Been There/Done That: I'm a (modern-day) Varga girl

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

options

Been There/Done That: I'm a (modern-day) Varga girl

POSTED: Monday, October 12, 2009, 7:56 PM

Courtesy of Varga Bar

Our Critical Mass intern dishes on what it was like to be a Varga pin-up girl, after being selected by Varga Bar for its 2010 calendar. Interested? They're still accepting submissions.

It must have started with Bettie Boop. The pin-curled hair, the red lips, the long dress with the big slit ' or, thinking about it now, perhaps it was Jessica Rabbit? Either way, I grew up idolizing that old Hollywood style, and once I was too old for cartoons it was a different kind of illustration that caught my eye: pin-up portraits by Alberto Vargas, a Peruvian-born artist who glorified the American girl most notably in Esquire in the '40s and later in Playboy.

The Varga girls' ethereal, glowing sex appeal comes from their innocence, confidence and humor. Varga Bar (941 Spruce St., 215-627-5200), which opened in May, uses Vargas' art to decorate the cozy restaurant. The vintage-themed d'cor, complete with kitschy black-and-white tile, is centered around a handful of Varga girls painted over the bar.

But Restaurateur George Anni wanted to incorporate real, local women into the bar's theme. So he and Philly-based photographer Christopher Gabello launched the Make Me a Varga Girl contest this September. They set out to find 12 local women to be transformed into modern-day Varga girls for a 2010 calendar. 'We've received hundreds of submissions so far,' says Kate Ryan, Gabello's managing agent. 'We've had a really good response and girls are still contacting us.'

I entered a few weeks ago, and soon after, Ryan asked me to be a part of the calendar. Two days later, I arrived at Ettore Salon at 12th and Market streets to have my hair and make-up done for the shoot at Gabello's Center City studio. Owner Ettore Mastroddi welcomed me to the salon, but I could tell by a quick flinch that something was wrong. As I sat down with the hairstylist I could hear Ettore, just a few feet away, complaining that my hair was too short and it didn't go with Vargas' style. I shot a dumbfounded glance up at the hairstylist who, with a look of disgust, rolled her eyes and shook her head. 'Don't worry about him," she assured me.

After a quick battle with the owner about the hair extensions that were not going on my head, Ettore changed his tune when Gabello showed him one of my favorite Varga gals in a black leotard and tutu with short blond curls. Then Ettore was all smiles, and so was I, after an hour of hair and makeup complete with faux lashes and my favorite red lipstick. Ryan met me at the salon and took me by cab about five blocks (couldn't ruin the hair, of course) over to Gabello's studio at 15th and Sansom streets. Gabello and his assistant, Inna, greeted us at the small, ground floor studio. The shoot was to be styled with clothes from vintage-inspired Smak Parlor in Olde City, and the team led me to the rack of clothing. 'And here's everything from Smak Parlor!' said Gabello.

Where? I thought as I looked at the bare clothing rack strewn with a few scarves, nighties, undies and a pink silk robe that looked like a parka next to the rest of the attire. Damn. 'There's a bunch of accessories too,' offered Ryan. Well, maybe I could cover up with some oversized clip-on earrings? After reassurance from the team and a pep talk I prepared for myself, I put on my first outfit and prayed if I smiled big enough, no one would notice what I was or wasn't wearing. I grew up doing theater and tried to just pretend I was playing a part of one of the energetic Varga gals I admire. This was a bit of a challenge with Gabello's Radiohead playlist that could lull a rabid animal to sleep. But after the first few shots, I began to feel more comfortable and the team chatted and laughed through the next few outfit changes.

We played around with a few different poses and looks right out of the Alberto Varga book Gabello had in his studio. The shoot flew by and after a couple hours of cheesy smiles and pretending to know what I was doing, I was back in my street clothes wondering how I was going to make it to the subway without getting beat up with my hair and 20 pounds of makeup straight out of 1940. After Gabello sent me the proofs, I picked a handful of photos that I liked and thought were the most true to the Varga girl style. He'll do some Photoshop magic to make it look like the photos are illustrations, adding that glowing quality to them. The Varga Bar calendar will emulate the design of the old Esquire magazine calendars complete with a little poem next to the pin-up (such as 'June finds me asking daisies, if he loves or loves me not. They told me if he didn't that the moron should be shot!') The calendar will debut in December with a release party at Varga Bar and the 12 photos will be displayed in the bar.

Check out the Web site for more information.

phillygrrl

Posted 2009-10-12 17:22:36

"s I sat down with the hairstylist I could hear Ettore, just a few feet away, complaining that my hair was too short and it didn't go with Vargas' style."



What's dude's problem?

kurye

Posted 2009-12-07 05:59:49

cheerio very nice :)

Posted by Cristina Perachio @ 7:56 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Next Story: Want It Need It: Ork Posters' Philly screenprint

Comments (0)

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
What we're trying to do this weekend
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: Indian fare rules, Dunder Mifflin lives on, Tom Jones is a god
Bradley Cooper promises he's not an asshole
Q&A with Goon’s Seann William Scott
CITY PAPER WRITING CONTEST 2013: Send stories! Send poetry!

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: