Pin-Up Icons: A Thousand Faces for Every Taste!
Stereotypes are persistent, as we all know.
When we think of a pin-up, the image that often comes to mind is a young woman with porcelain skin, an hourglass figure, and a slim waist—a perfect mix of glamour and beauty.
However, beauty standards evolve over time.
The 20th century alone saw so many shifts that it could make your head spin. Every 10 to 15 years, a new aesthetic revolution emerged, introducing fresh ideals of feminine beauty, fashion, and lifestyle.
In this article, we’ll explore how being a pin-up today is no longer confined to the rigid ideals of the 1950s. While the term "pin-up" originally referred to a modest image of a woman designed to be pinned to a wall, our modern era offers broader possibilities. Let’s take a journey through this colorful universe, filled with both classic pin-ups and contemporary icons who refuse to fit neatly into boxes.
Pin-Ups of Color
Among the many stereotypes about pin-ups is the idea that they all have fair skin.
A stunning example of a modern pin-up with ebony skin is the fabulous Jenny Rieu, a Paris-born model and content creator living in Los Angeles. With her curvaceous figure, Jenny is an advocate for diversity and inclusivity. Her vibrant Instagram account, A Parisian in L.A., has attracted over 33,000 followers.
Another icon, Audrey Sweetblack, known as The Pin-Up Pastry Chef, brings her colorful and inclusive vision to life. With nearly 12,000 Instagram followers, her feed is an explosion of colors and creative pastries. On her website, she shares her philosophy:
"My retro pin-up world is inclusive, positive, and colorful. It doesn’t conform to norms or know any limits. It reflects my style, my personality, and most of all, my heart."
You might think that Jenny or Audrey represent the changes of our modern era, as black pin-ups didn’t seem to exist in the 1950s. But that’s far from the truth. Let’s dive deeper into the history of black pin-ups from that era.
Black Pin-Ups of the 1950s
Dorothy Dandridge was the first African American actress to achieve major success and even earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Eartha Mae Kitt, famously nicknamed "Miss Kitt," was a multi-talented artist: a theater and film actress, dancer, and jazz singer. Orson Welles once described her as "the most exciting woman in the world."
While these names remain less known, it’s largely due to the segregation that defined the United States in the 1950s.
These black pin-ups had to work twice as hard for a fraction of the visibility enjoyed by their white counterparts in the arts.
Other trailblazers include:
- Marie Bryant, a dancer, singer, and choreographer praised as "one of the liveliest black dancers in the United States" (Source: Wikipedia).
- Madeline "Sahji" Jackson, hailed as the sexiest dancer of her time. She performed at New York’s iconic Cotton Club from 1933 to 1939 and graced the September 1955 cover of Jet Magazine. Known for designing her own daring costumes, Sahji’s style left little to the imagination.
- Lottie Graves, nicknamed "The Body," was a legendary burlesque performer with an extraordinary figure and dance talent. Over her long career, she performed internationally and even appeared in clubs reserved for white audiences, defying societal norms.
Is There an Age Limit to Being a Pin-Up?
Let’s debunk another myth—the one about age.
Who said that being a pin-up stops once your ID shows a certain number of years?
Take Dita Von Teese, the queen of burlesque. Turning 50 in September 2022, she remains as stunning and elegant as ever. While we tragically lost Marilyn Monroe at just 36, age never stopped icons like Elizabeth Taylor, or Italian legends Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, from maintaining their charm and sophistication well into their grandmother years.
The key is embracing the passage of time with grace while continuing to present yourself at your best. Sometimes, less is more—timeless elegance comes from balancing refinement with authenticity.
If anyone deserves the title of enduring pin-up, it’s Mamie Van Doren, the 91-year-old American actress and singer who became a sex symbol in the 1950s. In 2016, she appeared in Arte’s documentary Pin-Up: The Revenge of a Sex Symbol, sharing her experience of being a sex icon for over five decades.
Pin-Ups, Tattoos, and Family Life
At today’s numerous pin-up contests and festivals, held annually across the globe, we witness a dazzling variety of styles. From tattooed pin-ups to those with vibrant hair in every imaginable color, diversity has become a defining feature of modern pin-up culture.
But did you know that tattooed pin-ups with flashy hairstyles aren’t a recent invention? Trends recycle, ladies! Even in the mid-20th century, bold pin-ups with tattoos and colorful hair were making their mark.
Take Diablo Rose, for example—a modern pin-up with signature pink hair. Known as a guru of multicolored hairstyles and vintage makeup, Diablo shares her life as a mom on Instagram, where she has over 63,000 followers. Her wedding photo, featuring her pink locks and visible tattoos, is an empowering display of individuality and joy.
Many well-known pin-ups also share candid photos of themselves without makeup or in everyday attire. Seeing these women, who inspire us, embrace their real, unfiltered lives is a comforting reminder that even glamorous pin-ups are just like us.
Another standout is Bernie Dexter, a tattooed pin-up model and fan of Bettie Page, who launched a collection of pin-up dresses. One of her capsules even pays homage to her favorite idol, further bridging the past and present of pin-up style.
What Are the Right Proportions for a Pin-Up?
In today’s pin-up events, criticism about body weight is still common.
The prevailing idea is that to qualify as a pin-up, one must have the so-called "perfect figure," ideally following the famous 36-24-36 proportions.
As a result, most pin-ups are often judged as being either too slim or too curvy to be considered "real pin-ups." But here’s the thing: since the 1950s, our average body shape has changed, and waistlines have become larger.
Thankfully, the pin-up fashion world has evolved to embrace diversity and now champions the idea that being a pin-up is about more than just weight.
For enthusiasts, it’s now easier to find clothing in sizes ranging from XXXS to 4XL, unlike many "mainstream" clothing brands that still offer limited size options.
Let’s look at two examples of modern pin-ups who represent different body types:
- Miss Victory Violet, a slimmer pin-up, is a Disney enthusiast, creator, and hairstylist. Her stunning photos channel a Disney princess vibe, blending elegance and whimsy. On Instagram, where she has over 207,000 followers, she shares vegan recipes and posts images of her clients' hairstyles on Facebook.
- Ginny Weasleys, a more curvaceous pin-up, embodies the eclectic, tattooed, multicolored-haired style we’ve been discussing throughout this article. With over 30,000 Instagram followers, she captivates audiences with her bold tattoos, colorful hair, and unique outfits.
The Universality of Being a Pin-Up
Being a pin-up is not about achieving physical, social, or cultural "perfection."
A pin-up is simply a woman who takes pride in herself, whether through her choice of clothing, lingerie, makeup, or hairstyle.
Pin-ups come in many forms because this vibrant world thrives on its diversity.
There’s room for everyone, and its richness lies in celebrating differences.
The Pin-Up Corset Swimsuit: A Timeless Tribute to Curves
When we think of pin-up fashion, one iconic piece comes to mind: the corset swimsuit. A staple of the 1950s, swimsuits were designed to sculpt and enhance the hourglass silhouette, celebrating femininity in its fullest form.
Today, the corset swimsuit remains a symbol of elegance and empowerment. Combining the glamour of vintage aesthetics with modern comfort, this timeless design is perfect for women who want to feel confident and radiant.
At Sahra.Nko, we honor this legacy with our exclusive collection of corset swimsuits. Each piece is carefully crafted to highlight your natural curves, offering support and style in sizes ranging from XS to XXL. Whether you’re channeling your inner pin-up icon or simply enjoying a day at the beach, the corset swimsuit is a versatile essential that effortlessly blends sophistication and practicality.
With its roots in the golden age of pin-ups, the corset swimsuit is more than just a garment—it’s a tribute to the beauty of individuality and the power of self-expression.
