Pin up: The Ever Accepting Sisterhood
When I think of pin up I imagine Betty bangs, high heels and
corsetry giving killer curves. I will admit, also, that I am not what I
envision a pin up to be. I was terrified when I entered my first pageant
and saw all these slender yet curvaceous model type women. I thought for sure I
was not cut out for this me being short, chubby and all round devastated with
my appearance. But I was about to learn a valuable lesson. I was lining
up for my turn to hit the stage at the Timewarp Festival 2018 thinking I'd made
a massive mistake in entering, I had no idea what I was doing. That was
when I was approached by a lovely girl with dark hair whose entire appearance
just screamed pin up girl, someone whom I had been too afraid to talk to after
seeing her entrants image, but that was the same for most of the other
ladies.
Coming from a world which could, at times, be very toxic,
especially when you don't fit the exact idea of what they want. I thought
I wasn’t worth their time but how wrong I was. This lovely lady had approached
me to tell me my eyeliner had smudged, before I knew it she had her make up out
and was fixing my wings. I was taken aback by this kindness, not really having
experienced much of it before, the first thought running through my head was
'why?’ I couldn't wrap my head around why she would do that especially since we
were technically competing, not that I saw myself as much of a threat. I
thanked her and lined up waiting for my turn to hit the stage.
I was so scared and nervous but once again, another pin up,
let me pet her beautiful Pomeranian, Teddy, which helped calm my nerves. That
was then, to my utter horror, I was on next and my petticoats had gotten
tangled! Again, I was showed nothing but kindness and acceptance and several
girls gathered around me to fix my traitorous petticoats. Finally it was my
turn to hit the stage, it didn't go well in my opinion, but that's not what
this is about, it’s about the moment I stepped off stage and there the pin up
with the pup was waiting for me and with a big smile, told me I was 'Teddy's
pick'.
It didn't really hit me until a few pageants later when
similar events happened like this that it wasn't a token thing. It was that I'd
unknowingly entered a beautiful sisterhood where we don't compete against each
other, everyone just wants to see each other shine in their own way. All the
pin ups I've met have been nothing but supporting, some even taking time out of
their day to get on video chat and teach me about posing, or another who helps
me every time my lashes don't stick (it happens a lot) or just even just
talking with comforting and encouraging words.
I've been lucky to be involved with around 10 different
pageants, but I still don't consider myself experienced. But every pageant I do
I aim to talk to the new girls and show them the kindness the more experienced
girls showed me while I was starting. We're a sisterhood that supports each
other and build everyone up, not tear each other down like the world often tell
us to do.
If you're new to the scene and afraid to give it all a try,
please do we'll all be waiting along to encourage you.
Miss Cherry Avenue - Guest Blogger