Your Greatest Pinup Inspiration

[Miss Audrey Brooks]

So who was/is your greatest pinup inspiration ? Who and what got you into the pinup style, look, and life? I get asked this question in many different ways almost daily. People wonder if I am on my way to a movie set, historical reenactment or if I am just plain kooky and Histrionic. As all of us who are here and those of you who are reading this know, something, someone, somewhere inspired us to pursue this and obsess over it.

My greatest inspiration was old, classic cinema. I was glued to the screen as a little girl watching Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable and even Louise Brooks of Pandora's Box fame. I worshipped these ladies and wondered why when I went outside the people werent dressed so well, why everyone looked cheesy and why our generation got gyped in the music and style department. Say what you will but Madonna cannot compete with Billie Holiday, the Backstreet Boys could not compare to the Ink Spots and whatever cheesy 4 piece garage band gone platinum that is popular today cannot compare with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

So here are some of my pinup inspirations. Louise Brooks the girl with the most marvelous haircut ever. Betty Grable the girl with the million dollar legs ( Personally I think she is MUCH prettier and more talented than Monroe) and of course the pinup girls of Gil Elvgren and Billy Devorss. All ladies and images that inspired my life of retro and pinup obsession

[Rikki Belle]

betty grable...greatest gams ever! people tell me I have great legs, and considering that I am middle aged, that makes me feel great! so I really admire betty grable and her killer legs. I also love bettie page, I have her hair. I love the WWII era of hollywood screen starlets.

[Miss Audrey Brooks]

Middle Age? Sweetie what is that ? Dont give away such things, you dont look a day over 27. That said I will say that my husband and I notice that it is the late 20s to late 40s crowd that seems to yield the best looking ladies these days. Something magnificently elegant, saucy, and sexy about them. Also the best dressed crowd when they do dress up, especially the gals in their 30s and 40s.

If you want to see middle aged magnificence google Monica Bellucci, I will try to post a pic later too. She not only has killer legs but killer everything else and she is not at all shy about showing it. She is in her mid to late 40s now and has had two kids and no surgery. See what kind of magnificence we have to look forwad to? The best is yet to come !

Rikki Belle said:

betty grable...greatest gams ever! people tell me I have great legs, and considering that I am middle aged, that makes me feel great! so I really admire betty grable and her killer legs. I also love bettie page, I have her hair. I love the WWII era of hollywood screen starlets.

[Jenna Photog]

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[Miss Audrey Brooks]

How fantastic. I originally started this thread because I read all the Bettie Page, Katy Perry and Dita references ( I LOVE DITA) but I wasnt seeing mention of the classics of Hollywood the Betty Grables and the Rita Hayworths of the world.

I too have a 1970s era book on Alberto Vargas and it was one of the things that got me into pinup, perhaps even the same book as you have.

Interestingly enough the thing that made me fall in love with the era were the Abbott and Costello films. Always fun to watch even to this day and the girls and the fashion was always beautiful and of course there was the whole series of films, I believe 3-4 that they did with the ever perfect Andrews Sisters. Those films are MAGICAL !



Jennainhiding said:

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[Jenna Photog]

Great thread BTW! I've never been asked

And I too am a HUGE Bettie Page, Dita von Teese, Sabina Kelley, Katy Perry, Marilyn Monroe fan (just to name a few)!!

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

How fantastic. I originally started this thread because I read all the Bettie Page, Katy Perry and Dita references ( I LOVE DITA) but I wasnt seeing mention of the classics of Hollywood the Betty Grables and the Rita Hayworths of the world.

I too have a 1970s era book on Alberto Vargas and it was one of the things that got me into pinup, perhaps even the same book as you have.

Interestingly enough the thing that made me fall in love with the era were the Abbott and Costello films. Always fun to watch even to this day and the girls and the fashion was always beautiful and of course there was the whole series of films, I believe 3-4 that they did with the ever perfect Andrews Sisters. Those films are MAGICAL !



Jennainhiding said:

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[Miss Audrey Brooks]

Audrey Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth, Louise Brooks, Gene Tierney, Grace Kelly, Betty Grable, DITA Von Teese and lots of others too !!

You have great taste and have a FANTASTIC look !

Jennainhiding said:

Great thread BTW! I've never been asked

And I too am a HUGE Bettie Page, Dita von Teese, Sabina Kelley, Katy Perry, Marilyn Monroe fan (just to name a few)!!

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

How fantastic. I originally started this thread because I read all the Bettie Page, Katy Perry and Dita references ( I LOVE DITA) but I wasnt seeing mention of the classics of Hollywood the Betty Grables and the Rita Hayworths of the world.

I too have a 1970s era book on Alberto Vargas and it was one of the things that got me into pinup, perhaps even the same book as you have.

Interestingly enough the thing that made me fall in love with the era were the Abbott and Costello films. Always fun to watch even to this day and the girls and the fashion was always beautiful and of course there was the whole series of films, I believe 3-4 that they did with the ever perfect Andrews Sisters. Those films are MAGICAL !



Jennainhiding said:

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[Jenna Photog]

Thanks hun!! Beautiful port!!! (PS - i'm the brunette in my port I work more behind the camera these days )

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

Audrey Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth, Louise Brooks, Gene Tierney, Grace Kelly, Betty Grable, DITA Von Teese and lots of others too !!

You have great taste and have a FANTASTIC look !

Jennainhiding said:

Great thread BTW! I've never been asked

And I too am a HUGE Bettie Page, Dita von Teese, Sabina Kelley, Katy Perry, Marilyn Monroe fan (just to name a few)!!

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

How fantastic. I originally started this thread because I read all the Bettie Page, Katy Perry and Dita references ( I LOVE DITA) but I wasnt seeing mention of the classics of Hollywood the Betty Grables and the Rita Hayworths of the world.

I too have a 1970s era book on Alberto Vargas and it was one of the things that got me into pinup, perhaps even the same book as you have.

Interestingly enough the thing that made me fall in love with the era were the Abbott and Costello films. Always fun to watch even to this day and the girls and the fashion was always beautiful and of course there was the whole series of films, I believe 3-4 that they did with the ever perfect Andrews Sisters. Those films are MAGICAL !



Jennainhiding said:

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[Miss Audrey Brooks]

Well you are GORGEOUS !!
I am the brunette in mine as well LOL = )

Jennainhiding said:

Thanks hun!! Beautiful port!!! (PS - i'm the brunette in my port I work more behind the camera these days )

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

Audrey Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth, Louise Brooks, Gene Tierney, Grace Kelly, Betty Grable, DITA Von Teese and lots of others too !!

You have great taste and have a FANTASTIC look !

Jennainhiding said:

Great thread BTW! I've never been asked

And I too am a HUGE Bettie Page, Dita von Teese, Sabina Kelley, Katy Perry, Marilyn Monroe fan (just to name a few)!!

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

How fantastic. I originally started this thread because I read all the Bettie Page, Katy Perry and Dita references ( I LOVE DITA) but I wasnt seeing mention of the classics of Hollywood the Betty Grables and the Rita Hayworths of the world.

I too have a 1970s era book on Alberto Vargas and it was one of the things that got me into pinup, perhaps even the same book as you have.

Interestingly enough the thing that made me fall in love with the era were the Abbott and Costello films. Always fun to watch even to this day and the girls and the fashion was always beautiful and of course there was the whole series of films, I believe 3-4 that they did with the ever perfect Andrews Sisters. Those films are MAGICAL !



Jennainhiding said:

My inspiration are film noir classics - moody black and whites with contrast lighting. Heavy shadowing, impeciable make-up, brilliant hair styles and oh the drama. A time when fashion had structure and clothing was made out of quality fabrics.

A few things got me into the scene: my father had an Alberta Varga book lying around the house when I was a kid (which I know own )...I'd look at it and want to be one. Then, in my 20's, my boyfriend (now husband) played trombone in a swing band for over 7 years. We toured everywhere and the pin-up/ rockabilliy/ swing world was our life. I don't pull the look off everyday, but my tattoos and entire persona in inspired by the lifestyle.

[DesiLuStar]

Has My inspiration always will be Lucille Ball I was raised with the old fashions cause my family
growing up she always been my idol I believe that she a wonderful role model and still is! I'm a collector of all the stuff she has done :) before she started being a actress she was a model after that she became to be known has the Queen of B-movies until years past by is when she got the greatest role ever I Love Lucy greatest tv show ever! :D

[Rikki Belle]

I will be 43 this month. the average human lives 76 years.

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

Middle Age? Sweetie what is that ? Dont give away such things, you dont look a day over 27. That said I will say that my husband and I notice that it is the late 20s to late 40s crowd that seems to yield the best looking ladies these days. Something magnificently elegant, saucy, and sexy about them. Also the best dressed crowd when they do dress up, especially the gals in their 30s and 40s.

If you want to see middle aged magnificence google Monica Bellucci, I will try to post a pic later too. She not only has killer legs but killer everything else and she is not at all shy about showing it. She is in her mid to late 40s now and has had two kids and no surgery. See what kind of magnificence we have to look forwad to? The best is yet to come !

Rikki Belle said:

betty grable...greatest gams ever! people tell me I have great legs, and considering that I am middle aged, that makes me feel great! so I really admire betty grable and her killer legs. I also love bettie page, I have her hair. I love the WWII era of hollywood screen starlets.

[Rikki Belle]

also, I am proud to call myself a "broad" my grandma used that word a lot. she told me back when I was a teenager, that when you turn 40, you are officially a broad. so, I am a 42 year broad with great gams! haha

Rikki Belle said:

I will be 43 this month. the average human lives 76 years.

Miss Audrey Brooks said:

Middle Age? Sweetie what is that ? Dont give away such things, you dont look a day over 27. That said I will say that my husband and I notice that it is the late 20s to late 40s crowd that seems to yield the best looking ladies these days. Something magnificently elegant, saucy, and sexy about them. Also the best dressed crowd when they do dress up, especially the gals in their 30s and 40s.

If you want to see middle aged magnificence google Monica Bellucci, I will try to post a pic later too. She not only has killer legs but killer everything else and she is not at all shy about showing it. She is in her mid to late 40s now and has had two kids and no surgery. See what kind of magnificence we have to look forwad to? The best is yet to come !

Rikki Belle said:

betty grable...greatest gams ever! people tell me I have great legs, and considering that I am middle aged, that makes me feel great! so I really admire betty grable and her killer legs. I also love bettie page, I have her hair. I love the WWII era of hollywood screen starlets.

[Dirtee Martina]

I adore audrey hepburn since I first saw her in that stunning Givency dress she was wearing in Sabrina. I was four then and I thought she was a princess, because in my view only princesses were so beautiful and graceful...and years later I'm still fascinated by her.

Birdie La Rouge said:

All of the ladies who have responded mentioned all of my favoites. Dita.. ahh Dita, Bettie and Betty, Marilyn, and Morticia! But there is one other woman who i think needs to be mentioned and thats Audry Hepburn. She's not a pinup in the traditional sense, but every move she made on screen was just so delicate, beautiful, and graceful that I can't help but to think of her as one of my inspirations. There have been many nights where I have fallen asleep to Roman Holliday, or Breakfast at Tiffanys playing in my DVD player. As beautiful as she was, she was stricken with crippling insecurity and self doubt. Yet, she mannaged to shine in everything she did.