very fun without having to sew.

It’s the shoes.

You are crafty!
You’re crafty…you knit! I just get my glue on! I’ve got the big one and the mini glue gun.

Wow - that’s a lot of glue. Have you bought any pieces that turned out to not be as useful as you thought? Is there a costume graveyard in the back of your closet?
YES!

What have you learned from the bad costumes - like, what will you NOT buy again? And what is in the costume graveyard?…
So I have two trunks filled with rejected things that I’m not ready to part with. Like a green velvet bra with fur trim. A blue sequin dress that Liza Minelli would look GREAT in. A gospel choir dress that says “Love Choir” on it. A maids uniform, a pink waitress uniform, a hospital gown, a den mother dress.(these i used to wear in college) Lots of shoes that I don’t wear or have worn once and found that they are too painful for even a 10 min set. Some matron-style sequin dresses. I realized that shape is more important sometimes than texture. It’s just those shiny sequins…they get me!

They are dazzling….
I’m like a squirrel. Maybe I should turn them into curtains!

Hot glue! What is your favorite piece?
I have a few, I have a dragon costume that is a child’s size that I figured a way to get into it that looks pretty hot(in my mind). My black and gold sequined baton twirlers outfit with fringe on the bottom. My black and white stripped leotard with pink tights and my white boots. They are flats so I can run around in them without aching afterwards. My gold high heels that have black fishnet over them. My American Flag bikini that my husband bought me at a porn store at Time Square as a suprise gift for me. He gave it to me and said, “I hope you like it.” “Like it” I said, “I love it”! That was almost as romantic as when we decided to get married while we were in Paris.

Ha! Aw.
I’m easy…just give me glitter and I’m in love

Ok, so overall, what makes a good costume?
The person wearing it. If you feel great in it, you can work whatever you have. If you feel sexy and fun you can make a Banana costume seem fab. Actually, I’d really like a banana costume if anyone out there has an extra one lying around the house. I would love to be in a band where everyone dressed up like fruit. We could be called “The Juices”. That’s lame…nevermind.

That would be awesome.
My big tip is also Velcro. That way you can make tear away stuff! Nothing like a tear away costume! It’s like a double cheeseburger!

What other performers do you think have good “look”s?
I think that Julie Klausner always looks amazing. Kristen Schaal - love those cute dresses. The Stickerbook ladies of course. I wish I could wear some of those outfits! The Wau Wau Sisters, Miss Saturn, Nasty Canasta. Oh and of course Seth Hertzog, I want his leotard!

Adira and her leotards can be seen all over the place this week:
Tonight at Stripped Stories - An Evening of True Sex Stories hosted by Margot Leitman and Guilia Rozzi
9pm at Mo Pitkins (34 Ave A bet 2nd & 3rd) $5

Friday Adira is hosting SexySexyBangBang - A Benefit for Planned Parenthood NYC and Haven, featuring tons of fancy, funny performers (including Nasty Canasta and Miss Saturn)
7pm at Galapagos Art Space (70 N. 6th Street in Williamsburg, bet Kent and Wythe) $10 *Includes A Raffle Ticket*

-ems