Outfits of the Year: Pinup fun with Holly West, Deadly Dames, and new friends!

Kali by Holly West
Kali by Holly West. Makeup and Hair by Rockwell DeVil.

Most of you probably know that I’ve lost around 150 pounds over the last several years. I’ve battled with crappy body image for much of my life, and medically influenced massive weight gain in my mid-twenties certainly didn’t help. My goal has never been to get “skinny” or hit some sort of arbitrary weight goal. I’m happy just to feel comfortable with my body again, and the photo shoots in which I’ve participated this year have definitely helped with that. My most recent shoot happened this September at a custom car shop in Sacramento, with the superlative photographer Holly West.

I learned a lot and had a great time meeting Holly and Rockwell DeVil, the amazing makeup and hair goddess, model, and burlesque performer. I also met a wonderful and gorgeous new friend, Malia, who isn’t a professional model yet but really should be.

Kali by Holly West
Kali by Holly West. Makeup and Hair by Rockwell DeVil.

I wore two favorite Deadly Dames ensembles with some of my vintage jewelry: the stretch velvet Film Noir dress in emerald green and the Courtesan Swing dress in “Victorian Rose” print. We posed with a beautifully refurbished 1930s Ford and against a pretty pink paper seamless. Some of the poses felt hysterically awkward but Holly and Raquel made us look great! I can’t wait to work with them again!

Kali by Holly West
Kali by Holly West. Makeup and hair by Rockwell DeVil.
Kali by Holly West
Kali by Holly West. Makeup and hair by Rockwell DeVil.

12 Replies to “Outfits of the Year: Pinup fun with Holly West, Deadly Dames, and new friends!”

  1. Got here via one of your pins on Jane Austin. What fun! Interesting website and your pix look great! Very inspiring story – I keep trying to keep my weight down and I appreciate the inspiration from you! Happy Holidays! Liz Q

  2. I am really enjoying your blog! This month’s cars were crazy! I guess I am sort of a motorhead (I do ride a Harley!) and loved the vintage feel of the pix! Congrats! Liz Q.

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