My Contribution to a Documentary about my Favorite Pinup Model

I am so excited to be a part of the Bettie Page Reveals All documentary about my favorite pinup legend! She is the often-imitated icon whose life was complicated and controversial, and who unintentionally helped inspire the feminist revolution of the 1960s after her mysterious disappearance into seclusion in 1957. Before she passed away in 2008, she spilled the full story in her own words through a series of interviews with Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Mark Mori, who is now directing and producing the documentary.

It's not like me to be star-struck but Bettie is one of only two exceptions. So when I saw a posting on a Bettie Page newsletter asking for Photoshop experts to work on her film, you can imagine my response. I am honored to help out with such an exciting project and all of the images I have been working on only serve to make me more excited to see the final film, which premiered at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender yesterday.

I made this video while I was working on one of her photos as a "teaser."



Of course, it is a real tease; you can barely see any of Bettie except for a tiny thumbnail on the right at the end... but hey, that's fitting with her personality, too! I can assure you the full shot is just lovely.

Being Lady GaGa: Success!

This post is at least a week late, but I just copied the pictures from my memory card. Lady GaGa fans and people who love dressing up for Halloween: read on. Also, check out the previous post about my costume for background.

October 24, 2009: fun on the subway to Caroline’s birthday / early Halloween party. The costume was a hit, the paparazzi took plenty of pictures, but I need a better head scarf. Attempts to remove my sunglasses were made the entire night, but I politely responded that it’s all part of the Poker Face. Below, I am holding a rolled up GaGa bill, à la the music video in which there is plenty of money to burn…

My backup dancer Minh looked great with his matching yellow shoes. Watch the video, and you’ll get it.

GaGa and “Babe Lincoln” got along well.


October 30, 2009: party at our humble abode in Manayunk (basement and upstairs, could have fit 10x more people). Costume featured a better headscarf made from a $5 fabric scarf from Wal-Mart, lighter skin and darker lipstick.

October 31, 2009: with old friends in New Brunswick. Costume by this point lacking a belt (forgot it in Philadelphia) and proper pantyhose. Also could not find my digital camera after our party which I fortunately found tucked between my dresser and laundry bin in my room after the weekend. My friend from home Amanda was over, I have a small room, long story. The only pics I like from this night were snapped on someone’s cell phone, so I am not posting them. However, I did meet one GaGa who rivaled my own look. Meet, GUY GAGA!

Being Lady GaGa

I finally decided on what to be for Halloween. Ok, the choice to be Lady GaGa was the easy part - the rising pop star of 2009 parades around in extravagant costumes on a regular basis. So the hard part was deciding which of her costumes to recreate. With about four costumes per music video, even more during live performances (recently, she changed looks four times at the MTV Video and Music Awards and twice on Saturday Night Live), and a host of unique "everyday" outfits, I finally decided to use the red outfit in her "Beautiful Dirty Rich" video.

Why? I love the song, which was released as a promotional single on September 16, 2008 but never got the radio play that Just Dance, Love Game, and Paparazzi have. The outfit won't be too labor-intensive. And I already have some banana-yellow-colored pumps.

I'm also hoping that my version of Lady GaGa won't be the most popular selection this year, so I can party with the other GaGas without feeling like a clone. If I had more time, I can think of some other great GaGa costumes for the occasion (perhaps her VMA performance of "Paparazzi" with blood dripping down her stomach, or her fantastical bubble costume that she wore during her Fame Ball tour).

At any rate, as a dedicated fan, I decided to outline below some of the basic steps you will need to recreate GaGa's signature style, whatever outfit you choose.

• If you don't have platinum blonde hair with bangs already, you'll probably want to grab a straight blonde wig. The bob cuts I found in the store were a bit too short (Lady GaGa's new 'do is more shoulder-length) so I bought a long wig for $10 and I'm planning on trimming it myself. It's also going to need a good brushing. You could play around with replicating her curly styles as well, using a Marilyn Monroe wig. Just make sure to pair it with a ridiculous outfit so you don't get your pop icons confused. If you're really daring, you could also try her afro puff look like the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine.
• Some stunna shades like the classics seen on the face of the lovely lady.
• You'll also want some black eyeliner and mascara, fake eyelashes, dramatic eyeshadow, and shimmery face powder or a cream skin brightener for that pop star glow. You may also need some cream makeup to create a lightning bolt over one eye for certain looks, and rhinestones never hurt. Check out this cute YouTube tutorial by user MichellePhan for inspiration:

• "we just like to party, like to p-p-party, yeah / bang, bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich"
  Opaque black pantyhose, or in my case, flesh-colored (it is October, after all, and Lady GaGa is infamous for her no-pants trademark).
• Fortunately, Lady GaGa keeps her kicks simple. You probably already have a pair that will do. The black bootie style is very popular this season and seen in many of her videos. Anything lace-up, patent, or otherwise embellished will do.

Have fun!