Interviewed by Helen
If you buy reproduction vintage clothing, it's impossible to avoid Bernie Dexter. Her beaming grin, raven locks and enviable figure appear modelling for anyone who’s anyone. She's appeared on several record covers, magazines and in calendars, has her own clothing line, ARS Vivendi sell stockings with her name on the welt, Elite Heels have a range of shoes named after her, she's been painted by Olivia de Berardinis, has been hailed by German newspaper Bild as "Pin-Up Princess", appeared on the cover of the LA Times next to 50s burlesque legend Tempest Storm and does personal appearances. If all that wasn't enough, her photographer is one Levi Dexter, from rockabilly band The Rockats, who also happens to be her husband.
Got What It Takes Despite all that, Bernie is a genuine sweetheart, a down-to-earth lady still dizzy from the realisation that she has what it takes. And exactly what it takes would seem to be a 32C bust, a 24" waist and 34.5" hips.... Barely scraping 5ft, however, Bernie is a compact Venus. Although blessed with stunning looks, such a height would preclude her from having a career in mainstream modelling, but then being a hit in alternative modelling is probably far more up her street anyway. She's not "retro" just for the photos - she's keen to point out that she's a proper rockin' gal. And she's got the tattoos to prove it.
The Road To The Camera Lens Bernie's not the only professional poser in her family - her mother was a dancer in the 60s, who seems to have encouraged Bernie in her career when Bernie participated in that most American of phenomena, the beauty pageant, starting at the age of 11. "They were very fun. It was a great way to fine tune my interviewing skills and poise. I think starting any younger is silly." She was at acting school in her teens, which has helped her modelling career in that "I think acting training helped me be more comfortable with it. But I was always performing in my living room. Heeheee.... When I am in front of the camera it is just another side of me. A me that a lot of boys passed up because I come across very girl next door away from the cameras." Which is exceptionally silly of them, and no doubt they're covered in bruises from kicking themselves now.
After school, Bernie went to beauty college, and "when I got my licence I worked in a salon in Beverly Hills and then I worked for MAC cosmetics. I LOVE the beauty biz! Even as a young girl I would give my friends makeovers! So much fun!" It was working on photoshoots, primping the models, that led to Bernie's modelling break - she was asked to get in front of the camera. The first company she modelled for was Space Cowgirls, and "it was so funny. I thought they had lost their minds when they asked me. When I saw the catalog I was shocked! I was so pleased." She hasn't looked back. "I have been so busy. I do love transforming models still. I may do it again some day...."
Rockabilly Queen Enter Levi Dexter. It's odd in a way to think of an Essex Man from Leigh-on-Sea (via Chelsea) being married to, and photographer of, a Californian pin-up. But this is just what's happened, and he's Bernie's favourite photographer to work with. "He really lives the 50s lifestyle. So he knows just what I want, he knows the perfect angles and waits for the right expression." And how did she meet Levi? In the most rockin' way possible, of course.... "Tim Polecat and Melody set us up on a blind date." A British flavour occasionally creeps into Levi's photos - one of Bernie's shoots was done in an old red phonebox. Were they taken in Britain? "No, they were shot here in San Diego. Heehee..."
The Photoshoots It takes Bernie about an hour and a half to prefer for each photoshoot. "I try not to look at other peoples work too much, old or new. I get inspired by the outfit I am modeling more than anything. I do love old John Willie art and 50s fetish pix A LOT. I choose most of what we do as a theme. But when I work with others it is a combo of model and photographer. As for poses, that is all me." There's some things Bernie won't do, though. Despite all the undies and corsets, "I turn down bondage. I would just feel so responsible for leading you girls down a dark path. I am not against bondage, it is just not what I do."
Glamourpuss And Bernie doesn't just do photographic modelling. She also does fashion shows and trade shows. What does she like best about being a pin-up? "It is so much fun getting dressed up and feeling like a glamourpuss!" And the worst thing? "It can bring out the worst in some women. The competitiveness is the dark side. I stay away from it all. I just mind my own business. It is shocking what people do to be the top model." Hence, perhaps, Bernie's advice to any aspiring pin-ups reading this: "Be yourself. Do not get caught up in the dramas and competitiveness." Being Bernie Dexter requires pampering: "I go to a nail salon for manicures and pedicures." Does she do the washing up in marabou feather-trimmed rubber gloves, and do the hovering in peep-toe mules? "Hahaha! Of course!" And what cosmetics achieve the Bernie look? "Oh I love Besame. They have AMAZING lipsticks, shadows etc. I love their new eye and lip pencils. And I just discovered Paul and Joe. They are AMAZING!!! It is not just the vintage packaging either, it is wonderful powder and foundation."
Take a Peek in Bernie’s Wardrobe Bernie’s added an extra string to her bow having started her own clothing line. “The Bernie Dexter label is 100% my work. Designing is so much fun!” They definitely seem to be to Bernie’s taste with a large helping of rockabilly girl influence – there’s polka dot fabrics and slinky Capri pants, animal prints and bullet tops. Why did she decide to bring out her own clothing line? “Everyone I have been modeling for is making so much money, I thought why shouldn't I try. I have given a HUGE amount of input to my designer friends over the years. I think people would be surprised what I have had a hand in. I figure it is time for me to go for it. I do have a totally different point of view and will bring it to the new styles you will see very soon! I will try not to make hundreds of the same thing. It is pretty embarrassing to show up and see two other girls wearing the same dress. So I’ll try to keep styles and fabrics limited. We'll see...”
The Ubiquitous Bettie Page Don't be deceived into thinking Bernie bases her look on Bettie Page. Bernie's is a rockin' gal look, and she's not a Bettie Page impersonator. In fact, the Bettie-style U-shaped fringe (ok, Americans... her bangs) are based on the girls in her step-father's school yearbook. In 2008 Bernie started modelling for Bettie Page Clothing, and appeared at their “Meet The Pin-Ups” events in Las Vegas, then went on the Bettie Page Cruise in October 2008, where Levi and his band were one of the acts. “I got involved simply by them contacting me. I never reach out to companies, I wait to be asked ;) The first email from them was asking me about the Bettie Page cruise. I was thrilled when they asked. That cruise was a ball! They are very family oriented. Tatyana, the designer, is very enthusiastic. All the employees at the store are so wonderful too. We always have a great time even when we are working!”
Tempest Storm, the red head 50s burlesque dancer who starred in Teaserama with Ms Page, also appears at the “Meet The Pin-Ups” sessions. “We have become good friends. She is an AMAAAAAZING person.” What was it like to meet her? “It was a dream come true. Tempest is my mother’s role model. She was the reason my mother started dancing! So it was one of the biggest thrills.”
You may have seen the artwork of Bettie Page by Olivia de Berardinis – as Olivia’s paintings appear in the Bettie Page Clothing boutique in Las Vegas (complete with a spanking machine: “That thing is a HOOT!”), where she also does signings, it was inevitable that Bernie would be immortalised by Olivia’s brushes. Olivia’s painting of Bernie appeared in Playboy. How did that feel? “I cannot put it into words. The best way I can describe it is, it must be the same feeling an actor gets when getting an Oscar. The ultimate pin-up achievement and the achievement of my life. I have never been lucky in the pin-up contests and quite often in the beginning left out. So to have the one person I respect the MOST in the pin-up world acknowledge me was all I needed to keep inspired. Olivia inspires me everyday!”
Of course, the world lost Bettie Page in December 2008. Bernie and Levi attended her funeral. “I was sobbing and sobbing.... it was an honor to be invited........ It was........ sombre, very sad....... but beautiful at the same time..... I am truly heartbroken. I never got to meet her. But being at her funeral was like saying hello and goodbye in one day. I had so many questions....” Tearful Bernie, stood beside the flame-haired Tempest Storm, appeared on the front cover of the LA Times. Despite never having met Bettie, Bernie found out from an LA Times reporter that Bettie did know about her, and “she was "delighted" with my work. It was so wonderful to know that.”
Rule Bernietania In summer 2008, Bernie popped over to Europe and went to a rockabilly weekender in Germany, then came to the Hemsby weekender in the UK. “OMG! Can you say TIME OF MY LIFE! It was AMAZING! I LOVE England and English people. The food was amazing!” Levi was the headline act at Hemsby, and Bernie did a personal appearance with a cocktail party held in her honour. “I was so nervous. I did not want anyone to think I am full of myself. I am seriously just a rockabilly girl and wanted everyone to know that.... Everyone was SOOOOO NICE :) Hemsby was HEAVEN! Willie Jefferies [Hemsby organiser] is a sweetheart! He made my first Hemsby weekender WONDERFUL!” Do the personal appearances and “Meet The Pin-Ups” sessions ever get embarrassing? “YES, only because I am always afraid no one will show up. Hehehe....” Presumably hungry for more pie ‘n’ mash, Bernie will be at the Americana Festival in England in 2009, as well as Spain's "Screamin'" Festival in May. “You bet! I am sooo EXCITED to be there!”
Rockin’ Gal Bernie found the rockin' scene back in 1994 - "it was like a secret underground community. Not like today where you see a lot of plastic rockin'. Sorry, it is true.... It was not easy to be accepted. I still find a few of the girls who were around before me give A LOT of attitude. But some have become dear friends too." Her favourite rockin' event is Hemsby. She was spotted energetically bopping in jeans and a ponytail on several occasions, and downed many a pint of beer, just like any self-respecting rockin' gal should.
And who are her favourite bands and artistes? "My favorite bands include eveything from the 1940's, 1950s, 1970's, 1980's to now. Here are just a few. Levi Dexter, the sweatiest, sexiest, desparate rockin' around." (But then she would say that!) "I also love Danny B. Harvey, The Caravans, The Cramps, The Blasters, Magic, Blue Cats, Blue Shadows, Ruby Ann, Little Louis and Los Wild Teens, Pearl Harbor, Janice Martin, The Extraordinaires, Jack Baymoore, Dig Wayne (Buzz and The Flyers), Los Streight Jackets, Big Sandy, Candye Kane, Boz and The Bozmen, 13 Cats, Crazy Cavan, Matchbox, The Paladins, Gizzelle, heaps of 50's bands: Johnny Burnette, GENE VINCENT..." Ok, ok, that's enough!
Inked Bernie's got some cool tattoos, all of which were done by the late Eric Maaske at Classic Tattoo, Fullerton, California. She's got cherries on her heels (intended as stocking ornaments), swallows on her shoulders and a horseshoe on the small of her back. "I can honestly say, I like them. I wish I had not done it though... I did it at a time where I was proving my loyalty to rockabilly and that I was as tough as the other girls. Silly, huh? But at least honest!"
And finally... what's your most favourite vintage item that you possess?
"Levi... hahaha! Just kidding... that would be my 4 carat solitaire diamond."
www.myspace.com/bernie_dexter.
Bernie's clothing line is available from her website and from Babygirl Boutique, and you'll find some items in the Pin-Up Parade shop too.