Bernie Dexter
Bernie Dexter is an American Pin-up and cheesecake model. She lives in San Diego, California, and is married to neo-rockabilly musician Levi Dexter. Her ubiquity modelling for many vintage reproduction clothing and accessory companies in the USA, Canada and Europe has made her one of the most well-known of the contemporary vintage-influenced pin-ups. She bears a very close resemblance to legendary 50's pin-up queen Bettie Page, and has a cult following of pin-up and vintage fans.
Early career
When she was 18, she won Miss Teen San Diego County and initially pursued a career in acting and modelling. She trained at cosmetology school, first working for Make-up Art Cosmetics and then working freelance on photoshoots. It was on one of these shoots, in 2002, that Dexter was photographed herself. She entered the photographs in the Viva Las Vegas pin-up contest and got such good feedback that she decided to concentrate on being a pin-up model.
Modeling
Dexter has modeled for, amongst others, the following vintage reproduction clothing and accessories companies:
- What Katie Did, UK
- Mode Merr, US
- Bettie Page Clothing, US
- Lucy B. Lingerie, US
- Elite Heels, Germany
- Baby Girl Boutique, US
- Queen of Heartz, US
- Whirling Turban, US
- Versatile Fashions, US
- 19th Century Corsets, US
- Lucky Lou Shoes, US
- Ars Vivendi, Germany
- www.prettybabyhats.com
Clothing and accessories lines
Dexter has worked with Lucy B. Lingerie to create a "Bernie Dexter" line, Elite Heels to create the "Bernie Dexter EDition" heels and with Haydria Perfumery to create "Bernie!" eau de parfum. Coquette Faux Furriers created a signature line for Bernie consisting of a stole, muff and hat set. Shoe Missy named a pair of shoes after her. Bettie Page Clothing have named one of their dresses "Bernadette". Ars Vivendi have brought out Bernie Dexter fully fashioned stockings, with her name printed on the welt. She is bringing out a "Bernie Dexter" range of rockabilly clothing in conjunction with Babygirl Boutique.
- Bernie Dexter for Lucy B Lingerie, US
- Bernie Dexter Edition, Elite Heels, Germany
- Bernie! Eau de Parfum, Haydria Perfumery, US
- Bernie Dexter Signature Line, Coquette Faux Furriers, US
- "Bernie", Shoe Missy, UK
- Bernadette dress, Bettie Page Clothing, US
- Bernie Dexter Fully Fashioned stockings, Ars Vivendi, Germany
Recent
In an article on 7 March 2008, German tabloid Bild dubbed Dexter the queen of pin-ups (die Königin des Pin-ups) and asked if she is the new Dita Von Teese. This came about from her work with the online, German-based webshop Ars Vivendi.
Dexter has been painted by pin-up artist Olivia De Berardinis, who produces artwork for Playboy magazine.