Carrie Cannie
There is an undeniable authenticity to Carrie Cannie—an authenticity shaped not by surface aesthetics alone, but by lived experience, emotional resilience, and a fearless embrace of identity. With over a decade in front of the camera, Carrie has cultivated a visual language deeply rooted in the dark, the macabre, and the unapologetically unconventional. Her presence does not simply inhabit the frame—it transforms it. Drawing from a lifelong connection to horror, goth, grunge, and alternative culture, she embodies a rare kind of honesty that transcends performance and becomes something far more visceral.
What makes Carrie’s work so compelling is her ability to channel vulnerability into strength, turning personal history into artistic power. Her interpretation of dark fashion is not costume—it is truth. In this editorial, she steps into a narrative that reclaims and reshapes traditional archetypes, infusing them with raw emotion, rebellion, and autonomy. Through her collaboration with visionary creatives, Carrie brings forth an energy that is both haunting and empowering, inviting viewers into a space where darkness is not feared, but embraced as a source of transformation, identity, and beauty.
1. Dark aesthetics are central to this collaboration. What does the dark and macabre represent to you on a personal or artistic level?
The dark and macabre personally, to me, represent the outcasts—those who stand out and aren’t afraid to speak up. I developed this mindset through hardships and trauma growing up, like many others, and I’ve chosen to embrace my past and turn it into something meaningful. Dark does not mean bad. Artistically, it’s everything. It’s horror, suspense, mystique, and ethereal energy. It’s deeply inspiring and allows emotions to exist without restriction.
2. This project brings together creators drawn to goth, grunge, and eccentric high-fashion influences. How do these worlds intersect in your own visual identity as a model?
My visual identity as a model is honestly fully goth, grunge, and dark fashion. I’ve been modeling for 10 years and started acting in haunted houses 6 years ago. That experience naturally led my modeling further into macabre and goth aesthetics because it always felt authentic to who I am. I grew up surrounded by horror films and grunge, metal, and rock music, and those influences continue to shape my creative identity today.
3. How do you transform emotion into presence when working in darker, more atmospheric editorials?
For me, transforming emotion into presence is about letting go completely and embracing the rawest version of myself. Darker editorials allow space for honesty. The more raw and real the emotion is, the more powerful the image becomes. It creates that mystifying, emotional energy that allows viewers to truly feel something.
4. Do you approach posing differently for dark fashion compared to more traditional beauty or commercial shoots? If so, how?
Yes, absolutely. Dark fashion allows me to pose more emotionally. I don’t just pose physically—I feel with my body. It becomes a full emotional release rather than simply creating visually pleasing shapes. It’s very therapeutic and allows deeper storytelling through movement and expression.
5. Fashion can tell powerful stories. What narrative did you feel you were embodying during this shoot?
During this shoot, I wanted to portray the traditional housewife—but through a goth and grunge lens. Historically, women were expected to remain in the home, to serve and conform. Through this editorial, we transformed that image into something powerful, confident, and reclaiming control. It was about taking that symbol and reshaping it into one of autonomy and strength.
6. Which elements—styling, makeup, lighting, or mood—help you connect most deeply to dark or macabre imagery?
80s and 90s grunge and goth makeup always helps me connect deeply to dark imagery. Candlelit or darker red lighting enhances the atmosphere and emotion. Most importantly, allowing myself to connect fully with my raw, authentic emotions creates the strongest connection to the concept.
7. Goth and grunge aesthetics often challenge conventional beauty standards. How do you personally define beauty within this darker creative space?
Beauty, to me, is authenticity. It’s embracing what makes you different rather than hiding it. In darker creative spaces, beauty exists in emotion, honesty, and individuality. It’s about expressing truth rather than fitting into expectations.
8. Collaboration is essential in projects like this. How does working closely with photographers, stylists, and other creatives shape your final performance?
Working with Dan Seagull and ROTN Reviews played a huge role in shaping my performance. Dan is a lighting genius—I call him the magic camera man. Grim and Matt from ROTN Reviews create an environment where I feel safe, comfortable, and supported, which allows me to fully access that raw emotional state. That trust is essential in creating honest, powerful imagery.
9. Was there a particular moment during this shoot where you felt especially connected to the concept or energy of the project?
The moment I felt most connected was when I was setting the table like a traditional 60s or 70s housewife—but in a darker, macabre way. Reimagining that role and transforming it into something confident and empowering made me feel deeply connected to the concept.
10. What do you hope viewers feel or take away when they engage with this editorial?
I hope viewers feel the rawness and honesty of it. I pour parts of my soul into every project I’m part of. There are no facades—just truth, emotion, and embracing the macabre. I hope people see the beauty in darkness and feel empowered to embrace their own authenticity.
Carrie Cannie’s work reminds us that darkness is not the absence of light, but the presence of depth. Her ability to translate emotion into physical expression creates imagery that resonates far beyond the visual—it lingers, unsettles, and inspires. By embracing the macabre as a symbol of resilience, individuality, and reclamation, she challenges conventional narratives of beauty and replaces them with something far more honest and profound.
This editorial stands as a testament to her fearless creative spirit and unwavering authenticity. Carrie does not simply portray a concept—she becomes it, dissolving the boundary between subject and story. In doing so, she invites viewers to confront their own perceptions of darkness and recognize the strength that exists within it. Through her artistry, Carrie affirms that beauty is not defined by conformity, but by the courage to exist unapologetically in one’s truth.
Model: Carrie Cannie @carrie_cannie
Photographer: Dan Seigel @danseagullphoto
https://danseagullphoto.mypixieset.com/
Makeup Artist: ROTN REVIEWS @rotnreviews
