Bio of the Pin-up

  
I can remember back to when I was as young as five years old, standing by my mother's side, watching her transform from girl next door to stunning vixen. I was fascinated by her. I would always try on her high heel shoes when she left the room.
 

me at 3 years old

my Mother Sherry

When I was not studying my mom, I was enthralled by the Family Film Festival. I was so inspired by the glamour of Ginger Roger’s tap dancing, that at the age of five I begged my mom for tap dance lessons, and continued for ten years. I was signed up for my first beauty pageant when I was twelve years old and then continued participating in the pageant circuit until I was eighteen. Those pageants taught me a great deal about poise. At eighteen I won “Miss Teen San Diego County, USA, 1988,” and went to the “Miss Teen California, USA” pageant where I placed among the top fifteen contestants.

 
In 1991, I moved to Hollywood to try modeling. I signed with an agency right away, but found it impossible to get work. It was different back then: there was no Internet so people could not really see my capabilities as a model. Ultimately, I realized that if I could not be in front of the camera, I was happy being behind it, and I decided to go to cosmetology school. I found that hairdressing came easily to me. The next thing I knew, I was doing all my friends’ hair and makeup before we went out to nightclubs.

 
My first job after graduating was in a salon on Melrose. I loved working there and it was at this time that I discovered the rockabilly scene. The music, dancing, and, of course, the fashion, were so exciting to me. I found it difficult to make friends in that setting, but I was so enthralled by it that I ended up going to shows alone and dancing with whomever asked. Through these connections, I heard that M.A.C. Cosmetics was looking for a new makeup artist. I was lucky enough to get the position and received the best makeup training during my time there. After one and a half years of working at M.A.C., I decided to freelance. I worked on shoots with photographers Winky Tiki & Danielle Bedics  they both specialized in pin up styles. I did hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I have worked on some of the most beautiful women in the world, including Dita Von Teese, Holly Madison, and many more!

 photo by Levi Dexter

One night, Danelle Bedics needed a test model and I volunteered. I submitted the photos to a pin up contest on the web and immediately the job offers came flooding in. One of my very first shoots was with "What Katie Did,” a line of vintage lingerie that has helped promote me since the very beginning. It's been a whirlwind!

photo by Levi Dexter

Bernie Dexter Photoshoot from nick milo on Vimeo.

 
I am influenced by many eras and artists, from the Golden Age of glamour to the bizarre and exotic. My favorite artists are John Willie and Olivia De Berardinis. I love champagne, the colors red and baby blue, tight lacing corsets, high heels, stockings with garter belts, opera gloves, bullet bras, rockabilly music, old films, thrift shops, and antique stores. I love my collection of reproduction Exotique books. The people who inspire me include, Olivia, who gave me the encouragement to keep modeling. My mom, Bettie Page, Poison Ivy of the Cramps, Pearl Gates, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Anne Miller, Anne Margaret, and Myrna Loy.  

 Thanks you for joining me here at BernieDexter.com. Happy Shopping!