The BenCab Museum near Baguio City was so much fun. Aside from the vast collection of Ben, our guide Ryan gave us a unique experience through the museum. He himself is very artistic, taking our smart phones and incorporate the art into our photos.
My photos are taken in the erotica section, where there are interesting works of art on the…well art of sex. It’s a very popular feature in this museum.
Obsessed with mermaids, finding this bag was a dream. Abby Jocson has numerous quirky designs from pineapples to hearts. My belt is from Pattye’s Closet, a vintage boutique in Glendale. It was a score (at just $10). The swallows are classic. Something from Sailor Jerry, or any flash tattoo design.
Lady Presley as I know her. She is the wife of the late great King Elvis Presley. I won’t go into any details on how, when, where and every detail of her life . (You can watch her very very interesting history with Elvis and her special life here.) I just want to focus on her unique beauty and style. With all the research I’ve done about her, Elvis had a HUGE say in her fashion. I like to think of it as him helping her grow into the fashionable Priscilla she is today.
Priscilla before Elvis’ fashionable guidance
Lana del Rey is the biggest modern day Priscilla (FASHION WISE!) From her hair, makeup, the lips and that lifted nose. Even some of Priscilla’s photos have been imitated by Lana.
I love her baby doll face. Now, she isn’t necessarily ‘pin-up’ fashion so to speak. But, what I love about her style is it was the definition of the early 1960s and 70’s. Her make-up is my ultimate inspiration, and today I try to do her lethal cut-crease and winged eyeliner. All rock n’ roll and glamour. Here are some of my favorite Priscilla looks and see how her style transforms :
Fresh into Elvis’ lifeThe wedding dress she wore twice. Once for their ceremony in Vegas, and another back in Graceland.Honeymoon Send-off. This is my ultimate favorite look. Elvis is a good accessory too.Hawaii times–Lots of floral prints and head pieces.To look this good just four days after giving birth–Priscilla Presley everyone.Transitioning into the 70’s
It’s my honor to introduce Miss Amy May. Hailing from the UK, she describes herself as “owning far too many red lipsticks and a fair number of sparkly shoes.” Miss Amy May’s taste It’s my honor to introduce Miss Amy May. Hailing from the UK, she describes herself as “owning far too many red lipsticks and a fair number of sparkly shoes.” Miss Amy May’s taste in wiggle dresses, full skirts, and her love of Harry Potter illustrates the modern-day pinup gal. I was delighted for you to get a glimpse on her inspirations, favorite trends, thoughts on the pin-up community.
Where has your love for the vintage/pin-up fashion come from?
I think somewhere inside me I have always just thought the era of the 50’s was the most elegant, sophisticated and feminine out of all the eras in fashion. I didn’t really watch a lot of old movies, or was exposed to music and such, when I was younger like most of my pinup friends. I only began to admire such things as I grew older. At the beginning I felt I was too young to pull of the look, as though I would be playing dress up. Over time, my love for the style grew and i came to feel it was something I could indulge in as I became confident enough to try it.
How long have you been involved in the pin-up community?
I began my style transition in early 2013, first experimenting with wetset pincurls as a hairstyle revamp and then branching out to the clothes and makeup. By that autumn I was wearing the style exclusively socially (I work as a Warehouse Supervisor, so I can’t be pin-up at work) The entire time I was on Instagram, where I documented my style change and began to make friends with other pinups all over the world, delving further into the community from there. I began my blog in mid 2014 and since then my love for the style, the other women within it and the ways it has opened up my life have all only grown.
Has becoming a pin-up changed you in any ways?
Loads! Mostly, I’m more confident now, both in my looks and my body, and in myself and my personality. I feel like embracing the small joys of wearing what I like when I like, without worrying what other people might think of me, it has really freed me as a person and lessened a lot of the social anxiety which I used to suffer from. Now, if I get presented an opportunity that scares me a little, I focus on the excitement of it and I say YES. I’m more outspoken and thoughtful than before. Kinder, stronger, and happier in general.
Who are your inspirations?
All of my family, for just being smart, funny, supportive beautiful humans. JK Rowling for being a creative genius and an incredible person who cares about those less fortunate than herself and won’t be told to sit quietly just because she’s a woman. Every one of my friends who has overcome. Micheline Pitt and Laura Byrnes for being both creative and mental powerhouses. Rachel Jensen for being so incredibly stylish. All the pinups I interact with who encourage one another and are generous enough to offer me any single iota of support.
By being a pin-up , do you see yourself influencing other women/girls?
I’ve had other women tell me that seeing me sport this style with confidence gave them the push to embrace it themselves and grow more confident in themselves . But I don’t think that’s really about me. I think all pinups have that power. We dress differently than other people, we dare to look at every stranger in public and declare, with our mere looks, ‘I know what I like and who I am, and I don’t care if society thinks it’s weird or would prefer I wear what everyone else is wearing.’ We dare to stand out. We learn to ooze confidence. I think in our modern world, where equality is not yet a true reality and we women are often told in a thousand small ways in a single day to make ourselves smaller, that is inspiring and empowering and wonderful.
What are your favorite pieces to wear that make you feel confident/sexy?
My swing dresses make me feel most confident and sexy. You might not think so, since they typically cover me to my mid-shin and rarely have anything more on show than a hint of cleavage at most, but I think the pinup style is a lot about being in control of what you want to show off and knowing that you are feminine, sexy and glamorous whether you’re in a body hugging wiggle dress or a long-sleeved swing skirt with two petticoats underneath. It’s the entire aesthetic, not one specific silhouette, that I find sexy and sensual and womanly, and it allows me to feel that way even when I am covered in literal meters and meters of fabric.
What is your daily routine for getting ready?
For my daily routine it depends upon whether I am going out after work or staying in. If I’m going out after work then my routine involves setting my hair in pincurls the night before, waking up an extra half hour before work so I can do my full face of makeup (sans the red lipstick,) then taking out my pincurls when I get home from work, freshening up, touching up my makeup, adding lipstick and perfume, and getting into whatever outfit I probably mentally picked out a couple days before. If I’m in for the night then my routine before work means I don’t make any special effort for the day; I might wear some foundation and mascara, but I always have to be dressed practically for my very physical job, so I wear my work uniform and often tie my hair out of the way.
What are some means in sharing your unique style?
I post pictures of my pinup outfits on my Instagram, I also blog at least twice a week about the different elements of the style, reviews on clothing, my favorite makeup products, any hair tricks I have and craft projects for low budget accessories. I occasionally model for retro clothing brands boutiques and vintage magazines. That is always fun and a change from my day-job. I haven’t participated in any pinup pageants, but along with a group of my pinup friends, known as The British Belles, this summer we created a charity event called Pinup Picnic in the Park. We invited anyone who would like to meet up with friends old and new, who share our vintage love and have a picnic at London’s Hyde park. It was wonderful getting to see so many people who had only spoken online before, mostly Instagram, and finally being able to meet in the flesh. Ladies who are new to the style were able to meet their first ever batch of real-life people who share their love and interest. as part of the event we hosted a charity raffle, with almost 40 prizes donated from vintage and retro style brands from across the world. It went on to raise over £1000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. A charity very near and dear to our hearts. The whole event was amazing and we can’t wait to host another one next year.
Instagram: @miss_amy_may
Being a pin-up girl in the modern day can be difficult, have you ever experienced backlash or negativity from your community?
I’m really lucky that I haven’t experienced any of that. The community is really supportive, so I’ve never had any negative experience within it, but even outside of it people have only ever been nice and interested to me about my style. I can tell some people find it confusing or just too much effort, as if it’s vapid to enjoy wearing something pretty, but those people don’t concern me because I don’t do it for them. I do it for myself and I know I’m an intelligent person regardless of whether I like bright lipstick or glittery necklaces.
I want to remind every female, whether girl, woman or in between, that she is one of a kind and beautiful. We get a lot of pressure applied to us from all aspects of society, even by family and friends, both knowingly and unknowingly, to look and act a certain way. More often than not the things we are told to be and do are conflicting–don’t have sex, but also don’t be a prude. Don’t care about what you look like, but also don’t be ugly. Don’t be dumb, but don’t be smarter than the men in your life. It’s all institutionalised sexism that we have to unlearn and, more importantly, have to stop forcing upon one another by mimicking the judgements we grow up hearing all around us. We are not each other’s competition. We are a sisterhood, and whether that means complimenting another girl because you like her swing dress or whether that means reminding one another that we have a voice and important things to say, it all plays its part in helping each other feel good and worthy and strong and better than society tells us we are. Don’t be scared to be who you want to be, and try your best to encourage other women to live as their true selves as well. Be kind. Be brave. Be badass.
Thank you Miss Amy May for sharing the love you have for pin-up. Your strong ideals and confidence is sure to reach those who have yet found theirs.
The local brand Apartment 8 Clothing has been known to carry a lot of clean-cut and structured pieces. i dropped by their store over at Alabang Town Center and was immediately impressed by their array of colors. I loved how they carried several designs of circle skirts. Their look is a bit modern and edgy, but being pin-up taking a circle skirt with the right color and accessories I now have a perfect outfit. Seriously loving their items and will definitely be heading back for more!
This off-shoulder top reminds me Rita Hayworth, or Dorthy Dandridge in Carmen.
LOVE the teal! One of my favorite retro colors. I’m super happy that they have this color.
Length of the skirt is just right. Shoes by Aldo.Lips: Kate Moss for Rimmel in Rossetto.
We all know Playboy. Playboy fueled the everyday man’s fantasy, lifestyle and let’s say…inspiration. Their famous centerfolds from aspiring models, famous women and rising stars. To men’s tips on the perfect golf swig and the right color tie to bring out your masculinity.
Society views Playboy as sexualizing women. Opinions are made where men’s reading material is known to be dirty, vulgar and disrespectful. Even towards the women who choose to pose in those nudie spreads receive shame from the conservative. However, I see no difference with women’s magazines. Women’s magazines can be just as dirty, with countless ‘advice’ columns on how to reach an orgasm and those ‘confessions’ famous in Cosmopolitan, and even to the women gracing the covers in a sexual manner. But how come those women don’t receive shame, rather praise? Women sexualize men just as they do in Playboy. We spread men on our centerfolds with nothing but a pair of jeans or undies. (not complaining)
Women’s Health vs. FHM-is there a difference?
Of course, Playboy isn’t the only magazine that carry this kind of content. There are countless titles from FHM, Maxim, Nuts, GQ, Esquire.…And for the women? Cosmopolitan, In Style, Glamour, Marie Claire, and even Women’s Health…more, I know there is more. So, women are just as dirty as men making it a fair game. Today we see the progress in women’s magazines becoming equal to that of men’s. But it is not enough, there is still the stigma of being overtly sexual as a woman. There is a misconception of today’s feminist that stand against these ‘dirty men’s magazines’, but they tend to forget that we too expose the men. So, why do we see them differently?
Before the epic 1953 launch of Playboymaking sex mainstream, popular pornographic material was kept underground. Society liked to keep things secret. Owning such material was considered dirty, like a fetish of some sort. We also have to look at how mid-century women’s magazines were pre-women’s lib. Articles strictly stuck to keeping house, matching your drapes to the perfect foyer and the recipe to Susie’s favorite chocolate chip cookies. You won’t find Jenny, 23 from Makati with her confession of a quickie with Tom in the janitor’s closet. And that defines the difference as to why we view these sexual magazines as taboo.
Marilyn Monroe gracing the first issue of Playboy
Like I said Playboy wasn’t the only dirty magazine. My friend Adi got me something amazing for my birthday. He found a 1957 issue of Nugget Magazine at an antique store in Quezon City. A little frail around the edges and the seam, which I saved by enclosing in a plastic cover. The colors of the pages are still as vibrant as it would be when it was orignally published. Nugget was one of those wannabe Playboys. It’s basically the poor man’s Playboy. Articles are bland, from fantasy stories about women, to how to cook a perfect steak. Their centerfolds aren’t exactly the top of the list either. Mostly unknowns, these women are much more vulgar (for a 1957 issue that is). The photography seems to be shot by an amateur, but nevertheless the women are beautiful. Illustrations full of cheeky jokes, and many many photos of women and their assets.
The equivilant to the women’s perfect meat loaf.An article on Howard Hughes.“Hi, Tommy…and Linda too? Now this is a surprise” (Original caption.)
Terrible humor in today’s standards.
Featured is Joy Harmon, best known for her infamous car wash scene from “Cool Hand Luke” (Starring Paul Newman). This scene launched the iconic sexiness of washing a car!
The centerfold’s came with no proper interviews, rather a commentary of the photoshoot. Specifying on a seduction and sexual advances between model and photographer.
For me, this is a special rare find. Nugget was unknown to me and it still is. I literally could not find anything online besides former covers on Google Images. There seems to be no website, or even a Wikipedia page. If anyone does find something please let me know I would love to learn more about this publication! Owning this magazine is one of the greatest gifts I have received. Being able to gaze through the dated articles and detailed editorials let’s me be in 1957 from a man’s perspective. It gives an authentic idea of how times have definitely changed.
Last Monday, I was graced with an invitation to Hubblogathon hosted by Impact Hub Manila. Hubblogathon was a day where 20+ bloggers gathered together to share their ideas, listen to experienced bloggers and talk with local entrepreneurs who began their businesses with a cause.
Since I am still new to the blogging community it was a perfect experience being able to go beyond my expertise. Meeting writers from all kinds of genres from beauty, travel, urban lifestyle, health, HIV awarness and the LGBT community, and even to cancer awarness. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated being the only fashion blogger. It’s easy to see a fashion blog as superficial, and that is why I am so thankful for going to this event. I was able to bring back the roots as to why I even started this blog. Being inspired by these other bloggers, and the entrepreneurs that I met gave me a clearer vision to the purpose of my writings. You see, never in my life did I ever think I would start a fashion blog. I began this blog because I have always loved to write. I began this blog because I have always loved to share my thoughts. I began this blog because I wanted to make a change.
Hubblogathon brought several guests to talk about their organizations that benefit the people. From BamBike, Hope In a Bottle, Mom’s Hause of Mushroom, and KKK Coffee among others. Inspiring to see that from the beginning each of these organizations/companies were driven to make an impact on the community.
Speakers Johan Janssens, Bryan Benitez McClelland, Ami Valdemoro, Jay Martin, Philippe Gaeng, and Princess ManzonCheck out Bam Bike!
It just so happens that my love for vintage fashion and the pin-up culture became acknowledged through Instagram and one little article on Buzzfeed. People started to notice and I began taking credit. It gave me the confidence to share my knowledge to those who are unaware of how great the pin-up culture really is. I want people to understand how the popularity of the modern day pin-up is playing a role in today’s feminist society. There is a large role of feminism in pin-up culture today; going from body confidence, equality, freedom of expression and so-on. What I’ve learned from Impact Hub Manila is just how important and powerful a blog can be. Even if I reach a small number of readers, those readers are enough for me to be happy that I have been heard. I’ve always wanted to advocate certain aspects of the women in the Philippines. Coming from a country full of corruption, poverty and inequality it can be very difficult for women to understand the importance of gender role.
The event made me push the reset button, and now I am fully inspired and have been brought back to the root of my blog in reaching my goal of showing how pin-up models and the women and men who are into “old fashioned cars, red lipstick, posing in a swimsuit and wear really old clothes” are actually really great role models. I wish to bring this sense of positivity to all women in the Philippines. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to curl your hair, wear a petticoat all day and do your makeup for 30 minutes. That is just a great added factor to being a woman! My future writings will continue to emphasize on fashion, style, vintage videos, movies and inspirations. But, now my writings will be full of new valuable content spanning from social impact, environmental change, and women empowerment. Look forward to many collaborations, exclusives and open forums!
Mina Deocareza of Voice of the Youth and Joemar Belleza of baklapoako.comRiding Clean with coffee entrepreneur Brian Tenorio and fellow blogger Audrey Tangonan.With beauty blogger Gellie Abogado of http://www.gelleesh.com
I hope you continue with me on this blog not only for the beautiful dresses and old Hollywood starlets, but to understand and get an insight as to why I love this culture so much. I want to thank Impact Hub Manila for the great experience, and for all of you who are interested in social and environmental impact, entreprenureal ideas and guidance, or would just love to become a member for co-working check out on Impacthub.ph .Each month they invite many business leaders to give talks where you can come in for FREE and listen in on their journey. Talks such as “Fuck Up Nights” where you learn from failed businesses to what they can achieve, to “Nailed It Nights” a talk on sucessful startups. Just check out their Facebook or website for updates on these events.
I think I’m having an affair with the color teal. This dress is so cute with it’s polkadots and the structure of the color makes it a classic pinup look. The material is so light which is perfect for summer. My shoes are Philippine hand-made and guess for how much? Just Php 250! I did my makeup light for the day because of the insane humidity that is happening. This look is overall pretty simple.
The Pin-up Girl Manila 