What is Cheesecake
Cheesecake was another term for pinup. Pinups were images, sometimes artwork and sometimes photography, that were so appealing that people chose to tear them out of magazines and pin them up on walls and in locker rooms.
Pinups were originally a form of artwork, not photography, that featured beautiful women posing. Perhaps one of the most well known names in this form of art was Alberto Vargas. Other famous artists were Earl MacPherson, Earl Moran, George Petty, Gil Elvgren, and Zoe Mozert.
Photography took over the world of the pinup in the 1940s and 50s. During this time, the world was at war and men were painting Cheesecakes on the noses of their planes, and taking pinups with them when sent overseas. This is where movie stars began to enter the world of pinups and we see famous ladies like Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and Jane Russell.
Of course who can write about the origins of pinup and not mention Bettie Page? With her signature long dark hair with short cropped bangs, she has influenced an entirely new generation of lovely ladies who aspire to careers as pinups. Bettie is particularly notable because of her photo sets that featured bondage and discipline. Many images featured a helpless Bettie gagged or tied up in ropes, being spanked, or administering the same to other pretty models.
But what is Cheesecake today? There are many photographers today who have chosen to pursue imagery that reflects the pinups of past times. They carefully recreate a particular “look” by using specific makeup, hair, and lingerie on their models. There are lots of models today who cut their hair like Bettie Page, wear their makeup in the style of the 40s or 50s, and buy up clothing from stores that specialize in a vintage/retro look. Many models seem to capture the perfect blend of retro and modern to recreate a brand new kind of pinup. Girls like Bernie Dexter, Michiko Minx, Miss Conduct, Darenzia,
and Masuimi Max come to mind.
Today’s Cheesecake can be many things, but for the interest of this site, it is sensual softcore photography featuring beautiful ladies that deliberately seeks to recreate the pinup or a vintage look and feel. It is also photography featuring models who choose to style themselves on times that have already past. It is an appreciate for beauty and all things feminine.