Jaimee Beck, 29, stars as Velvet DeCollete and is one of 10 Kiwi women vying for the national title, part of a pageant run as part of The Very Vintage Day Out 2017. Photo/supplied
A self-confessed fabric hoarder from near Waihi joins two other women from the Bay of Plenty as finalists in Miss Pinup New Zealand.
Jaimee Beck, 29, stars as Velvet DeCollete and is one of 10 Kiwi women vying for the national title, part of a pageant run as part of The Very Vintage Day Out 2017.
She joins Jessica Caulfield (Jessica Mae) from Rotorua and Mallory Allen (Ginger) from the Bay. "The vintage and pinup community has become a huge part of my life, and I try to give back by producing vintage-inspired events and mentoring new rural pinups through my Facebook group The Pinup Posse," Ms Beck said.
"While I was drawn to pinup and vintage culture by my love of 1920s-1960s design aesthetics, what I love the most is the strong sense of sisterhood. Local and international pinup culture perfectly embodies my core philosophy; educate, empathise and empower."
When Ms Beck is not working as a modern pinup model, bespoke designer or hoarding fabric she and her husband are restoring the historic hotel at Waikino, Karangahake Gorge.
Ms Beck said pinup models empowered and lifted women by celebrating their uniqueness and "by standing as role models for the next generation of women".
Ms Beck said winning the Miss Pinup New Zealand crown would mean more than anything.
"It's an opportunity to give back to a community I love by raising awareness that pinup is so much more than an aesthetic.
"Becoming Miss Pinup New Zealand would give me the platform and the confidence to pursue local and international opportunities; sharing the knowledge and style of the past and my own experiences as a pinup model and designer to develop confidence, education and healthy self-image in women worldwide."
Ms Caulfied said she had always loved American classic cars which were where the love affair with all things retro began.
"I'm not a fan of modern styles and choose to dress and wear my hair and makeup every day as ladies wore theirs in the 1950s."
The Very Vintage Day Out will be held on October 28 and 29 at Auckland's Queens Wharf, where the women will compete in the pageant. People can vote for their favourite here.
Miss Pinup New Zealand 2017 will receive the following, valued at over $1400 •$400 voucher from REVIEW (supporting the daywear category) •$400 voucher from MAC (supporting makeup) •Custom-made swimwear piece to the value of $150 from Swanwear (supporting the beachwear category) •Evening purse from 19 Black (supporting the Evening wear category) •A photoshoot with Elizabeth J Photography to the value of $300 •A Vintage Posy bouquet by Flourish Floral Designs
Miss Vintage NZ runner up will receive the following, valued at over $900 •$250 voucher from REVIEW (supporting the daywear category) •$150 voucher from MAC (supporting makeup) •Custom-made swimwear piece to the value of $150 from Swanwear (supporting the beachwear category) •Evening purse from 19 Black (supporting the Evening wear category) •A mini photo shoot with Elizabeth J Photography to the value of $200 •A Vintage Posy bouquet by Flourish Floral Designs
Miss People's Choice will receive the following, valued at over $550 •$250 voucher from REVIEW (supporting the daywear category) •Custom-made swimwear piece to the value of $150 from Swanwear (supporting the beachwear category) •Evening purse from 19 Black (supporting the Evening wear category) •A Vintage Posy bouquet by Flourish Floral Designs