The Pinup Never Stops: Patrick Nagel “Rio” shoot finally published!

Some of you may remember my 2014 “Rio” shoot from 2014 with Miss Missy Photography. I was super-happy with the pictures (I love Duran Duran and Patrick Nagel), but never expected them to ever be published as they were such a weird combination of 1980s and midcentury pinup aesthetics.

Well, fast-forward to 2022 and Retro Lovely’s 20th Century Retrospective series, and I realized that my Rio pics finally had a chance – the 1980s special edition! And indeed, four of the images from the shoot have been included in Volume 2 of this years ’80s retrospective.

Retro Lovely 80s Vol 2
My Patrick Nagel “Rio” pinup pics are in Retro Lovely’s 80s Vol 2 this year.

Thanks to Missy for doing such a great job, and for helping me submit the photos this year.

To grab copies of my most recent pinup, keep an eye on my Linktree. 🙂

Still Moar Pinup: I’m on a cover for Retro Lovely’s 2022 Tiki Special Edition Volume 2!

Catherine Morland, Tiki pin up girl by Marilee Caruso

Tiki pinup incoming! I’m super-thrilled to share that I got one of the Retro Lovely Tiki special edition covers this year (Volume 2)! Marilee Caruso shot me at an amazing home tiki bar in the Sacramento area (Danger Island!). I’m so happy with these images and also grateful to see a few friends in the issue with me, including Miss Melody Noir!

Catherine Morland cover for Retro Lovely Tiki Volume 2
My Retro Lovely Tiki cover, shot by Marilee Caruso!

You can get signed copies of the issue and/or a 12×18″ poster of the cover art direct from me! Prices include USPS Priority shipping to US addresses. If you need international shipping, contact me! Buying these from me doesn’t make me much money, but it does help me defray the cost of bringing you pinup (which I love to do!)…

More images from the shoot (that do not appear in the issue) after the jump…

Continue reading “Still Moar Pinup: I’m on a cover for Retro Lovely’s 2022 Tiki Special Edition Volume 2!”

New Pinup: A very pink pinup set in Retro Lovely #205

Pink Room Pinup by Marilee Caruso Photography

Pink Room Pinup Pictures! I’m in Retro Lovely #205, photographed by Marilee Caruso Photography with hair and makeup by Marilee Caruso, as well. You can get a copy here: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2268976

Pink Room Pinup by Marilee Caruso Photography
Pink Room Pinup by Marilee Caruso Photography
Pink Room Pinup by Marilee Caruso Photography
Pink Room Pinup by Marilee Caruso Photography

More pictures and information after the jump… Continue reading “New Pinup: A very pink pinup set in Retro Lovely #205”

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”

Happy Halloween, pin up kitty style!

It’s here! Halloween!

Pin up black cat
Pin up style black cat – good grooming is important!

You’ve already seen my Nagel girl/Rio Halloween getup, so here’s my retro-pinup-black-cat look, photographed by Miss Missy Photography. Missy also did my fabulous hair and makeup. Meow! Continue reading “Happy Halloween, pin up kitty style!”

Review: Silk chiffon “Follow Me” dress by Dita Von Teese

I like vintage chiffon. Not necessarily the poofy prom dress kind (although I’m pretty cool with that, too), but the elegant, grecian, pleated kind that comes from the late 1950s and early 1960s. I managed to find a beautiful specimen in lipstick red last year, but it sold before I could get my claws into it. Since, I’ve been unable to find anything quite right, vintage or reproduction. That is, until Dita Von Teese came out with her “Follow Me” cocktail dress in silk chiffon.

Kali in Dita Von Teese Follow Me Dress
Dita Von Teese Follow Me dress photographed by Miss Missy Photography.

Continue reading “Review: Silk chiffon “Follow Me” dress by Dita Von Teese”

New Year, New Year’s Eve Fashion: Trashy Diva’s Lena Dress

Trashy Diva Lena Dress
Trashy Diva Lena Dress.

I didn’t end up doing anything for New Year’s Eve, but I had plans. Even a nice dinner out deserves a special dress, and this time around I chose Trashy Diva’s new Lena dress. She’s a gorgeous 1950s halter dress with a circle skirt and very festive Swarovski-style crystals and glass beading on the bodice and halter straps. The dress was intended for the holiday season, but it’s actually rather seasonless and the color flatters many skin tones!

The bodice is beautifully pleated with a nice “shelf” detail that pulls up into the halter straps. For those who hate the neck-pulling that happens with many halters, this one’s worth trying. The bodice is very structured and form-fitting, which takes some of the pressure off the neck. The halter buttons at the back of the neck, too, which alleviates the pull that often occurs with halter ties.

I got the size 14, which fits a bit closer than the stated measurements on the Lena size chart. At 43-32-48″, the bodice fits perfectly without a bra.

Trashy Diva Lena Dress
Trashy Diva Lena Dress.

Continue reading “New Year, New Year’s Eve Fashion: Trashy Diva’s Lena Dress”