Original Sexy
By Kate Throckmorton

Sarah Woodruff has had a crush on Elvis since she was five years old, a romance that goes a long way towards explaining where she is now – presiding over her garden of sexiness above the streets of Danville, California. Sarah’s store, Original Sin, is the place to go to find retro glamour, vintage style and Pin Up sensuality. The lingerie, clothes and accessories she carries are nothing less than completely feminine and what sexy was in its heyday, and I was instantly enamored of it all the moment I entered the shop.

But there’s more than just the undies shop. Sarah, along with her team of amazing ladies, hosts Pin Up Parties, a fabulous night of hair, makeup and photos for bachelorettes, girl’s nights, or any reason at all. Her clients are treated to professional hair and makeup, and pose in front of classic pin up backgrounds to create their own vintage photographs perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just releasing your inner bombshell.

And if all that didn’t keep her busy enough, lately Sarah has begun to coordinate a burlesque troupe -- a group of delicious dancing girls celebrating the art of the tease.

More impressive than her stellar style, however, is Sarah’s keen business sense, and the strides she’s made as both a female entrepreneur and a purveyor of grown-up goodies. I was impressed with not only the sexy confidence she exudes wherever she goes but also how well she’s done for herself, and I couldn’t wait to learn more.

Scarlet Girl: How long have you been interested in all things retro?

Sarah: Always! As a kid, my favorite movies starred Marilyn Monroe. I had an epiphany in my sophomore year in high school, and I realized that I could be like the pinups that I had always admired. I shopped in thrift stores and raided my grandma’s jewelry box to put together my own version of retro glamour.

SG: Talk to me about Pin Up Girls – what makes them so sexy?

Sarah: Pin Up Girls from the 40’s and 50’s had real bodies with real curves, and they had an innocence about them that was undeniably sexy. A lot of pin up art depicted a woman in some sort of sticky situation…whether it was getting her skirt caught in a door or sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire. I think men liked the idea of a damsel in distress and of coming to her rescue. I think waiting for your prince charming while showing off the top of your stocking is much sexier than calling AAA!

SG: What led you to the lingerie business?

Sarah: I went to fashion design school, and I always knew that I wanted to go into business for myself, I just didn’t know in what way. I knew that if I opened a clothing store, I would have a really hard time paring it down, and boutiques are a dime-a-dozen around here. Lingerie was the best way to add something unique to the Bay Area while still incorporating the retro flair that I love.

SG: You’ve got so much going on – running the Original Sin shop, Pin Up Parties, now the burlesque troupe – how do you manage it all?

Sarah: It’s tough, but I’m lucky to have a great support system. My husband has been a huge part of running the business side of all my ventures, and he’s incredibly supportive of everything I want to do. My family has also come to my rescue, from my mom watching the shop for an afternoon and coming on buying trips with me, to my dad putting in lighting and installing the backdrops for our Pin Up Parties. I also couldn’t do any of this without Tuesday night MAS…and no, I’m not talking about church! MAS stands for the Mutual Admiration Society, and it’s the best group of girlfriends anyone could ask for. We get together every week and decompress over dinner and drinks. The girls are a great sounding board for new ideas I have, and they’re not afraid to tell me if I’m off my rocker either.

SG: What’s satisfying about what you do? What gets you up in the morning?

Sarah: Making women feel good about themselves is the most satisfying part of running this business. Every time a gal exudes confidence while trying on lingerie or posing at a Pin Up Party, I know I’m doing a good job. I’m proud to say I’ve helped marriages, relationship and sex lives around here!

SG: Where do you see yourself and Original Sin in the future, say, five years from now?

Sarah: I would love to open a couple more locations, but not too close to home. Maybe Carmel and Napa. I’d love to continue Pin Up Parties but have a studio separate from the shop with little sets all done up. And of course I want Original Sin Burlesque to be world-renowned!

SG: Knowing what you do now about what’s really sexy and sensual, what would you have told yourself in high school, that sophomore who had the realization?

Sarah: “Keep it up, girl!” It’s in my blood to be the way I am. I performed my first burlesque routine in my junior year drama class to “Take back your mink” from Guys and Dolls. I always understood the line between just enough and too much, and to me, that’s sexy.

Original Sin is located at 145 E. Prospect Avenue, Suite 201, in Danville, CA – you can’t miss the lingerie on the balcony! For more information on Pin Up Parties or the Burlesque troupe, stop by the store or their website, www.originalsinundies.com. Or give them a call at (925) 838-3207.

Come to the Original Sin Shop on Saturday, September 20 from 7:30pm – 10:30pm for Vintage Vixens, A Night of Retro Glamour hosted by Scarlet Girl Pleasure Parties and Original Sin.