What is your name and what is your background?

My name is Eva D.Vine and I live in Brighton. I am a gay male. I have been with my partner now for just over 5 years now. He has, help me a lot with image. During the day I work as a hairdresser.

Are you happy to be called a tranny and what does in mean to you?

I don’t really like being labelled as such but society does label us. As Eva I am non-sexual I am not a boy or girl somewhere in between if there is such a place. If I have to be labelled then I would be a drag queen.

How old are you and how young can you remember thinking about or actually cross-dressing?

You should never ask a lady’s age (Laughing) I am 31. I have always been cross-dressing as far back as I can remember.

Where do you buy yours clothes?

It tends to vary there is a great shop I go to in London and I shop in Ibiza. Mostly I design my own outfits and have them made for me.

What leads you to choose the styles you wear?

Usually depends what mood I am in. What ever I wear it is always colour co-ordinated. I get ideas from all over the place then just put them all together.

Do you have one look or many images?

Over the years I have had many looks. I don’t like wearing the same thing too often I do have my favourites though. I like to mix and match images so it confuses people.

Is make-up and hair important to you and if so how do you achieve your look?

It is important because I am presenting a character, so I need to look good. It has taking me a long time to get it right. In the early days it did tend to be a bit hit or miss. When I see other cabaret artists I always looked at their make-up and get my ideas from them, and I have also had the chance to work with some of them so in the dressing room I watch them put theirs on. As a hairdresser I find it easy to style my wigs I have got blisters from all that back combing, HaHa.

To what degree do you practise hair removal, and other body feminisations?

I don’t completely remove all body hair just in the main places i.e. face, underarm and chest but this depends what I wear as some of my outfits don’t require me to shave - I am a lazy madam. When I do show my chest it is shaved and I use padding to give me my boobs, which I enhance with make-up. That is about as far as it goes.

Who knows that you dress?

Everyone I think as I have appeared on television and I have worked on the cabaret scene

How often do you dress and if you go out where to?

Lately I have not been doing it as much as I am trying instead to get my website going. When I do I go out it is in Brighton, local bars and clubs where most people know me. Fairly recently I was involved with the show La Cage at the Theatre Royal which was good fun and of course I am always at Pride every year.

How much of a sexual turn on is trannying for you?

I don’t find it a sexual turn on at all as my character is non-sexual but I do get a buzz out of it in other ways.

What is your definition of feminine?

I don’t really have a definition of feminine, I think there is a bit of it in everything if you look for it. Some of my outfits are feminine and some are quite butch and when put together it can be quite effective

To what degree do you feel gender dysphoric?

None. I like being a man who just happens to wear high heels, big hairdos and fabulous frocks Eva is a character.

To what degree would you consider permanent hair removal, hormones, and surgery?

I have never considered it. I have many friends who have done all that and I admire them all.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone that has just found they are not the only tranny in the world?

Get that frock on and get out there the more the merrier. We are such a diverse community we all need to help and support each other and enlighten others so there is more understanding.