Influences

This gallery consists of a general assortment of images that have influenced us. Some of these pictures are old. Others are more recent. With some, the link between the image and our imagery is obvious. With others, the link may seem more tenuous. Nevertheless, they all have one thing in common: they have all helped to shape and inform the way we think about our photography here at waist.it.

Of course these are just general images.We also have dedicated galleries for key influences such as:- Bettie Page, Dita von Teese, Jane Mansfield, Katy Perry, Esther Williams not to mention a fairly large collection of lingerie ads.

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Bettie Mae Page, born 1923-04-22 (Nashville, Tennessee, USA) ~ 2008-12-11 was an American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modelling and pin-up photos. She has often been called the "Queen of Pinups". Her look, including her jet black hair, blue eyes and her concave waist has influenced many artists including us here at waist.it

When an interviewer asked how she obtained her classic hourglass shape during her modelling career, Bettie responded: “I never had very big breasts. I think mine were just average. I wish I had a little less on the bottom. I pulled in my stomach from force of habit, ever since I was a teenager. I always held my stomach in.”

She was "Miss January 1955", one of the earliest Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine. "I think that she was a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society," Playboy founder Hugh Hefner told the Associated Press.

In 1959, she converted to born-again Christianity, and later worked for Billy Graham. Sadly, Her later life was marred by depression, violent mood swings and several years in a state psychiatric hospital. After years of obscurity, she experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1990s, largely due to the internet.

• More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bettie_Page

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Dita Von Teese, born Heather Renée Sweet, 1972-09-28 in Rochester, Michigan, is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.

Von Teese is best known for her burlesque routines and is frequently dubbed "the Queen of Burlesque" in the press. Von Teese began performing burlesque in 1992 and, as a proponent of New Burlesque, has helped to popularize its revival. In her own words, she "puts the tease back into striptease" with long, elaborate dance shows with props and characters, often inspired by 1930s and 1940s musicals and films.

Her shapely figure and her fabulous pin-up imagery has made her one of our major influences, here at waist.it.

• More information:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dita_Von_Teese.

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Esther Jane Williams (born 1921-08-08) is a retired American competitive swimmer and MGM movie star. Williams set multiple national and regional swimming records in her late teens as part of the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team.

Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Olympics due the outbreak of World War II, Williams joined Billy Rose's Aquacade, where she took on the role vacated by Eleanor Holm after the show's move from New York City to San Francisco. There, she spent five months swimming alongside Olympic swimmer and Tarzan star, Johnny Weissmuller.

Her slim but powerful figure together with her iconic swimsuit poses has become a major influence on the work we create here at waist.it

• More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Williams

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Fifties bombshell Jayne Mansfield (born Vera Jayne Palmer) 1933-04-19 ~1967-06-27 was famous for her tiny waist and exaggerated bust. She was also rather good at that tightly-belted look that waist.it's Chiara does so well.

At the time, he world's media were quick to condemn Mansfield's stunts, and one editorial columnist wrote, "We are amused when Miss Mansfield strains to pull in her stomach to fill out her bikini better."

But here at waist.it, we like concave waisted ladies. We prefer to shoot a model that pulls in her tummy too much, rather than one that lets it all hang out! Needless to say, we emulate a lot of Mansfield's poses here at waist.it!

• More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayne_Mansfield

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Katy Perry, was born 1984-10-24, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. She is American singer, songwriter and actress. Perry grew up with gospel music, and during her first year of high school she pursued a music career as Katy Hudson, releasing her first studio album called Katy Hudson which failed to chart. She recorded a solo album later, which was never released. After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry.

Perry is known for her unconventional style of dress. It is often humorous, bright in colour, and reminiscent of earlier decades. Perry's transformation into an artist began with fashion, inspired by American film actress Dominique Swain's portrayal in the 1997 film Lolita. She describes her fashion style as "a bit of a concoction of different things". As far as we are concerned here at waist.it, Katy Perry is something of a modern marvel, photographically speaking. She captures that retro feel with a bit of the "girl next door" thrown in.

Like many "retro" style models, Perry is keen on figure control. She famously once said: "I'm really critical of my posture. It makes a big difference and I try to suck my belly in. Everyone should do that whether you are on a red carpet or not.

• More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry

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Beauty pageants are somewhat controversial nowadays. However some of the imagery, particularly the publicity shots offer some interesting ideas. It is also good to capture the enthusiasm and excitement of the contestants and try to reproduce that in our work.

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Few things more pleasant to look at than a slim, attractive woman in well fitting corsetry. As the old saying goes, "Corsets look best on girls that don't really need them!" Hence various advertising images created through the years have become a major influence on our work here at waist.it

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Over the years, waist.ithas borrowed heavily from this sort of literature for shoot ideas. It has also proven a convenient way to make ordinary young women look good on camera.

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