1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I grew up with both my parents being heavily involved in elements of the culture as they were both collectors, vintage car owners and ran a successful antique business for decades. So it felt like a natural choice for me, as being a part of the community feels like home. Through my teens I was very much a tomboy and badly bullied. I never really felt as though I fitted in to the “mainstream”, and after years of struggling with confidence, body image and social interactions my parents encouraged me to enter my very first Pinup Contest. I was terrified! But I did it, and for the first time in my life I felt that I really belonged. I felt beautiful, I felt strong and empowered. I did not place in that contest but I did not mind, I was still grinning from ear to ear. I searched for Pinup related events to find out when I could be involved in other contests. My closest and most cherished friends have all been friends that I have met through Pinup contests, Modelling opportunities, events, car shows and dancing. These woman and men are family to me, sisterhood and brotherhood that the Lifestyle has brought together – those connections are what drew me to the industry, and life is an amazing adventure because of them.

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

Defining moments for me would be the first Pinup contest I hosted and produced back in 2015. I had always been passionate about public speaking, and decided to further develop my public speaking skills in preparation for being a finalist in the 2015 Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Contest.

Following VLV I was offered opportunities to produce and MC pageants, this enabled me to provide a positive and inclusive platform for Pinups to feel confident and beautiful while being themselves. It is both heart-warming and humbling, to be a positive influence through mentoring and guiding woman of all ages and walks of life.

Most recently I was crowned Miss Nashville Boogie (2019) USA. The first ever Australian to take home this title! In addition to that accolade I am proud to be a finalist again this year in the Viva Las Vegas – Queen of the Car Show Pinup contest ( Formally the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Contest). I secured a finalist spot in both 2015 and 2020 by securing the community vote (The only Australian to ever be voted in twice). It is quite an honour.

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

Style is a form of self expression and we all deserve to be able to express ourselves and present to the world the person we are through our own unique style.

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

The launch of my event production business Lulu Divine  Productions has been a huge success to me as well as the ongoing community support for the Australian Pinup and Tattoo contests, Charity events and community events that I produce. My corporate career with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services is something I am extremely proud of. From the project work I did with QFES’s involvement with the 2018 Commonwealth Games, to the work I currently do in Disaster Management and Community Capability – Planned Events; My career has afforded me the opportunity to continuously learn and develop my skills in a field I am extremely passionate about as well as being a part of a service that’s core business is to serve the community which is very rewarding.

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

First and foremost, I would say to always believe in yourself. Find things that make your soul smile, that bring you happiness and peace all in one. My parents always told me, “If you enjoy what you’re doing, it’ll never feel like work”, which I believe to be true.

Setting realistic goals both long term and short term. I do this in the form of goal check lists and vision boards. I am blessed to have an amazing support group of friends and family who encourage me consistently to reach for the stars. All “hurdles” are there for a reason, there is always a lesson to learn. We can always be learning and improving. Lastly, stay humble. The only person you are in competition with is yourself! Celebrate the successes of others without questioning the value of your own.

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

I am a huge collector of Vintage fashion in particular 1950s clothing, Antique radios, Lucite bags, Chevrolet memorabilia and accessories for my 1953 Chev “Maybelline” and of course tattoos. In 2015 my dad purchased me a vintage microphone to commemorate MCing my first event so I have continued collecting microphones for the last 5 years.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

My Facebook – LuLu Divine for all of my adventures,

My Instagram – Missluludivine for a more candid look into my life

My Facebook page for all event related content – The Kustom Kulture Community

And a website is being launched shortly, so stay tuned!

What is next for you in your career? Well hopefully I do Australia proud at VLV this year and take home my second International title. I consider myself to be quite the ‘Every-day Aussie” so to stand on stage with 11 other amazing finalists is exciting, but to be crowned Queen of the Car show would both be an honour for myself, but an inspiration to so many woman who felt they did not really fit the “mould”. One of the most amazing parts of this community and lifestyle is that we are all accepted for who we are without having to fit a certain mould. 2020 is a year that will also have me looking forward to continuing to grow my Event Production business, increasing interstate involvement at events and it would be a dream to produce and host Internationally. All while continuing to encourage and support positive growth in our community through community events and mentoring.

It is also on my vision board to branch out into other area’s of fashion modelling to continue being an advocate for body positivity and attending more public speaking opportunities.

Juggling all my 2020 Goals while nurturing and developing my corporate career is always an adventure. But it’s an amazing adventure that I appreciate with every fibre of my being.