
British modeling legend Jade Parfitt

Lara Stone outside of the Jaeger show
British modeling legend Jade Parfitt
Lara Stone outside of the Jaeger show
sunglasses were super popular among the attendees
Juicy Couture's VP of Global Communication's Lauren Kucerak (L) hands Tracy Anderson (R), a custom made Juicy top. According to the June issue of American Vogue, "Lara Stone recently began Tracy Anderson's exercise program..."
Kelly Framel, The Glamourai
Keiko Lynn
Fiona Byrne (R), journalist who launched a site with Agyness Deyn
Sonia Evers (L)/Runway Hippe with Elana Fishman (R) Marie Claire
One cool thing about the local New York City fashion circuit is how it's kind of like a mini-family get together during the week. Last night at the Juicy Couture Showroom, Juicy brought together some of New York City's funnest and cutest bloggers to get up close and personal with the new Juicy collection for summer. The highlight of the evening was when celebrity fitness instructor Tracy Anderson (fitness instructor to Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow) lead a mini exercise routine right inside the showroom. And just for an FYI, Lara Stone recently began using the Tracy Anderson routine well.
While campaign models like Hanne Gaby as seen in the post below and Daria Strokous weren't there, the festivity was a total blast. Juicy had nutritionists come consult with the drinks menu for the evening resulting in healthy and refreshing drinks ranging in title from The Hottie to Revitalize. I opted for the Hottie which was mixed with Herradura Silver Tequila, maple syrup, lemon juice, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. I swear I was transported to the beaches of Barcelona when I drank this.
I think it's safe to say that the clothing on display in the showroom had a similarly inspirational effect on the others present. Hats were tried on, sunglasses were playfully put on, and an overall good time was had by all.
the nightime view at Panza Verde
sunbathe on the roof top deck with a volcano in the background
or wade in the pool
and admire the decor on the way to your room, no two of which are alike
maybe take a rest on one of the many unique couches in the halls
bedroom
no two bathrooms are alike
no two desks are alike
Panza Verde is like a luxurious village within a gated fortress. There is a security entrance and this is what you might first see when you enter.
the lobby sitting area
If Lara Stone is the hottest model out there right now, then Panza Verde is the hottest boutique hotel in Antigua Guatemala. Both have unique features, which allow them to stand out from the rest of the commercial crowd. Recently I had the pleasure of partaking of the Panza Verde experience and below recollect some of my thoughts.
No two rooms are the same
Of the 12 rooms in Panza Verde, no two are exactly alike. On a walk through, one room has a custom hammock with it's own private courtyard, another has floor to ceiling colonial window tiles, bedspreads differ in texture and print. Fireplaces are customized, bathtubs range from typical rectangular fashion to unique ovalesque rotunds. Even the key chains are distinct: my suite came with a traditional mini sandal attached to the keys. They say the value of a models beauty lies not in her standard looks, but in what makes her unique and distinct. Like Natasha Poly's instantly recognizable face, Panza Verde's unique attributes make it stand out amidst a sea of commercially available options.
Unique and safe
The staff and service is equally unique. An archeologist works the front desk, an elderly and warm, traditional native Indian serves the continental buffet in the morning. The original chef immigrated from Europe. Everyone here has a story that is unique. The entire estate is locked up at night too, like a medieval fortress to keep safe.
4 star restaurant on estate
That's only the beginning. As Celine may be the current taste maker for clothes and the recent Camel colored frenzy, Panza Verde's restaurant is the tastemaker for food in Antigua. It brings back the basics like Asparagus Milanesa, Carpaccio Pensativo, Steak Dijonaise but reinvigorates them with modern twists, that lure the impulse eater from the heart. Not to mention, the restaurant won the 2008 Tenedor de Oro for best restaurant in Guatemala.
casting for your hotel
While a modern BMW or Mercedes may lurk on the street outside the gates of Panza Verde, it's inside is a like fantasy journey back to colonial times. Everything is unique, the service superb, the attention to ambiance above critique. It's no surprise that Panza Verde attracts in the "beautiful people" from around the world and an elite clientele, for with it's aristocratic attention to detail, Panza Verde offers an intimate boutique experience that will instantly seduce anyone's heart.
I had a project I created this past fashion month which was supported by a few model enthusiasts, some of which have internet sites.
The project is still in it's BETA stages and needs to be tweaked before release to the public, lest someone steal the idea.
So in the meantime, a special word of thanks goes out to:
1. Claudia Vitarelli--Parsons student, for managing the execution of the project. It was an enormous time consuming task.
2. Campbell Gray--Columbia student, thanks for massive insights into the twittersphere.
3. Bonae's Blog--more models off duty, you can start by clicking through to his blog to an energetic shot of Freja
4. From A to 12th--check out his blog by starting here with a shot of one of his favorite models: Valerija Kelava
5. Naqia Esufaly--she hung out with all the street photographers during fashion month. We tried to convince her to start a blog, but she'd rather go straight into the modeling industry
6. Devore Irvin--almost lost it when he saw Lara Stone leave Calvin Klein. It's ok, I love her too.
7. [en]mASSE--a new art/fashion publication that's currently stocked at Spring/Lafayette and 40th/6th Avenue. Site here
entrance
cupolas everywhere
sitting areas for reading or talking with friends
stairwells reminiscent of colonial history
colonial architecture
amazing lighting
courtyard overlooking the restaurant
exquisite lighting
candle lit ambiance everywhere
in the valley of volcanos
candle lit bathrooms
colored decor
lap pool
cupola
in photo: Lindsey Calla
If Lara Stone is the hottest model out there right now, then Panza Verde is the hottest boutique hotel in Antigua Guatemala. Both have unique features, which allow them to stand out from the rest of the commercial crowd. Recently I had the pleasure of partaking of the Panza Verde experience and below recollect some of my thoughts.
No two rooms are the same
Of the 12 rooms in Panza Verde, no two are exactly alike. On a walk through, one room has a custom hammock with it's own private courtyard, another has floor to ceiling colonial window tiles, bedspreads differ in texture and print. Fireplaces are customized, bathtubs range from typical rectangular fashion to unique ovalesque rotunds. Even the key chains are distinct: my suite came with a traditional mini sandal attached to the keys. They say the value of a models beauty lies not in her standard looks, but in what makes her unique and distinct. Like Natasha Poly's instantly recognizable face, Panza Verde's unique attributes make it stand out amidst a sea of commercially available options.
Unique and safe
The staff and service is equally unique. An archeologist works the front desk, an elderly and warm, traditional native Indian serves the continental buffet in the morning. The original chef immigrated from Europe. Everyone here has a story that is unique. The entire estate is locked up at night too, like a medieval fortress to keep safe.4 star restaurant on estate
That's only the beginning. As Celine may be the current taste maker for clothes and the recent Camel colored frenzy, Panza Verde's restaurant is the tastemaker for food in Antigua. It brings back the basics like Asparagus Milanesa, Carpaccio Pensativo, Steak Dijonaise but reinvigorates them with modern twists, that lure the impulse eater from the heart. Not to mention, the restaurant won the 2008 Tenedor de Oro for best restaurant in Guatemala.
casting for your hotel
While a modern BMW or Mercedes may lurk on the street outside the gates of Panza Verde, it's inside is a like fantasy journey back to colonial times. Everything is unique, the service superb, the attention to ambiance above critique. It's no surprise that Panza Verde attracts in the "beautiful people" from around the world and an elite clientele, for with it's aristocratic attention to detail, Panza Verde offers an intimate boutique experience that will instantly seduce anyone's heart.
Walking Calvin Klein for a model spells value for her career in many ways, two of which are:
1. Highly Efficient Go See--Gets the attention of influentials in minimal time. A runway show is like a super efficient "Go See", where the model goes to see not just one possible client--one at a time, but hundreds. And in the case of Calvin Klein, those people mark the creme de la creme of the fashion world.
2. High face recognition--the girls faces aren't disguised behind a mirage of makeup, hair accessories, or masks. This improves her chances of facial recall for future castings.
Jessica walked 2 looks in her exclusive for Calvin Klein, past exclusives have included Natalia Vodianova, Karlie Kloss, and Lara Stone.
On a lighter note, I tawt I taw Jessica wearing a Tweety Bird shirt :)
Arizona Muse (Next, NY) exiting Balenciaga in Paris
Arizona Muse was arguably the new phenomena to watch this last show season. She captured the hearts of a wide set of Casting Directors from London's Russell Marsh to New York's James Scully. She's from New Mexico in case you are wondering and her show credits include opening and closing both Prada and Miu Miu, opening Chloé and closing YSL. I'm sure the Faith Kates team at Next NY will generate some amazing off season action for this new wonder.
Bo Don (Marilyn, NY) exiting Roberto Cavalli in Milan
Dutch wonder Bo Don first debuted on the runways at the Fall/Winter 2010 PARIS shows, but this Spring/Summer 2018 season marked her first full circuit of shows. Her appearence in Balenciaga marked two consecutive seasons in the show and her walks in the most directional shows like Cavalli, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and Chanel point to what is surely going to be a colorful career to manage for the team over at Marilyn.
Britt Maren (Women, NY) exits Isabel Marant in Paris
Can you say "Hej Britt!" That's Swedish for you guys out there who want to show love by speaking in Britt's homeland language. I'm sure she'll get lots more love from the Women Model NY team lead by agency head Louie Chaban (the genius behind Agyness Deyn). With appearances in the most directional shows cast by a wide set of influential casting directors this season from opening Alexander Wang (Anita Bitton) to Balmain, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs (Michelle Lee) and Donna Karen (John Pfeiffer), I'm sure the editors at the worlds leading magazines will be taking note of her as well....perhaps Steven Meisel soon too?
Bambi Northwood-Blyth (Elite, NY) exits Balenciaga in Paris
Do you come from the land down under? Bambi does and somehow I think her booking value will be up and over the top in the off season. She's got a famous boyfriend (Ksubi co-founder Dan Single), plays in the social scene (maximizes her exposure), caught the eye of Casting Director Ashley Brokaw when she walked Balenciaga, channeled some Lagerfeld Love at Chanel, and apparently is a favorite of LOVE Editor-In-Chief Katie Grand enough to exclusively walk shows Katie styled in London.
Jessica Clarke (DNA, NY) exits Elie Saab
New Zealand hits the radar! Jessica debuted by walking a Calvin Klein exclusive. Scoring a Calvin Klein exclusive is like winning a New York Fashion Week MVP award. Past Calvin Klein runway exclusives have included Karlie Kloss (SS08), Natalia Vodianova (SS07), and Lara Stone (SS07). Jessica walked a tiny selection of other shows this season too, cherry picked from the best London, Milan, and Paris had to offer.
via her models.com page , "16 year-old Dutch model Daphne Groeneveld was discovered in Amsterdam when a woman randomly approached her about starting a career. After just one year of modeling she has graced the cover of Vogue Paris with Tom Ford, walked in the Valentino, Chanel, and Dior Haute Couture shows in Paris, and received dancing lessons from Madonna for a Miu Miu ad campaign video. She lists Lara Stone and Doutzen Kroes as models she looks up to and admires."