Pin-up gals rock vintage look at annual GreazeFest bash

Brisbane pin-ups will be cookin’ with all the cool cats and their hot rods at the 20th GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival in August.

North Brisbane pin-ups Miss Behave, Rachaelle La Belle and Rose D’Luxe are ready for the GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

BRISBANE pin-ups will be cookin’ with all the cool cats and their hot rods at the 20th GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival in August.

The annual bash at the Redland Showgrounds from August 2-4 will feature cool cars, live bands and DJs, pin-up pageants, low-rider cycles, kustom art shows and workshops, tiki carving, jive dancing and vintage markets.

GreazeFest organiser Lori Lee Cash said the event had played a pivotal role in shaping and growing the nostalgia scene in Australia during the past two decades.

Donna McAndrew, Rose D’Luxe and Rachaelle Gaultier. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

“For people who love rockabilly, hot rods and vintage lifestyle, the birth of GreazeFest 20 years ago gave them a welcome opportunity to come together as a community and share their common passion,” she said.

“We have continued to innovate and grow the event each year and the festival has become a must attend for thousands of people from across the country.

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“One of the things I love most about GreazeFest is seeing people from all generations come together, as well as the fabulous outfits everyone wears.”

Among gals preparing to rock the look with their retro threads are northside pin-ups Miss Behave (aka Donna McAndrew of Bald Hills), Rachaelle La Belle (Rachaelle Gaultier of Bracken Ridge) and Rose D’Luxe.

Donna McAndrew (Miss Behave) from Bald Hills. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Miss Behave became a pin-up about two years ago with encouragement from her husband.

“What girl doesn’t love the chance to dress up and be someone else, even just for a while,” she said.

“I love the pin-up community — there’s a great bunch of ladies and extremely supportive partners.

“My kids really love it. They always tell me I was born in the wrong era.”

Rachaelle La Belle has only been a pin-up for two months.

“I got into pin-up after I experienced some personal hardships. I was looking for something I could throw myself into and pin-ups was just the ticket,” she said.

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“As a 50-year-old single woman, it has been fabulous to find not just a hobby but an entire culture. The pin-up scene is so welcoming and supportive, and I experienced an instant connection.

“My family and friends think it’s amazing. They are always so excited to come and see me compete.

“I have been in a total of six pageants, which have allowed me to explore my pin-up persona from a tattoo rockabilly to western rockabilly and everything in-between.

“It is a culture that encompasses all age groups. There is something for everyone.”

Rose D’Luxe is in her element as a pin-up. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Rose D’Luxe started in 2014, followed by her first pageant in 2016.

“My interest in the pin-up scene started at a young age, however it was a friend who encouraged me to put words to action and I adopted the rockabilly lifestyle soon after, surprisingly with ease.

“When you adopt the rockabilly lifestyle, it just becomes a part of living day-to-day. It brings me so much joy to celebrate the rockabilly era, especially with our modern twist.

“My friends and family always comment on how much the look, the culture and style suit me, but their biggest compliment is when they express their joy in seeing me in ‘my element’.

“My family has especially supported my decision to become a pin-up, and I share a love for kustom cars and hot rods with my dad.”

Miss Behave, Rachaelle La Belle and Rose D’Luxe. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

There are two parade themes in this year’s GreazeFest Pinup Pageants — Miss Tiki Wahini, showcasing the tropical world of vintage Hawaiian dresses and bamboo bangles, and the Hot Rod Belle Parade, celebrating the hot rod lifestyle from double-denim to King Cry Baby cool.

The pin-up gals all love attending Greazefest.

“These events have a slice of pie for everyone — from exclusive vintage clothing suppliers, artists, vintage and kustom cars, to music, bands, special guests and of course, pin-up pageants,” Rose D’Luxe said.

The GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival will be held at Redland Showgrounds, cnr Long St & Smith St, Cleveland on Friday, August 2 (7pm-midnight), Saturday, August 3 (10am-10pm) and Sunday, August 4 (9am-6pm)

For details visit greazefest.com