Supreme Leader
Updated: Nov 26, 2019
The plan was simple – gather up some willing victims and make a series of Industrial Pin-Up Posters live at the restaurant. We had no idea; this idea would be so popular. We posted a simple search for models on our Facebook; we received more than 3200 interactions with the post and nearly 300 emails of interest from men and women all over the 573. Ok, I admit this project was going to be fun.
So we made the designs, found the props, wardrobe, and talent, and fired away. This is the first one out of the box.
We set up our temporary studio upstairs at Mary Jane Bourbon & Smokehouse. While customers ate their dinner, they watched as we set up the lighting, did makeup, and made the images.
Kinda like performance art.
So what is Pin-Up?
According to Wikipedia.com - although pin-up modeling is associated with World War II and the 1950s, it has developed more recently into a subculture which can be seen represented in the styles of some celebrities and public figures. Pamela Anderson was considered the "perennial pin-up" due to decades' worth of modeling for Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine. The American singer Lana Del Rey, whose style is comparable to that of the classic pin-up model, has performed a song called "Pin-Up Galore". Beyoncé has recorded a song titled "Why Don't You Love Me" which pays tribute to the pin-up queen of the 1950s, Bettie Page. The burlesque performer Dita Von Teese is often referred to as a modern pin-up. She has appeared in a biographical film about Bettie Page, Bettie Page Reveals All, in which Von Teese helps to define pin-up.
Katy Perry makes use of the ideas associated with pin-up modeling and has included these in music videos and costumes. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show can be comparable to a burlesque show, whereas their yearly advent calendar can compare to pin-up in general.
The pin-up modeling subculture has produced magazines and forums dedicated to its community. Delicious Dolls, a magazine that began in 2011 and has both a print and digital version, was described in 2015 as "the most-liked" pin-up magazine in the world. One of the magazine's mission statements is "to promote and showcase retro and modern pin-up girls". The magazine supports pin-up-related events throughout the United States and allows anyone to be featured in the magazine as long as they have worked with an approved photographer.
Within this subculture, there are opportunities to perform in pin-up contests, including one which takes place during the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly festival. The goal of the contest is "not one that is based solely on popularity or cosmetic appeal, but one that includes inner beauty as well". Women of "all shapes and sizes" are encouraged to participate, and winners are judged on their biographies, pastimes, and work they do outside of the pin-up hobby. They do not perform, but rather are judged on their authenticity, originality, overall styling presentation, crowd appeal, and stage presence.
Check out this production video of the shoot filmed and edited by ZuZu Smugala.
Check out the links below to learn more about Mary Jane Bourbon & Smokehouse!
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YUUUUM!
Special thanks to:
Annie Lauries - wardrobe
Forever Antiques - props
Zuzu Smugala - video
Vivi Meyers - hair & make up
AJ Koehler - production
Mayada Jamila - model
Mary Jane Bourbon & Smokehouse for the gig