Early 1960s pinup inspired by the golden age of Playboy in Retro Lovely #211

Everything happens at once, it seems! Back in September, Marilee Caruso and I shot a set of images inspired by the October, 1962 cover of Playboy magazine. Today, they became a six-page pinup spread in Retro Lovely Issue #211!

Our version of the October 1962 Playboy cover
Our version of the October, 1962 Playboy cover.
October, 1962 Playboy Cover, featuring that month's centerfold, Laura Young
October, 1962 Playboy cover, featuring that month’s centerfold (aka “playmate”), Laura Young.

Marilee did the fabulous early 1960s makeup and hair (and lent me those awesome vintage earrings!), and I supplied my own clothes and vintage copy of the magazine. The playmate necklace (crystal pave bunny head) is a cheapie I got years ago on Ebay, the velvet dress is the olive green velvet Starlet Wiggle from the Vixen line by Micheline Pitt, and the shoes are my old reliable Christian Louboutin Piou-Piou patent stiletto pumps.

Catherine Morland posing with the magazine that inspired the shoot
Catherine Morland posing with the magazine that inspired the shoot. That centerfold is apparently VERY spicy.
I love the simple set Marilee created for the shoot
I love the simple set Marilee created for the shoot. It mimics the original while also adding texture.

As always, you can get the issue straight from Magcloud (when you order a hard copy you get a digital copy for free, immediately). For all of my recent pinup publications, see my Linktree.

More photos from the shoot after the jump!

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Pinup Vampire: On the cover of October’s Bombshell magazine

The fun pinup vampire shoot I did back in May with Marilee Caruso is finally published! The shots are in (and on a cover for) this month’s Bombshell pinup magazine.

BOMBSHELL Oct 2022 - Catherine Morland Cover
BOMBSHELL Oct 2022 – Catherine Morland Cover

I was basically channeling one of my old Vampire: the Masquerade LARP characters, a dancer from Clan Toreador whom I named Lily after Lily Bart in Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth. Marilee did some very romantic Rachael-from-Blade-Runner-ish hair and makeup, and I wore one of my “Elisabeth” dressing gowns from Catherine D’Lish, a black lace bodysuit from Torrid, garter belt and stockings by What Katie Did, and a pair of signed Manolo Blahnik Campari pumps I got third-hand for like $35. Oh, and the fangs are one of two great custom pairs I got from Kaos Kustom Fangs.

Catherine Morland, pinup vampire!
Catherine Morland, pinup vampire!
Catherine Morland, pinup vampire!
Catherine Morland, pinup vampire!

As always, you can buy this faaaabulous Catherine Morland cover issue direct from Magcloud (price includes a free .pdf copy of the issue, available immediately after you pay!). You can also use my handy Linktree to find this or any of my other recent pinup issues. My Linktree can also direct you to an order page for Marilee’s great 2023 pinup calendar (a shot from this vampire set is the February image!).

More pictures after the jump…

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I’m in Marilee Caruso Photography’s 2023 Pinup Calendar!

If you’re looking for a great pinup calendar to grace your wall in 2023, buy one of Marilee Caruso’s! I’m Miss February, but there are 11 other amazing models featured as well (including my friend Miss Melody Noir as Miss October)!

2023 Marilee Caruso Pinup Calendar
2023 Marilee Caruso Pinup Calendar: I’m Miss February

Grab your 2023 Marilee Caruso Photography pinup calendar here!

And remember, you can pick up any of my recent pinup issues, posters, &c. via my Linktree!

Spooky Season Pinup: Retro Lovely Halloween 2022 Special Edition Volume 2 cover…

So I woke up yesterday morning to a fun pinup surprise – another Retro Lovely cover (this is the official Magcloud purchase link for the issue; this is the purchase link for the cover poster)! I’m one of two covers for the Halloween special edition volume 2. The images come from the Yvonne deCarlo-inspired Halloween cat shoot I did back in May with Marilee Caruso.

My Retro Lovely Halloween cover
My Retro Lovely Halloween special edition cover, photographed by Marilee Caruso.
Yvonne deCarlo as a Halloween cat
Yvonne deCarlo as a Halloween cat.

It’s not an exact copy, but that’s intentional. More images after the jump…

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Fashion & Style Influences: Mary Blair at Pinup Girl Clothing

Mary Blair train border print skirt
Mary Blair train border print skirt.

I always tell people that my basic style descends from a combination of Bettie Page (e.g. the bangs), film costume designer Edith Head (e.g. bangs, Mexican and gypsy skirts), and artist Mary Blair. It’s an odd mix, but it begins to make sense if you know me fairly well and think on it for a few moments. You may be aware that my signature hair accessory is a black grosgrain ribbon, something I picked up years ago from photos of Blair. I’m also a huge fan of the colors and shapes she incorporated into her artwork and designs for everything from Disney films and theme park attractions (It’s a Small World!) to advertisements to fashion.

Mary Blair at work
Mary Blair at work, with pony tail and bangs.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when Pinup Girl Clothing announced that they would be adapting some of Blair’s (non-Disney, of course) art to fabrics for a special “Magic of Mary Blair” collection, but I ended up ordering and enjoying several of the pieces. Most items from the collection are existing Pinup Girl Clothing staple pieces, like the popular gathered Jenny skirt and Ella dress, that feature commercial illustrations by Blair. Some of the art comes from textile prints (like the parasols) and others from things like advertisements (e.g. the kittens). They are all constructed from PUG’s favorite cotton sateen fabrics, which look and wear well in casual settings. Continue reading “Fashion & Style Influences: Mary Blair at Pinup Girl Clothing”

Sin in Linen: Bed, bath, and kitchen decor for the vintage enthusiast!

Not long ago I got a very pleasant note from the people who run Sin in Linen, a Seattle-based home textiles company inspired by vintage, pinup, rockabilly, punk, tattoo, gothic, and related aesthetics. Since 2004, owner Sandy Glaze has offered bedding, kitchen goods, and bathroom decor suiting a variety of alternative tastes.

Sin in Linen Atomic Dreams kitchen set
Sin in Linen Atomic Dreams kitchen set

From their main line, you can choose sheet sets, duvet covers, curtains, baby bedding, aprons, oven mitts, and other useful home items in a variety of exclusive fabrics. They kindly sent me one of their signature kitchen aprons and an oven mitt and potholder set in the mid-century modern-inspired “Atomic Dreams” print, a fabric specially designed for them by artist Ragnar of Ragnarama.

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Summer Vintage OotD: A deadstock suntop and Mexican skirt

I just received a vintage 1950s suntop in deadstock condition, so naturally I had to wear it out right away. I wore it to tea with my philodendron-motif vintage Mexican skirt, huge lucite bracelets, and Vivien of Holloway 3-inch stretch belt!

Deadstock suntop and vintage Mexican skirt
Deadstock suntop and vintage Mexican skirt.

The top is made of a slightly-stretchy black poplin, with a ruched back and buttons down the front. The seams are all pinked (zigzag cut edges) to keep them from fraying. This was how they finished seams in the days before prolific serging. Until about 1964, seam sergers weren’t common.

Very cute, but also cool on hot days like today. Yeah, leave it to us to pay to drink hot liquids on a 100F+ day!

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Guest Post: Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress for Betty Le BonBon!

Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress
Trashy Diva Apple Pie Dress

This week I’m a guest writer at Jasmine’s wonderful Betty Le BonBon blog, reviewing the Apple Pie dress from one of my favorite vintage reproduction brands, Trashy Diva!

Check out the review, and Jasmine’s great fashion and lifestyle blog, here!