The New York Pin-Up Photography Meetup Group
In these days of sex tape-leaking starlets, it’s nice to celebrate a time when red lipstick and some eyelash fluttering went a long way. That’s what the folks at the New York Pin-Up Photography Meetup Group aim to recapture.
Founded in 2006 by film producer Brandon Herman, the club boasts 1,000 Meetup members and 20 to 25 hard-core fans at its monthly gatherings and photo shoots, which have taken place at Coney Island and Long Island’s American Airpower Museum. “One time we went for a sunset sail on a gorgeous 100-foot wooden sailboat, and the models had on nautical bathing suits and captain hats,” says Herman. Drool.
The club’s next get-together is Monday 6 at 7pm at Lucky Jack’s (129 Orchard St between Delancey and Rivington Sts, 212-477-6555). To join the party, sign up at meetup.com/nypinupclub. Worried you won’t fit in? We’ve graciously whipped up a starter guide to retro culture. Tyra Banks wishes she knew this stuff.—Katie Hintz
Get the look
The Pin-Up Group’s models suggest keeping your face clean and simple—rosy cheeks, winged eyeliner and red lipstick. Sin Dee, 24, says the perfect shade of lipstick is “Marilyn” by Manic Panic ($10.80, manicpanic.biz). The Jackson Heights dweller also has an easy routine for pinup hair: “Work mousse into damp hair and roll big, fat curlers in sections on the top of your head,” she says. “Tease big for volume, recurl with your fingers, pin in place and hairspray like hell—voilá!” Rina Vernovskaya, 18, a model and student, suggests clipping on a flower. “Target sells them,” she shares. “Girls with darker hair should try red roses or carnations; girls with lighter hair can do sunflowers or daisies.”
Buy the clothes
“The perfect pin-up outfit is anything highwaisted and tight,” says 21-year-old Ashton Warren, who has been involved with the club for a year, modeling and baking pinup-shaped cakes for its parties. “Strapless sweatheart necklines and heels with bows or polka dots are also great. You can find a lot at BettiePageClothing.com.” Sin Dee likes Reminiscence (50 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 212-243-2292) for lacy camisoles and Family Jewels Vintage Clothing (130 W 23rd St between Sixth and Seventh Sts, 212-633-6020) for dresses. GirdleBound.com is a favorite of Dolly McDermott, 25, a second-grade teacher who has done modeling, photography and hair for the club. “They have bullet-bra girdles and garters,” she swoons. “The reissues start at $75 and they’re brand-new; you can even get them dyed different colors.”
Next: Go behind the scenes at a Pin-Up Club shoot!
Photographs: David Rosenzweig
Strike a pose
Wanna rock it like a Vargas girl? Do your homework. McDermott studies facial expressions and positions on thepinupfiles.com before hitting the studio, and recommends noobs try the “Zero to 60” look. “Start with no expression, and at the count of three, go to completely surprised,” she says. “It looks more sincere than holding the same posed look for 20 seconds.” Of course, sincerity isn’t exactly a hallmark of pinup photography. “When you’re doing a cheesy pinup, you have to act cheesy!” says McDermott. Practice Sin Dee’s signature move, for example: Start with your feet together, bending at the knees and sticking out your butt. “Suck in the tummy and throw your shoulders back,” she says. “Put a hand on your hip and blow the camera a big kiss while winking. Classic!”
Hit the town
Jacci Fredenburg, 27, a stylist and corset designer, joined the Pin-Up Club six months ago; her favorite retro haunt is Yaffa Café (97 St. Marks Pl between First Ave and Ave A, 212-677-9001). “I love the leopard-print wallpaper and the pinup decor,” she enthuses. Jessica Villanelli, 32, a pinup from Jersey City, favors the tiki bar Otto’s Shrunken Head (538 E 14th St between Aves A and B, 212-228-2240) and the salon-themed Beauty Bar (231 E 14th St between Second and Third Aves, 212-539-1389). Sin Dee, meanwhile, ranks Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St between Broome and Grand Sts, 212-334-6740) as tops, thanks to its “great red diner-style booths and pinup artwork.” Another fave: Labor Day weekend’s Coney Island Rockabilly Festival (myspace.com/cockabillyrecordsnyc). Sin Dee says the fest is packed with “old-fashioned men just waiting to be picked up.” And really, what sort of retro girl wouldn’t love a dandy boy?
PUT YOUR NEW PINUP SKILLS TO USE!
Original Sin Hard Cider is hosting a pinup contest at Double Down Saloon (14 Ave A at Houston St, 212-982-0543) on Thursday 2 at 9pm. The winner will be immortalized on an Original Sin poster by cheeky retro artist R. Black. (Past winners serving as judges include illustrator Molly Crabapple, go-go dancer Amber Star and model-cum-designer Storm.) To enter, e-mail sininfo@origsin.com. Ogling is free.
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