A Sunshine Coast hairdresser with a penchant for curls and swing skirts is helping to revive the 1950s.
Yandina’s Katie Martin has developed a passion for a golden era that was defined by the rise of television and pop culture – when retro diners, jukeboxes and rock ‘n’ roll music were at their peak.
The 34-year-old is set to take her devotion for the decade to the next level by featuring as a finalist in a pin-up pageant at Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, the Cooly Rocks On Festival from June 7 to June 11.
She will also create the perfect 1950s hairstyle on stage – while blindfolded.
Ms Martin said she loved the 1940s to the 1960s.
“But the 50s is my favourite,” she said.
“It’s got a different class and elegance to it.
“The lines in fashion accentuated a woman’s curves, Elvis was around, the cars had wings and everything seemed so much simpler then.”
Ms Martin said she forged an interest for the ’50s when she was young.
“I loved the skirts and dresses that twirled, and the pretty shoes, and watching the movie Grease,” she said.
She started to create and make her own outfits and hairstyles, and was inspired by her Nan, who was a dressmaker, seamstress, pattern maker and fashion designer.
“I loved growing up with her teaching me how to make things,” she said.
“I loved having different clothes to the other kids and it was great that I could just whip something up if I wanted to.”
Ms Martin, who owns Big Deal Hair in Buderim, displays her zest for the 1950s in her everyday life and through her work.
“My salons have always had a vintage feel to them, and I love doing the pageants. I feel a million dollars when I’m dressed up,” she said.
“I even got my winged eyeliner tattooed on.”
Ms Martin said 50s fashion was “classy and elegant”.
“The clothes accentuate a woman’s figure and make her look beautiful,” she said.
“I love the cute heels and house dresses, and gowns too, not the sloppy clothes you see nowadays.”
She makes her own clothes when she can.
“But my favourite day-to-day clothes are usually from Review or Kitten D’Amour. They’ve got the vintage aesthetic that fits a curvy shape well,” she said.
As for the all-important hairstyles.
“Men’s hair is usually combed high and then swept back into the middle, with a wet look product,” she said.
“For women, it’s curls and height rolls, whether it be victory or front rolls, and short horseshoe bangs or faux bangs, and snoods or scarves to keep the hair set in while they’re busy working, and flowers as well.”
Ms Martin said there were some important techniques and items for cutting and styling ’50s hair.
“If you’re setting it the same way regularly, then you can cut to that pattern,” she said.
“But for an up-styled kind of hairstyle you need a good setting spray, mousse, volume powder, pomade and hairspray.
“I usually find that working with the curl, not against it, is the best way to go.”
Ms Martin said she relished owning and working at her business.
“I always wanted to do my hair,” she said.
“My aunty was a hairdresser, and I took an interest from a young age and did everyone’s hair.
“I left school to do my apprenticeship and qualified just before I turned 18.”
She said she entered the pageant to share her enthusiasm for the era with others.
“I love being surrounded by like-minded women, who are positive and inspiring. I also love performing and being able to have a reason to dress up and have fun,” she said.
Ms Martin is no stranger to the stage.
She has tried her hand at musical theatre, bikini competitions and even pro wrestling.
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