Dominican photographer, Alina Vargas recently introduced the concept of 1950s pinup in the Dominican Republic with her Ladybug Pinup Studio__, the first studio ever on the island dedicated just to pinup photography. I always loved the classic 1950s pinup girls that helped redefine sexy in the United States, but as adorable as these iconic illustrations of risqué glamour girls are, I was never really able to relate to them 100 percent. Vargas also admired the pinups, but sensed a lack of diversity. So she decided to create her own kind of pinup girl, a Dominican one with brown skin, curves and sexy, curly hair!
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She began "Pinup De Pura Cepa," or Purebred Pinup," a photography project that later turned into a studio filled with brightly colored canvases of gorgeous Dominican women dressed in cute high-waist shorts and short or long skirts from the 1950s era. The exhibition was later taken from Santo Domingo to New York City's hot spot APT78 in Washington Heights. What I love the most about this project is not just how much I can indentify with the variety of Latina women in these photos, but also how they're portrayed doing humble jobs. There's images show them doing it all from putting in another girl's rolos, to grinding coffee beans and even grating yucca. How cute is that? There are so many adorable ones I honestly couldn't pick a favorite. So I rounded up my top 10 below. Check them out!
La Santera
This sexy, sassy pinup girl depicts Dominican beauty like it’s nobody’s business. Look at those gorgeous coily, curls!
Majando café
Ay Dios–the coffee pilon! Dominicans sure love them some cafécito!
Los rolos
There’s no question about it, EVERY Dominicana has had her hair pinned up in rolos (rollers) whether her hair is straight, wavy, curly or coarse.
En la playa
Beach time is the perfect time to show off those amazing curvas!
Refresco rojo
What’s a chica to do without her frio frio?
La marchanta
A meal just isn’t complete without some platano maduros on the side, right?
Guyanado la yucca
I’ll have some carne encebollada with some yucca on the side please!
Hello, operator?
Chica, I have the ultimate chisme to tell you!
La mujer embarazada
That’s right– we can carry a baby, sew clothes and still look sexy!
La Tamborera
A party isn’t really a party until the tambora and güira start playing*.*
