We had the good fortune of connecting with Raven Marlowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raven, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is the difference between wearing a costume and actually being a moment. Risk is taking that step onto the casino floor wearing something that makes you want to crawl inside yourself, and still turning 9 heads before you reach the door. It’s looking at how your hand was dealt, knowing you could comfortably fold and still choosing to be all in.

​The biggest risk I ever took was betting entirely on my own specific, unapologetic vision. People in the creative industry love things that are easily categorized, safe, and small. But I’m not small. I’m a statuesque starlet with legs longer than Route 66, and my brand is a mix of Marilyn’s vulnerability, Anna Nicole’s larger-than-life presence, and a secret third thing that keeps everyone guessing.

Nothing about that is easily contained.

Of course, if you don’t take the risk to stand out completely, you risk fading into the background. And let me tell you, fading is simply not an option.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a living, breathing mid-century time capsule, but what people don’t always see is the massive amount of behind-the-scenes hustle that goes into it. I am a completely self-contained one-woman production.*

I pay attention to every detail of my looks, style the vintage wigs, paint the makeup, build the sets, and handle the professional photography and lighting myself. *Sans when Kayla ascends upon me with a camera like the goddess she is.

​This journey started, like the greats before me, as a way to survive an uneasy childhood and escape into the cinematic worlds I loved. For a long time, being six feet tall and shapely made me feel like I took up too much space for the neat little boxes around me…I didn’t understand that you can just make your own.

Overcoming that challenge meant taking the exact things I disliked about myself and turning them into my biggest assets, the things that turn heads, and make my name more than a sticker on freemont. I don’t ever want to be a model waiting for someone else to draw the lines. I take full creative sovereignty over my art, so I carved out this niche by betting completely on my own unapologetic vision.

​My brand thrives on a beautiful paradox, the high-low contrast of being the embodiment of ‘I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way’ and a comedy queen. I can turn heads on a flashing Vegas casino floor all night, and then saunter up to my room to change into a lace nightgown for a meal of potato chips and champagne while sprawled on the floor.

​It takes a lot of guts to ask the industry to take you seriously as an artist when your niche is this bold and kitsch, but trying to make yourself smaller to fit in only means you risk fading into the background.

I want the world to look at my brand and see that glamour doesn’t have to be stiff or exclusive. It can be hilarious, frustrating, and entirely on your own terms

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When we go to town, we are completely skipping the standard tourist traps and curated boutiques, and are going straight for the hunt.

​The itinerary would focus entirely on digging through local junk shops and small, hole-in-the-wall resale stores. There is nothing like spending hours flipping through dusty racks, looking for that one-of-a-kind mid-century piece or kitsch treasure hidden in a corner, its where all my creative energy comes from…well, that and my hair.

For food and drinks, we would have to hit up a couple of distinct vibes. We would definitely grab a bite at Kulture for some incredible flavor and atmosphere, or a moody local tiki bar like Lei Low to sip out of a ceramic coconut. Buttermilk Baby is also pretty cute for that classic, retro aesthetic when you just want some easy food and cute photo ops!

​To wrap up the ultimate week, we would keep it entirely on brand for a couple of clowns like us. We would head back home, throw on some vintage nightgowns, open up a bag of chips, and pop open a bottle of champagne…or Cherry Coke…or both. Srawled out on the floor talking about our latest finds, digging through family photos, yap yap yapping away.

The best places aren’t the fancy venues, they are the spots that let you find inspiration, have candid conversations with strangers, and be unapologetically yourself- whatever that means to you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
No one builds a stage entirely on their own, and I have an entire crew to show appreciation to.
But, a few vital ring masters I owe so much to.

​First and foremost is my absolute ride or die, Capn Carter. She is the person who keeps me entirely out of the clouds and exactly where I need to be. She has the precise eye and sharp wit that made me look in the mirror and finally say, okay, we are actually doing this…if *she* thinks we can…then we will.

​Of course, my loving fiancé, who has given me all the space needed to take my time figuring out what I want to do, along with the endless resources to actually go out and do it. To say he is my world is an understatement, he watches me run our life like a big top with a smirk and a shake of the head.

​And, to give some love to Alyssa over at @afteroursvintage for being such a powerhouse in the local scene, and so loving to Pinup Marlowe, always ready to lend a hand or a garment where she can.

​Between the unwavering support at home and the brilliant creative energy around me, I have the perfect foundation to keep building this brand on my own terms without anything or anyone to stop me.

Website: https://PinupMarlowe.com

Instagram: @PinupMarlowe

Other: @PinupMarlowe on all platforms!

https://www.instagram.com/pinupmarlowe?igsh=MW5jZ255anlsMnJzag==

Image Credits
Capn Carter

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.