For Deby Lake, modeling has always been a full-time passion. Hailing from Argentina after emigrating from Italy, she offers a unique perspective on the ever-changing profession. Her love for pinup culture began at an early age as she was taken by the subculture that stood in marked contrast from the more contemporary styles of South America.
“I was born in Naples, Italy, and emigrated when I was 6. I always liked pinup culture; hairstyles, clothes, and the music of the ‘40s and ‘50s,” said Lake.
Lake proved to be a natural and ultimately ascended to winning Miss Pinup of Argentina in 2015. “In Argentina, pinup is a culture that attracts a lot of people but is still small. Little by little, it is becoming more popular.”
Historically, modeling has prided itself on pushing boundaries and creating new trends and Lake noted that Argentina’s modeling agencies appear more open and comfortable in comparison to the U.S.
“We are more open, sexually speaking than in the United States. There is less prejudice, I think. It must have to do with the famous Latin blood,” laughed Lake.
She added that the industry still has a long way to go but there have definitely been improvements.
“In any case, there is still a long way to go to understand that a person is something more than just a sexual body but luckily, the overall mentality of the industry has changed a lot and there is practically no harassment, something that existed a lot before,” reflected Lake.
Additionally, Lake sings in Casino Coyote, a self-described alternative rock group. Her versatility continues to be showcased within their studio output and energized performances but the ongoing pandemic has halted any progress.
“It’s very difficult to work in these conditions. We cannot get together to rehearse or record so everything has to be done virtually. With modeling, the pandemic stopped the advertising world. We had a tour planned in Mexico but that was canceled. We have never played the U.S. but we really want to in the future!”
Once the pandemic subsides, Lake will continue fulfilling her ambitions as a musician and professional model.
“We will keep composing and in principle, return to work normally. Like everyone else, we will have to work virtually for now.”
