Pinup of the Day...

Today I will pay tribute to the number 1 pinup girl during World War II, the beautiful Betty Grable. Betty like many talented kids, was propelled into into acting by her mother. She used a false identification to get her first film, and was later fired when her true identity was discovered. After that, her actual first role was the leading dance number in the film Whoopee! After small parts in over 50 Hollywood movies throughout the 1930s, Grable finally gained national attention on stage for her role in the Cole Porter Broadway smash Du Barry Was a Lady in 1939.
1940 kicked off her movie career, landing her a contract with 20th Century Fox making her their top star throughout the decade. Some of her best movies during this era include Down Argentine Way, Moon Over Miami, The Dolly Sisters, and Mother Wore Tights. By the end of the 1940's Betty was the highest paid female star in Hollywood.

It was also during the 40's that Betty posed for her famous pinup photo in her swimsuit for the GI's of WWII, making her the #1 pinup for American soldiers (even with competition like Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake). She was recognized as having the best legs in Hollywood, and was known as "the girl with the million dollar legs" because of them being insured for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London. Many photoshoots have her posing in positions that would best display her slender legs.

Betty was cast in several post-war musicals during the 1950's. Her last big film hit was 1955's How To Marry a Millionaire, which she starred in along with Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. At the time Marilyn was being groomed as the next Hollywood sex symbol to replace Betty. Instead of this turning into a feud, Grable was quoted saying to Monroe "Go and get yours honey, I've had mine".
In an interview in 2007 with Hugh Hefner, Hef admitted that Grable was his inspiration for founding the Playboy empire. Her vast career as a box-office bombshell continues to introduce Betty Grable to a whole new set of audiences generation after generation. She is the original pin-up girl, a Hollywood legend, and an American icon.

The Cherrybomb Ball is coming up on June 27th at 8pm. Be sure to put on your "best Betty" and come join the festivities! And as always, come visit us at FOUND (A Vintage Shop) to get a piece of history to wear to the Ball. We have many outfits that work for the Pinup era, with many of them being 50% off because of our fabulous Summer Sale going on right now!
Come in and shop!

The Art of the Pin Up...

The much anticipated Cherrybomb Ball is just around the corner, on June 27th. Part of the festivities for the ball include two Burlesque shows, and a Pin Up Contest with all the fixin's. The contest will have many beauties competing for the crown as well as an opportunity to interview with The Diamond Agency, and a photo session with Flirtini Photographer Vanessa Sotomayor to appear in the next issue of Renegade Magazine! Each contestant will have to strut her stuff with her representation of a 50's pin up model, and will be critiqued carefully by the three judges as well as the crowd.



So, what exactly does it take to put your best Pin Up foot forward...

Personality
Pin ups have a bubbling personality, are full of charm and grace. They are unconditionally expressive, with a smile that can make a man go broke, and engaging eyes that love the attention of the camera.

Hair/Make-Up
Make-up is used the enhance the natural beauty. Ruby red lips, rose stained cheeks, full lashes and liner to frame the shape of the eyes. Hair is full, set with curls or a soft wave. Victory rolls, pin curls, and pompadours are especially choice. Accessorize the hair with small hats, veils, bows or the favorite hair flower. Choose a flower that compliments the outfit like a rose for an hourglass black dress, or a hibiscus for a tiki print dress.

Outfit
The outfit is just as important as the model. It should emphasize the beautiful curves of the body, and allow for an expressive pose. It also needs to fit the decade. Many pin ups would dress in character. Sailor, Cowgirl, Bathing Beauties were some great alternative outfits to the svelte lingerie, gowns and dresses that were more commonly used in pin up art.

Picture Perfect Pose
A pin up pose is animated an yet smooth in form. The best parts of the body were amplified in a sexy appealing way. Long legs were stretched out above the body, backs arched to puff out the chest, or bent over body to show off the toosh. Show off what your mama gave you!

The history of the pin up dates back to the 1890's, but was more prominent in the late 30's through the 50's. They were used to give hope to the GI's during war, and were commonly plastered all over the lockers of the men. Betty Grable posed for her famous pin up photo in 1943 for all the men fighting in World War II. Other famous pin up models include Rita Hayworth, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Lili St. Cyr, Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane), Jayne Mansfield, Bettie Page, Lauren Bacall, Kim Novak...I could go on.
In addition to the famous models, there were a bevy of artists made famous for their pin up art. Watercolor, pastels, and airbrush were used to elegantly parade the models on the covers of campy magazines or calendars. Brown & Bigelow was an art company that published artists like Gil Elvgren, Rolf Armstrong and Norman Rockwell, and were one of the biggest calendar printers in the world during the late 40's. And artists like Alberto Vargas and George Petty grew famous for their centerfold art in Esquire magazine. Other personal favorites of mine include Billy Devorss, Edward Runci Pearl Frush, and Earl Moran. Look up their art if you get a chance!

We here at FOUND vintage are very knowledgeable about pin up history and can outfit you and your friends in our vintage to ensure you wow the room (and the camera). Come shop!