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From Ladner to Las Vegas, pin-up model headed to Sin City pageant finals

Take a bow, Ladner, you helped Dandy D’Lish get to the finals of the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Pageant. The Ladner woman has made it to the final 12 contestants who will battle it out on stage for the top crown at The Orleans Hotel on April 21.
dandy
Winner of last year’s pinup pageant at the Ladner Village Quilt Walk and Car Show, Dandy D’Lish has made the final 12 of the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Pageant.

Take a bow, Ladner, you helped Dandy D’Lish get to the finals of the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pinup Pageant.

The Ladner woman has made it to the final 12 contestants who will battle it out on stage for the top crown at The Orleans Hotel on April 21.

“I was home alone on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon when I found out that I’d made the finals,” she recalled. “It had been such a long month of campaigning and the vote counting took two days longer than expected. There were thousands of emails for the judges to authenticate. My anxiety was so high that by the time I read my name included in the top six voted through that I burst into tears. I bawled hysterically, laughed and bawled some more. I phoned my husband to share the news and he instantly started yelling and cheering with his friends. It was a wonderfully emotional day.”

The judges chose the first five competitors, then the contestants voted on a sixth. Six more were voted on by the public online.

The Optimist first told Dandy’s story in January when online voting began.

She said during the April 21 competition there will be five judges as well as voting ballots for event attendees. Contestants will be judged on authenticity, originality, overall styling presentation, crowd appeal and stage presence.  

“It has been such an honour and true pleasure to meet with and discuss this pageant, and the world of pinup, with my friends and supporters,” she said.

She has always had a love for vintage fashion, but never considered pinup before seeing an ad in the Optimist in early 2015 calling for entries for the inaugural pinup competition at the Ladner Village Quilt Walk and Car Show.

She has entered the local contest three times and was crowned Miss Ladner at last year’s event. She also won the title of Tiki Queen at the Grease Gears and Grooves pinup pageant in Duncan last summer.

“Once I had a taste for pinup and all the amazing things that come with it, like photoshoots, new friendships, charity functions, modeling opportunities, courage, determination and added confidence, I was hooked and wanted more,” she said.

No matter what happens in Vegas, she plans to continue to be involved in classic car shows, pageants, charity events and vintage fashion shows.

“I hope to make you proud in Las Vegas and will be working my hardest to bring home the crown,” she said.

You can find out more about the contest on her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/dandydlish/.