Swimsuits, Style and Sass for Miles!
Lindy Charm School’s Pin Up Pool Party at QT
WORDS BY DANIELLE READ
Photo Credits by:
Tony Garufo Photography
Stingray Lounge – QT Gold Coast
Tina Louise King
Echoes of laughter floated through the air as I entered the pinup pool party extravaganza at QT Gold Coast. The turquoise shimmer of playful splashes spilled from pools edges and kissed the cheeks of beauties hidden behind pandanus palms. I admired a striking red head dressed in a powder blue vintage bathing suit mermaid her way to the swim up bar. 1950s-inspired bikini clad babes lazed on banana lounges and under parasols, sipping exotic cocktails and giggling behind cats-eye sunglasses. It was impossible to miss the fresh feel of wonder in the air: A celebration of all ladies no matter their age, shape or dress size! QT Gold Coast served as a perfect location for the affair, with its retro waitresses and old-school chic décor effortlessly setting the scene.
STYLE
Quickly I was drawn to Head Mistress Chrissy Keepence who was elegantly adding the finishing touches to a QT retro gals’ hairstyle. “Done!” She declared, flashing a diamond smile and swilling her mojito. Founder of The Lindy Charm School for Girls, Swing On In Dance Teacher and host for the day, Chrissy was dressed in a Jack’s Daughter two-piece, 1940’s Calypso Style outfit, made from original fabric with a matching headscarf too! Chrissy graciously welcomed me with a kiss on the cheek, just as she had done every other guest as they arrived for the day. This added to the overall ambience of belonging and new friendships, a theme that would ring true throughout the party. “I don’t profess to styling myself as pin up” said Chrissy, “I just fell in love with the style. It’s so exciting to see so many ladies embracing the incredible fashion of the 20s-60s, reviving the best of the past and leaving the rest.”
Just like Chrissy, I too found a love for the retro style of the 1940’s & 1950s, through swing dance. Having never known much about pin up before, I always felt that the world of vintage was completely unobtainable. Surely the girl gang of pin up was too elitist for little ol’ me to join! This couldn’t be further from the truth. Exposure to a new community can be daunting, however the ladies at Swing On In and The Lindy Charm School are some of the most precious you will meet and so open to giving tips on fashion, make up and those victory rolls you’re so envious of! Once I started playing around with the looks of these eras, I was hooked and I’m sure you will be too. Whether you fall head over heals for the retro look and take it on as a lifestyle or use this style as a creative outlet to change up your appearance, you’ll be sure to have fun in this new world. The main themes of these 1940’s & 1950s gurus? Complete acceptance of all body types, dressing up in flattering styles and promoting self-confidence while also exploring new ways to va-va-voom your look!
DANCE
Nostalgia took over nearby where bathing beauties tried their luck at a game of giant Jenga or Connect Four. Before long, Astro Turf lawn turned to dance floor and the Swingsters from Swing On In twirled, tapped and triple stepped their way around the floor, much to onlookers’ amazement. Polished fingertips flicked through the air and smiles stretched wide while DJ Codio mixed Elvis classics with Chuck Berry hits. Spontaneously, spectators sitting by the tiki bar were shown some basic ropes and began lindy hopping their way around the floor in no time too! Oh the joys that dance brings to all! To learn more about swing dancing, why not check out Swing On In on social media or come along to a Gold Coast class from 7pm Tuesday nights?
The Gold Coast SWING ON IN DANCERS came out to play too!
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS
There were no shortages of awards dished out throughout the pin up pool party. Local girl Taylor Blom won herself a place at the next Lindy Charm School Vintage Styling Workshop (held on February 11) for her beautiful teal get-up and handsome cabana suited Paul Moorhead scored himself dinner for two at the acclaimed Bazaar Restaurant for best-dressed lad. Brooding vixen Miss Rose D’Luxe (Emma Mason) from Pottsville took out top prize for best-dressed dame, earning herself a night’s accommodation at QT! “I can’t believe I’ll be lucky enough to stay at the QT Gold Coast and lap up more of the poolside atmosphere!” Gushed Emma. “My husband and I are looking forward to checking out the Stingray bar too!” She added. D’Luxe wore a two-piece floor length swimsuit with a thigh high split, dappled with Australian flora. “The striking Rosella colors caught my eye,” said Mason of the piece she picked up at a local retro clothier. “I created my own head dress with beautiful red and white flowers, as well as some foliage.” Coursing Australian birdlife with a tropical theme, Emma’s inspiration for the outfit came from the print itself. Miss D’Luxe’s tips for pulling off a pin up outfit are mixing bright and bold colors. Must have staples? “A vast range of headscarves and a reliable lippy! Always have a few of your favorite lip colors in your hand bag, because if you’re anything like me, you’ll change it to match your outfit!”
CHATTER
Word spread quickly on social media about The Lindy Charm School’s event with some ladies travelling from as far as Melbourne to join in! The general consensus was overwhelmingly positive- “fabulous with a capital F for fifties!” Said Sarah Smith who had road tripped up from Ballina. “Today has been very luxe,” added Emma Mason. “Pool parties, cocktails and the sun go hand in hand with the beautiful styles of the 1950s and 60s- Perfect for the QT hotel,” she smiled. The ladies both agreed that the pool party was an excellent fit for a pin up event and neither of them had ever been to anything like it before- “We want to see more days like this!” Boasted Sarah. Byron Bay girl Maja Kent chimed in saying that the dapple, pool and thirst quenching cocktails cater for the needs of pin up girls much better than car shows, which leaves ladies parched in the sun. “If the coast had more days like this, oh my gosh! Incredible!” Added local lady Chantal Munro.
Ms Smith continued, “I love the sisterhood of Vintage fashion. I’ve spent the day looking at women saying wow, and they’ve been looking at me and saying wow! There’s been no judgment or negativity, it’s just been completely embracing and positive.” Mason added that her favorite part of the day was every one accepting each other’s body types and personalities. “Really what compliments an outfit is the person in that outfit and I think a lot of the time we feel judged, but this really lets go of that, allowing us to embrace ourselves and others.”
CURTAIN CLOSE
As the sun began to sink and the sky turned a soft shade of fairy floss, the vintage spectacular came to a close. Unanimously, guests nodded in agreeance that the day had been nothing short of an absolute success!
As we twirled our ways back to the real world, I couldn’t help but wonder- had I dreamed up this magical day?
Stay tuned for more pin up bonanzas hitting the Gold Coast and start practicing your pin curls ladies! They may just be your new best friend.
NEXT POOL PARTY: The Last of Summer Pin Up Pool Party and guess what… We are adding some FLASHMOB dancing to the day.. Plus there are super accomodation deals so check it out and click GOING!
