Kate's picture perfect for pinup

Meet Bunbury youth worker Kate Suddell, a tattooed vintage glamour lover who is in the running to be named Miss Illustrated Pinup Australia.

The WA finalist will head to Sydney in April to take part in Miss Pinup Australia and will vie for the title against women from around the country.

Miss Suddell said competition was “not your average beauty contest” and was open to women of all shapes, sizes and ages.

The pinup style is a throw back to a time of cheeky and suggestive sexuality, when women like Betty Grable were idolised.

Entering the Miss Illustration Pinup category, for women with visible tattoos, Miss Suddell said the competition had helped improve her self confidence.

“The competition changed my life, ” she said.

“I am a lot happier person and I appreciate the friends I’ve made in the competition, ” she said.

“It’s not a catwalk or runway competition — you’re judged for your style and the clothes you wear.”

Miss Suddell said it was a competition for the “everyday girl” and the clothing styles of yesteryear flattered almost all body shapes and sizes.

But for the 23-year-old, dressing in 40s and 50s outfits with perfectly primped hair and make-up, is not an everyday occurrence.

“I love dressing up but most of the time I am dressed casually, ” she said.

“I think I would get some strange looks on the streets of Bunbury if I was dressed up all the time.”