Bettie Butcher's Modern Pin-Up Essentials

A model, teacher and mentor, Bettie Butcher is known as one of the pioneer tattooed pin-up models in Australia.

With ink by national and international artists, Bettie's trademarks are her curvy va va voom figure, versatile style, a love of working on and showing her classic VW Beetle “Evelyn” and bubbly persona.


Co-ordinating the second annual Rods & Rockabilly pin-up pageant at the Hamilton Hotel in March, Bettie is a busy bee. Dolling up alongside beauties from all over Queensland for the event, the lovely lass has detailed her top five essentials of being a modern pin-up gal:

Support local designers

There are some great local designers who are producing gorgeously unique vintage styled garments. You get the great design of a vintage garment, but made with durable fabrics and designed to flatter all body shapes. Supporting local designers means you get a small run garment, excellent service, and most of all, supporting small Aussie business.

Elixir Black wears "Malalani" dress by Powderpuff Boutique © Brooke Orchard Photography

A couple of my favourites are Powderpuff Boutique who offer a range of beautiful, high quality, vintage inspired garments, including the "Malalani" dress which comes in an assortment of fabrics, flattering on all body shapes with shirred back, and a full gathered skirt (which must be teamed with a matching Powderpuff Boutique petticoat). Jack's Daughter offer a range of reproduction vintage in unique fabrics, and will happily work with customers for custom designs. I recommend the 1940s set, which includes high waisted A line skirt, with matching halter top in a classic Alfred Shaheen print (or your own custom fabric).

Hunt a bargain at your local markets

There are lots of little local markets in Brisbane and surrounds. The Rods & Rockabilly markets will be bringing together a number of great local businesses with stalls of original vintage clothing through to reproductions, local art, jewellery, accessories and more!

Miss Lulu Divine © Joel Devereux

Eclectic Ladyland is collaborative of eight Brisbane pin-ups who are opening up their personal collections for a rare offering of budget priced garments in a range of sizes and styles to suit everyone. Everything from vintage corsets and lingerie, through to day wear, formal gowns and jewellery. Miss Lulu Divine, who is representing Australia in the Miss Viva Las Vegas pin-up contest, will have some exclusive American vintage from her last trip to the states, a real treat for any vintage enthusiast.

Foundation garments

The secret on every pin-ups lips are her foundation garments (shhh! shapewear and corsets). Back in the day, under every pin-ups full swing dress, or skin tight wiggle dress, was a corset to nip her waist and shapewear like girdles to enhance her silhouette. Kiss Me Quick offer some stunning vintage styled undergarments, which are all designed and made locally. A great range of girdles, lingerie sets and stockings perfect for every woman, pin-up or not!

Orchard Corset

Orchard Corset in America offer a huge range of shapewear and quality, comfortable steel boned corsets at a reasonable price, with a full guide on how to wear corsets correctly. Best of all, fast and cheap international shipping!

Quality matte red lipstick

Every pin-up needs to own a quality red lipstick.  What's hot right now are suede or matte finish lipsticks, this kind of matte finish is true to vintage style, they almost have a stain effect ensuring you don't have to reapply every time you eat or drink something, and best of all, they won't dry out your lips! On the affordable end of the scale is Velourlips by Australis, or if you want to splurge, the recently released "Redrum" colour by Jeffree Starr is a must!

Jeffree Starr Cosmetics

Education

Learn to style your own hair, makeup and clothing, by educating yourself and attending a class. This will not only save you money in the long run, but help you build confidence and create your own custom look. I teach classes in "Vintage Styling" including pin-up hair, makeup and clothing styling with the Bombshell Academy on Thursday nights at Metro Arts. Here you can learn from eight years experience, all the tips and tricks to creating the perfect pinup look at home in a fraction of the time.

Bettie Butcher © KTB Photography

The Rods & Rockabilly Festival is on 21 March at the Hamilton Hotel, with the Rockabilly Ball taking place upstairs in the H Lounge at night.