Adore Pin Up Magazine - Issue 8 May/June 2015

Teer Wayde Zelia Rose The Beehives Hatsie May Sarah Harley Viva Las Vegas 18 Miss Pinup NZ Maple Rose Belair The Label + More!

Issue 8 May / June 2015 ADORE PIN UP 1

Editor

On the cover

Welcome to Issue 8 of

Brianna Blackhart

Adore Pin Up! This issue

Subeditor

is bursting at the seams with our largest amount of

Alyssa Hanley

content yet. We decided to do a little 60’s theme

Designed by

with some of our features,

Brianna Blackhart, with design

to show off all the groovy

assistant Odette Bettany

things that happened after ’59. The 60’s portion

Featured writers

of the mag includes the

Kat Creasey, Alyssa Hanley

photography of Celeste Giuliano and Pinned

& Teer Wayde

Featured interviews The Beehives, Maple Rose, Sina King, Zelia Rose, Kenjai of The Far East Collective, The Miss VLV Pin-

Photography, the styling of Kat Creasey, the work of designer Belair

SINA KING

with us, we had no idea just how amazing it would turn out. Of course each of Sina’s shoots are of the highest quality, but this was the kind

Buttons of Retro Equality

hair stylist Bouffant Delacroix creative direction Cheeky Glamour

contact@adorepinup.com facebook.com/adorepinup @adorepinup

we asked Sina King if she wanted to be involved in a cover feature

wardrobe stylist Sherrie Miles lingerie stylist Shiori Pike

www.adorepinup.com

the Label, and an interview with go-go troupe The Beehives. When

photography Joel Devereux

Up contestants, Tosca & Cherry

Get in touch

Editor’s letter

vintage clothing & accessories from Vintage Garage, Collingwood

of set that I was teary with pride for days over. I hope it will blow you all away too! Sina, along with our subeditor Alyssa, this issue’s featured burlesque performer Zelia Rose, and Boylesque wonder Charlie D’Barkle, are travelling to Vegas in June to do Australia proud at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. If you would like to support

them in this huge venture, you can donate to the Burlesque Hopefuls jewel necklaces from Shag Melbourne of Oz Go Fund Me campaign, or grab tickets to the BHoZ fundraiser with thanks to Michelle, David, auction and burlesque show on the 24th of May at the Red Rattler in Simmo, Peter, Lisa, Michael, & Kitty Marrickville, Sydney. Til’ next time!

- Brianna Blackhart

© 2015 Adore Pin Up and the contributors. All rights reserved. Strictly no reproduction without prior permission by the editor. Proudly produced and printed in Australia.

For quirky and inspired fashion to personalise your style

www.vintagepip.com.au

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6 34 Contents 6 SARAH HARLEY 10 INTERVIEW WITH LUCY WATUSI FROM THE BEEHIVES 14 MOD DAY BLUES FT. HATSIE MAY & PINNED PHOTOGRAPHY 18 MY LITTLE 60’S OBSESSION 20 MISS V & EBONY INFERNO 22 BELAIR THE LABEL 26 MISS CANDY FLOSS 28 FLORAL FLIRT AND MAPLE

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MAGIC: BESPOKE DESIGNER PROFILE FT. MAPLE ROSE 34 COVER FEATURE WITH SINA KING

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46 SHE’S A DOLL, BABY: TEER WAYDE’S WINTER STYLING GUIDE 52 ROSE ON FIRE: INTERVIEW WITH MISS BURLESQUE AUSTRALIA WINNER ZEILA ROSE 56 INTERVIEW WITH KENJAI FROM THE FAR EAST COLLECTIVE 58 VIVA LAS VEGAS 18 FEATURE WITH PEARL DAVIES 64 MISS PINUP NEW ZEALAND FT. 2015 WINNER BETTIE RAGE 68 DOTTIE MAY 70 RETRO EQUALITY

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72 LORRAINE SERAFINI 73 SAMANTHA SAMSAN & AMY JASMINE BOYD 74 SAMMIE MARIE ADORE PIN UP 5

SARAH HARLEY photography Celeste Giuliano Photography, celestegiuliano.com muah Raina Clarke

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photography Chayla Taylor models Bunni Bop, Hazy Daisy, Miss Molly & Lucy Watusi muah Courtney Hudson Makeup Artistry stylist & concept Zoe O’Neil

“ Big-haired ladies with their retro hearts and dancing feet firmly planted in the 1960’s

”

The Beehives began as Perth’s premiere professional troupe of 60’s style go-go dancers, but have since taken over the nation and the world with their shimmying and shaking. They are currently based out of Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, South Korea and Texas, and have toured Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Spain.

The Beehives perform both freestyle go-go sets and choreographed routines, with anywhere from one to twelve performers, and have featured on stages at the likes of band launches, festivals, burlesque variety shows and fashion events. With a repertoire of moves including the twist, the monkey, the jerk, the watusi and the pony, and a head spinning amount of freestyle shimmying and shaking, these girls are sure to make you get up and dance. We caught up with group manager Lucy Watusi to chat all things 60’s.

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ADORE: How would you describe go-go dancing to someone who has never seen it before? What could we expect from one of your workshops?

LUCY: Exuberant! Go-go is incredibly high energy. It’s a combination of sass and fun, musicality and letting go. It’s pretty much just expressing utter joy at being able to dance to fabulous music. Go-go dancers should ideally look like they’re the person having the most fun in the room. They’ve got to entice others onto the dance floor and lead by example – they demonstrate how much fun letting go to the music is, and give an audience permission to do so. Go-go is very non-self conscious in that respect. There are some core moves that form the building blocks, but a lot of it is just rhythm and free movement.

ADORE: What have been your personal favourite performances with the group?

LUCY: This is such a difficult question as we’ve had some pretty unbelievable adventures. The first that springs to mind (although honestly, my memory of it is pretty hazy) was one particular night on tour in Japan, in November last year. We go-go danced in Kobe at a bar called The Bee’s Knees Rock n Roll Low Brow Arts Bar, with our friends in Australian band Rocket to Memphis, along with some amazing local Japanese bands including The Baitones and Head Rose. The venue was tiny, with the bar in a room downstairs, and then the ‘band room’ up a very steep flight of stairs. You would have reasonably expected to fit maybe 10 people at a pinch in each room. Now, I’m not sure how many we had in there, but there were 4 bands, the bar owner, his barman, boyfriends and girlfriends of band members, some punters, one completely crazy man who pulled out (what I hope was) a toy gun, and 8 go-go dancers!

The owner ended up letting us take over the bar, and everyone was climbing over each other watching the bands play. We were dancing wherever there was room. I climbed on top of the drum kit to go-go and eventually fell off. The bruises lasted a couple of weeks but the legend of that night is going to stay with us until we’re old, old ladies, boring our grandkids with stories of our youth.

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ADORE: What draws you to the 60’s period, and in what ways does it show up in your life outside of The Beehives?

LUCY: I think it starts with the music. We all adore 60’s and early 70’s music, and that has obviously led several of us to this point. The other obvious point is the fashion (who doesn’t love a mini skirt and giddying heights of hair?) The social revolution and youth sub culture that flowed from the era is definitely an inspiring element for some of us as well. In terms of how the 60’s have flowed over into the rest of our lives, well – Coco Poppin, Blooming Riot and I all DJ using 60’s vinyl records. Blooming Riot and her husband own a record store in Perth (Rhubarb Records).

Coco Poppin and I also run an events company that specialises in throwing 60’s era based shows (‘Retro Rocket Events’). We get to be immersed in modern incarnations of garage, pop and rock (and calypso, ska and rocksteady) music that have a background in 60’s sounds, thanks to some of the incredible bands we perform with on a regular basis. Other than that… we all seem to have a weakness for dating musicians?

ADORE: Tell us about the costumes! What kind of glorious get ups do you girls go-go in?

LUCY: It’s quite a mix. Our lovely Beehive Hazy Daisy makes a lot of our costumes, and sometimes we wear our vintage (though on rarer occasions, as they tend to get thrashed!) We have some tongue-incheek costumes for set routines, like our giant blonde beehive wigs and pink feathered negligees for our Fembot tribute, or our Airline hostess outfits for our ‘Mile High A Go Go’ routine. But we primarily dance in two-piece fringed costumes and go-go boots, fringed dresses, mod style colour block dresses, or occasionally cat suits!

ADORE: We are very impressed by the international reach of The Beehives. How did you turn the troupe from local to global? And where did it all start?

LUCY: The Beehives started in Perth in 2008 at Devilles Pad, a 60’s style supper club opened in Perth and included go-go cages in

the fit out. The first two go-go dancers there were actually Beehives Coco Poppin and Blooming Riot (though they weren’t known by those names then, and the in-house go-go dancers were known as ‘Les Sataniques’). I joined the ranks shortly after that. Most of us all knew what go-go was and had a soft spot for 60’s sounds long before that too. Several dancers came and went as Les Sataniques, but in mid 2011 I started to get asked by bands and event organisers if we could perform elsewhere. We were told by management that we could only do so under a different name and so at a gig, when put on the spot and asked who we were, I looked at Miss Molly’s epic hair and blurted out “The Beehives”. At the time Hazy Daisy, Miss Molly, Wild Honey and I were all pretty much living together and decided that was the perfect time to go out on our own and see what weird adventures came our way. The Beehives then acquired some former go-go dancers who had long since left Devilles (like Coco Poppin, Domino and eventually, Bunni Bop).

We don’t run The Beehives like a business. It was decided from the outset that we always wanted this to be fun. We love dancing, the music, performing and each other – and no drama or bad juju is ever going to overtake any of that. When we found out that some of our Beehives had to leave Perth, it was a given that they would still be Beehives. I’d been getting booking requests in other states for a while and so it made sense that the Beehives would go where our dancers went – Wild Honey moved to South Korea, and through her we met the Seoul Shindig crew who throw amazing live music events. Petra Dish moved to Melbourne, as did Perth expat Jane Doe. Miss Molly moved to Sydney. We had a chat with another Perth expat Tulula who was now based in Queensland. Finally during the Perth and Australian Burlesque Festivals we met Texan burlesque queen Coco Lectric, who runs the annual World Go Go Championships in Austin, Texas as part of the South by Southwest Festival. We met her, loved her, and invited her to come to Japan with us. We also have a couple of ‘honorary’ French Beehives that we met on tour in the UK and a few in Seoul.

In terms of international touring, we’ve been lucky in that we’ve been invited to a lot of places, and we’re all pretty keen for an

adventure. When we were invited to dance at the Back from The Grave Halloween festival in Tokyo, I threw the invite out to all of the girls, expecting maybe two or three to take up the offer. EIGHT dancers said yes, and that’s how we ended up roaming through Japan en-masse, catching cable cars, floating in hot springs, riding a pirate ship across Lake Ashi and storming the stage with Guitar Wolf (Japan) and The Swinging Neckbreakers (USA).

ADORE: What’s next for The Beehives? Are there any more countries on your global domination list? Where can our readers see you perform next?

LUCY: All of them! Well, actually, we’d like to revisit some of those we’ve already conquered. We love Japan. It is the most welcoming, intoxicating, hospitable place to perform and we’d like to take more Australian bands over too. It may become an annual pilgrimage! We’ve also got an invite to go back to North America to perform with some crews in San Francisco, LA, Vancouver and Toronto. There may be a sneaky gig in Berlin. We’re working on a music video with a band from Norway (that we met in England) and we’re doing some whacky and wonderful feature dancing in a new SBS comedy called Top Knot Detective (think kind of like a Japanese James Bond). We’ll also be onstage again amongst stellar line-ups for both the Australian Burlesque Festival and the Perth International Burlesque Festival in June and July respectively. We can be spotted all over town at street festivals and with bands, as well as private events and at some of the Retro Rocket Events and Feisty Entertainment regulars.

Find The Beehives online www.beehivesgogo.com www.facebook.com/TheBeehivesGoGoDancers @beehivesgogo Stay up to date with classes and workshops by joining the Facebook group ‘Gogo Class With The Beehives’

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MOD

DAY BLUES HATSIE MAY photography Pinned Photography muah Kat Creasey – My Little Rockabilly wardrobe Remember When Vintage & The Vintage Advantage location The Retro Bar

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With My Little Rockabilly’s Kat Creasey Models (left to right): Kristie Hedley, Hatsie May, Margaret Wilson & Miss Mickey

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I love

the vibrancy of 1960’s clothing, home wares and accessories. I really feel it’s a forgotten era when it comes to modern pin up girls, and I wish more people would dress in this styling. After Kelly Anderson from Pinned Photography and I discussed our love for the Mod look, we teamed up and found the perfect location in Brisbane to offer a themed pin up day, and it instantly booked out.

The shoot was set at The Retro Bar in Kenmore, Brisbane, which looks like the home of the Jetsons. It’s very spaceage, but with really mod styling and furniture. It was our dream location and Brisbane’s best kept secret.

The girls were styled in some of the finest 1960’s fashion available in Australia, supplied by top vintage sellers Christine Redenius from ‘Remember When Vintage’ and Grant Quinn from ‘The Vintage Advantage’. I got to experiment with makeup and hair,

and we found every girl suited the look.

With big doll-like twiggy eyes and top and bottom lashes, it was so refreshing to do different makeup for a change.

I collect 1960’s accessories and clothing, and the best thing about the style is that you can mix and match different eras and it still works. The clothing is very wearable in this day and age. The coats and dresses are perfect in cooler weather as a lot of the materials were synthetic, and with shift dresses and mini skirts you can wear opaque stockings and cute ballet flats. You will find the fashion of the 1960’s changes slightly in different countries, and if you seek interesting pieces for your wardrobe you will find a vast array of fashion from the UK, USA and Australia, especially on websites such as Etsy, and Facebook group ‘Ooh La La Vintage Buy Sell Swap’.

Enamel metal clip on earrings and brooches were very popular. If you can obtain some for your collection, they are

not only beautiful to work into your pin up styling, but are quite valuable! I pick them up from local op shops for a few dollars but have seen them in antique centres for $30- $90 depending on how unique they are.

The colour palette of the 1960’s was very broad – everything from bubblegum candy pinks and mint hues, to mustard yellow, red and cobalt blue.

And of course, the classic black and white shift dress. The era was very much about colour blocking. With makeup the main focus was to make the eyes seem bigger, with stark white and dramatic contrast black liner.

I hope that you all fall in love with the 1960’s as much as I have! Once you start collecting you will discover this entire different world, including music, fashion and home wares, and sub cultures around the world all dressing in 60’s vintage.

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MISS V & EBONY INFERNO photography Celeste Giuliano Photography www.celestegiuliano.com muah Raina Clarke

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This page: Amy wears the Chartreuse Mixer Cocktail Dress (made from genuine sixties fabric), $159.00 Next page: Kate wears the Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Dress (made from genuine sixties fabric), $159.00 ADORE PIN UP 22

AUSTRALIAN 60’S INSPIRED DESIGNER

Belair The Label

photography Jon lee Photography designer Belair The Label models Kate Greer and Amy Whitfield hmua JJ Watts location Maison Burlesque

“She’s

pretty as a

Belair’s new Autumn Winter 2015

daisy, but look

range “ATOMIC” features starbursts

out man she’s crazy!” Belair The

and bright tones, slimming high-

Label is here to make you move.

waisted cigarette pants and shift style

The Melbourne made label’s lead

jackets to swing the night away in.

collection “Grandma Was A GoGo

Showing a mixture of selected vintage

Dancer” perfectly encapsulates the

and new retro inspired fabric, Belair

spirit of Belair, with wild 60’s prints, wants to take you back to a time when perfect cuts and bold colours. It is

style mattered and garments lasted.

not for the faint hearted.

When people wore outfits, not clothes.

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This page: (Top) Kate wears the Alice Dress in pink, $109 and (below) Amy wears the Alice Dress in aqua.

Next page: Kate wears the Pink Panther Coat (POA).

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M ISS CANDY FLO SS photography Lauren Horwood

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Floral Flirt &

Maple Magic Bespoke Designer Profile featuring Maple Rose Alyssa Hanley with photos by Claudia Muller

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model Alyssa Kitt photography Lauren Horwood wardrobe Maple Rose, with accessories by Erstwilder

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“ This

is one of my favourites,” Maple exclaims,

together but still be different. I want everyone to be able

as she whips out one of her original

to find their style within the garden and flourish.”

1950’s prom dresses. “It doesn’t have a label attached to it, but it is couture made because of the hand stitching on

Miss Rose didn’t notice until after she had bought all the

the interior.” Soft lilac and blue nylon tulle, with dainty

beautiful fabrics, but the prints that made their way to her

ruffling. “It’s sad because it’s lost a bit of the story when

cutting table are surprisingly similar to her original vintage

it doesn’t have it’s original tag, but it’s still one of my

pieces. “This one (pulling out a pastel green and white

favourites. It’s exciting to show off my dresses.”

polka dot fabric) is very similar to my Gigi Young dress.”

Dress after stunning dress comes out, and they are like

She’s delicately pinning each pattern piece to its lining.

my 5-year-old idea of the perfect party girl frock. There

“I line everything (apart from pants because it makes it

is hand beading, matching reversible bolero jackets and

too heavy) because it makes it form fitting without having

stunning hand-stitched embellishment.

form fitting [undergarments] underneath. It also means that you can wear it without a bra. I like that feeling of

Today I’m in Maple Rose’s studio space watching her

being sucked in.”

beaver away (that’s my attempt at a Canadian pun). Piles of unusually kitsch fabrics are neatly folded at the corner

There’s no stretch fabric here. Everything Maple makes is

of the cutting table. Bright, happy and waiting to go on

true to vintage-era fabric quality. So why no stretch, you

someone’s body. “All of your fabrics are quite bright,” I

may ask? I’m constantly asking the same question – in

note aloud. “They are but they aren’t,” Maple answers.

the days where Black Milk tights seem to reign supreme,

“I like to have pretty fabrics. I wanted the line to be true

garments made in non-stretch seem to be a rarity. “I don’t

to its vintage past, but still be pretty. I wanted it to be

like stretch because I don’t like the idea that the garment

classic. No cherries, no skulls. Have it so it still inspired

doesn’t breathe. Poly means that your body doesn’t

people who don’t wear vintage. So this bustier could go

breathe and it makes you sweat and makes you stinky.

with jeans and a matching headscarf and it will still have

Cotton will stretch and fit and mold to your body. They

a very vintage style. Like a little vintage garden. When I

move to be perfect for you! Plus vintage wasn’t made in

buy fabrics I want them to all look good together, and go

stretch and I don’t want to depart from my roots.”

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She’s cutting out a one of a kind bustier top in white and

fashion prodigy child in a candy store, Maple says

red polka dot with a floral print, and the sound of the

working at Forever Vintage is a dream job. “You go in and

sharpened scissors makes a wonderous fwash-shing with

make every woman who comes though the door feel

each slice. “I make one in each design, in each size, with

feminine and sexy. It’s very expensive, but you can tell

a special feature to each number. A lot of people want

on their face how worth it every cent is. It turns out to

pieces made in a collection of fabrics that are unusual.

be a bit dangerous at times because I buy a lot of things.

This one will have a bullet bust.”

Sometimes I think they should just pay me in dresses.” (forevervintage.net.au, 412 Lyons Rd, Five Dock.)

“My line is obviously inspired by the 50’s. I just like pretty things. So I like the nostalgia of the 50’s but

Maple began making her own clothes when she was five

bringing it into the modern context. I like women to feel

or six and her mum enrolled her into sewing lessons.

and look like women. I feel like we’ve lost that a little bit.

“Mum knew I’d be short and I would have to take up my

When I buy a piece of clothing I like each piece to have a

own pants. The first thing I made was a flannel teddy-bear

history behind it. So when I make these things I try to put

nightgown with a lace yoke. It was very 80’s does 1910. I

my own personal story behind it. Having original patterns

was seven, and it was pretty hideous. I think my mum still

and true to form fabric. I started this because I was

has it which is kind of scary.”

wearing everything myself – I just went ahead and made my taste for other people. It might not be everyone but

After the nighty incident Maple seemingly put her sewing

it’s definitely my taste.”

machine away until she was 21 and started working in theatre doing costume design. “Once you learn how to

Maple is not only a bespoke designer but also an avid

read a pattern you never lose that ability. Drafting my

collector of vintage clothing. Her collection stems from

own patterns – I have a degree in architecture – makes

working in high-end vintage boutique Forever Vintage

you imagine what things could be. I’d rather alter

which specialises in mid-century couture, primarily 1950’s

patterns than draft my own.”

and 60’s designer (designers that don’t exist anymore but in their heyday were the ‘It’ designers of their day). “We

While it seems like a stretch to me, according to Maple

have two Christian Diors, but at the time most fashion

translating an architecture degree into fashion design is

came out of America.” Like an incredibly educated,

not a huge leap of the imagination. “Architecture is the

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basis of most design. Once you know how to draft you are

“I want to take Maple Rose into this new world of

still making something 2D turn into 3D. I use my degree

creativity. It’s more expensive and takes up a lot of time.

every day, learning to read lines and the whole design

This one is just on sample silk, but it’s Ecopeace silk and

element. I’m not sorry I did a degree in architecture

it’s loomed in India, but they wait for the moth to fly off

because I use it every day in my fashion line. It’s all very

from the cocoon. Most silk companies kill the larvae to

much like a puzzle and putting something together. That’s

take it to make their silk. They unravel its cocoon. So it’s

why I love custom fitting, because it’s a challenge and

vegan friendly silk – no animal has died in the process,

related to problem solving.”

which is pretty cool. Because there are a lot of vegans out there. I have a problem because I like to use natural

Maple’s made-to-measure style and closeness to each

fibers, even when it comes to shoes. So now I’m able to

garment she creates goes against the grain of mainstream

buy my natural products and can draw in the clientele

fashion, but she is cutting her own niche in the industry.

who have the same ethics as I do.”

“I have an issue with mainstream fashion and how things

“My perfect vision is for each of my clients, who are all

are priced and who they are made by. Our community

completely different. I try not to make it for vintagefiles

needs to go back to buying local – food, design and

– people who only wear vintage. I’ve sold things to

artists. These big fashion companies have women who

people who have never owned vintage. My ideal client

have been sewing one seam for 15 years – it’s not fair and

is someone who wants something original but wants to

not enjoyable. There’s no creative room for them. I only

feel feminine. I want to bring 50’s style into now. We’re

buy things where I know who has made them, with eco-

getting there but not fast enough.”

friendly fabric, like silk where I know where things have been loomed. We should be supporting local businesses.”

Maple is releasing the scarves before she makes a

She pulls out her silk satin scarf that she has designed

Etsy store will remain open and her pieces will stay stocked

from her own pattern. A beautiful poppy flower has been imposed onto the fabric. I’ve decided that I’m going to be doing the rest of the interview in her prototype silk scarf because it is so decadent. I’m hoping that if I wear it long enough she will forget that I have it on and I’ll get to keep it. The colours are so warm and joyous. Inspired by the watercolour prints of the 50’s, but somehow very modern. “I’m a little way off getting through this whole process. This is where my heart and soul is, but it’s very strenuous bringing it to fruition. It will be a lot more work because I’m also designing the fabric (digitally printed) as well as the layout and design.”

monumental move to Sweden in late 2015. Fear not – her in The Workshop Makery (105 Oxford St, Darlinghurst).

While Maple is off to Sweden, the country of Scandinavian minimalism and Ikea, I can’t see her adopting too much of their design vision. With her eye for nostalgic shapes and whimsical fabrics, it is more likely that this opportunity will allow her designs to be appreciated by a wider audience, and hopefully see her release a very warm European winter line.

Find Maple Rose online facebook.com/MapleRoseCostumiere etsy.com/au/shop/MapleRoseClothing ADORE PIN UP 33

with

photography Joel Devereux wardrobe stylist Sherrie Miles lingerie stylist Shiori Pike hair stylist Bouffant Delacroix creative direction Cheeky Glamour vintage clothing & accessories from Vintage Garage, Collingwood jewel necklaces from Shag Melbourne with special thanks to Michelle, David, Simmo, Peter, Lisa, Michael & Kitty

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Sina King is at the top of her game, and about to jet set across the globe to show the world what she’s made of. She is one of Australia’s most in-demand burlesque performers, and it is a struggle to summarise her long list of achievements in an introduction.

Previous winner of Miss Burlesque Australia and Best Australian Adult Industry Trailblazer, Sina’s unique brand of creative prowess has seen her perform on stages in New York, Stockholm, Berlin, and the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Vegas.

In 2015, Sina has been invited back to Vegas for one of the ten coveted spots in the competition for the ‘Reigning Queen of Burlesque’ Miss Exotic World title.

She will represent the Southern Hemisphere as the second Australian ever to be invited to compete, and will then be back to wow every city in the country as a headliner for the Australian Burlesque Festival.

ADORE: How does one prepare for something like the Burlesque Hall of Fame – the ‘Oscars of Burlesque’?

How will you decide which of your acts to perform?

SINA: The main thing to prepare is health. Making sure I’m in the best condition, as travelling and competition pressures can be really exhausting. An act should represent your own style, and have a polished presentation and performance.

ADORE: How does a showgirl even travel overseas with all those costumes – not to mention props?

SINA: Packing is one of a showgirl’s least favourite things to do. Travelling between multiple continents like Europe to USA means our luggage weight is often very restricted. We try to keep our acts travel-friendly with props that pack down, and use lightweight materials.

It usually means we have to sacrifice a multi-faceted wardrobe and limit our shopping as best we can... Ahem!

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ADORE: You’ve travelled to many cities nationally and internationally to perform. What have been your highlights and favourite sites? Do you have a dream list of spots to go to next?

June. I hope to meet all of the wonderful Adore Pin Up readers at the events.

ADORE: What got you into burlesque at the very beginning?

What were your start in performing and your first shows like?

SINA: As a lifelong Broadway musical fan, I loved performing in New York on

SINA: I was dancing in theatres and

42nd Street, Times Square. Las Vegas

competing in dance competitions from

and the annual ‘Burlesque Hall of Fame

childhood, and I always saw myself

Weekend’ are performance memories

performing for a living. It was an advert

a showgirl never forgets; the stage

for the ‘Miss Burlesque Australia’ (MBA)

is enormous, the line-up of stars is

competition that re-ignited my interest

legendary, and the audience is electric!

in the art form, as I had glimpses into the showgirl world through the Gypsy

I’m a nature lover, so touring New

Rose Lee film ‘Gypsy’ when I was much

Zealand was filled with picturesque

younger. My first official burlesque

adventures amongst rolling hills and

performance was for the national MBA

luscious green forests. I hope to get back

competition, and I was fortunate enough

there soon. Everything in Europe so far

to win the 2011 title. That’s how I

“I would love to

perform in every main city around the world, and I’m excited to finally tick every Australian city off the list for the Australian Burlesque Festival tour this June.

”

has been opulent and stunning, with gracious hospitality. The shows are often in historic theatres, which are decadent and largely lined with gold trimmings, red velvet, and very enthusiastic show-goers.

I have had many wonderful opportunities in Australia as well, including entertaining the team from Cirque Du Soleil, touring with Patron Tequila, and producing over 40 shows. I have magical memories from every city and I’m looking forward to visiting more on my upcoming tour of Stockholm, Rome, Milan, and Vienna! I’ll be blogging about it on Instagram, so please keep in touch via @misssinaking. I would love to perform in every main city around the world and I’m excited to finally tick every Australian city off the list for the Australian Burlesque Festival tour this

started. My early shows were a mix of storytelling, physical comedy, dance, parody, and a few magic tricks thrown in for good measure.

ADORE: Among the long list of things you do when you’re not performing, you are the ‘Very Creative Director’ of creative team Cheeky Glamour. What began Cheeky Glamour, and what kind of projects do you specialise in?

SINA: Cheeky Glamour is a self described ‘Creative Injection Agency’; we inject creative ideas into already existing businesses, normally focusing on marketing, branding and product development. It started with me; constantly giving advice to friends on their business ideas, helping them launch ideas, develop products, run events, polish their branding, and styling photo shoots. I love consulting and creating, and working with many different business types. Surprisingly many of our clients are themselves creatives, with a need for a better business plan.

ADORE: You’ve been modelling for some time now, but you originally modelled a lot of more mainstream looks, placing1st Runner Up at the Australian Swimwear Model of the Year 2011 national competition, and being voted the 12th best body in the country in 2011 by

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photography Joel Devereux

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Zoo Weekly, Australia’s leading men’s magazine. What inspired your move into pin up and vintage-

day, like we did for the photos in this

It can be used for makeup removal,

issue. We had so much fun at the airport;

moisturiser, hair treatment, lip gloss,

a location which was a first for all of us.

toothpaste (with bi-carb), mouthwash,

inspired modelling?

As Creative Director for all of my shoots,

and of course you can eat it, put it in

I direct the team to a certain point, but

smoothies, and cook with it. Yum!

SINA: Actually, the swimwear competition was my first step towards modelling, as I entered on a whim. The heat, grand final, and calendar photo shoot all happened within a fortnight. It was my first published photograph. A

“ As you‘ll tell from my

blog, I love interesting location shoots and minimal clothing. ‘Sexy Outside’ is a style term created with one of my Cheeky Glamour collaborators, photographer Peter Karate... they’re some of my favourites.

”

the rest happens impromptu with a mash-up of creativity and magic. I work with people who bring the right skill, passion, and energy. It’s the same basis for when I’m producing a show.

ADORE: You have a particular interest in lingerie modelling within the pin up and vintage fashion styles. What are your favourite pieces that you’ve modelled and that you own?

SINA: I recently found a LaPerla onepiece swimsuit in a vintage shop in Paris. It’s quite spectacular - I’ll have to shoot it and show you all. I really like the high-cut brief made popular in the 80’s and have worn this style for as long as I can remember; it’s earned me the #queenofthehighcut title from a Sydney blogger; a title I’m delighted to have.

few weeks later was the MBA comp and

My favourite pieces mainly belong to

in between the heat and grand final I

my collaborators like lingerie stylist My

shot with Arnaldo Ilagan, with hair and

Lingerie Addiction’s Shiori Pike, and

makeup by Nathalie Prince. I took my

sensuality store Passionfruit Shop, who

new costumes to the shoot, which set

stock so many of the best indie brands. I

the scene for a pin up style. It was all

adore SJ Lingerie Raw Bodysuit, Hopeless

new to me. I loved it, and from there I

Lingerie Lenora Cami, Amber & Indigo

discovered a platform to create my own

pasties, and Ludique Lilith collection –

version of the Old Hollywood glamour I

all of which I have recently modelled.

grew up admiring.

In the burlesque world, the lingerie is designed to be a little more robust and

ADORE: What have your favourite shoots been, and to you what

sparkly, and no one has carved a name

makes a great shoot?

showgirl lingerie pieces better than New

SINA: As you‘ll tell from my blog, I love interesting location shoots and

for themselves for designing the perfect Zealand’s Flo Foxworthy.

photographer @PeterKarate, who has

ADORE: How do you maintain stamina on a big show tour like the Australian Burlesque Festival? And how do you stay so glamorous after all that time on the road – any go-to travel

the same tastes as I do in photographic

beauty products or tips?

minimal clothing. ‘Sexy Outside’ is a style term created with one of my Cheeky Glamour collaborators,

art. They’re some of my favourites.

ADORE: You have quite a few titles under your belt, so let’s give a few out. Who are Sina King’s ‘Favourite Performer To Share A Dressing Room With’, ‘Most Likely To Have Sina King In Their Audience’ and ‘Biggest Performing Inspiration’?

SINA: ‘Favourite Performer To Share A Dressing Room With’: I love all my costars; great burlesque showgirls come complete with their own entertaining personality, which is usually just as entertaining backstage as it is onstage.

If I had to pick, I’d say Willow J. She is Bottom’s Up’s burlesque director, an entertainer, and a very down-to-earth and intelligent woman, who teaches me fun things while we’re getting ready like Butoh and martial arts in exchange for makeup tips. We often forget we’re about to perform as we’re having too much fun. ‘Most Likely To Have Sina King In Their Audience’ would be Aurora Kurth, Australia’s Mistress of Ceremonies, actor, singer, and comedienne. Aurora’s a guaranteed good time, and she hosts many of the best burlesque events in Australia. ‘Biggest Performing Inspiration’ is the late Freddie Mercury, because… Freddie Mercury.

“‘Favourite Performer

To Share A Dressing Room With’ ...If I had to pick, I’d say Willow J… [she] teaches me fun things while we’re getting ready like Butoh and martial arts in exchange for makeup tips.

”

Really all my shoots are my favourite,

SINA: Sleep, healthy snacks and vitamins

as it’s the whole experience from

are the basics. For glamour, I stay

concept to publishing that I consider.

hydrated and moisturised, and wear red

Find Sina King online

lipstick. My favourite beauty products

www.misssinaking.com

I think a great shoot is when everyone

are all natural and cruelty free. Virgin

www.cheekyglamour.com

involved is skilled in their own creative

Organic Coconut Oil is by far the most

field and allows magic to happen on the

underrated beauty product available.

@misssinaking

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“

I was dancing in theatres and competing in dance competitions from childhood, and I always saw myself performing for a living.

It was an advert for the ‘Miss Burlesque Australia’ (MBA) competition that re-ignited my interest in the art form... My first official burlesque performance was for the national MBA competition, and I was fortunate enough to win the 2011 title.

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“

This season I’m crazy about military styling, biker jackets and a sneaky ruffle. Wheels & Dollbaby have just released their Autumn/Winter 2015 range – La Belle Heroine – and it’s absolutely stunning.

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Photography by Brooke Orchard

While summer, spring and autumn pass by with stunning prints and colours, winter is my favourite season to style. I can’t get enough of the cosy styling options available for the cooler months. With the internet at our fingertips, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to winter styles and accessories. From berets to gloves, scarves to stockings – there are so many stunning options to add to your collection this winter.

all around the globe, from online retailers and chain stores such as Asos, Dangerfield, Myer and Forever New, to small local accessory stores. It’s all about hunting for the style you want, and looking out for sales on the other side of the globe, when their winter season has ended. Locally I love Myer for gloves and berets, and a UK based brand that is sold in most Australian retailers – Dents. To complete and compliment this outfit I wore the stunning Bordello Teeze 07 in patent red. The red pairs perfectly with the cuffs and accents on this coat, almost like they were made for each other. They also work brilliantly with my thigh high Kixie’s stockings.

There are three major addictions I have at this point

Kixie’s are my go to stockings over the cooler months

in the year and they are filling up every inch of my

as they are thigh highs that never – yes that’s right –

bedroom. Some might call this a little crazy, but I call it

never fall down! They are available in styles such as

having all the possible options! I collect berets, gloves

fishnet, back seamed, polka dot, thicker winter ribbed

and winter coats, and my collection is full of super soft

styles and prints.

fabrics in a multitude of colours and prints. This season I’m crazy about military styling, biker jackets and a

My next stand out favourite from the Winter collection

sneaky ruffle. Wheels & Dollbaby have just released

is the Knit Motorcycle Jacket. Being a huge fan of the

their Autumn/Winter 2015 range – La Belle Heroine –

leather biker, I’ve paired the Knit Motorcycle Jacket

and it’s absolutely stunning.

with a grey angora beret and deep green leather heart driving gloves, to give the outfit a vintage feel. Angora

The Le Hendrix Wool Coat is the statement piece of

berets are my new favourite item this season as they

the collection, with bold military accents in gold and

are soft to the touch and look amazing with all hair

ruby red. From the bold gold piping to the red cuffs,

colours and styles. The Wheels & Dollbaby logo on the

matching collar and epaulettes, this coat is a mixture

back is my stand out favourite feature and it really gives

of military and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the go-to winter coat

off that biker girl chic vibe.

that can be worn with dresses, high waisted jeans and layered winter pin up looks.

After focusing on outerwear we can’t forget what to layer underneath. The La Carla Bruni Blouse by

I’ve paired this coat with my stunning leather bow

Wheels & Dollbaby is a cross-seasonal shirt that layers

gloves and maroon beret. My collection is sourced from

brilliantly under cardigans and over dresses, and pairs

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perfectly with waist coats and capri pants. In stunning sheer red Georgette with ruffle detailing and cuffs, this is an item you will style for each season and wear all year round. Paired with a high waisted wiggle skirt, black corset belt, Dangerfield leather driving gloves and a black angora beret, this outfit is timeless and full of va-va-voom!

These are just a few styling tips to inspire you over winter – don’t let your imagination limit you. Stores like American Apparel stock pure wool berets in a huge selection of

Outfit #1 details : Wheels & Dollbaby Le Hendrix Wool Coat – $599.00 Kixie’s Stockings – $22.00 Bordello Teeze Heels from www.shoemegorgeous.com Studded Bow Gloves – Forever New

Outfit #2 details :

colours, so no matter what hair colour you have, you’ll find the perfect shade. With gloves there many different

Wheels & Dollbaby Knit Motorcycle Jacket – $285.00

varieties and choices, but I tend to find the driving glove

Mooloola Angora Beret in Grey – $10.00

to be the most comfortable and stylish of all the varieties.

Dangerfield Green Heart Gloves

You can also find adorable fingerless styles and opera or elbow length gloves, and many knitted gloves and mittens. So look out for winter sales and add to your collection throughout the year, and when winter hits you’ll be ready to create some amazingly chic outfits with all of your accessories.

Model, stylist and writer: Teer Wayde www.curvestokill.com Photography: Brooke Orchard

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Outfit #3 details : Wheels & Dollbaby La Carla Bruni Blouse – $189.00 Mooloola Angora Beret in Black – $10.00 Dangerfield Black Heart Gloves

www.wheelsanddollbaby.com @wheelsanddollbaby

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Zelia Rose - An interview by Alyssa Hanley

D

own an alleyway filled with

Zelia has only been in the world of

Watching Zelia onstage is jaw dropping

bright graffiti, I go through a back

burlesque for a short amount of time,

and awe-inspiring, with her fast precision

door and stumble into one of those

but her cumulative experience as a

footwork and how she dances with

infamous Melbourne warehouse spaces.

performer is extraordinary. Her style

genuine abandon. Her own inspiration

Professional artist open plan living,

is explosive and athletic onstage,

comes from having a deep appreciation

complete with aerial tissue hanging

while retaining incredible grace and

for the dance artists of yesteryear.

in the middle of the living room, crash

finesse, but that’s not any surprise

“People who were groundbreaking for

mats on the floor, a costumier’s cutting

after her many years as a professional

their time and perform with passion are

table, and an entire wall of mirrors in

dancer. She dances like the lovechild

very inspiring to me. Josephine Baker,

front of a well-treaded dance rehearsal

of Misty Copeland and Josephine

Cyd Charisse and Marlene Dietrich

space. This is a circus performer’s dream,

Baker. With a background in Cecchetti

had this incredible ability to transcend

and bohemian living at its best. Today

ballet, contemporary dance, musical

genre. That’s something that I’m really

I’m at the home of newly crowned Miss

theatre and circus, Zelia is one of those

interested in as a performer – not being

Burlesque Australia 2015, Zelia Rose.

performers that one can’t help but say,

boxed into being something particular.

“Can you leave some talent for the rest

They transcend boxes and create a new

of the world?”

shape for art.”

being on the stage for years. Her laid-

What makes a performer take that jump

While Zelia had been dancing as a part

back nature and beautiful, broad smile

into the world of burlesque? “I was in

of a burlesque dance troupe for two

instantly makes anyone feel welcome.

the professional dance world and doing

years, there is no doubt that her recent

“Come on in… Sorry it’s an absolute

a lot of auditions, but I never felt as

win at the Miss Burlesque Australia

mess.” It’s the day after the Melbourne

though I fit into the commercial dance

competition has catapulted her into the

Royal Flush show, celebrating the 2015

scene. I don’t think it was right for me

Australian burlesque stratosphere.

winners of Miss Burlesque Australia.

as a performer – that’s when I made the

“It was a great success with a great

transition into burlesque. It came to me

“Did you think when you entered Miss

turnout. Exactly the kind of show that

wanting to feed my need as an artist,

Burlesque Australia for the first time that

I wanted to produce,” Zelia says. “The

and that desire to have no boundaries

you would be standing at the end with

caliber of quality in the show, and all my

to create. Burlesque is the perfect

that monolith crown on your head?”

performers, brought a different element

medium because it’s so diverse and

I ask. “No, nope, definitely not.” She

and made it an amazing variety show.”

multifaceted.”

answers with a bright giggle. “I’d been

Zelia is a statuesque woman with the grace and ease that only come after

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Photography by Cam Attree – Nylon Riot Photography ADORE PIN UP 53

“

When MBA producer Cassandra Jane announced my name as the winner, it was surreal.

Amazing. I was just so happy. At that moment I knew how busy the following year was going to be and how much everything was going to change.

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in the audience of the competition for

Australia at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

mind. It can be very intense and self-

a couple of years and I always wanted

in Las Vegas in June. “I’ve been selected

involved, but having critique will help

to do it. But I wanted to wait until I

for the best debut section, sharing the

keep you on the right path.”

felt ready. I was very worried about

stage with MBA first runner up Alyssa

entering and how people were going to

Kitt, the boylesque section [winner]

As the Miss Burlesque Australia

perceive my work. I stuck to my guns and

Charlie D. Barkle, and the Queen of

competition reaches it’s sixth year,

presented who I was as an artist and I

burlesque competition Sina King. There

Zelia has joined a growing dynasty of

think that’s what helped me win. I also

are only ten competing from around

previous Miss Burlesque winners, and

had outside eyes and direction on my

the world in this section, so it’s given

there are big shoes to fill as soon as

work from fellow burlesque performers

the Australians an amazing platform to

that crown reaches the newly anointed

Miss Friby and Sina King.”

be seen by a wider audience. It’s really

head. I’m finished picking my jaw off

great to have this huge opportunity and

the ground after watching Zelia sing

“When MBA producer Cassandra Jane

I can’t wait to make the Aussies proud.

while simultaneously doing barrel

announced my name as the winner,

Imogen Kelly, the pioneer of Australian

jumps and swallowing fire. This talented

it was surreal. Amazing. I was just so

burlesque, is doing a campaign for the

powerhouse has entered the Australian

happy. At that moment I knew how busy

Aussie BHoF artists going to Vegas this

burlesque scene with a cataclysmic

the following year was going to be and

year called the Burlesque Hopefuls of

boom, and I’ve no doubt in my mind that

how much everything was going to

OZ (BHoZ). We’re raising money so that

Zelia’s dance shoes will continue to set

change. But mostly I was very proud of

we can represent Australia and be able

fire to the Australian burlesque stage for

what I had achieved and I was just like,

to afford to go over, as it’s a hefty fee.

many years to come.

bring it on. I’m ready for this.”

Applications have just closed for the

Find Zelia online

“I’ve got really big plans for my

Miss Burlesque Australia competition

facebook.com/zeliarose

reigning year. Last night was the first

for 2015, but Zelia’s tips and advice for

installment of the Royal Flush tour that

the ladies and gentlemen entering are

Mr Boylesque Australia, Charlie D. Barkle

simple. Be prepared and be organised.

Support the Burlesque Hopefuls of Oz www.gofundme.com/r667sc

and I are producing together and taking on the road to Sydney and Brisbane.”

@zeliarose

“Be prepared for stress and work with people around you, and get a support

Photography by Cam Attree – Nylon

Zelia is also one of four artists heading

base happening. That will help you get

Riot Photography

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photography Alfie Goodrich muah Kanako Furuta

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Kenjai is an Australian-Asian pin up model from Perth, Western Australia, and the reigning Miss Illustrated Pinup Australia for 2014. She was the first Asian-Australian as well as the first Western Australian to win a Miss Pin Up Australia national title. Kenjai is on a global mission to promote diversity in the pin up world, and has started the Far East Collective along with Melbourne pin up model Anna Mei, to give Asian pin ups a platform for showcasing their work.

Their movement is growing, with established chapters in Australia, USA and Japan. Adore Pin Up had a chat with Kenjai about the Collective and the importance of positive and diverse representation.

time of segregation. Asians had minimal

Japanese girls, their race isn’t an issue in

representation in the USA during that

Japan, but stepping into an international

time and were also restricted by racial

arena has been challenging for them.

laws. Even the great actress Anna May

One issue for the USA and Aussie girls

Wong, despite her very successful film

has been when it comes to paid work.

career, was very limited. She was never

When companies want a pin up model,

cast as the leading lady as inter-racial

they often prefer a classic ‘Americana’ pin

relationships were illegal, even on screen.

up look, which isn’t Asian. Or if they do

Our women of that time had struggles that

want an Asian pin up, they try to type-

I can’t even get my head around.

cast us which can cross lines with cultural appropriation. One thing we try to achieve

I do see greater diversity in modern day

in the Far East Collective is to showcase

pin up. Despite being a very multicultural

the diversity amongst our different

country, I don’t think Australian pin up

cultures. Not all Asians are the same.

is as racially-diverse as in the USA, but

We all have very different backgrounds,

I think it’s getting better. We can’t have

different cultures and different identities

representation without participation so it’s

and we are not interchangeable.

on us to be the change we want to see. And hopefully by supporting and promoting

ADORE: Can you tell us a bit about

girls through the Far East Collective, we can

the other girls involved in the group?

encourage participation and inspire the ADORE: Why did you start the Far East Collective, and what are the main things that the Collective does?

KENJAI: We really felt like we didn’t have a voice in pin up. We saw other groups and pages promoting other cultures within pin up, but we didn’t see anything for us. We decided to create the collective with a few goals – to unite Asian pin ups, showcase their work, and encourage greater participation. We also wanted to promote Asian beauty in a positive light and break away from some of the unpleasant and over-sexualised stereotypes we suffer as Asian women. Behind the scenes of the Far East Collective also lies a positive

next generation of Asian pin ups.

“ One thing we try to achieve

in the Far East Collective is to showcase the diversity amongst our different cultures. Not all Asians are the same. We all have very different backgrounds, different cultures and different identities and we are not interchangeable.

”

KENJAI: I love the group of girls we have.

When Anna Mei and I first decided to get a core group together, we made a selection of nine girls to approach, based on girls we knew and girls we thought might be interested, and we tried to make sure we had a good mix of girls and different styles. We were so happy that all nine girls jumped at the chance to be involved, which took our little project across three countries.

In the USA, we have our tattooed beauty Lavinia Darling who comes from SouthKorean heritage, and Delicious Ruckus who’s comes from Vietnamese heritage.

Delicious Ruckus is the President and

and united sisterhood of Asian pin ups

ADORE: Have you or the other girls

driving force behind ‘Pinups for Charity’.

who communicate, share stories, give

in the collective had any personal

In Japan we have four members. Cyd

each other encouragement and share

experiences with discrimination in the

Cherie is American with South Korean,

opportunities.

pin up community? Have you found

Filipino and Spanish heritage, and now

the community to be more or less

lives in Japan. Our Japanese girls are

ADORE: How would you describe the

accepting of ethnic and cultural

classic blonde bombshell Miwa Rock –

history and current status of Asian

diversity than the general world?

Tokyo’s top burlesque performer, Ryoco Monster who is a driving force in the

representation in pin up imagery, and within the modern pin up community?

KENJAI: I would describe the negative

pin up community in Japan, and Kasuimi

experiences more as ignorance than

Psycho – our little tattooed psychobilly

KENJAI: I don’t think Asian pin ups were

discrimination. I once had a company

girl who is also a Tokyo nightclub DJ.

really represented outside of Asia until

that wanted me to shoot a concept that I

recent times. During the 40’s and 50’s

found racially offensive. I turned the job

Our Aussie representatives include

Asian pin ups appeared in commercials

down as the concept was not appropriate

Dixie Doll who is Vietnamese-Greek but

and posters within most Asian countries,

for me. However, overall I think the pin up

born and raised in the USA, who now

and we had our own pin up culture and

and vintage community in Australia is very

lives in Melbourne where she teaches

our own versions of the Hollywood

welcoming and accepting, probably more

ballet, and co-founder Anna Mei who

starlets and glamour girls. But pin up as

so than the broader community.

is Chinese-Australian and can speak six languages! I represent the plus-size

most of the world knows it stems from ‘Americana’ pin up, which historically was

As for the girls, the issues differ as we are

Asians, and am mixed race with Thai and

strictly Caucasian, as it originates from a

spread out over multiple countries. For the

Scottish parents.

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viva

s a g e V s La

Pearl Davies roadtrips to the 18th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend Beginning in March of this year, beloved Newcastle pin

The Weekend consists of a huge line-up of music from local

up photographer Pearl Davies set off on a big road trip

and international acts, including our own Shelley and

across the United States. The first major event she hit up

Lawrie Minson, as well as artists, vendors, the Miss Viva Las

was the 18th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, and

Vegas Pin-Up Contest, the Miss Viva Las Vegas Burlesque

what a way to start the trip! Viva Las Vegas is the most

Competition, the car show, the pool party, fashion shows,

highly anticipated event on the international rockabilly

workshops, bowling and plenty more. We were lucky enough

calendar, and the title of Miss Viva Las Vegas is the most

to have Pearl cover the event for us, and we look forward

coveted pin up title in the world.

to her upcoming coverage of the Nashville Boogie.

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Photography by Pearl Davies Studio’s

t s e t n o C p U VLV PinQ&A’S WITH THE CONTESTANTS MISS VICTORY VIOLET, WINNER

THE BLUE HAIRED BETTY, 2ND RU

comfortable and confident that I can represent my country on an international

PEARL: What inspired you to apply to

PEARL: What was your favorite memory of

scale. It has definitely given me the

compete in the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pin-Up

Viva Las Vegas?

confidence to continue pursuing such

Contest?

VV: When I entered Miss Pinup New Zealand last year, I said to myself that if I won, I would enter Miss Viva Las Vegas.

The Miss Pinup New Zealand competition was a big step for my confidence, as just a

BHB: Well the night after the pageant I was proposed to in front of The Bellagio fountains, so that will always be a big cherry-on-top and add to the amazing memories of Viva! It’s really difficult to choose a favourite moment or memory,

ventures in future.

MISS LULU DIVINE PEARL: What was your favorite memory of Viva Las Vegas?

when the overall experience was just out

LULU: Gosh, just one? I have so many

of this world. I’d have to say my favourite

wonderful memories, if I had to pick just

thing was getting to meet all the amazing

one I couldn’t... I could narrow it down to

people that I did. After a year of planning

two. My first would be having my beautiful

and so many months of chatting to the

mum tell me she was proud of me after

other girls via social media, it was such a

the contest – it’s the most amazing and

kick to finally meet everyone in person.

heartfelt comment to hear. Another

Other than that, I also got to see and meet

favorite memory from VLV was doing

‘doubting’ self that I could do anything!

some of the true icons of the scene, who

the “stress dance” with The Blue Haired

I never imagined I’d ever see beyond a

Betty while we were getting ready for the

PEARL: As an individual and role model

magazine or computer screen.

contest. Understandably we were both

few years before I had watched the comp and never thought I would ever have the courage to enter. So to not only win, but then have the confidence to enter a international competition to a huge crowd like Viva Las Vegas, was a big thing! I entered these competitions to push myself, challenge myself and prove to my old

to other women (and men), what is your overall message you would like to share?

VV: My overall message will always be

PEARL: If you learnt anything from this event and the VLV experience, what

eased our nerves!

would it be?

regarding body positivity. The pin up style

BHB: First and foremost, my experience

is what helped me learn to love myself

with the other girls has proven to me

and my body for the way it is, and it’s a

that we don’t always have to see other

incredibly liberating thing to NOT hate

females as competition. We can be as

your body all the time. It’s crazy how it can

successful, and much happier, when we

be just a normal way of life to totally wage

are supporting and uplifting one another.

war on your body from drastic dieting

Secondly, to myself personally, it has

or even just berating yourself in front of

shown me that I do have what it takes.

the mirror. We don’t deserve to live our

Coming from a small country where this

lives this way or to be told we aren’t good

is all virtually unheard of, I was initially

enough. Finding peace with your body

worried that I’d be like a fish out of water

and learning to accept and love it just the

with these fabulous international gals.

way it is should be something that we all

Everyone made me feel so welcome and

strive for, and that’s why I started up my

on their level, that I was able to let my

body confidence seminars ‘Mirror, Mirror’.

personality shine through and be

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nervous and a thirty second silly dance

IVY FOX PEARL: What was your favorite memory of Viva Las Vegas?

IVY: Perhaps not my favourite at the time, but in hindsight it’s pretty funny!

On Saturday night I managed to split my vintage Alfred Shaheen evening dress right on the butt! I had to form a conga line with my friends to hide it so I could get back up to my room without too many flashes!

Interviews & photography

by Pearl Davies Studio’s

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n o i t i t e p m o C e u q s e l r u B VLV AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WINNER:

TOSCA PEARL: What was the application process to enter the Viva Las Vegas Burlesque competition?

TOSCA: The application process was quite simple. Contestants applied with a short questionnaire and submitted with it a video of the act they were hoping to present at the competition.

The rest was a nail-biting waiting game.

PEARL: What was the process for getting into the finals of the competition, and how did you react when you found out?

TOSCA: Receiving the news that I had made it into the finals was an extremely unexpected surprise. This was mainly due to the fact that I had been chosen by contestants’ popular vote. In a nutshell, this meant that each lady who applied had to research her competition and pick her favorite.

The dancer who received the most votes from the other applicants automatically made it to the finals – and in this manner I qualified for them. I was (and still am) pretty new to burlesque, and at the time didn’t really have a name for myself, so I was absolutely flabbergasted that I had been the other applicants’ first choice.

This really brought me a lot of joy!

PEARL: Can you explain what your act is about, and how you train?

TOSCA: My act is a fast-pace CyrBurlesque act to Electro-Swing.

Although I love the slow and sultry traditional routines, I decided to opt ADORE PIN UP 62

for a racier song, especially because Cyr, by nature, is a fast-paced discipline. I very much enjoy that my track ‘Bad Boy Good Man’ samples from vintage jazz, but still has a contemporary feel. I love swing dance and I feel it mixes well with movements that I do in the Cyr wheel.

At first I just practiced acrobatics, and just recently became enchanted with burlesque. With routines that combine Cyr and Burlesque, I will often

everything that could have gone wrong, did. My original stagehand that was part of my piece had to get foot surgery days before the show and couldn’t come with me. I frantically replaced him with a nice boy from my office two days before the show. I took the poor guy to the gym two midnights in a row to learn my entire routine, and then dragged the barely 21-year-old, new-to-LA youth to Sin City with me.

During my tech rehearsal I was strongly advised to abandon my stagehand in order to make it true solo act – and so in Layman’s terms – had to entirely cut him out of our perfectly rehearsed act. That tech rehearsal was two hours before the start of the actual show, and so the routine that won the title was essentially a real impromptu jig.

PEARL: How did you feel once you were announced as the Miss Viva Las Vegas Burlesque Competition winner?

choreograph a basic structure that looks a lot like a gymnastics routine, and then add showy flare. And of course the timing and design of the costume needs to lend itself to quick, easy and calculated dismantling between tricks.

PEARL: How were you feeling leading up to the performance?

TOSCA: It was sort of a disaster. It truly was a case of Murphy’s Law –

TOSCA: I was sure Madeline Sinclair was going to win; she was absolutely fabulous! But when I heard my name I just had to kick off my heels and shake it to the celebratory surf rock! I felt like bringing in the cirque element (Cyr Wheel) could have worked for or against me. In this case the audience liked it - thank heavens. I’ve never won anything like this before, and so I was absolutely giddy about the whole experience. What an honor and what a weekend!

Interview & photography

by Pearl Davies

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Introducing...

MISS PINUP 2015 Winner Miss Bettie Rage

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photography Miss T Pinups words Evelyn Ebrey featuring Bettie Rage

New

Zealand’s favourite

It was the Miss Pinup New Zealand

the judges with her poise, charm and

vintage festival, The

pageant, with judges including Silver

the unusual talent of taking apart

Very Vintage Day Out, celebrated

Scroll 2014 winner Tami Neilson

the motor of a 1957 BSA Bantam D1

its fourth outing on April 11th at

alongside Australian pin up Ruby

in two minutes to ‘Rosie the Riveter’

Alexandra Park in Auckland. The event

Rabbit and Creative Director of Glory

by The Four Vagabonds, Hamiltonian

brought together vintage lovers from

Days magazine Rose Jackson, that had

Bettie Rage was crowned Miss Pinup

all over the country for a day of great

a full house watching ten talented

New Zealand 2015. The glamorous

shopping, all day entertainment,

ladies strut their stuff on the stage.

gal, who manages a retro diner for her

workshops, a fashion show, a pin

Since last year’s winner, Miss Victory

day job, was stunned by the news and

up documentary screening and the

Violet, has gone on to become an

was enthusiastically congratulated by

highly anticipated Miss Pinup New

internet sensation with over 37,000

her fellow competitors. Miss Charlotte

Zealand 2015 competition. Since the VVDO’s followers come from all over the country to enjoy the event, it was expanded to include the whole weekend this year. A swing

Instagram followers, a successful blog and most recently the title of Miss Viva Las Vegas under her perfectly cinched belt, the competition for the title was nothing short of fierce.

Cake was announced as runner-up and received the title of Miss Vintage Vixen, while Miss Glamour La Rue took out the title of Miss Publicity for her PR efforts in the lead up to the

dance party – The Wildcat Shakeout

Performing their best pin up poses,

pageant. We have no doubt that the

– followed the VVDO, and then a

the contestants competed in

vintage community will be thrilled to

poolside Tiki Party was held on the

beachwear, a talent section and an

support their newest pin up queen

following day at the Backyard Bar,

evening gown display, before four

and her reign will be watched with

delighting the event’s many fans.

finalists were chosen. Winning over

great anticipation.

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“

Winning over the judges with her poise, charm and the unusual talent of taking apart the motor of a 1957 BSA Bantam D1 in two minutes to ‘Rosie the Riveter’ by the Four Vagabonds, Hamiltonian Bettie Rage was crowned Miss Pinup New Zealand 2015.

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D OT T I E M AY photography Say CheeseCake Photography

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Photo project models: Lady Medusa, Charlotte White, Osiria Rose, Emma-Jean Jackson, Naomi Hibberd & Cherry Buttons Photo project photographers: Exkyu Photography, What A Big Camera & Shane Van Laar ADORE PIN UP 70 Event photographer: Siobhan Ford Designs

Retro Equality Retro Equality is a photo project that aims to raise awareness for gay rights and marriage equality through the art of pin up photography. The photos at once feature the variety and normality of same sex couples in every day life – together at home, out shopping and at the beach.

With a retro twist, they not only show the models’ passion for mid-century styles, but the importance of taking what’s good from the past and leaving behind archaic values. The project’s founder is Cherry Buttons, a Sydney pin up model, burlesque performer and professional dancer.

ADORE: Why did you start Retro Equality, and what does it mean to you personally?

CHERRY: Retro Equality started as a small photo shoot for the community section of pin up competition Miss Pinup Doll Australia, though the pageant isn’t why I continue with Retro Equality. When I started the project I had been engaged for a year, but had no legal right to be engaged or to marry my partner. Being in a same sex relationship, we don’t have the same rights as heterosexual couples, and it started upsetting me the more it affected our lives. I have been happy to see it grow to what it has – it’s fun, creative and helping a cause that directly affects me and many Australians.

ADORE: How many girls have been involved in the photo project, and how did you choose them? What inspired the different scenes?

CHERRY: The photo series involved seven girls, eleven different themed scenes, and six days of shoots over three months. We had a lot of girls interested in the project, and I chose the ones I knew had personal connections to the project’s message, and were involved in the pin up community.

The project has also grown since our

presence at Mardi Gras. The different scenes are inspired by every day activities that couples get up to together – things like shopping, going to the beach, dancing together, spending Christmas together, going on a first date and getting married.

ADORE: You’ve released your very own calendar and coffee table book for Retro Equality. How can our readers purchase them, or otherwise support Retro Equality?

CHERRY: Retro Equality has a Big Cartel shop now that we have finished with markets and fairs, where you can purchase soft and hard cover books, as well as the discounted 2015 calendars.

ADORE: You’ve been involved in the Sydney Mardi Gras and had a stall for Retro Equality at the Mardi Gras Fair Day. What was that experience like?

CHERRY: They were intense days. Fair Day was a lot of talking, getting the project out there, and letting people know who we are and what we’re all bout. There is a lot of traffic flow through the fair and we were lucky to be there as it’s such an expensive event. Luckily we were sponsored by Australian Credit and Finance and they funded our stall.

Mardi Gras was the most amazing thing I’ve ever been a part of. We had a 20 people walking group, as well as a small feature on the SBS cover of the parade. The parade was a chance to show Australia that support for the LGBT community is bigger than many people realise. We received a lot of comments on how different our group was and how great it was to have something new in the parade. We plan to be in the parade every year from now on, but even bigger and better! It was so great to see a group of local pin ups who supported everything the project believes in even though it may not directly affect their lives.

ADORE: Have you had to face any challenges or negativity since beginning Retro Equality, and if so, how did you deal with it?

CHERRY: We struggled with finding locations that would let us shoot for free.

Being a not for profit project we didn’t have the money to be renting out cute businesses or diners to shoot it. We did find some great places to shoot – it was just a matter of scouting them out, asking around and talking to shop owners to find people willing to support us.

Though we haven’t been faced with a lot of negativity, we have had some men at the fairs and markets aggressively asking why I hadn’t included men in the project, as well as parents with disgusted expressions telling their kids not to look at our products. It was upsetting at first, but then I didn’t know why I was so surprised; we’ve come a long way in acceptance of the LGBT community but we’re nowhere near the home stretch.

I always just explain the projects goals clearly and calmly, and if they still don’t want to listen then that’s their choice. The world won’t always be this unaccepting and we can’t let a few people get us down considering all the support we do have.

ADORE: What’s next for Retro Equality?

CHERRY: Next, who knows! We definitely want to be a permanent fixture in Mardi Gras every year now that we’ve shown ourselves there. I want to keep finding new and creative ways to display our support through the parade. We also want to start selling 2016 Calendars in October, and have our name grow through word of mouth, social media and features such as this. We are always taking suggestions and talking about our ideas for the future on our Facebook page for those who want to keep up with us.

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LO R R A IN E SE R AF IN I photography Celeste Giuliano Photography hair Raina Clarke makeup Kirsten Sylvester

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S AMANTHA S AMSAN photography Celeste Giuliano Photography muah Raina Clarke

AMY JAS MINE B OY D photography Pinned Photography muah Kat Creasey location La Costa Motel

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SAMMIE MARIE photography Timeless Beauty Photography muah Tamera Von Tart

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