Susie Bright’s Journal

Susie Bright’s Journal

Vargas in Drag

A queer and wonderous view of the Vargas Girl Centerfold

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Susie Bright
Apr 18, 2024
∙ Paid

Once upon a time there was a pin-up girl, a whore with a heart of gold who realized she could line her pockets with a little well-placed advertising.

She was an exhibitionist, proud of her assets— or in another view, she was under pressure to exploit her physical charms, regardless of pride or joy.

She wanted to be an actress, a showgirl; maybe even a star. In real life, she might never have made it past dime-a-dance.

She was the pinup dame.

All reproductionsfrom the exhibition catalog for "Alberto Vargas: The Esquire Pinups," Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, curated by Maria Elena Buszek and Stephen Goddard
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