The Modern Day Tattooed Pin-up Girl
A History of Pin-up Culture & the New Generation of Pin-ups
Jul 7, 2009
Though the most prolific pin-up movement happened in the 1940s and '50s pin-up girls can be traced back as early as the 1920’s. Betty Grable was one of the originals, her iconic bathing suit photo making her the number one pin-up of the World War II era, and cementing her image in Life magazine’s 100 Photographs that Changed the World.
Women like Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo graced the silver screen as actresses but were also seen as pin-up icons. They were stunning and talented, personifying every woman’s Hollywood dream.
Bettie Page began to make her mark in the early to mid 1950s, adding an erotic S&M flavor to the pin-up world. Her often imitated and duplicated jet black hair with blunt bangs, piercing blue eyes, and scarlet lips defined a new generation of pin-up as she posed with snarled lip and whip in hand. She was Playboy’s centerfold in 1955 and was one of Hugh Hefner’s obsessions. She represented feminism, power and raw sex appeal.
History Repeats Itself
The 1970s spawned a new wave of pin-up girls, influenced more by the hippie movement than old Hollywood glamour. Farrah Fawcett was a classic example. Draped across every young man’s bedroom wall, she had a larger-than-life smile, historic hair, and was photographed in a simple yet sexy wife beater or seen riding a skateboard in striped knee-high socks. She was the perfect California dream girl.
Olivia Newton-John was another icon during this era. Her sweet girl looks and giant voice spoke to a new generation of fans.
Heather Locklear appeared in the '80s and added a rock-‘n'-roll element to the pin-up girl persona. Then married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, her soft yet edgy look embodied the perfect rock-star accessory and helped to pave the way for groupie girls everywhere.
In the '90s, Anna Nicole Smith revitalized the classic Hollywood pin-up, with her bleached blonde, Marilyn-inspired locks and voluptuous curves, her Guess Jeans ad campaign melted right off the page and into the laps of men the world ‘round.
Just Add Ink
Today’s modern pin-up girl has helped spawn a new alt (alternative) culture movement, proving that beautiful women can sport some fierce ink. Decorated with both traditional and new skool tattoos, this new breed of pin-up, which includes international pin-up models Sabina Kelley and Bernie Dexter, has captured the hearts of an entirely new fan base. Their bright, colorful tattoos paired with rockabilly hairstyles and scorching red lips could stop traffic.
Websites like Suicide Girls and God’s Girls have taken the Internet by storm and have throws of young women posting half-naked photos on MySpace in an attempt to become the next major pin-up doll. Fans of these alt pin-up sites include everyone from celebrities to businessmen, many of whom are willing to pay for exclusive online memberships.
Shows like LA Ink have only added to the subculture's intrigue, and the interest in pin-up, rockabilly and tattoo culture has been steadily skyrocketing.
The Proof is in the Va-Va-Voom
The modern take on the classic pin-up girl is proof that you can merge the old with the new to create a revitalized culture with its roots firmly intact. Today’s pin-up girl represents independence, creativity, and feminine power with just the right sprinkling of toughness and sass. She’s a nurse, a housewife, a lawyer, a doctor, a roller derby girl, a business executive, a mother, and more. She is probably living right next door.
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