Bondi Holly, Hot Rods and Heels Texas Pin-Up Model One to Watch 2010 (Newcomer Category), graces the cover or our June Issue and talks bloody noses, “cute”, movie credits, and breeders.

Interview & Photographs: Shoshana, of Through the Looking Glass Swimsuit on cover: Tara Tonini

Q: You’re a small town girl who moved around alot as a kid.  Where are you from, and where do you consider home?

I am from Corsicana Texas and at this point, I consider Dallas to be my home. 
                          
Q: When we met at the shoot, you said that “you grew up fast as a punk rock kid in Dallas”.  Who are some of your favorite bands?  What are some of your favorite live show memories?
 
Back in those days, we hardly knew who was playing. Just went for a good time, lots of local stuff. It was always fun getting in the pit. Got a bloody nose a few times, but luckily never broke it.
                                    
Q: You are a hairstylist by day, and you said it was your love of period hairstyles that brought you to pin-up modeling.  How so?

It all started when I was little. I Love Lucy played every night on one of the few stations we could get. I always watched the old Batman series and Julie Newmar won me over! I noticed how different everyone looked. I started altering my Barbie dolls until they eventually looked mutilated. Their heads are so tiny, you can only do so much! Lucky for me, I had 3 sisters and a Grandma that would let me fix their hair and that held me over for a bit.

Q: Upon entering the world of pin-up modeling, you took the name Bondi Holly.  Ok, so I get the obvious Buddy Holly reference, but you have an interesting story as to how you came up with the “Bondi” part, as opposed to something more obvious like “Betty”.  Can you share your obsession for reading movie credits and how that led to your name?

I was watching It’s a Wonderful Life. I liked it and per usual watched the movie credits. The actress Beulah Bondi played the mother and I really liked her name. This was about the time I was told to pick a stage name. Beulah isn’t really a name we associate with attractive people these days, but Bondi really stuck with me. It’s like Betty with a twist. It definitely gets the imagination going.

Q: You’ve said that you’re much better at Cheesecake then the “sexy thing”.  Why do you think that is? 

I’ve always been called cute. I don’t mind that at all, it matches my personality. I never saw myself as sexy. I suppose it is all perception. Cheesecake is cute, fun and playful. It comes more natural to me. It’s easier to project who you really are, I think anybody could say that. Then again, that’s why it’s called modeling, not, look cute for the camera.   
 
Q: One photographer managed to get the sexy side out of you, and you said it took all day.  What was that process like, what finally worked?

There really wasn’t a process. It came down to, I’m going to get her out of you and we’re not done until I do. I had to break out of my cutesy stage and realize that as a model, this was expected of me and if I couldn’t do it, then maybe I shouldn’t be! It was like the next step for me. At first I felt silly but my brain kicked my skull and I just did it!                                       
 
Q: What are the traits of some of your favorite photographers?
 
I like a photographer that welcomes you and makes you feel good about your body, naturally. Modeling is great because it takes all shapes and sizes; you don’t want to look generic. You don t want to work with anyone that tries to persuade you out of your comfort zone. 

Q: This year found you a finalist for Hot Rods and Heels Newcomer Pin-Up Model of the Year (One to Watch).  How do you feel upon hearing the news?

I am absolutely thrilled! It was the last thing I expected and am grateful to have gotten this far! I’ve had so much encouragement from my family, friends and especially my boyfriend Paul. It really means alot to me! 

 
Q: You come from a large family as does your boyfriend.  With a sigh you admitted that “at heart I am a breeder”.  Do you have plans to start a family soon?  What is it about the idea of motherhood that appeals to you so?
 
I do have a large family and I love it! I wouldn’t say that my boyfriend came from a large family. Loving, but not large. The term breeder is an on-going joke at my salon.

I don’t have plans to start a family anytime soon but definitely sometime down the road.  When I was growing up, I assumed that all women had children! I certainly don’t have that mentality now. It’s appealing on the level that it seems to be the most natural thing in the world. I see happiness in people that they only get from their children. All the baby vomit and stinky diapers aren’t so appetizing but like anything you don’t like, you get over it.  

Q: What’s your biggest dream? 

My biggest dream…I feel like I am where I want to be which is a good start. It is hard to say what my biggest dream is because I like to take things one step at a time. Sometimes you have to step sideways or over obstacles. It s good to have a goal and go for it but there are no guarantees. I m so happy with my life I can t really say what I would like next!  

It’s that time of year again & shopping is on your list of things to do. To make the season a little merrier for all on your list, we have compiled a list of Pin Curl Magazine’s Favorite Things! What makes this list even better is not only are they amazing gifts, but every company is individually owned and operated! Give an amazing gift while helping out small business owners, and most are in your own community.

$10 & Under

Pin-Up Balm $4
PinUpBalm.com
With a huge assortment of flavors, all natural ingredients, and their super cute vintage pin-up tins, these lip balms are the perfect choice for healthy lips all winter!

Chocolate Secrets Handmade Two-Piece Box $5
ChocolateSecrets.net
This independently owned chocolate shoppe is a Dallas treasure. If you’ve never been to Chocolate Secrets, you are missing a divine experience in handmade chocolates!

Eye Dust by Medusa’s Makeup $6
MedusasMakeup.com
You cannot find more vibrant colors with more built in bling than Eye Dust by Medusa’s Makeup. We are partial to Barbarella, Helter Skelter, Soylent Green.

Wicked Winter Collection Votive Gift Set by Evening Eclipse $9.99
EveningEclipse.com
We cannot rave about their scents enough, and with this gift set you get to experience all four scents in the winter collection including my favorite, twisted cocoa! Better still- it comes beautifully packaged with a glass votive cup.

$25 & Under

Peacock Fascinator by Tara to the T $22
TaraToTheT.etsy.com
The extraordinary Tara Tonini has done it again! This fascinator is not only beautiful; it’s super easy and comfortable thanks to its attached wrapped headband. Though her work is known all of the country, Tara still makes every accessory herself right here in Dallas!

Day of the Dead Small Handbag by Dakota Darling Designs $25
DakotaDarling.com
We adore the Day of the dead motif with all of its colorful skulls, and no one does it better than Dakota Darling. She also offers a giant flat bottom purse design with inner pockets that is perfect for toting all of your daily baggage! Another plus: Dakota loves custom orders!

Miss Kitty Craft Apron by MiaMaria Designs $25
MiaMaria.etsy.com
Covered in vintage pin-ups, this apron has lots o’ pockets which makes keeping track of your glue gun and rhinestones a breeze!

$50 & Under

Snitches Get Stitches Black Pencil Skirt by Poisoned Creations $36
PoisonedCreations.etsy.com
We love the idea of dressing like a tough Bettie! The skirt is made of black stretch twill and at the bottom right of the skirt is a metallic silver knuckle duster with a zipper down the back middle. Seams are serged and top stitched.

The Temptress Rhinestone Pasties by Laura Darling $45
LauraDarlingDelux.etsy.com
We love …Laura, darling’s sense of bling! No one will be able to resist you in the Temptress. Pale pink satin is adorned with hundreds of match pink rhinestones, surrounded by black Chantilly lace then finished with a plush black tassel.

Victorian Doll Mini Top Hat by Cryptic Culture Gear $49
CrypticCultureGear.etsy.com
This fabulous mini hat is uber-feminine! It is made with vintage lace (around the brim), beige faux-suede, pink lace, a mini vanity mirror, feathers, bows and flowers. An amazing edition to a costume, or a spectacular showpiece in and of itself!

Dakota Darling, Evening Eclipse,  MiaMaria, Poisoned Creations, & Tara to the T will all be selling their awesome goods at Gifts and Garters on Dec 5th in Dallas.

We sat down with Tara Tonini in her studio to talk about her company Tara to the T, fashion design, feathers, flight attendants, and daydreaming.

Interview & Cover Photograph: Shoshana of Through the Looking Glass. Article Photograph with Car: Scott Hunter Smith

Tell us about the birth of Tara to the T. How did you get your start?

I’m originally from California and I attended the Fashion Institute in Los Angeles. After working in the fashion industry for a while I was hired by a large corporate company. They snatched me up and moved me to big ‘ol Texas. Tara to the T started out as my hobby, just a way for me to express my creativity and design things that I wanted to make, rather than what I had to design at my 8-5 job. Then in January 2009 I started running my business full time.

What were some of your favorite inspirations in your early hair accessory designs?

In the beginning all of my inspiration came from fashion of the 1920’s through 1960’s. I constructed lots of pillbox hats and fun 1920’s inspired oversized fascinators. 

What were some of your most memorable early evolutions?

I participated as a designer in the 2008 Pin Show. The Pin show is a local fashion show that features independent Texas designers. The experience was amazing and it made me very motivated to take my then “hobby” to the next level.

What do you think is secret to your amazing success with the Tara to the T line of hats and hair accessories?

I am an extremely hard worker; I think it runs in my Italian blood, ha-ha. I have also taken several years to create my technique of design and my product is of high quality. I travel the world collecting unique materials and findings to make my designs original. My goal is to create a shopping experience. I have so many retuning customers because they like to hear the inspiration and story behind each design.

Your newest line, Sky Girls is your first full clothing line. How did you make the leap from hats and hair accessories to a full clothing line?

In college I studied apparel, and I always knew in the back of my mind I would enter that market again. So at the 2009 Pin Show I débuted my Sky Girls collection. 

What is the inspiration & concept behind Sky Girls?

My Great Aunt was a stewardess during the Golden Age and when she passed away, I was given her vintage Valentino jacket. After doing some research, I discovered that Valentino designed TWA’s uniforms for several years. So my research continued and my Sky Girls line was created.

I wanted to recapture the image of the 1960’s stewardess. She was fun and playful, yet she was a professional and able to travel the world. All of the Sky Girls dresses are 60’s inspired silhouettes, but they are created with modern fabrications. The dresses are designed out of knit, so they are very easy to wear and super comfortable.
 
In January, you began pursuing your art full time. Please describe your experiences thus far as a full time small business owner.

It has been an interesting six months to say the least. I have managed to launch a clothing line and take my company on the road. Sky Girls is available for sale in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and in New York very shortly. I’m a strong believer that a small business can survive in this day and age, the business owner just has to be creative in a slow economy.

I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by my very talented and supportive friends; this transition wouldn’t have been possible without them.

With so many projects: the Tara to the T hair accessories and hats line, your Steam Punk line, your burlesque inspired line with Ginger Valentine, and Sky Girls, do you ever find time for yourself? What is your method for juggling so many projects?

I do find time for myself; I just don’t sleep much these days ha-ha. My number one hobby is daydreaming. My boyfriend, Joey Seeman is a very talented artist and we spend most of our time daydreaming and brainstorming. This fuels my fire and gets me behind my sewing machine so I can execute my ideas from my head through my fingertips.

My second hobby is dressing up. By designing everything from retro dresses to Steam Punk accessories, I get a chance to dress up and be creative with the entire process.

As for juggling it all, everyone who knows me knows that I live out of my calendar. My key is to mark everything in pencil so that I can be flexible.. I also lock myself if my studio twice a week, to give myself alone time to be creative and stay focused.

Speaking of your partnership with burlesque entertainer Ginger Valentine, what is the name of the line and describe the concept.  What are your thoughts on the relatively recent popularity of the Burlesque revival movement?

While living in Los Angeles, I was fortunate enough to see some very talented burlesque entertainers perform. My favorite book is Pretty Things by Liz Goldwyn and I was able to meet and chat with Miss Goldwyn at a vintage store in Los Angeles one day. So long story short I’ve been a fan of burlesque, its history and most of all it’s costuming for quite some time.

A fellow artist friend recently introduced me to Ginger Valentine and we immediately hit it off! Miss Valentine is an amazing entertainer, her fun and flirty personality shines in all of her performances. I am designing Ginger’s costumes for several upcoming performances and we have launched our Ginger Valentine burlesque starter kit. It débuted at Hot Rods and Heels and we an instant hit for so many of my customers. Inside you get the tips and treats to do a little burlesque of your own. The kits are available on-line June 1st and of course they will be for sale wherever Miss Valentine performs.

What does the future hold for Tara?

My Sky Girls swimsuit line will be for sale in June, I’m very excited about that. I am also having a Carnival theme launch party on Friday June 12th at the Lizard Lounge in Dallas, TX.
 
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to a woman looking to open her own business in a arts related field?

Do what you love in order to live your dream. When there is passion in your heart and a supportive community around you, the possibilities are endless.