Miss Jessi-Leigh: Proprietor, performer and pretty pinup!

With a performance based background dating back the best part of 30 years, I thought such a pageant would be a walk in the park for such an experienced performer……BOY!!! Was I wrong!! In my 32 years, I have NEVER experienced nerves like that!!!

The morning began for me at 4.30am, another first for me was trading at the festival so to be at lyddiard st by 6 for stall setup meant that I needed to be up at 4.30 to get my hair and makeup ready for the pageant before we left.


I was the second to arrive and found myself a corner of the HUGE greenroom, I proceeded to lay out my outfits in order of appearance so as to make my changes a little less stressful, and gradually the other participants arrived. We all made our introductions and proceeded to get ourselves together for our first category. I busied myself helping the other girls, straightening seams on stockings and attaching suspenders …….My nerves had STILL not subsided!!
On stage with all the other girls, I felt fine, it was when I was alone that I lost my nerve……the first category- day wear, I raced through my poses and could not get off that stage quick enough!!! Once changed into my second outfit I strangely felt a bit better……this category was swimwear, another first for me, I’ve not even been photographed in swimwear let alone paraded on stage wearing it! My poses felt much stronger in this category, until I got over excited and almost threw my props right at the judges head! Last section was evening wear, and once in this outfit, my nerves DISAPPEARED!!! I’m not sure if it was a case of loving the outfit or enough time had passed that I got over it but once I saw my reflection wearing the vintage replica wedding gown that I had designed and constructed myself, I felt as confident as ever! Now the performer in me made an appearance…..I even managed to get some giggles out of the crowd which fuelled me to work harder. Once off stage, I only wished I had of had that confidence from the beginning, but better late than never right?!

Will I ever do another pageant?? Well that remains to be seen……..Am I glad I entered this one……ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!
You can find out all about Miss Jessi-Leigh’s vintage wares here: Miss Kiss Vintage