The lovely Miss Kara Spade is our latest Babe of the Month pin-up for November 2018. Not only does she love pinup style fashion, but enjoys the diversity modeling has given her.

Her talent extends beyond just taking photos. She is also an actress and does hair and makeup styling on the side. She is currently gracing the cover of hot rod mags around the country and we’re lucky to present her photo shoot with Rod Authority readers.

Name

Kara Elizabeth Spade

Sign

Gemini (May 21st)

 

Nationality

Filipino/Caucasian

Hometown

Long Beach, CA

Current residence

Long Beach, CA

Occupation

Freelance Model, Actress, Makeup Artist and Hairstylist

First modeling gig you ever did?

A runway hair showcase for Joico hair products. I was in my sophomore year of high school. They chopped my hair flapper style and highlighted it with reds and oranges. I was embarrassed to wear the style to school so I started to wear a beret.

A boy in class thought it would be funny to rip it off and I felt so insecure because I wasn’t used to the length and style. Now that I look back, I wish I knew more about 1920s fashions at the time so I felt comfortable rocking the style instead of hiding it. It would have been so much fun to experiment with!

What do enjoy most about pinup modeling?

I can not get over the balance of classiness and sexiness that comes with being dolled up pinup-style. There is just something about doing the hairstyles and putting on the face that makes me proud to keep the vintage community alive.

What do you love most about the pinup style?

I love that it looks so fantastic on every woman and man that is open to trying out the style. I love the instant boost of confidence it brings to people when they get dolled up. From shopping for the clothes, learning the hairstyles and makeup techniques to putting it all together – the whole process is just so fun. It doesn’t end there either, there are car shows, record hops, and a loving community waiting for you.

What’s your favorite classic car?

I love the look of most classic cars from hot rods to sports cars, but my eye has always been drawn to woody wagons! If I were to buy a classic car for myself, it would be a 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Woody Wagon.

Any family into classic cars?

As far as I know, I am the only one in my family who is into the vintage lifestyle and classic cars – but who doesn’t love to look at those beauties?

Favorite car show?

When it was still at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, Ink-n-Iron was my go-to car show every year. Now, I get ancy waiting for Viva Las Vegas!

Favorite road trip destination?

I haven’t gone on many road trips but the most memorable ones include going camping with my mom, traveling to San Francisco and New Mexico to attend festivals with my best friend and of course, Viva Las Vegas.

Music of choice when your cruising in your car?

I have many playlists that I’ve made on my YouTube channel (Kara Elizabeth Spade) that go hand in hand with how I’m feeling. My favorites are “Sugar Daze”, “Betty, Get Ready”, “Daydream” and “Empire Skate of Mind”.

Last concert you attended?

The last local concert I went to, I saw a band with alternative/surf/punk influence from Garden Grove, CA called 3LH. The last festival I attended was in Taos, New Mexico at the Taos Vortex, put on with Meow Wolf (interactive art museum). It was definitely a mission to get there but worth it to see Dr. Dog and The Flaming Lips!

Favorite dive bar

Personally, I am not much into dive bars but Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, CA is fun when they have shows. I like sensory bars that have lots of photo opportunities or plenty of dancing space.

Drink of choice

If I am feeling tired, Vodka/Redbull. If I want to chill, Apple beer or wine. If I want to party, Adios!

Plans for the holidays

Hopefully, I may be visiting my family in the Philippines during Christmas and New Year, I haven’t been since 2007!

What’s your favorite time of year and why?

Hands down, Halloween season! It is my busiest time as a makeup artist – I love helping people make their Halloween looks come to life. It is such a fun process transforming others and myself. My goal is to bring that fun feeling of transformation into my everyday life so that every time of the year is my favorite.

I want to be apart of breaking the boundaries of how we “should” look in our everyday lives. I think that change is important so that other artists like myself can be comfortable and unapologetic wearing a full goth look to the grocery store or a full drag look to the movies and so on…

How do you like to ring in the new year?

This year, I made a 2018 mood board that had fifteen things I wanted to focus on or try. I only have three things left! I plan to make a mood board for 2019, keeping a few things from this year on there so I can keep my wellness momentum going.

 

Any new year’s resolutions?

This year, I lost my father. This year was also the very first time I met him. Although I only knew him for a few months, there are so many things that I have learned that I want to implicate in my life forever.

I want to try to not allow fear take over my decisions, I want to forgive my past and having that negative voice in my head, focus on living my life and constantly ask myself if this is the person I want to be. If yes, keep on keeping on. If not, what is keeping me from myself?

I think that this way of thinking will keep me on the track I want to be on – which is building my mental wellness, branding myself better, saving for a house, saving for a restaurant/studio space, keeping arts alive through photo shoots, hair, makeup and music, and being un-apologetically my goofy, clumsy, clever artsy self.

To see more of Mitzi Valenzuela’s work go here.