At 5’2” tall Miss Rose isn’t what people would refer to as the typical centerfold, which is fine with Rosie she would prefer to be a mum, wife and an individual. Born in ‘dirty old Helensville’ out in west Auckland, and coming from strong Irish stock she looked up to the ‘circus freak’ woman of the 20^th century and much to her parents dismay got her first tattoo at 17. Now after posing in her friends website for pin up dresses and rockabilly clothes can now put pin-up on her resume.

Thanks for agreeing to the interview first things first. Where were you born?

Dirty old Helensville in the far West of Auckland, I am a born and breed Kiwi girl from the West Coast of Auckland. If we want to really dive into the gene pool somewhere in my veins is Irish blood hence the dark hair, Yes Irish are not always fair and red heads. But I am a New Zealander through and through <3. Even though the places irritates the BEEP out of me its home and I am proud to be from this creepy island far away from everything (Aussie doesn’t count hehe).

Favorite form of modeling?

I really love quirkiness, I love looking back through old books which show “circus freak” woman and all their ink. The whole contrast from the 1900′s to 2010 is so fascinating personally. 1920′s flappers like Zelda Fitzgerald through to the 1950′s like Betty Page the bondage queen and now within the alternative modeling there is SO much stuff that inspires me. I love how the woman were actually woman not stick insects. Makes me sick how in this day and age that its sexy to be a bag of bones rather than be proud to be a curvaceous sex bomb. I love the artist Gil Elvgren who really has captured woman in their natural state of course babed up but they are all beautiful inspiring woman. So I cannot really answer the question of what is my favorite modeling as 1900s-2010 there is such a wide range of awesome woman that I cannot pin point my exact favorite.

Describe yourself as a model?

hmm, well obviously not your normal model as I am 5″2 so abit short to do the whole “catwalk” stuff but seriously I would never want to do that anyway unless it was for an alternative clothing range or for my friends clothing such as Devel or Amy Trouble <3. I am pretty out going with modeling I mean I’m not into stalking around nude unless its more and arty type(no offense to those of you that do) but I’m really comfy with my body and the people who I have done things for have made it all the more better. I just like to have a good time it’s fun, who wants to be serious when you can laugh your face off and take rad photos at the same time?

Did you always want to be a model?

I never ever thought about being a model it was not my dream as a kid or as a teenager I never thought that I could ever go in this direction. I have a few friends such as Bridgette Boop and Izzy who are really into modeling and do well at it and I always admired their work from afar but had not thought about myself doing it. I was abit of a punk back in the day pretty filthy and was more like a boy then a lady. People were shocked when they saw me like a girl haha Later on I became friends with the awesome lady called Briggitte O’Grady, she is a photographer and makeup artist who is bloody fantastic I had seen a lot of her work that she had done with Bridgette and Iz and a few other girls. So we got talking and we decided that we should do a shoot. So we did, and it went really well I have to say that this is where the can of worms to do alternative modeling started. Briggette has a way of making you feel awesome and glamorous total boost of self esteem. Then after that my friend Dan who owns Devel which is totally amazing retro clothing that she custom makes asked me to model for her 2009 beach hop collection ” A night with Lady Luck” so my husband and I did that together and then later on I did a photo shoot for her website develbranded.com. And its kept going, Amy Trouble who is the best artist ever brought out her own clothing line and she asked me to rep that for her it’s all been fun and I wish I could do it full time.. Dreams are free Hope it comes true someday as cliché as that sounds haha xoxo So no one in particular inspired me to become a model it just came along and it fits me naturally- if anyone does inspire me though it has to be Betty Page, not just because she s a hot minx but her story about her faith and her life has given her a lot of depth to me personally. Watch the Notorious Betty Page, it’s a really interesting film gives you a decent background about her and to see that she’s not just a face but a person too xx.

What are your favorite aspects of being a model?

Getting dolled up and getting your photos snapped is so FUN. I love getting to a shoot bumming around with rollers in my hair and eating cupcakes then chucking on red lippy and away we go. I love the people who I do things for, I don’t want to model just for the sake of modeling for a pretty picture. I want to model for things such as clothing or friends portfolios. So the most exciting thing apart from taking photos is the company I keep on these shoots the people behind the scenes really make things happen and are really the ones that should take the credit for me looking like a babe. Sure I want to get coverage, and somehow make something of myself but my friends are really what makes this whole experience fun and worthwhile. Looking ahead I really hope for more opportunities to rep peoples clothing or whatever else people would use me for.

What would you like to change or would you like to be a normal model?

People often say to me “what is normal”, and my definition is people who are afraid to step out and not follow the crowd to not follow whats “hot” and whats “not”. I have no desire to follow any crowd especially a modeling crowd, so no I would not want to be a normal model. Why would I want to put myself through people analyzing me and being like oh no you’re too short or you’re too fat or you’re too ugly. I think every single person even the most unattractive person has beauty in them somewhere which could be captured if they had the chance to but within the “normal” modeling world I believe I would begin to shut down from rejection and sure people say Oh its constructive criticism but screw you and your constructive criticism I would rather be who I am and not have to change myself to fit into the “worlds” view on whats model material. You don’t have to look like me to be an alternative model. It’s your way of thinking that makes you an individual. So to back up what I said above I do not wish to change myself because I Am who I am and get lost if you don’t like it.

What’s unique about you?

Well as anyone would say… There is only one of me! I am the only one who has gone through what I have, everyone of course has similar things happen to them but as individuals we all experience things totally different the good and the bad. The challenges that I have faced throughout my life and my faith in jesus that has brought me through the other side makes me different from you, but what your life has had to hold makes you different from me. The way to be unique is to accept who you ARE, to not get sucked into the world and how the world says you should be that stuff makes me mad, everyone is unique from birth everyone has the ability to be whoever they are without being ashamed. So my idea of uniqueness is self acceptance in a sense uniqueness is just another form of alternative.

What is your view on body modifications?

I love it I really do, I love being able to express myself through tattoos. I love how each and every one of mine mean something to me, they all tell a story about some stage in my life. My mum was really bummed when at 17 I started getting ink though now she has got one of her own I must of rubbed off on her <3, my first tattoo was Betty Boop I have to say that it’s a pretty rad first tattoo girls usually get terrible tramps stamps or something ridiculous like a playboy bunny (makes a gagging sound). I am a really obsessive person when it comes to likes, I collect all sorts of things like Alice and Wonderland betty boop 1950s etc so as I got older I started getting my obsessions tattooed so if you look at all my ink they aren’t pointless show pony tattoos (which I HATE) they are a very big part of me and I will continue getting tattooed till I’m a wrinkly old prune. And I have to say that it is the person that tattoos you, so thanks to Sam Rulz (Melbourne based now) and Nick Agnew from Kingsland Ink my skin has got a shit load of their fantastic inking skills!

Do you have any body modifications? (Tats or piercings?)

YES got a bunch of tattoos living in my skin. My body is lame when it comes to piercings rejects them big time so I gave up on them after my lip turned into a grotty infected mess. GORE. Though I would love to get a wee ring through my septum.

Favourite part of your body?

Haha um, well my husband love’s my bum. haha I’m not sure to be honest I’m pretty happy all round with how I am its weird looking at myself in photos I just see me not a particular thing I like the most. Maybe my flat tummy? Haha.

How do you keep in shape?

I walk heaps! I’m not a gym person they creep me out and I know I would laugh my head off if I ended up going to one just watching everyone work out would crack me up, it’s really good for people but personally I just prefer to walk at the beach or through the bush so I can spend time thinking about stuff and “blow the cobwebs out” so to speak. So I’m not overly obsessive with myself I’m just a small build naturally my mum is a wee thing I take after her for sure. Being an alternative model is everything other than what it says you should be in the bone bags modeling world, it doesn’t matter what your size or height is!! I’m very passionate about people being able to do or be what they feel they are on the inside rather than conforming to the world standards.

What’s your view on ‘pageant mums’?

Ok so pageant parents actually make me sick. It can’t understand it to be honest. Little kids should be allowed to be kids not to used for their parents to live their lives through them. I mean sure there are properly some parents who are sweet but man I have watched a few docos on that shit and it’s not pretty. As a kid I had never ever thought about modeling like that sure pumpkin patch whatever but “beauty contests”? I thought about climbing trees and having mud fights rather than being on show for everyone else to judge me. Earlier on I said things about how the modeling world would make me shut down from rejection etc well imagine these poor kids being put through this that from a very young age they are taught that their beauty is what makes you accepted that you have to try hard to win being beautiful it makes me sick. Need I say anymore? I would never ever put Alice through that. I sound like a totally prude but come ON have some sort of morals for your kids people!

Likes/dislikes?

<3 I like ALOT, as I said earlier I have major obsessions. Alice in wonderland is the biggest obsession I have I collect all sorts of things. She is not massively popular so it’s more difficult to find her things. I love reading so much, I love to write a lot too aside from being mummy they are my favorite thing to do. Anything to be creative is a major thing for me; I sit at home and make bows for my hair and stuff or re make over my shoes or my house I like to use my hands a lot so anything that gets my brain working! Music is a huge influence for me, my husband is in a band called the Murder Chord, so I try and frequent his shows or that of other bands. I can’t list all the things I like or you would be reading forever! I HATE TOMATOES. Enough said.

Any tips for aspiring pin up models?

My only tips are to be honest to yourself, do not “change” for others be proud to be who you are because there is no one else like you. Don’t let any idiot tell you that you are not good enough or your this and your that. Do what reflect you as a person; bring your passions alive with your modeling. Don’t rep something that you don’t feel comfy with. Most of all just have fun and enjoy being a babe! Everyone is a babe short, tall, thin, fat. Enjoy being a woman.

Beauty tips?

I just wash my face everyday and moisturize it, I am not really to fussed about things. It’s hard to be rested when you have a 2yr old running around haha.

Being a different type of model what about charity work?

I would totally do charity work, like a said earlier I have a passion for those who are unloved or the “undesirables” that people tend to avoid. I would do anything to help others, just to be a friend to someone or love a kid who has never been loved. I don’t have a favorite charity or anything I think that all legit charities are awesome and they should get more recognition for the things that they do for the needy.

Goal life mottos words of wisdom?

My first goal is to be the best mum I can be to my daughter Alice Cherry. She is my everything she truly was a gift from above. Alice saved my life so I want to give her everything and more. To be the best wife to my darling husband, he is my best friend and so supportive of me I could not ask for a better man. Pretty much I just try to be a descent person I try and apply certain biblical standards to my life, especially the parts of loving people and doing good onto one another. Got a real heart for people who are lost and need love, I’m not a bible basher and have no time for religion Iv try to love on others and be kind and have grace for people who are in need. It’s a real reason why my long term goal is to be a psychologist, to turn an ear to people. To rep love and try not to be rubbish to others. My mum and dad rule, they always said “Rosie you can be whatever or whoever you want to be and do not be ashamed of YOU” and that has stuck with me throughout my life.

Have you had any bad experiences with agencies or good ones?

To be honest I have never worked through agencies so have no answer. New Zealand should somehow create an alternative modeling agency which accepts every shape and size.

What’s your availability?

It’s a casual thing at the moment, and I am told in advance before shoot so I can sort out something for my wee girl as she comes first before everything else. I have a really supportive family who help out as much as they can.