You're Sweet, My Dear.



Currently Listening to:

"I Want to Be Evil" by Eartha Kitt

So today I had a really fun photoshoot with a photographer that I've not had the chance to work with before. He's incredibly talented - he takes some of the most beautiful fashion-related photos - and I'm super excited to see the final shots. Most of all, I can't wait to share them with all of you! In the meantime, I thought I'd post some photos from shoot I did last year with Miss Jacqueline Harriet. It was very much so inspired by vintage photos of classic actresses of the Silverscreen era. All the wardrobe was mine, as well I did the makeup and hair (as usual lolol). I also made that red two-piece in the first few shots!

Anyhoo... I got an amazing e-mail this morning from Katie over at Natural and I may be going to LA again next week for a booking. I'm currently on hold for the clients. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I do! :D

xoxo coco

You Oughta Know #2: Andrea Kett, Artist

As we all know, inspiration for fashion can come in many different shapes and forms, and for me, personally, that can be no truer than it is with art. I gather a lot of inspiration, fashion-wise, from visual imagery like hand-drawings, cartoons, pictorials, classic renderings, etc... From royalty in 18th century paintings to Art Deco pinups of the 1930s, art provides many a muse for this muffin top! And thanks to one artist in particular, I find myself feeling ever the femme fatale of fashion!

(Right: "OOh Fancy" by Andrea Kett)

Meet Andrea Kett. Currently based in the UK, she is an Irish artist who specializes in "Superior Smut" that is sure to knock your seam-line stockings off! Her artwork is girl power epitomized, inspired by 18th century dauphins and 30s and 40s pinup girls, and is a whimsical mixture of vintage glamor and witty pop art that transports you back to a time when men were men and women were women; and all that separated them was a bullet bra and fishnets!

(Left: "Newly Webs" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Viva Las Vegas" by Andrea Kett)

("Johnny Cake & Pavlova" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Arctic Fox" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Portia Pine" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Jelly Skelly" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Agatha Crispie" by Andrea Kett)

Andrea has been creating her whimsical greeting cards, prints, and even paper dolls for a number of years, depicting all manner of fabulously outrageous characters such as pretty pinups, posh pirates, zombie burlesqueteers, mischevious mermaids and devilish brutes. Each one of her characters has its own signature personality, which makes her work all the more charming as she infuses classic metaphors and analogies in the most playful of ways, breathing new life into the buxom beauties throughout history.

(Left: "Jelly Curls" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Shrimp Cocktail" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Polly Grip the Sweet Tooth Fairy" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Scentaur" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Under-werewolf" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Tarzipan" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Seasons Bleatings" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Diamonds Are a Ghoul's Best Friend" by Andrea Kett)

Andrea's inspiration comes from many different sources: the 1920s-1950s, glam rock, the music of The Cramps and The Tigerlillies, vintage pinup girls, Burlesque, John Waters films, Kenny Everett, The Moomins, Cake Decorating books, horror films, fairy tales, afternoon tea, Fellini films, Jan Svankmajer, Beatrix Potter, P.G. Wodehouse, Mapp and Lucia, Seaside tat, Woody Allen, Naughty Victoriana, Agatha Christie and Lashings of Enid Blyon.

(Left: "Fish & Chips" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Dirty Beach" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "A Jolly Good Roger" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Saucy By Sea" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Hot Hair Balloon" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Trifle Towers" by Andrea Kett)

(Left: "Romeo & Ghouliet" by Andrea Kett, Right: "Blue Rinse" by Andrea Kett)

Miss Kett studied animation at Dun Laoighaire College of Art & Design in Dublin before finishing her studies at Bristol University and since then she has designed for a number of amazing clients! Her commissioned credits include UK shoe retailer, Kurt Geiger, leading British accessories designer, Lulu Guinness, and exotique interior designer and boutique, Sera of London and there is no doubt in my mind that we'll be seeing much more from her in the future!

Andrea's confections are tasty to say the least, and they make me want to throw on some red lipstick and lounge around in nothing but a silk dressing robe as I daintily snack on tea and petit-fours on an early Summer afternoon! There is something distinctly delicious about each and every piece that Andrea dreams up and I can't wait to order some prints of my own to decorate my girlish art gallery (a.k.a. my bedroom wall) - I just wish I had the money enough to order them all! There's a good chance that one of these may end up tattooed on my person, eventually anyway, but only when I've overcome my fear of needles of course! (Which one of these delightful dishes is your favorite?)

To view more of Andrea's work, be sure to check out her Official Website. Her prints are available in several outlets throughout the UK, Ireland and the US, and online at her Etsy shop, which is currently closed, but never fear! It will re-open on January 26th, 2011! Until then, feel free to message her on Etsy (she will be checking her inbox regularly) or contact her through her website for custom commissions...

Hope you feel as inspired as I do!

xoxo coco


Editor's Note: Information and photos taken from Andrea Kett's Official Website and Etsy.
All photos are copyright Andrea Kett. I do not claim ownership. A BIG thanks to Andrea for her permission to use them!

Vintage Boudoir.

These are just some photos from a vintage boudoir style shoot I had earlier this year with Sweet Perfection Photography. Hair and makeup was all me, the slip in the first two shots and the black girdle in the last shot are mine, but all other wardrobe was provided by local boutique, Fringe Vintage. Audrey (the owner) was so awesome to lend out pieces for me to use <3

Any time I get to dress up in full vintage is a great time to me!

xoxo coco

Embrace Your Inner Pinup Girl!

Currently Listening to:
"A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody" by Artie Shaw

As many of you know, along with plus modeling I also dabble in pinup and I'm a firm believer in that every girl should embrace her inner vintage vixen from time to time!

(Photo taken by my sister.)

I've been blessed with the chance to have had such great experiences in my career ranging from signing with Click Models to working for companies like Mervyn's and to having even been published in Retro Lovely Magazine back in October. I love being a plus model and a pinup model, because both have room to positively promote full figures. In fact, one of the things I love most about the classic 40s and 50s pinups is the fact they had curves and were praised for it. Back then, before the 60s saw the rise of uber skinny supermodel Twiggy, what we consider plus sizes now were embraced, loved, and even celebrated! In a world where negative self-image and body issues are on the rise among women young and old everywhere, we should try to remember the words of the great Sophia Loren: "Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got." You don't have to have an hourglass figure in order to be a pinup wonder - a little red lipstick, a smile, and confidence go a long, long way! But in case you're curious, here are some great resources and inspiration to help you release the time-traveling temptress within!

Burlesque & the Art of the Teese

(Left: Burlesque & the Art of the Teese cover feat. Dita by photographer Danielle Bedics.

Right: author Dita looking sweet and sophisticated for the camera, photographer unknown.)

Written by Dita Von Teese, perhaps my biggest inspiration and personal style icon. Dita is a powerhouse of beauty, brains, and business savvy. She has built an empire as a face for MAC cosmetics and as a voice for PETA, she is the current spokeswoman for Perrier, Wonderbra, and a noted muse for designers such as Jean Paul Gualtier and even my own favorites, Elie Saab and John Galliano! She is hailed as the modern pinup girl and is hugely responsible for bringing classic Burlesque back into the mainstream. She also puts Cher, Christina, and notorious faux-lesqueteers The Pussycat Dolls to shame! The thing I admire most about Dita Von Teese though is what she stands for and her message for women of all ages: love yourself, above all else.

Dita's book, Burlesque & the Art of the Teese is not only a warm look into the history of early and modern burlesque, but is also an autobiographical memoir and a guide to vintage glamour for any girl looking to embrace her inner vintage vixen. It is available for purchase at your local bookstore or online at her official website. (Signed copies are also available!) Expect to see a beauty book from Dita soon, as well, you can catch her performing live at The Roxy theatre in Los Angeles this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Tickets available at the Roxy Box Office or Ticketmaster.

Johanna Ost

(Left: Johanna modeling a fancy bow by Vinny & Vernelle. Center: Pinup Postcards

featuring Johanna, available for purchase on her Etsy store. Right: artwork by Johanna.)

27 year-old Johanna Ost is an artist, blogger, and fellow girl anachronism from Vallentuna, Sweden. In addition to writing and making things, she studies history and is also an 18th Century re-enactor! (You can check out her 18th Century Blog here!) This Blonde Bombshell has talent and style. She is the complete girl power package with Marilyn Monroe's hair, Marie Antoinette's bedroom, and an amazing wardrobe straight from a 1950s McCall's catalog. (And did I mention she had quite possibly the best costume this past Halloween? She was Debbie Jellinsky from Addams Family Values! Check out her hand-made costume here.) I adore her fanciful artwork and every time I look at it, I just want to get everything tattooed onto my body! Then I remember I'm deathly afraid of needles and how horrible it was just to get my nose done... Anyway! Her long-time beau Henrik takes all of her photos, he also designed and developed her adorable little website and blog. Johanna is another of my biggest inspirations and I'm sure she'll inspire you too!

Pin Up Girl Clothing

(Left: Pin Up Girl Clothing "Violet" Dress in Pink and Black,

Right: Pin Up Girl Clothing "Violet" Dress in Pink and Black for Plus.)

A great place to find Vintage and Retro-inspired wear is Pin Up Girl Clothing! They carry a wide variety of dresses, seperates, swimwear, shoes and accessories (for women and men) in figure-flattering, curve-hugging styles from brands such as Pinup Couture, Deadly Dames, and Dixiefried. Perfect for every pinup girl! Whether you're a cheesecake cutie, a vivacious vamp, or a mad woman, Pin Up Girl Clothing has something for you! They are the premiere place to purchase pinup and also one of the few companies to proudly use plus models to promote their products and stock full figured sizes. Shop their online store or visit their blog.


Lucy B. Lingerie

(Left: Bernie Dexter for Lucy B. Lingerie "Sweet Tart" Matching Bra, Panties and Garter set.

Right: Lucy B. Lingerie "Gold Digger" Vintage-inspired Two-Piece swimsuit.)

Every pinup girl needs the proper under-pinnings and I can't think of a better place to get them than Lucy B. Lingerie! This woman-owned and woman-run company specializes in vintage-inspired 40s and 50s style lingerie that is affordable, durable, comfortable and cute all wrapped up in one. These aren't your grandma's bras and panties! (Or are they? ;D) Lucy B. Lingerie's retro reproductions are fit for any Pinup Glamour Girl or Burly-Q queen who is looking for fun, fabulous, and foxy underwear! Also, be sure to check out their Pinup of the Month section where they feature a pretty new pinup girl every month!



Aaaaand here are some of my favorite simple, easy-to-do hair and makeup tutorials to help you polish off your pinup look. (Perfect for vintage virgins and pinup style first-timers!)

Vintage Pinup Girl Makeup
by Amy B. of Ask Me Makeup

 



Pink Vintage Pinup Makeup
by Amy B. of Ask Me Makeup





Pin Up Rolled Bang (Faux "Bettie" Bang)
by ThePinUpSweetShoppe





Side-part Victory Rolls
by ThePinUpSweetShoppe





Barbie Ponytail
by ThePinUpSweetShoppe





No matter if you're a long-time fan of the style or a newbie taking your first peek, these are some great places to get a taste of pinuppery! If you're looking for something new and fun to try, I definitely suggest taking some inspiration from these fantastic femme fatales. You can't go wrong with classic vintage-inspired looks like these and they're a great way to feel glamtastically girly for just a special occasion or even every day!

Enjoy!

xoxo coco

P.S. Only 5 more days until I'm 21!!!