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Between the Sheets: part-time princess

A peek into the world
of pin-up modelling

By Viv Steele, Sex
Correspondent

rixie Terror, Port Coquitlam-

based pin-up model and
burlesque performer, sits across
the table from me in her kitchen.
She’s wearing a Vancouver
Canucks tee, her blonde-and-
blue hair pulled back in a high
ponytail. It’s a far cry from the
look she sports in her artistic
work, where she’s usually found
wearing corsets, skimpy undies,
and a full face of makeup. Trixie
is one of many women ina
growing trend, a girl next door
who’s a part-time princess, a
multi-tasking diva who can go
from zero to sexy in 60 seconds.

Burlesque performances
(stripteases culminating in
undies and tasslled nipple-
pasties) are characterized
by a keen sense of humour,
an over-the-top display of
femininity that borders on
satire. With multiple burlesque
performances weekly and
salons dedicated to the sultry,
retro pin-up style, Vancouver
is becoming known for sassy,
gorgeous women decked out in
frilly finery.

Performances are elaborate
and hilarious, or if you're Trixie
Terror, they can be very gory.
Trixie performs something

called “gorelesque,” which is
exactly how it sounds: burlesque
dancing with lots of fake blood!
Trixie says performing is one of
the more empowering things a
woman can do for herself.

“When I first started I was
very shy about my body,” she
says. “I was nervous and didn’t
really like [my body]. Now
I'll walk around naked.” She
speaks very animatedly about
how gorelesque and pin-up
modelling have improved her
confidence, and offers some
advice: “I think that every
woman should do a sexy photo
shoot, for herself. It’s fun. It
makes you feel beautiful.”

As a freelance model and
performer, Trixie gets to work
for herself and mostly on her
own schedule. She tells me that
she seeks out photographers
on networking websites like
ModelMayhem.com, and
she often has creative control
over her hair, makeup, and
wardrobe. She describes pin-up
as “cheesecakey,” walking the
line between sexy and classy, yet
landing firmly on the former of
the two.

“It’s all based on the clothes
you wear and the poses you do.
My trademark thing is my legs.
I always have them prominent,
so that’s kind of sexy because
my legs are over my head or
straight out.” Trixie works
mostly on a TFP basis, which
stands for “time-for-prints.” It’s
a way to get exposure and build

a portfolio as a model who's in
the early stages of her career.

Pin-up is an attractive trend
for a reason. It’s characterized
by an alternative style, an
openness to the different or
weird. Most models have a
1950s vibe, updated for the
current time with tattoos and
piercings. Trixie has 10 tattoos.
The industry is also open to
more growth: “In the past two
years, maybe, [pin-up] has taken
off... it’s all over the place,” says
Trixie. “So that means there are
a lot of terrible models out there,
but then you find people who
you would never think would
be doing it, but they’re doing it
and they’re brilliant at it.”

Trixie relies on support
from a strong social media
network. She’s a self-professed
Twitter and Facebook addict,
sites which she uses to promote
herself and support other
women who work either as a
hobby or for their livelihood.
She posts both pin-up shots
and candid shots on her
Facebook page and is working
towards getting featured in
magazines, but for now, Trixie
Terror remains a part-time
princess. A girl who loves the
Vancouver Canucks and the
Dallas Cowboys, a woman who
spends her days raising her five-
year-old son, and a sexy vixen
in front of the camera, always
game to play in bathtubs full of
fake blood and gore.

Try something new in 2013

Burnaby Velodrome offers
fun, fitness, and thrills

By Aidan Mouellic,
Contributor

t’s the New Year. That time of

year when people are more
determined to become their
ideal selves. It’s also that time
of year when gyms and fitness
centers become jam-packed with
like-minded individuals seeking
to better themselves in 2013.
Making positive changes in your
life is great, but it is even greater
when you actually maintain
your new excellent habits. One
of the best ways to do this is to
do something enjoyable. If you
enjoy what you're doing, you’re
likely to repeat the task.

10

If you are looking for a fun
and adventurous way to stick to
your goal of exercising and want
to avoid the clusterfuck of the
gym in January, check out the
Burnaby Velodrome, a 200-metre
indoor bicycle track at the base
of Burnaby Mountain on Barnet
Road. One of only three indoor

6G

velodromes in North America, the
wooden oval-shaped track has
bankings at a 47-degree angle. It
sounds and looks intimidating,
but once you get on a single-
speed track bike and start riding,
you will be hooked by the thrill,
fun, and the physical challenge.

The Burnaby Velodrome is
open to people of all ages, with
regular riders from the ages of
nine to over 60. One notable
rider is London Olympic track
cycling bronze medalist, Jasmin
Glaesser. The 19-year-old SFU
student, like any new rider at
the time, was intimidated on her

first ride and even slid off the
boards at one point (you must
maintain speed of over 30 km/h
in the bankings or else you will
not generate enough G force to
stay up on the track), but found
out pretty quickly that it wasn’t
so scary after all.

 

ee

Trixie Terror | Photo courtesy of Tiffany Ireland Photography

For women and new riders,
Glaesser stresses, “Don’t be
intimidated! Track cycling is
tremendously fun at all stages
of the game, and whether
you settle for the recreational
route or choose to pursue it
competitively, it is bound to be
an experience you won't regret.”

One of only three indoor velodromes in North America, the
wooden oval-shaped track has bankings at a 47-degree angle.

The Burnaby Velodrome offers
exciting learn-to-ride courses
that teach track etiquette and
bike handling skills. Bike rentals
are available onsite for very
reasonable prices.

A huge plus at this track
is the inclusive environment.

Women and young riders are
well-represented and whether
you are just starting out or
training for the next Olympics,
you will be welcomed. Take
Glaesser’s advice: “Get involved
and don’t hesitate to ask others
in the track cycling community
to point you in the right
direction. We are all excited to
help our sport grow locally and
within Canada.” Infuse some
excitement and fun fitness into
your life. It’s a chance to meet
new friends and get fit at the
same time.

For more information on how to get
started at the Burnaby Velodrome
and to book a learn-to-ride session

visit www.burnabyvelodrome.ca