Meet the women finding confidence through vintage and pin-up culture

What does vintage mean to you personally?

Vintage style has helped shape me as a woman, grow my confidence, step outside my comfort zone and feel 100 percent uniquely me. It has been a lifeline when I have been feeling down, helped me embrace who I am no matter what my size, and helped me make friends with women and some men from all walks of life.

What are your most treasured vintage pieces?

I have about 100 handbags, purses and clutches. When my grandma passed away three years ago, I received her sewing machine and overlocker, which are so special to me and help me create the beautiful outfits I wear on stage. My absolute favourite is her purple necklace and earring set.

Why do you enter pin-up pageants and competitions?

Most people think pageants are about being beautiful and slim, but pin-up pageants include many shapes and sizes. As a plus-size female, this helps me embrace my body and shows that if I can, you can too.

Is there something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Where to start! I am a woman of many, I guess you could say, talents. I sew many of my own outfits for pageants. I love creating and have my own little hobby business creating giftware. But on the completely opposite end of the scale, I race cars. I started racing at 12 years old in a Mazda RX-7 owned by my stepfather.

At 14, I had my first big national race meeting and at about 19, I started to race a Toyota Starlet KP60 in the OSCA Super Saloon racing series and was the first female in 50 years of the class to win a race. After breaking up with my ex-husband, he kept the Starlet and I thought I would never race again due to not having the money to buy my own race car. Then, in November 2024, with my brother and partner, I stripped and rebuilt the engine of my brother’s 1964 Vauxhall Viva HA, which is the car I am now racing.

How do people react to you being a race-car driver?

A lot of people are surprised when I get out of the car and take my helmet off, and they see my makeup done, hair braided and nails painted. I’m not the “typical racer type”. I want to break the stereotype to show young women that you can be feminine and race – it’s
not just a men’s sport.

How has pin-up culture helped you deal with personal challenges?

I have always been bigger and growing up I was picked on for that. I was also called “bug eyes” due to my eyes being big and round, but I have grown to absolutely love them. I used to find dealing with bullying extremely hard. In fact, it had such a huge impact on me that I tried to take my life. Seeing my little sister lose two people in her life to suicide made me realise there would be the same sadness if I went through with it. Making a large number of changes, including leaving my marriage, moving towns and making new friends, led me to where I am today.

In the beginning of this new journey as a pin-up, I hid behind my stage name Miss Roxy Rotary. She was brave, fearless and could do anything. I have seen a therapist and have an extremely supportive family who have helped me realise that I am she and she is me. Pin-up has created an outlet for me to express emotions through colour and outfits, and it can brighten the darker days. I still live with depression and anxiety, but the storm doesn’t last forever. I’m in a much better place and it’s because I have found the courage to push forward and talk about it.

What goals are on the horizon?

I would like to race at Taupō – it’s the only track left in New Zealand I haven’t raced on. I would also like to compete in pin-up pageants in the North Island and, who knows, maybe one day make it to Australia.

How did your love affair with vintage begin?

Going to car shows, and seeing vintage cars and fashion was a core part of my upbringing. Classic Passion Restorations is our family business, where we restore classic cars full-time.

Describe your personal vintage style?

I love the full-circle skirts of the 1950s to early ’60s, and being able to twirl around and feel like Marilyn Monroe. One of our family cars is a 1960 Holden FB – it’s the first car I remember helping my parents restore from a rusty shell to a show winner.

How does vintage fit into your everyday life?

I live and breathe vintage. Sometimes it’s only a hint, like at work, but most days you will find me stepping out as if it’s the 1950s, with petticoats, bangles, hair flowers, red lipstick, big hair, eyeliner and, of course, back-lined seamed stockings held up with a garter belt. I feel like I have finally found my place. The community is so welcoming and supportive, and filled with so much creativity and confidence.

What do you hope to teach your daughter through vintage pageants? 

I want to show her not to be scared and not to let other people’s opinions keep you down. I hope to be a proud role model for her up on stage – showing it’s okay to be different and uniquely you. I have an invisible disability of autism and struggle with day-to-day life. When I was young, there was little expectation that I would function in society. I have broken those expectations, earning a degree and following my dreams. Autism is genetic and my daughter is already undergoing diagnostic evaluation. I know life may be challenging for her, but I want her to know she’s not defined by autism. 

Who inspires you?

My mum is my biggest inspiration. She taught me there’s no gender requirement for liking cars or being a mechanic. She has followed her passions and inspired me to do the same.

How did your love affair with vintage begin?

My brother Shane and a group of friends invited me to attend the Muscle Car Madness festival, to which I said, “No, thank you. It’s full of bogans and just not my thing.” But I finally gave in and couldn’t believe I had one of the best times of my life. We saw a pin-up/rockabilly pageant,
and I was in absolute awe of the diverse group of gorgeous ladies showcasing the timeless, elegant fashions of yesteryear. I wished I could find it in me to get up there too but knew my anxiety would never allow for that. Well, fast-forward a year and with the encouragement of my best friend of 45 years, Max, who also shares my love for pin-up, we both took to the stage.

Is there something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I drive a bright purple 1976 Chevrolet C10 pick-up truck with Marilyn Monroe airbrushed on the tailgate. On a sunny day, you will find me cruising the open road, music blaring, windows down with the wind in my hair.

How has pin-up culture helped you deal with personal challenges?

Words can’t express the immense sadness of losing my mum Therese. She was the most beautiful, kind, caring soul and always took so much pride in my pin-up journey. She passed away from bowel cancer. Unfortunately, doctors misdiagnosed it as irritable bowel syndrome for years. By the time they diagnosed the tumour, it had metastasised and doctors gave her just four months to live. Then 18 months later, we lost my gorgeous brother Dean.

He was our warrior, who for over 30 years battled bladder cancer, having 55 operations and years of chemotherapy and radiation. Through this grieving process, I have thrown everything into pin-up and it has got me through some really dark days. I am now a stronger version of myself – someone who is so grateful and determined to live my life to the fullest because my mum and brother had that taken away from them. When I take to the stage, it’s in honour of them and I put on the biggest smile with a tear in my eye, knowing they are forever watching proudly over me with the best seats in the house.

What’s on your pin-up bucket list?

A dream of mine would be to represent New Zealand at the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pin-up Competition. It’s the World Cup of pin-up, so hopefully in the near future you will see me on the world stage.