anessa Frankenstein doesn’t really need any introduction as she’s become a big hitter in the retro and vintage modelling industry. So when we had the opportunity to interview her, we really wanted to get under the hood of who Vanessa Frankenstein is. Vanessa is an inspiration to thousands of women and men, take her instagram followers for example, she has nearly 20,000! So what is it that makes Vanessa, who exudes such old school glamour, tick and how has she carved out such a name for herself and still stay so humble? We must admit that we were total fan girls of Vanessa from day one and having to opportunity to work with her was a dream come true. Vanessa is probably one of the most professional women we’ve ever worked with. She doesn’t need any direction because as soon as she’s in front of the camera she works it! So without further ado here is our exclusive interview with the red headed siren herself. What inspired you to become a pinup? Also what does the word “pin up” mean to you? I grew up next to the place Elvis Presley lived when he was in Germany and my dad is a blues guitarist. Muddy Water’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” might be one of the first songs I listened to in my early childhood. American music from the 1950’s and 1960’s used to be our religion and that is how I actually became a lover of retro and vintage. I still don’t listen to modern music and I have no idea what is going on in the charts right now. For me, being a pinup girl is not only about wearing retro or vintage clothes it’s more about the feeling of a bygone era. Listening to old songs is my personal time machine. All I’m trying to do is hold on to it. I think “pin up” has become an umbrella term for most things retro and vintage going on nowadays. I call myself a pinup although I have never done a Gil Elvgren inspired shooting or anything like this. I love and live retro and vintage and that automatically makes me a pinup. A lot of people think “pin up” basically means a girl with victory rolls posing naked or in a polka dot dress in a vintage car. For me it’s so much more than that. How did you come up with the name Vanessa Frankenstein? Also when you’re on set as Vanessa Frankenstein do you act differently like she’s another persona of you? There has never been a situation in
which I thought about a “pin up name” for myself. I never really intended to be a professional pinup model, it just happened. A friend of mine asked me to join Instagram and I simply needed a user name. That’s when “Vanessa Frankenstein” was born. It just came spontaneously into my mind. I go crazy for spooky things and classic horror has always been a part of my life. I love Mary Shelley’s novel and the Universal adaptations of the 1930’s. I even wrote my final paper at University about Frankenstein. I wouldn’t say that I act different on set. I’m not playing a pinup role and I’m not trying to build up a fake character. I couldn’t do that. Vanessa Frankenstein is a part of me that has always been there. Now I’m able to live it which is amazing. Now we know you aren’t just a pin up for camera, you actually wear true vintage and reproduction. How did you get into vintage? When you keep listening to music from another period and watching old movies you come to a point when it’s simply not enough to consume all these impressions. You somehow want to live it yourself.
Nowadays it’s really easy to find retro or vintage clothing. However when I was a teenager it was quite hard to get anything that looked authentic. I still remember searching the internet for a retro dress for prom when I found Pin up Girl Clothing. I used to buy a lot of retro clothes before I discovered vintage clothes. Vintage is still very rare in Germany but I get most of my clothes from the UK or US anyway. Now the true vintage pieces in my wardrobe are my favorites. I’ll never get over the fact that were already worn by someone during the eras I love. The feeling of wearing a vintage piece is just magical. Do you feel that the pin up industry is competitive due to the fact there are alot more ladies coming onto the modelling/pin up scene? The fact that it was difficult to find a retro dress 10 years ago proves that the pin up industry is getting bigger. There are new brands and models popping up everywhere. “Pin up” is a common term nowadays and even girls that are not into the vintage lifestyle wear retro dresses. You can see vintage inspired things
everywhere even in today’s fashion, in magazines or at Fashion Week like Lena Hoschek. However I think that the pin up industry with “real” pin up models will remain a subculture market. A lot of ladies on instagram love your hair and make up. What are the top five products you use and why? I use a lot more makeup products than hair products. However it’s really important for me to have hairspray and pomade. My favourite pomade is Suavecita because it’s easy to work with and smells very good. It’s a must have for all kinds of forties hairstyles. When it comes to makeup, skin, brows and lips are the most important things for me. A red lipstick is essential for every vintage look. My favorite ones are from Julie Hewett (Belle Noir (50’s red), Rouge Noir (40’s red), Dior (Dolce Vita Red) and Mac Cosmetics (Russian Red). I love reds with a warm undertone because they go perfect with red hair. Also they have a perfect retro look. My favourite foundation is Armani’s Luminous Silk. It adds a beautiful glow to the skin and is perfect for shootings. For my eyebrows I use the “Perfect Brow Pencil” in Auburn from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I used to fill in my brows with powdery products but a pencil gives them more of a 1940’s look which I really like right now. Do you have any tips for aspiring pin up girls? Dare to do something different and don’t hide yourself and your identity behind a cliché pin up facade. Girls used to be different in the forties and fifties and so are we. Take the inspiration you need and do your own thing. At least this is what I’m trying to do. If you lived on a desert island and could only take five things with you, what would you take? That’s a tough one. I simply assume that “things” exclude persons. Let’s see… I’d take my music collection because it might be really lonely and music will help a lot. I’m a pro at dreaming myself away while listening to music. A pair of proper shoes because I have serious feet issues. I need to have at least some comfortable shoes. You never know what you’ll have to do on a desert island. Sun blocker, of course. I am a vampire and try to live forever. A toothbrush. There’s nothing worse that toothache.u
A Love Affair With Novelty Prints Fashion Historian Liz Tregenza talks to us about her love of vintage prints
I
jumped on the bus after work a few weeks ago and an elderly lady tapped me on the shoulder, “Sorry” she said, “I just have to tell you how wonderful your skirt is”. The skirt in question was pretty spectacular, A 1950s cotton circle skirt printed with brightly coloured fruit and popping champagne bottles. The print was so good it had tempted a complete stranger to compliment on my outfit, and this gives a good insight into why I love novelty prints so much. I feel like a good novelty prints gives you a chance to own a wearable piece of art. Not only that, but novelty prints get conversations going, they make strangers stop you on the street to ask questions about your outfits (and also to check that their eyes are not deceiving them!). Novelty prints are also often known as conversational prints- a perfect description I believe, as they really do get conversations started! My love affair with novelty prints started back in 2008 when I purchased a wonderful Spanish scenic print skirt. The skirt, made from black cotton, is printed all over in a vibrant orange, green and yellow design depicting a Spanish city and bullfighters. As my first ever novelty print this is a key part of my collection and one that I will never let go! Little did I know all those years ago the obsession I was about to get myself into… Novelty prints are a hard one to define, what some people would call novelty, others will not- but the following for me define the key categories that constitute novelty prints; scenics, animals, food and drink, people prints and
dancers, popular culture, artist prints and then weird and wonderful- which basically encompasses all the strange things you might find on a garment. Novelty prints can be found applied to all sort of different garments and fabrics- in the 1940s novelty prints were often found on rayon garments, particularly on slim fitting dresses with statement neckline details and shoulder pads. Whereas, in the 1950s, novelty prints are most often found applied to cotton garments- the full skirts of the 1950s acted as the perfect canvas for bold, large novelty prints. As a fashion historian I have to say my favourite thing is hunting out artist prints. Prints by the American Illustrator Saul Steinberg have become particularly collectible, recognisable for their distinctive use of different thickness of line within the print. Steinberg’s textile designs are generally not signed by Steinberg as he had a special agreement with the textile producer Piazza. Look out for his pieces in association with regulated cottons these are printed “never misbehaves” inside the hem. I also really like the designs created by the Associated American Artists. Often bold, vibrant designs that appear like works of art these fabrics (which were made into skirts, dresses and blouses amongst other garments) are signed on the selvedge or hem with not only the artists name but also the year they were produced. Liz Tregenza is a fashion historian and author of two books Style Me Vintage: Accessories and Style Me Vintage: 1940s.
Novelty Print Tips n Always
check selvedges and hems for the name of the print/ the fabric manufacturer. Fabric producers often sold their prints to more than one garment manufacturer which means it is entirely possible to find two identical printed pieces with different companies/ retailers labels stitched into them. n Never be afraid of purchasing home sewn pieces. n Study the hems for extra fabric, turning down altered hems will often reveal a bonus extra bit of print- and in some cases the fabric manufacturer too. n Browse through original vintage magazines to hunt out original adverts for garments and fabrics. n Brush up on the key characteristics of certain firms/ illustrators work. Google and Pintrest are your friends for becoming a novelty expert! n
Liz wears 1940s Hawaiian Novelty Print dress £195
Our fabulous clients, in their fabulous Scarlet Rage Vintage purchases!