How to Become a Rockabilly Pin Up Model

Rockabilly is a genre of music that originated in the 1950s with artists like Jimmie Rodgers and Blind Lemon Jefferson and has been revived with artists like Sha Na Na and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The rockabilly pin up models of the 1950s were curvy, toned women who showed off the fashions popular in that era. The rockabilly models of today recreate that look, wearing bullet bras and waist cinchers, pencil skirts and swing skirts, to show off their femininity and edge.

Instructions

1. Research the pin up styles of rockabilly models of the 1940s and '50s to get an idea of the traditional outfits they wore when posing. Today these looks are considered vintage and have been adopted by models such as Bernie Dexter and Dita van Teese. This will help you make sure you will be comfortable modeling in the outfits these models wore; rockabilly pin ups are traditionally curvy, but with muscle tone.

2. Hone your rockabilly look. Rockabilly girls wore swing dresses and skirts that emphasized their bust lines and heels to make their legs look toned, long and lean. You can wear a traditional 1950s waist cincher to emphasize curvy hips and a bullet bra for a sexy pin up look. Rockabilly girls often wore brightly colored lipstick, such as fire engine red and deep plum.

3. Go to burlesque shows, where rockabilly pin up girls perform live on stage, to talk to some of the models about their unique styles and how they got into the industry. Making these kinds of connections can help you later down the road when you book modeling jobs.

4. Hire a professional photographer to take head shots and posed shots of you as a rockabilly pin up model. Your photographer will be able to give you direction as to how to pose and what outfits you should wear to emphasize your strengths as a model. You can bring props, like an acoustic guitar or a vintage handbag.

5. Find a modeling agent or agency to work through. These agents are professionals and can help you get into the modeling industry in the genre you desire. Rockabilly pin up is a niche market; working with an agent can help you find the most gigs to get your name out there.

6. Market yourself as a rockabilly pin up model. Create a Twitter account and a Facebook page for yourself. Whenever you book a show, let your followers know you will be modeling in a show or performing. Word of mouth spreads quickly, and you can meet more people within the pin up modeling industry by coming up with a creative marketing strategy for your rockabilly look and style.

References

• All Bettie's Pin-up Page
• "How to be a Pinup Model - Release your Inner Bombshell!"; Bettina May; May 2005