From the cheeky image posted up in World War II army barracks to present day, the pin-up girl has maintained her red-lipped, high-waisted place in pop culture— though her .jpg)
role may have changed. Instead of waiting to be seen, the modern day pin-up girl looks to herself and her friends for validation and empowerment.
“Pin-up has been a huge help in making me more confident and accepting of myself,” says Lindsy Buser, who first got involved in the community last summer. To give back and to introduce Toledoans to the world of pin-up models and competitors, Buser has organized Miss Fabulous Flora 2016— a pageant with a floral theme, which Buser says illustrates the different shapes, sizes and colors of women. Each participant must incorporate a handmade floral element into her outfit to honor the theme of botanical beauty.
Sprouting up
Buser first entered the retro-fashioned world when she took a class from her good friend, Alfie Jean, a jazz singer and model. Buser says her confidence was at a lull, and her friends encouraged her to take one of Jean’s classes.
“A big part of Alfie Jean’s class is empowerment and self love, and that’s really important to a lot of the ladies that show up,” says Buser. The class taught “the basics”— signature hair and makeup, poses, and vintage accessorizing. After taking one class, Buser took another, and eventually donned vintage dresses, thrifted heels, and red lipstick to have professional photos capture her newly-developed image.
A garden of difference
The theme of self-improvement is shared by Toledo-native, Bri “Stella Swoon” Gibson, a nationally known pin-up model who has helped Buser organize the Miss Fabulous Flora pageant. Gibson has since been nationally published in magazines, winning a handful of pageants.
Gibson explains that the community is unified by a common goal of improvement, saying, “It’s neat… everyone is there for the same reason, and you can connect with them on a very intimate level right off the bat.”
One of the twelve competitors in the pageant, Jerri Hoffmann, entered because of Miss Flora’s body positivity. Better known as T-Town Tassel burlesque performer Ruby Jade,
Hoffmann is no stranger to femmed-up, supportive groups, which she describes as “a movement that teaches us to accept and love ourselves the way that we are right now— whether we are happy or unhappy with the way we look.”
Judging without judgment
To those who might be nervous about the competitive edge— or contend that a competition and self-acceptance conflict— Buser says not to worry, “The pageant’s whole tone is laid back, positive and all about having fun… Participation takes courage.”
In addition to crowning Miss Fabulous Flora 2016, and two runner ups, the pageant will also award a “Pin-up’s Pick”— allowing the participants to vote for another contestant.
“It’s important in a competition to have people win and have efforts be acknowledged. You can learn and grow from what others do… [the competitors] put a lot of time, money and energy into it, and they can learn [from rankings].”
And, when it comes to self growth, what better way to tend to your garden than by learning from others?
2:30-5pm | Saturday | May 28 | $5
Handmade Toledo | 1717 Adams St.
For info, see the Facebook event
“Miss Fabulous Flora 2016”.
Safeguard Business Printing & Promotional
Products has donated 45 Shower/Toiletry drawstring bags
to be donated to a local women’s shelter.
To help fill these bags, see the event page for a full list of accepted items.
Financial donations are also welcome.
For donations, Buser advises: "We've been advised that it is important to keep it fair for the women at the shelter by providing bags of products that are exactly alike. Please try to stick to the products listed below to prevent any kind of resentment between the recipients of our donation! These donations are going to a shelter that has women of every color. The shampoo and conditioner listed can be used on any natural hair type. Though it's a bit pricier than other grocery-store hair products, please don't trade this item out for another brand."
Please bring these items in a clean grocery bag with you to the event.
Donation List:
Razz Bath & Shower Necessities Mini Sponge
Carefree Acti-fresh Body Shape Pantiliners (unscented* qty. 20)
​Tampax Pocket Pearl Regular Compact Tampons (unscented qty.18)
Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Cleansing Facial Wipes (qty 7)
Bic Simply Soleil Single Razor
​Skintimate Shave Cream in Raspberry Rain (2.75 oz)
Suave 24 Hr. Protection Invisible Solid in "Fresh" Scent
Tom's Soft Bristle Toothbrush
Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste (4.6 OZ)
Reach Mint Waxed Floss (55 yd)
Dove White Beauty Bar with Deep Moisture (3.17 OZ)
Listerine Cool Mint Mouth Rinse (95 mL)
​Jergens Original Scent Daily Moisturizer (3 fl oz.)
Q-tips On-the-Go (qty 30)
​Organix Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo (3 fl oz)
​Organix Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner (3 fl oz)
For more info on Alfie Jean, see the Facebook page for “Alfie Jean’s Pin Up Charm School”.
