What goes on in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
Nanaimo has a chance to help one of its own flaunt it for the judges and the crowds and bring home the crown from the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pin-up contest, one of the world’s largest annual pageants of its kind where women, photographers and make-up artists bring the classic pin-up genre to life in an international competition.
This year 16 countries are represented by more than 80 entrants who have made it to the competitions online voting round. Dandy D’Lish is one of just two Canadians vying for one of just six finalist spots on stage in Las Vegas for the final round, which happens at the Orleans Hotel during Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, April 19-22.
D’Lish, a professional makeup artist who operates House of Dandy, grew up in Nanaimo, but became involved with pin-up modelling while living in Ladner in 2015 after she saw a newspaper ad calling for pin-up models.
She has entered pin-up competitions ever since. Last summer she won the title of Tiki Queen at the Grease Gears and Grooves pin-up pageant at the Cowichan Fairgrounds. She has also taken the crown at the Ladner Quilt Walk and Car Show pin-up pageant.
She sees pin-up as an empowering and creative outlet for women of all ages, shapes, sizes and ethnicity that she hopes to introduce it to more women in Nanaimo. But her immediate goal is to garner enough online support to earn a spot on stage in Las Vegas. That means as many supporters as possible need to cast their votes before online voting closes on Jan. 31.
To vote online, go to to www.vivalasvegas.net/pin-up-contest/ and scroll down to her picture, Dandy D’Lish, click the vote box and follow the directions.
photos@nanaimobulletin.com
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