There are so many great retro pin-up gals currently modeling today--many
who have been featured here--but there are a few who, after a few years
of doing some great pin-ups, have dropped out of sight.
One of the great "lost" pin-ups of the last
few years is Nancy of Glamorlux. Nancy, in
the early 2000's, did some amazing pin-ups reminiscent of the good-girl
pin-ups of the 1940's. After a few years, she closed down her site, much
to the disappointment of pin-up fans everywhere. Although she left the
world of pin-up modeling, she never left our thoughts.
She recently resurfaced on MySpace,
and there was much joy here at JBP. Not wanting to let her
slip through our hands again, we contacted her to find out what she's been
doing, why Glamorlux closed down, and if there was any chance
to see new pin-ups from her.
Here now is an exclusive interview with Nancy
of Glamorlux!
* * * * *
Java's Bachelor Pad: Many years ago, when I was just discovering
all the great modern-day pin-ups models, your photos (via your Glamorlux
site) really stood out. One look at them, and I said "she's got it."
You had a real understanding of the sexy playfulness of pin-ups. You looked
just like you stepped out of an Elvgren painting. How did
you come about doing pin-ups? What were your influences?
Nancy of Glamorlux: Thanks for your nice comments about my
pin-ups! My earliest influences were Vargas pin-ups, Petty
girls, and Bettie Page. I would spend
hours looking through coffee table books about
Bettie. It was always
a magical moment when I'd actually find an original Bettie magazine
or postcard! I also used to buy every vintage pin-up item I could find
at flea markets and antiques stores. Over time I branched out to all different
artists and models. I started a collection of those old Mutoscope cards,
which mostly featured Earl Moran’s work. And, of course, the movie
stars of the 1940s-50s were my ideal of how a woman should look! Gee, I
could go on and on about my influences like Gil Elvgren, George
Hurrell, Bernard of Hollywood,
etc., etc.
JBP: You were one of those gals who paid close attention to props
and themes in your photos. I remember a great cowgirl set and then there
was you equally famous good-girl striptease. Where did you get your ideas
from?
N: From old girlie magazines, like ‘Titter’ and ‘Wink’. I
love those layouts that tell a silly little story! The models are so expressive
and the captions are really kitschy.
As for the photo settings...Our house was
built in 1951, but had gone through some unfortunate updates. We revamped
what we could, taking it back to its original style. I wanted the house
to look totally authentic, like you were walking into the past. So, by
having the “sets” already in place, it was easy to dress for the part and
utilize authentic props.
JBP: Another thing I loved was your whole DIY attitude to modeling.
You had no qualms with posing in your living room/bedroom/etc. You were
a gal who always looked like she was having fun. Is this true?
N: Yes, I always did it for fun. And, to emulate my idols.
I was a photography major in college, so it was a way to enjoy that hobby,
too. My goal was to see how close to the original pin-ups I could get.
I never considered myself a model, but since it was done mostly to amuse
myself and my husband, I never considered spending the money for a professional
model. I figured that with a bit of PhotoShopping, I could make myself
presentable enough! Ha, ha!
JBP: Your Glamorlux site, besides having all your
great photos, was a whole collection of amazing retro artifacts. I remember
a vast collection of tawdry paperback covers and hi-fi record albums. How
did you get into collecting? What was it about this things that interested
you?
N: Since getting into the 1920s when I was 13, I always loved
the “seedier” side of retro culture (as many of us do). A friend of mine
from Philly got me into vintage paper backs. I was so impressed by the
sheer coolness of the cover art! The beautiful, bad girls enticing unwitting
men. Or the tragic dolls, looking so lovely and forlorn, while suffering
some unjust fate.
My husband helped me out with finding the
great old record covers. Every yard sale or church bazaar, he'd flip through
stacks of records while I scoured the house wares section.
JBP: As cool as your site was, you decided to shut it down a
few years back and you dropped out of sight. What happened?
N: Well, I wanted to become the next Bettie Page, so
I thought I'd disappear for a few decades and become fabulously rich when
I was old. But I guess that plan didn't work out--hee, hee! No really,
it was nothing so dramatic. I just got tired of the work involved with
keeping the site fresh and interesting. I only have a dial-up connection
at home so with all those graphics it was quite time consuming.
JBP: When I have conversations with other retro pin-up gals (and
fans of pin-ups), your name comes up a lot as one of the great "lost" pin-ups--one
of those gals who we all loved who no longer does modeling. Your name is
on the top of our lists of gals we hope would start up again. Rumor has
it, you might come out of retirement and start modeling again. Any truth
to that?
N: Wow, that's really nice to hear! With all the lovely young
pin-up beauties on the Internet now-a-days, I wouldn't think anyone would
give me a second thought! For better or worse, I have no definite plans
to dive back into the online pin-up world. However, I have worked on a
few photo shoots for local night clubs. One of the photographers mentioned
that he'd like to give pin-up a try. So, if he's really interested, I would
be up for it.
JBP: What do you think of this current wave of retro pin-up gals?
Any advice
for them?
N: Love them! There are so many new pin-ups that I'm just
seeing for the first time, since joining MySpace.com
about a month ago. But, I'd have to say my favorite is Bernie
Dexter. She's not only beautiful and stylish, but is also super
sweet! However, there are at least a dozen more gals who I think are just
amazing!
JBP: Is there any place left on the web (besides here) where
fans of your pin-ups can get more?
N: Not really. I've been rotating some of my “oldies, but
goodies” on my MySpace profile,
so people are welcome to stop by there!
