Category: My Costume Projects

Various historical (and eventually, other) costume ensembles I’ve put together, designed, or made. More specialized than Outfits of the Day.

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Laura Palmer Twin Peaks cosplay images in Retro Lovely Masquerade

Marilee Caruso and I shot some fun Black Lodge-themed cosplay images earlier this year, featuring me as Laura Palmer from David Lynch’s and Mark Frost’s quirky Twin Peaks TV show. We went for a slightly 1930s-1940s Laura as the show is known for its frequent retro visual callbacks, and – as I was 48 at the time the photos were shot – an older Laura, which is more in line with the third season of the show. The final season aired in 2017, featuring versions of all the characters aged 25 years from their original appearance during the early-90s run of the show.

Laura Palmer in the Black Lodge: Meanwhile
Laura Palmer in the Black Lodge: Meanwhile.

More after the jump… Continue reading “Laura Palmer Twin Peaks cosplay images in Retro Lovely Masquerade”

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New publications! Classic diner pinup in The Social Pin and Lucy Westenra cosplay in Retro Lovely Vampyre

Two more pinup publications this year, both with photography, makeup and hair by Marilee Caruso! My Rick’s Dessert Diner images are in the super-duper Social Pin Issue 72 (and on the back cover!) and my Lucy Westenra (of the Coppola Bram Stoker’s Dracula adaptation fame) pics are in Volume 1 of Retro Lovely‘s new Vampyre special edition!

On the back cover of The Social Pin #72!
Lucy Westenra cosplay
Lucy Westenra cosplay in Retro Lovely Vampyre.

More after the jump…

Continue reading “New publications! Classic diner pinup in The Social Pin and Lucy Westenra cosplay in Retro Lovely Vampyre”

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New pinup with Bombshell PinUp Photography!

I have two new pinup publications with some great new collaborators: Liz of Bombshell Pinup Photography and Sam of Beauty by Samantha White! Our images are featured in six-page spreads in both Retro Lovely No. 237 and Bombshell‘s February Valentine’s issue! And, we got a cover!

The first set was a lovely Gil Elvgren-inspired Valentine’s Day collection of images featuring a beautiful vintage satin comforter set acquired by Liz. I brought some cool fake roses, my vintage See’s Candy Valentine heart boxes, and a goodly chunk of my lingerie wardrobe, and here’s the result:

Catherine Morland by Bombshell PinUp Photography
Catherine Morland on the cover of Bombshell Magazine, photographed by Bombshell PinUp Photography.

Sam’s makeup was amazing, Liz’s hairstyling was sublime, and my Bettie Page lingerie, What Katie Did Demi corset, vintage jewelry, trusty dusty Manolo Blahnik Sedarabys, and Catherine D’Lish lilac Cassandra robe did their jobs!

The second look was very bondage-y, inspired by our Pinup Queen, Bettie Mae Page. I brought my hand-tooled leather collar and black lingerie, and borrowed Liz’s PVC corset, shoes, and props. Sam gave me a bold red lip and Liz gave me Bettie waves. And we were off! 

More pics from our two-look shoot after the jump…

Continue reading “New pinup with Bombshell PinUp Photography!”

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A new Retro Lovely Showcase issue dedicated entirely to Catherine Morland!

So here’s some fun news! I now have a Retro Lovely Showcase special edition dedicated entirely to my pinup work with great photographers like Marilee Caruso, Miss Missy, Bettina May, and Feathered Flash!

Catherine Morland Showcase special edition by Retro Lovely
Catherine Morland Showcase special edition by Retro Lovely.

You can purchase a copy here for $25, including shipping, a sticker, and my signature!

Posters are available too, for $15 signed and shipped!

This issue, the cover poster, and my 2024 pinup calendar are also currently available via my Linktree.

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It’s a Retro Lovely Halloween (pin up galore)!

I’m a Halloween girl going way back, so it’s no shocker that I enjoy spooky pinup. This year, in addition to the “Halloween in April” cover my friends and I earned six months ago, I’m published in two volumes of Retro Lovely’s Halloween special edition!

Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 cover - witchy pinup!
Witchy pinup in Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 cover.

Marilee Caruso took the photos and did the glam for both sets.

Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 - Dracula's bride
Retro Lovely Halloween 2023: Dracula’s vampire bride.

The first feature (my singles from our “Brides of Dracula” vampire shoot) got six pages in volume 8, and the second (lingerie witch) received six pages and a cover for volume 9.

You can order copies of these issues, a Halloween Vol. 9 cover poster, a copy of my 2024 Retro Lovely Calendar, and all my issues for the past two years via my Linktree.

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I’m Miss April in Marilee Caruso Photography’s 2024 Pinup Calendar

You’re already aware of my Retro Lovely x Catherine Morland pinup calendar (available now!), but I’d also like you to consider purchasing my friend Marilee Caruso’s annual 2024 pinup calendar, featuring 12 different models in a dozen of Marilee’s favorite images from the past year.

Marilee Caruso 2024 Pinup Calendar
Marilee Caruso 2024 Pinup Calendar: I’m Miss April!

One of my Tower Theatre pics is the “Miss April” image, with great models like cover girl Cherry D’Lish, Rockwell De’Vil, Miss Melody Noir, Missy Maybe, and many others featured.

April calendar image
My April calendar image.

Marilee – who did all the photography for my own calendar – is truly the best in the business. If you like pinup or are a fan of great photography, you need both of these calendars! 😀

To order…

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Roses and the historic Tower Theatre in Retro Lovely 229

Last month, Marilee Caruso and I took some Summery outdoor pinup images in the garden in front of Sacramento’s historic Tower Theatre. They turned out just as I’d hoped, and appear in Retro Lovely Number 229! One of the covers for this issue features Suzi Q in a great jukebox-themed pinup set also photographed by Marilee!

Catherine Morland by Marilee Caruso
Catherine Morland by Marilee Caruso.

Marilee did the fabulous 1940s-inspired makeup and hair, and I’m wearing Vixen by Micheline Pitt (her 1950s Swing Sundress in red vintage roses print – it comes with the scarf!). The bat sunglasses are also by Micheline Pitt, from her La Femme en Noir line. The shoes are by Remix (I think they’re the Veronica style, but I’ve had them for at least 8 years at this point so I can’t be sure).

Catherine Morland photographed by Marilee Caruso
Catherine Morland photographed by Marilee Caruso.
Catherine Morland by Marilee Caruso
Catherine Morland by Marilee Caruso.

We were going for mid-century old Hollywood glamour, and this locale provides that vibe. 

You can purchase this issue, and all of my issues here, or via the links in my Linktree:

 

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The Creature From the Black Lagoon does pinup in Retro Lovely Bathing Beauties Number 4

Earlier this year, I shot some fun, Summery pinup images with my friend and fave photographer Marilee Caruso and our good buddy the Gill Man of Creature From the Black Lagoon film fame. I wore a pretty gold lamé repro of the famous “Swoon” suit style of the 1940s by Vintage Suits by Mary and posed in a pond set carefully designed by Marilee.

Catherine Morland and Gilman in Retro Lovely Bathing Beauties number 4
Catherine Morland and Gilman in Retro Lovely Bathing Beauties number 4.

The photos ended up being playful and funny, as we very quickly moved away from me playing terrorized victim to the creature himself turning tail and running away. I’m guessing it was my big net and massive Dooneese Maharelle energy that scared him off? The world may never know.

Catherine Morland and Gilman in Retro Lovely Bathing Beauties number 4
Catherine Morland and Gilman in Retro Lovely Bathing Beauties number 4.

Anyway, a fun way to bridge the gap between hot Summer days by the lagoon and Halloween.

There are six images in all, each published in Volume 4 of this year’s Bathing Beauties special edition by Retro Lovely. To purchase this or any of my publications, including my 2024 pinup calendar by Retro Lovely, see my LinkTree.