Our Pinup of the month for November is a duo act from Cardiff, Wales - self-confessed crazy cat lady, Miss Dixie Domino, and her beautiful kitty Miss Ginny Groome.
How did you choose your Pinup name?
It took me so long to find my Pinup name! I still have a list of about 50 names in my notes. I’d choose a name and look at myself in the mirror while saying the name out loud and as much as I really liked the name I just didn’t feel I looked like it. I started polls on twitter, I asked for suggestions family and friends and I eventually turned to Facebook and asked “What name do I look like?”. Someone commented Dinah or Dixie and I took a liking to Dixie. The Christmas before, my boyfriend’s grandmother had taught me how to play fives & threes, a dominos game and I picked up the strategies quickly. Therefore, Dixie Domino was created! It was really helpful referring to The Pinup Registry to be able to check a name wasn’t already in use.
Why do you love pinup?
Pinup as a community is a no-judge zone. This year I’ve been lucky enough to meet so many like-minded pinups from all over the country and each and every one of those ladies have been friendly, gorgeous, hilarious and beautiful inside and out. In terms of style, I’ve never felt more comfortable. I think Pinup fashion is flattering on all shapes and sizes and it’s such a fun way to dress! I absolutely love getting up in the morning and looking through my wardrobe at all the colourful items and I really enjoy styling my hair.
Would you like to share your favourite beauty tip?
This year I’ve launched my vintage hairstyling classes, ‘Hairdos with Dixie’. I always teach that backcombing is essential for vintage styles. Whether you’re doing victory rolls or just a wave at the front of your hair backcombing is key to get the structure to achieve these shapes!
When did you know that pinup was the right thing for you?
Before I moved to the Welsh capital Cardiff, I lived in a small valley called Rhondda Cynon Taf. Growing up I wore jeans and a jumper every day because that’s what everyone seemed to wear. I didn’t know any different and I wasn’t particularly interested in fashion. Dying my hair pink was a huge leap towards finding my pinup. I admired so many modern pinup girls on Instagram and I thought “well if I can get my hair like theirs, surely I can dress like them too?”. So I bought a few full circle skirts and a cute flamingo bag and I’ve been pursuing a Pinup lifestyle ever since.
Pinup fashion was something that I now realise was always missing from my life! I’m so much more comfortable dressing in skirts and dresses, doing my hair in fancy victory rolls topped off with a flower and wearing bright pink lipstick than I ever was in jeans and a t-shirt. I feel like I’ve finally found my identity and I’m happier than ever.
What advice would you like to give to new pinups?
The best advice I could give to new pinups is just be confident in yourself and rock your style! When I first started looking for pinup style clothes, I was quite intimidated by the online stores but I’ve learned that it’s not about where you shop or how much your clothes cost, it’s about how you carry yourself in whatever you’re wearing. Also, wearing victory rolls for the first time can feel a bit alien but you’ll get used to it, I promise ;)
Favourite business shoutout!
I really love Lindy Bop’s fun prints and there’s a lovely Etsy shop called Pinup Parade that make the cutest clothes! Collectif Clothing dresses are comfortable too. I find skirts and t-shirts in New Look, and H&M always have interesting pieces in the sale section! I love Primark too, they’re great for finding quirky accessories and t-shirts plus it’s a bonus that they sell at bargain prices!
This month was animal-themed and your adorable kitten Miss Ginny Groome was in your winning picture. She has a unique name, where did it come from?
This is quite a bizarre story! For my birthday last year, my boyfriend sponsored the Wetland Flamingos in my name. There was an adoption certificate and the adoption officer’s name was on the certificate. Her name was Ginny Groome. We then created this imaginary pinup flamingo, she ran a summer drama school and had blue curly hair (told you this is bizarre). We got Ginny in August this year and I wanted her to have a pinup name. I originally thought of calling her Daphne von Daffodil but when she arrived she couldn’t have been anything other than Miss Ginny Groome!
What is your sprit animal?
As much as I love cats, my spirit animal is definitely a flamingo! I’m just as goofy and I have the pink hair to match!