It’s 2020! Our first Babe of the Month for the new year is another international pinup all the way from Perth, Australia. I was fortunate to work with Miss Lady Lace at Viva Las Vegas last year. It was her first time attending the show and also her dream come true to participate in the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Contest where she took home 2nd Runner Up in the contest. So join for an up-close look at Rod Authority’s Babe of the Month for January 2020!
Name: Miss Lady Lace
Sign: Virgo
Hometown/Current residence: Perth, Western Australia
Occupation: I’m a pinup model, burlesque artist, vintage event producer and blogger. I’ve been working in this arena for nine years professionally, and for the past two and half years, working full-time with my passions.
How did you get into pinup modeling? My passion for pinup started at 14-years-old, I’d been a lover of opulence and costuming since I was a little girl. Pinup was a natural progression as it had so much glamour and decadence. I first stepped in front of the camera for a friend who thought I had a unique look, that first shoot sparked my passion for being involved in photoshoots. I joined a modeling agency when I was 18 where I worked for 2 years before branching out freelance to concentrate on vintage and pinup modeling.
What is the pinup scene like in Australia? It varies state to state, but in Western Australia, we have quite a thriving scene with many amazing events, great vintage stores, and wonderful people. When I began dressing pinup, I hardly knew anyone who also loved this style. In 2013, I founded The Perth Pinup Community, a group for vintage-lovers to come together, support local events, take part in charity events, and host meetups. Several years later we now have over 1000 local members and host multiple meetups each month.
What is your favorite classic car? We currently own a 1967 Dodge Phoenix, but my favorite era of cars is the 1940’s. I love cars like the 1947 Packard Clipper, the 1946 Chrysler Windsor 6, and the 1947 MG TA just to name a few.
What is your favorite car show to attend? I think my favorite car show would be the annual Retro Rewind event, it takes place in a picturesque national park and always has the most amazing cars come along. I also host my regular Pinup Parade, which is a light-hearted pinup contest, it’s always so much fun
What’s your dream show you would like to attend? My dream show was the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, which came to true in 2019! I’d definitely like to come back though and explore the event more. A weekend feels so short for all the action that takes place at Viva!
How did you get into burlesque performing? Pinup and burlesque are intrinsically linked for me, some of my early inspirations for vintage were Dita Von Teese, Tempest Storm, and Bettie Page. I started vintage dance classes at 15, and performed as a showgirl in a chorus line for the first time when I was 16! By 18 I debuted as a solo artist and was asked to join a dance company where I worked for four years before leaving to work freelance to make my wildest dreams come true.
Tell us about your most recent show? In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been busy with a lot of private functions, dancing at hens nights, parties, and other such fun. We’re about to head into our Fringe season, which is Perth’s biggest performance festival, I’m producing my first ever Fringe show, The Vintage Glamour Burlesque Hour, as well as starring in Once Upon A Teaser, Red Light Confidential, Burlesque Idol and a regional tour.
You participated in the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Contest last year tell us about your experience? Going to America was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and the reason for this trip was Viva. It was all quite a whirlwind of glamour and rockabilly. I had an amazing time being involved in this event, all the competitors were so kind and Rockwell, who organizes the contest, truly puts her soul into the event.
What did you enjoy most about Viva Las Vegas? The people who go to Viva make the event truly magical. I met people I’ve known for years through social media, I met new friends and ran into old friends. I think many people think I’m naturally social, but like most people it can be hard for me, the people of Viva made me feel at home and a part of the family.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why? I think Bettie Page would be one of my biggest inspirations, she was bold and beautiful, she wore her heart on her sleeve, and created such prolific imagery. I remember as a teenager going to a party and dressing up like her, I had a cute pinup dress, black hair and a whip. When I was younger and hadn’t found myself, Bettie represented confidence and glamour, and that’s what I wanted to embody. When I visited America we actually went to her gravesite to pay our respect to her.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Free time isn’t something I have too much of, but I do enjoy spending time with my husband going swing dancing, and vintage shopping. I also love painting and sewing embroidery, they’re hobbies that soothe my soul when I’m stressed or need some time to myself.
What are your strongest attributes? I’d say my passion and drive are my strongest attributes. I let my passions guide me, and my drive push me to dream big and make it happen. With our dreams it’s so much easier to give up, or not even start at all, but it’s outside our comfort zone where we achieve great things. It took four years of applying for Viva before I was accepted, imagine if I quit after that firs attempt. Imagine if I quit when I used to struggle styling victory rolls, or when my work became difficult or every time I experienced a failure. Good things come to those who work hard and never give up!
Where can we see more of your photos? Social media is the best place to find all my pinup adventures (@missladylace), I also have a YouTube channel where I share my passions and how I pose, do my hair, fitness videos and so much more. You can also catch me in recent editions of The Velvet Gazette, Rocket Magazine, and The Golden Lounge Magazine.