Crystal “Miss VanillaCake”

Photo by Robert Alvarado

This week we have Crystal aka “Miss VanillaCake” as our pinup of the week. We had the pleasure of meeting Crystal at the GNRS this year and she has a very likeable, fun, energetic personality, not to mention petite as could be with long beautifully designed blond hair. From hair design to modeling to car shows Crystal is broadening her pin-up career and has had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing photographers. Enjoy the post!

53d: What was your first car? Crystal: My first car I ever bought was a 2004 Ford Mustang. I know, I know.. in our world of classic cars and Chevy lovers I’m probably considered a traitor… ha ha, but I love mustangs and I love Fords. HOWEVER, the car I learned to drive in at the age of 15 was a silver 1972 Chevy Impala…. it was beautiful!!! My dad taught me to drive and I swear I couldn’t wait to get my license! I just love to drive… especially when I get to drive fast!

53d: If you could have any car what would it be? Crystal: If I could have any car… Wow, well that is so hard because there are so many that i just love! I’m a girl… I see something pretty and shiny and I just want it! But I would have to say that if I was given the choice to have any car besides a mustang, I would want a 1937or 38 Rolls-Royce Phantom III with white wall tires,,,, (sigh) so beautiful! I could just see me getting out of that car in my feux fur coat and a glitzy gown!

53d: Fave music/band? Crystal: My Favorite band is No Doubt! Gwen Stefani is my inspiration in more ways than one. Not only is she a talented musician, but it seems she is also an amazing wife, mother, and business woman. I think she is a great role model! I’m also a huge fan of The Baseballs, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holliday, and Michael Buble’. Some of my favorite local bands are Zombie Cartel, Jason Lee & the R.I.P.Tides and Hard Fall Hearts

53d: How did you get into pinup modeling? Crystal: In 2007 I was attending Career Academy of Beauty studying Cosmetology. One of my teachers got a phone call from a director asking asking if she thought any of her students could do hair for a photoshoot for Latina Model Magazine. Right away she came to me, handed me the directors phone number and said “I think you’d be perfect for this.” I was so excited! At the photoshoot, I met the model who is now my now good friend. That model continued to hire me on several shoots and eventually asked me why I wasn’t modeling. I told her I never really thought of myself as a model and she said I was crazy. Next thing I know, I finally got the nerve to set up a shoot and in 2007 I had very first “Jean Harlow” inspired pinup shoot. From then on, I have been hooked! My first shoot at a car show was with Mike Basso at the 2008 Grand National Roadster Show in Pamona, CA. and has since become a tradition for me! I have always loved pinups such as Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow, and Betty Grable… I guess that’s why I have a thing for being blonde too!

53d: What kind of a pinup would you label yourself? Crystal: I’m more of a shy, modest pinup for the simple fact that I like to be as clothed as possible in my shoots.. ha ha. I’ve never done anything implied or nude, nor do I ever see that happening. I think that some things are better left to the imagination. And besides, I’m a big chicken about it! 🙂 My favorite pinups are the glamorous pinups and stars of old Hollywood…. While I love Evlgren and Petty, there’s just something amazing about the photographs of real women like Marilyn Monroe!

53d: What do you do when you are not Modeling? Crystal: When I am not modeling, I am spending time with my amazing family, hanging out with friends, and staying busy working and promoting my business RIGBY HAIR DESIGN which I have been doing for over three years. I’ve worked with some amazing models such as MOSH, Esther Hanuka (Queen Esther), Bridget Blonde, and many other lovely ladies, as well as some awesome photographers like Isaac Madera, Malachi Banales (Eternal Exposure), Robert Alvarado and Girlie Show Photography. Though pinup hair is my favorite style to create, I love doing many other styles from extreme and avante garde to beautiful and sheek wedding styles.

Other fun facts and hobbies:
FAMILY: I am very close with my family! I grew up in a wonderful home with some amazing parents, an older sister and a younger brother. I’m actually proud to say my parents were Harley Davidson bikers in their day and we still have some of the parts to my late dad’s 1953 Harley Davidson panhead… hopefully someday we can restore it in his memory

MUSIC: Ever since I was a kid I have been a huge fan of music, but not just listening to it! One of my favorite things to do is to sing and play the piano. I sang for years while I attended college and even earned scholarships in school for it. I’ve been playing the piano since I was five years old and though I can read music a little bit, I mostly play by ear. I can’t imagine my life without these talents and I feel very blessed to have them.

CHARITY: Charity work has always been a big part of my life. After I lost my dad to Cancer in 2006, my family got involved with the American Cancer Society doing cancer walks, raising money, and showing support to others who have lost loved ones to cancer. Over the last few months I have been involved with the non-profit organization Cuties for a Cause. Cuties for a Cause is an amazing organization that partners with a local charity each year to help raise money and awareness for that charity. Each year we pick a charity and raise money to support them by hosting shows and events, publishing and selling our very own “Cuties Calendar”, and organizing rummage sales and bake sales throughout the year. Last year we partnered with Saint Clare’s Home; a local non-profit organization in North County, San Diego. In the past 26 years, Saint Clare’s Home has provided transitional housing and an array of supportive services for homeless and abused women and their children.

Find her at: Miss Vanilla Cake on Facebook – Rigby Hair Designs on Facebook – Modelmayhem.com

Photo by Michael Bell