Positively Pin Up Interviews: Michelle Vigue
Introduction...
I started studying the history of pinup after I discovered the Rockabilly scene and the music that created it back when I was 17. From day one, I knew pinup would be a huge defining factor of who I was, and I was ok with it. The day "The Vintage Doll" was born, so was my voice. Over the past 12 years, I not only have been learning and growing in my passion for pinup and going through all of the ups and downs that industry and lifestyle brings, but most importantly, I have been learning about myself. I never would have guessed that embracing my love of the retro and Rockabilly life style would have brought me as far as it has. Because of pinup and my involvement in not just the local scenes but the entire sub culture around it, I have never loved or respected myself so much. Why? Let me tell you. The day I became a pinup is the day that I became a boss! I may not have known it until a few years in to my journey, but I would learn it soon enough. Over the past almost 8 years I have been in both the pinup modeling industry and the scene in general, I have learned good and bad things. Things like learning I have a voice and I am confident. That I can embrace being sexy and it's ok. That I can build my own brand and empire from the ground up with nothing but hard work and passion. That I am strong, beautiful, smart, talented and.. and.. and... my point is pinup gave me so many more amazing things to love about myself and be proud of myself for. Its helped me learn and grow in not only myself but with others.
It has brought me amazing opportunities and beautiful friends. Over the past couple years I have watched the pinup community lose its footing, and more and more iconic names and faces are slipping into the shadows to remove the negative personalities that are taking over the scene that so many of us were saved by. More and more posts are made by the pinups who were the names and faces that kept this lifestyle going, who graced cover after cover, that they no longer feel at home in the pinup community and can not take the hate and poison any longer. But! Have no fear because I, The Doll, have decided to start my new project, "Positive Pinup Interviews" to help bring light to the women and the reasons why this scene is so amazing and supportive to women around the world. My goal is to start bringing attention to the pinups in this world who are doing it right, who love the style and scene and everything that goes with it! Showing the world how fun and empowering being a pinup is! And how they are trying to use their love for the custom kulture lifestyle to do good in this world. But I am also looking for pinups who aren't afraid to stand up against the bullies and those tarnishing the pinup scene so more amazing women and girls can come and bathe in the positive things pinup can give us. So I hope you enjoy this new project and all the beautiful women who will be featured in the interviews to come, to help support the fight against the loss of the positive pinup culture. I think if we all work together and show what the term "pinup" really stands for and show women and girls all over the world that they can always sit at our table with us! XOXO Emily Doll
*Make sure to check out the bottom of this blog to find info on how to submit yourself for a possible interview with "Positive Pinup Interviews"
''Sometimes you just have to let shit go. I have never felt more
confident and sure of who I am as well as sexy. I am a fighter I never
give up no matter what life has to throw at me.'' - Michelle Vigue
Name: Michelle Vigue
Age: 51
Where are you from: Ellijay GA
I Discovered Pinup On: 01/01/09
This is Michelle. She lives in Georgia with her wonderful husband hand making some of the cutest retro inspired wrap skirts for her shop Babydoll Wrap Skirts Boutique. She is brave and strong and has totally taken control of her life. She does what makes her happy and shares openly to help others see the beauty in the world. I loved those things about her. I met her over Facebook like most of the friends I have made in the pinup community. I don't do well with public so the fact that I get to make so many amazing connections online is a blessing. Michelle sent me a friends request and we started talking about the super cute skirts she makes! She started sharing bits and pieces of her life with me and her story was beautiful. I told her I think she is what makes the pinup scene so beautiful. I asked if she would want to be the first pinup I interviewed for my new project and she accepted. I was so excited she agreed and trusted me to share her and her beautiful story with you all. Below you will find our interview. Enjoy!
ED "Tell us a few things about yourself, who you are, what's your story?"
I
was born in 1966 on Wight Patterson Air Force Base, and yes I was born
where the Aliens are. LOL Many times I would tease my mother that I was
swapped at birth. I have two sisters and was raised primarily by my
mother. My father passed away when I was 3 years old due to a drunk
driver on his way back from the base. My mother remarried a man that was
not very kind to any of us. I was married the first time when I was 19
and had my first daughter at that time a year and a half later I had my
second daughter and was getting divorced due to his infidelity. I
remarried and had a third daughter but unfortunately that marriage
didn't last but a year. I married my soul mate on my birthday 5/18/2014
and he is a welcoming peace in my life, and yes he looks like Santa
Clause so that helps LOL. I am a woman that has survived a lot in life,
physical and sexual abuse from the age of 3 to 13, I was attacked In my
home in 1993 and survived a fractured skull along with many fractures to
my hands, I have survived breast cancer twice, the first time was 17
years ago the second was last year and I ended up getting a double
mastectomy. My friends are always asking me do I feel like less of a
woman now and my response is Why? For me it was just a head ache and
stressful to have them waiting to see if cancer would show up yet again.
Some times you just have to let shit go. I have never felt more
confident and sure of who I am as well as sexy. I am a fighter I never
give up no matter what life has to throw at me. It took me many years to
find out who I am for the longest time I had no self worth and just
wondered through life tying to find me. I didn't want to be a victim all
my life and I didn't want to be a follower either. I have always been
fascinated with pinup. I loved the paintings on the sides of war planes
since I was a kid and always wanted to be one of them. By the time I was
in my forties I started going through a phase ( this would be called
Menopause) where I didn't give a damn what people thought of me! I was
going to dress the way I wanted. So it began collecting items like
petticoats and finding what style I loved best which was the circle
skirt and dresses for sure. That is when I started making my own skirts
and the end of last year I started doing it as a full time business.
ED "So why pinup? Why is the pinup scene the scene you chose to bring in to your life?"
For
me it is a reminder of a time that was simpler. Women were women. They
dressed like it, acted like it, and most of all took pride in how they
looked everyday. Pinup for me is a way to feel sexy without giving it
all away from the silky stockings to the guarder belts and petticoats. I
dress that way everyday, maybe not the stockings everyday, but
definitely the petticoats and skirts everyday. I love the way I feel
dressed this way. I walk out the door with confidence. I never leave the
house without my red lips! I can skip the foundation and mascara but I
will not leave the house without my red lips. LOL
''I have always been fascinated with pinup. I loved the paintings on the sides of war planes since I was a kid and always wanted to be one of them.'' -MV
ED " HAHA!! I totally understand that emotion. I too am addicted to the red lips. So, Pinup can mean a lot of things to different people. To some its to feel sexy and empowered. To others its their job and how they feed their families. What does pinup mean to you in your life?"
For
me I am finding it to be a gratifying experience not only for the first
time this year have I started doing photos and sending them out into
the world, but I also want it to show every woman out there that no
matter what happens in your life you can be beautiful and sexy. I want
to be a role model for all women, and show that age is just a number, boobs are just a
part of your body not a part of who you are, What you scale says isn't
the number you should be worried about your blood pressure, your sugar,
and your cholesterol should be your concerns. I weight 215 lbs but my
blood pressure and cholesterol are good and I am not a diabetic. Life
is a balancing act but do your best and love you for who you are. Life
is too short for anything else.
ED
"Has being in the pinup scene helped you become more confident in
yourself and not just in image but in self acceptance as a whole?"
Yes!
I feel as if I can conquer anything. I feel I am at the top of my game
and there is no stopping me. My confidence has gone form doormat to
Queen Diva!!!
ED "What is your biggest indulgence that you always agree to treat yourself with and helps you get through hard times?"
Dark Chocolate is my best friend.
ED
"I myself struggle with both anxiety and depression and share a lot of my personal struggles and dealings, so a lot of my followers follow me for help in that area. Do you struggle with or have a story to share about anxiety and/or
depression? How you deal? How you get through? What helps
you, or anything you would like to share with our readers that could help them in their own struggles?"
I
struggle with both anxiety and depression It is hard sometimes. I was
able to control it myself for the longest time centering myself doing
yoga meditation but I have recently been put on medications for both. I
still suffer days where I don't want to get out of bed or leave the
house but I try and push through those days. I find for myself to go
hiking or walking through the woods is very calming for me I feel
refreshed. I try to do that at least 2 to 3 times a week.
ED
"As someone who also has been on meds in the past, I totally understand learning that balance. I think its important we all embrace what balance works best for each of us and support one another in those things. One thing that can cause an anxiety hike for me personally is the daily commitment the world expects us to make to the beauty standards we as women are suppose to focus on. What is something you would tell young girls in the world who are
growing up with the ideas of beauty that society has for them?" 
What
society is saying about beauty isn't true. We all have flaws and those
can be beautiful too. I would want them to be strong and confident just
the way they are. Learn to be more supportive of other girls instead of
tearing them down.
ED "How do you think the retro style and pinup scene can help improve the views women and young girls have for themselves?"
Yes, it could even give them self respect wear others can't tear it down.
ED
"What is your opinion on how women and young girls treat each other in
our generation, and how do you think it should change?"
I
think they treat each other horribly. It takes just one word to make
someone feel special or disregarded, One word can you imagine if all the
women in the world could walk past another woman they don't know and
say how beautiful or how lovely they look today or compliment their hat
or shoes instead of giving dirty looks or making negative comment.
ED "What are your future plans in the pinup scene? Magazines? Photo shoots? Charity work? Blog or websites?"
I
would love to do more Photo shoots and magazines I love helping the
veterans when I can. Maybe a blog if I could ever learn how that works
LOL
ED "HAHA! Girl I am still trying to figure out this whole blogger thing! So you have been so open with sharing such personal and beautiful things bout yourself. Lets get 5 quick fun facts about you in our P.P.I Girly Top 5 Glitter Share!"
1)
What is a defining characteristic about yourself that you love? I have
a sense of humor no matter what happens laughter is the cure.
2) What is your go to red lip? Mac Ruby Red
3) What is your go to hair flower? Roses
4) Who is your go to Pinup Model for inspiration? Betty Paige, Betty Boop
5) Pizza or Tacos? Pizza
As I close my interview with a woman who has seen more than her fair share of pain and heartbreak, all I see is beauty and strength. No matter the road blocks that were constantly set in Michelle's way, she not only jumped over them all but she always just ran that much faster afterwords. We can learn a lot from women like her and I for one am honored to have gotten to cross paths with such a beautiful pinup in this world.I want to thank Michelle for being here on Positively Pin Up Interviews and being so willing to share her life with us. Check below to find out how to follow Michelle's pinup work, find her hand made skirts and more! Until next time lades and gents! Stay positive and find your inner pin up! I'm Emily Doll, thank you for reading!
-XOXO Emily Doll
-XOXO Emily Doll
Links To Connect With Our Pinup
Michelle is also a published author. Find her book, "Life isn't just passing me by... Its running me over!"
Find Emily Doll On All Popular Social Platforms!
Info for Pinups interested in being interviewed:
Please send an email with your name, links to your social pages, and a brief description as to what amazing thing you would like to share to dolltalksblog@gmail.com
Info for brands interested in business collaborations:
Please send any and all emails requiring brand features and collaborations with The Doll to
emilydollofficial@gmail.com
Info for Fan Contact:
Please send emails to
thevintagedollfanmail@gmail.com
Info For PR Packages and Fan Mail:
Emily Doll
PO Box 1617
Santa Fe, TX 77510
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