Yesterday, the legendary pin-up model of the 1950s, Bettie Page, died at the age of 85 after collapsing from a heart attack in Los Angeles six days ago. She never woke up. Posing for theatrically staged fetish pictorials and stag films, Page's vamp looks, blunt bangs, raven hair, sharp lips, pale skin, and dangerous curves wrapped in lingerie (and often less) helped define the modern visual language of sex and kink. After porn, the woman born Betty Mae Page led a religious, often troubled life and rarely allowed anyone to photograph her, ensuring that she remained the "Queen of Curves". But Page was more than a sex bomb. Through bared breasts, riding crops, and ball gags, Bettie radiated an engaging innocence that made her iconic. Though she never graced the cover of Vogue, Page influenced movies, clothing, hair, innumerable fashion spreads and modern sexual culture itself. Men loved Bettie Page. Women loved Bettie Page. Those who celebrate beauty, kink, sex, and style will always love Bettie Page. (NYTimes)
