pin-up is an English word for a very attractive person depicted on a poster and also the poster itself.
Despite having both meanings, the concept became better known as the designation of a style, the style pin-up, represented in photographs, paintings or women's drawings that were published in old women's magazines, calendars, posters, or catalogues.
Calendar pin-up 1955 (Source: Mercado Livre).
term popularity pin-up
The expression became well known because during the period of World War II, soldiers had the habit of hanging these images on the walls of the barracks.
The expression pin-up became popular in the early 1940s.
At pin-ups, also called pin-up-girls, they were represented by images of women who were more sensual or provocative, but which conveyed a bit of naivete.
In addition to representing an aesthetic style, the pin-ups turned out to be a pioneering trend of freer behavior, because it was not common for women to be photographed in such a sexy.
At pin-ups they had a voluptuous body, a classic look, a retro look and a lot of femininity. almost always the
pin-ups they were actresses or models of the time.Ballerina and actress Betty Grable and model Bettie Page are considered the forerunners of the style.
Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) on the left (source: http://classicmoviechat.com/monday-quiz-betty-grable/) and Bettie Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) on the right (source: CMG Worldwide).
Style origin pin-up
Although the term was created between 1940 and 1950, there are still records of images of the style in the 19th century, around the year 1890.
An example of this are the posters of old French cabarets or advertisements that were considered avant-garde for the time.
Poster by Alfred Choubrac, 1890. (Source: https://www.amazon.com/Folies-Bergere-sEnnuie-Vintage-Choubrac/dp/B017X6FTKE).
The Peruvian painter Alberto Vargas was the first to use images from pin-ups in his works and for this reason he became known as the "father of pin-ups”.
At pin-ups at the moment
Currently, the term is more used to define an aesthetic tendency than a behavior.
At pin-ups of today seek to repeat the classic style of the models, almost always composed of red lipstick, well-lined eyes, hair in style rockabilly and retro-style clothing.
The style pin-up has become part of pop culture and is even used as a fantasy.
It is also possible to find items of this style in the market of products in the retro style and vintage.
Are examples of the style pin-up modern Amy Winehouse, Dita Von Teese and Katy Parry.
Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011), British singer and songwriter.
Learn about the meanings of vintage, retro and Vanguard.