Berta Zubrickaiteskirt -- self designed/made, fabric from Shanghai
Ieva Gurklyteshorts -- Primarkshirt -- Only
Dainora Salaviejute blazer -- Bershkapants -- Morganboots -- Marco Polo
Mall Casting for the Vilinius Fashion Festival otherwise known as Fashion Infection
Alina Lu shows her number to the designers.
So I'm doing a short Baltic State Tour which included a 3 day stopover in Vilnius, Lithuania during the Vilnius Fashion Festival Castings, which were held at a local mall.
These types of mall castings are very interesting, because this is one way a lot of models are discovered--whether here in Eastern Europe or even in Saint Louis Missouri. Julija Step for instance had no intent of being a model, but someone convinced her to attend a mall casting while she was there after school and look what happened to her career. In this case, there were over 400 contestants all vying for a slot in the coming Vilinus Fashion Festival/Fashion Infection shows.
Will one be the next Edita? Stay tuned for pictures from Riga coming soon.
Make Up stylist Itsuki's assistant curling the eyelashes on a model
Hair Stylist Ben Skervin adds hair extensions to model Carolyn Murphy
Stylist Leslie Framer custom cut each tank top
Carolyn Murphy with Nigel Barker
You'll see these models walking around with these boots on during New York Fashion Week
It's all about the pedometer measuring how many miles the model walks from castings, to fittings, to shows. For every mile a girl walks $1 will be donated to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Back in May I had the opportunity to visit the Highline Studio's on West 15th for a day to shoot the behind the scenes action at the 9West/CFDA Runway Relief Fall campaign drive.
3 shifts of models started to trickle in at 8 am, 8:45, and 9:30. Nigel Barker was the photographer, Itsuki did makeup, Leslie Framer was the wardrobe stylist, and Ben Skervin was responsible for hair.
The point of the day was ultimately to raise funds for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer foundation. Participating models will wear boots during New York Fashion Week equipped with pedometers and for every mile they walk according to their pedometer in the boots, $1 will go to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.
Tavi Williams, Style Rookie, 13 the cover of the new POP magazine, under the editorial leadership of Dasha Zhukova
4 pages in the 2d edition of LOVE a photo in style.com's Front-Row Faces
In the middle The Glamourai, on the sides The Owls Are Not What They Seem
Fashion is Poison, The Fashion Void that is DC, Fashion Pirates, Style Rookie
"Abbey Road meets Mercer Street" blogger style
A few months Jessica Schroeder from Weardrobe.com and I chatted over coffee about Jessica's dream to hold a blogger convention in New York before fashion week started. It didn't come as a suprise to find that Jessica transformed this vision into reality by bringing to New York 21 bloggers from around the country within the short time span of just a couple of months of work.
All I can say is that it was an amazing experience meeting all these girls and I'm half envious of the good time they had: a hotel room overlooking Gramercy Park, free meals in Soho where the food was shaped like tiny sculptures, DIY projects, new shoes, new bags...yet another way for serious fashion bloggers to make their presence heard in the world. Glamour.com, Seventeen Magazine, and a few other notable news outlets were there to report on the event that left this group of 21 girls turning more than a few heads on the streets of New York.
Click HERE or the above photo to read Vogue Italia's coverage of my recent exhibit as written up by model Kyleigh Kuhn [ Vogue Italy July 2010 by Bruce Weber ]
Special thanks goes to W Hotels, Svedka Vodka for sponsoring the event, and Sarah at Think PR.
Fashion Month Travel Schedule: still debating a trip to Lisbon Fashion Week... New York Fashion Week London Fashion Week Milan Fashion Week Paris Fashion Week 4 days in Europe after
Anne Christensen on Sixth Avenue outside of the tents during fashion week. The movement of the person in the background suggests how challening it was to weave through people at New York Fashion Week, let alone get a clear picture.
I found Carine Roitfeld fun and really cooperative with my requests. Instead of shooting a full body picture of her, this close-up picture of her wearing a hoodie with the wind blowing her hair was captivating. Notice the cab driver in the background.
This is Brian Ermanski and this is not his kid, nor is it mine. This little boy curiously walked in on the photo wanting to see what was going on. A delightful moment in time caught on camera for years to come.
The editorial style pose in this picture still rivets my attention. You might be able to notice the guy in background looking back, wondering what was going on.
I was walking across Lafayette Street when I heard the putter coming from the engine on this man's moped. Not only are the different historical references in his outfit mesmerizing, but the fact that the foreground is juxtaposed against a background of people and buildings from 2007, give this photo a paradoxical feel.
This is Sato. I like his absolutely couture approach to avant-garde style.
This is one of the first photos I took at London Fashion Week. Not only did I think her outfit was superb, but I deliberately left the street sign in the composition in the background for added visual impact.
Androgyny fascinates me when it is artfully expressed. The perfect hairline on this girl, her still facial expression, and the curved lines which lead to the dual decker bus in London in the background made for an intersting shot.
I always admire people who defy modern fashion in favor of retro-style couture. Notice the leading lines of the row of homes, leading off into the far distance, where you can see Londoners going about their daily business.
The outfit is inspiring and so is the fact that you can see the words "London Fashion Week" on the car doors in the background.
At the end of the Donna Karen show at New York Fashion Week, the fire department showed up. I'm guessing there was a report that the building had violated some fire code and the excess crowd was causing street congestion. While the lights from the F.D.N.Y. truck in the background were going off, I was able to snap this shot of well know model Irina Kulikova.
Anja Rubik's street style at the March 2010 Paris shows, Anja Rubik's street style at the March 2010 Paris shows again, Anja Rubik's street style at the Feb. 2010 New York Fashion Week shows, Anja Rubik's street style at the October 2009 Paris Fashion Week shows, and exiting the Viktor and Rolf show at Paris Fashion Week in October of 2009
For additional shots of JacJac Jagaciak's street style with Kasia Struss at the July 2010 Paris Couture shows, the story of Jac before and during the Balmain show at the March Paris Fashion Week, Jac Jagaciak's street style at the Feb. 2010 Milan Fashion Week shows, and Jac Jagaciak's street style the October 2009 Milan Fashion Week shows and more!
Stef van der Laan of IMG New York was on the cover of Dutch Elle in March 2008.
Hyoni Kang, FORD's Supermodel Of The World 2008 winner rockin the asymmetrical zippers.
I know what I'm about to say probably sounds worn and trite like an old smelly 1970's vintage flannel shirt, but I'm sorry for the recent lack of updates. This will soon end however with fashion month coming up where you will be able to find daily updates from New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week.
As well, I've been working on a few behind the scenes gigs which have keep me from the streets. But when you see what's in store for fashion month, I can almost promise you will be amazed.
Model Emma Veronica Johansson at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Stockholm
So Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Stockholm has graciously sponsored my trip to the coming fashion week in Stockholm. Many thanks to the team over there. For Fresh Updates not only from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Stockholm, but in general, make sure you go to my TUMBLR
Outside of the Ohne Titel show at the Fall/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week
In Milan at the Spring/Summer 2018 shows
photo property of TeenVogue.com
In Paris at the Fall/Winter 2009 shows.
Watching how models dress is interesting and at altamira not only can you see how they dress now, but effortlessly see how they dressed in the past seasons too. Again, stay tuned for more updates from New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week.
Highlighting the best designers from the SS17 shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. Head over to my Tumblr blog for more updates by clicking the hashtag #MBFWR
This is Moscow based designer Vika Gazinskaya as seen in Paris right before the Gareth Pugh show. I'd recommend popping into her site for a minute to check out her theatrically powered catwalk video.
This is Elissey Kostsov (pronounced the same as Élysées in Champs- Élysées), Fashion Director of Citizen K Russia and Vika . It was fascinating to listen to Elissey tell me about the challenges the Russian fashion industry faces as an up and coming nation in the global fashion industry.
A profile view of Vika's always amazing hair.
I realize that Paris Fashion Week is already over a week past us, but I have so many shots backlogged from there that some are just too good to keep to myself. This shot of the ambiance at the Paris shows is one of them. Beyond the photographers storming Emmanuel Alt, you have the tourists on the left admiring all the action, the pigeon in the background flying away and the pigeon in the right foreground watching all the action too. All four of the latter define life at the Jardin des Tuileries: editors and stylists, photographers storming the stylists and editors, tourists in the background, and pigeons!
Stage 5: first look, backstage before hitting the runway
Katrin Wesolowski, production and model line up for Balmain
This Paris Fashion Week, Katrin Wesolowski is busy casting shows and scouting new faces (above with British designer, Henry Holland) while working with La Mode En Images (In House Casting & Production Company for the Balmain show) founded by Olivier Massart. La Mode En Images also works on other various shows during Paris Fashion Week like Givenchy, Balenciaga, Valentino, and YSL to name a few. Katrin was kind enough to grant me backstage access to the Balmain show, which translated itself into a story revolving around model Jac Jagaciak.
I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Katrin after the show in between her busy schedule, and get to know her more and what she does as a Casting Agent:
Craig Arend: Thank you so much for taking the time out from your busy schedule of shows to speak with me.Katrin Wesolowski: My pleasure!
Craig: Can you please tell us what you are doing here in Paris for Fashion Week.Katrin: I work as a casting agent for La Mode En Images. It is one of the leading production companies in the fashion business.
Craig: What draws you to this line of work?Katrin: It's such an exciting environment to work in. There are always so many things going on at the same time.
Craig: How did you get your start?
Katrin: Well, I first started as a Stylist Assistant in Milan. I then moved to Paris to assist Julia von Boehm and then worked with Christopher Niquet at MIXTE magazine. In 2006, I left Paris and went home to Stochkolm to work as a Model Agent at Mikas Model Management. I stayed there for 2 years and moved back to Paris to work as a Stylist Producer for Art Partner. I then was called by Patrizia Pilotti of La Mode En Images, who offered me a job to work for her. And I've been working for Patrizia ever since.
Craig: What is a memorable moment that stands out for you in your experience?
Katrin: There are so many, but I'll never forget my first show in Paris. My best friend, Delfina got me in to see Chanel and I was so excited I could cry!
Craig: What are you looking for when you are casting?
Katrin: Castings are so very personal. It truly depends on what each individual client is looking for at that time.
Craig: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Katrin: I would love to cast on my own!
Craig: Well, thank you again for finding the time to sit down with me. Good luck with the rest of fashion week!
Erin Mullaney, Head Buyer for Brown's on right at Paris Fashion Week
The lyrics to Fred Astaire's song "Puttin' On The Ritz" seemed nearly perfect for this post revisiting the fashion seen at Paris Fashion Week. (except that I changed 'ritz' to 'glitz').
Ruby just completed her first ever full circuit of fashion shows during the Fall/Winter 2010 season in pristine standing. She opened Marc by Marc Jacobs, walked Marc Jacobs, closed Lanvin and even walked the Christian Dior show. And she's already following up on that amazing first season with equally amazing off season results as well: a major campaign with a major photographer and a new feature on Vogue Italy. <--click link to see
But what I'm sure everyone here will really appreciate is her consistent sense of personal style. Whether in trailblazing the Versace show in Milan or racing out of the Christian Dior show in Paris, Ruby always looked good and always had an amazing attitude. She was always willing to take an extra minute to itemize the clothes she was wearing for the photographers and she never did so impatiently either. In the craziness that pervades everything during fashion week, that says a lot about a person.
We'll be seeing more of her in the future for sure.
With fashion month just around the corner, I thought this interview I did with modeling industry icon Faith Kates would add some balanced insight into the world of modeling.
Faith Kates is a modeling industry legend. She started NEXT Model Management in 1989. Recently, we sat down to talk all things modeling. Needless to say, it was a great learning experience. Enclosed are few snippets from our conversation. And to Faith and the people at NEXT, thank you!
WHY THE SECOND SEASON IN A MODELS CAREER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FIRST
Faith: Realistically, there's so many girls that have gotten ruined because they come the first season, they're not ready to do those shows and they do them. And the second season they're like, 'but she couldn't walk last season.' You know our job as agents is to prepare these models to get them out there, so that they do their job perfectly. ...we want to get them out there and we want them to know how to walk. I always say if you can get them a couple of good shows so they have some confidence. Think about being young from Latvia...this is the first time you've ever been on airplane and you walk out from behind the stage. You walk out and you're in shoes this high (gestures to a 5" stiletto) and there's a thousand people looking at you with cameras flashing. Think about that very first moment. See that's the story you should start talking to the girls about is, 'What do you fee like?' So it's a lot easier to do that exact thing in a smaller show and then another show and another show and then by the time you get to Prada, you got it.
Craig: So you might not necessarily try and book her for all the big shows?
Faith: Exactly. The first season is important but the second season is more important. Because the first season, lets say you got all the shows. You've got to keep them the second time. It's easy to get the first time. Now you have to do the editorial. Now you have to be out there the whole time. Because your only new once. (pause)
You are only a new girl once.
...you have to really know how to pace it. You have to know what you'll be able to sustain and not sustain.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EDITORIAL IN A MODELS CAREER
Craig: How important is editorial?
Faith: Very important.
Craig: More important than campaigns?
Faith: It's all about VOGUE. If you are a VOGUE girl you are everywhere. Go into VOGUE magazine. You want to learn something, go in Vogue look at all the girls that are in the well. Go in Anna J, any one of them, Catherine, those are the girls that are doing all the campaigns. Those are girls that are in all the shows.
WHY GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE IMPORTANT
Faith: ...I think that in our world...when a girl starts, if you have one of the three or 4 really important photographers behind you, that's the girls that are making it. So if you have Steven Meisel, you have Mario Testino, you have a Craig McDean, you have a David Sims... you have one of those guys behind you, you're in.
Craig: So that's the goal then?
Faith: That's the goal.
Craig: Is that how you view your goal, moreso the photographer?
Faith: It is. You could walk in 1 show. I could get you to walk in Prada, you can walk in Gucci, you can walk in 1 show. But you didn't do good in that show. Or you know. You had the exclusive for the good show. I've seen girls have an exclusive to Prada and you never see them again. They weren't so great in the show. But at least if you are in a picture, it's out there. and it's out there for at least a couple of months and people keep seeing it. It's different. It's on the shelf its always there...with magazines while they're sitting out there, people are able to take them home and they keep looking and looking and looking at them....
Craig: The photographers are the key then?
Faith: The photographers and the magazines have all the power. Designers are important, don't get me wrong. They are very important. But I think it goes first with if you can get to the photographer. There are some girls that are really photographers girls.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A MODEL LIKING CLOTHES AND FASHION AS A NECESSITY TO SUCCEED
Craig: Does a girl with a genuine appreciation for fashion and clothing fare better in this industry?
Faith: You don't have to care about clothes...I don't think you have to love clothes. I don't think you have to dislike clothes. I just think you have to know how to wear clothes and know what feels good and right on you.
Craig: But like a girl who can get in touch with the artistic aesthetic of a Yohji Yamamoto because she's interested in style?
Faith: I don't think that matters.
Craig: It doesn't matter?
Faith: Not at all. I don't think it matters at all. I think that girl understands better what, and appreciate more what she's wearing but I don't think that that makes her a better model or makes her any better at what she does because she understands the dress
ON TWO TYPES OF FAME FOR A MODEL
Craig: How important is press as opposed to campaigns, editorials in magazines, and runways to a models career?
Faith: It depends upon the model. So there's a "high fashion model" lets call her that's doing all the campaigns and doing Vogue and doing all the shows. It doesn't matter. Because for her, her bible is the editorial, the Vogues of the world, and doing runway.
Then there's a whole other group of girls that, they are famous because of the press. They probably were not really famous models. But they became famous because they dated somebody that was famous, they were in the right place at the right time, they dated a basketball player, there was something about them that made them famous.
...There's 2 different kinds of famous. There's fashion famous which is what every model, I hate to say it , aspires to. They aspire to being in the well of American Vogue, they aspire to being photographed by Craig McDean, and David Sims, Steven Meisel, photographers Bruce Weber, like that.
And then there are girls that you know that their dream was to be in Sports Illustrated or to be in Victoria's Secret. Its a very different kind of famous and its a different kind of fashion. So its completely different. So there's two types of fame.
ON THE INTERNET AND PRINT
Craig: ...how important is the internet going to be to a models career as opposed to print publications?
Faith: I think we've all been struggling through it for the last 7 or 8 years. I don't see the print magazine or the newspaper or even the written book going away. As hard as I try to read and kindle it was the same as turning the pages. I think the internet becomes important because every day you can change it.
I do believe that the print magazine never goes away. I don't think VOGUE ever goes. I think that they are going to do business a bit differently.
AND FINALLY: THE BIGGEST NAMES NEXT HAS DEVELOPED FROM SCRATCH
Craig: The biggest names you've developed from scratch?
Faith: Milla Jovovich, Molly Sims, Joy Bryant, Diane Kruger (the actress), Angie Everhart, Anja Rubick, Anna Jagodzinka, Catherine McNeil, and Jessica Miller.
On Day 3 of Paris Fashion Week leaving the Christian Dior show.
The first time I met Charlotte was back in New York Fashion Week while the German National TV news network RTL was following me. From the various outfits I saw Charlotte wear later on up through Paris, I'd definitely put her in the category of one of fashion's best dressed models right alongside Frida Gustavsson, Iekeliene Stange, Dree Hemingway, Sasha Pivovarova, and Chanel Iman. It's as if each time I saw one of these girls, they would be wearing something different, yet well put together.
Apparently this last season Karl Lagerfeld saw something special in her too.
Of the 40 looks that were in the Karl Lagerfeld show, 10 girls walked the runway twice. Charlotte was one and she OPENED Lagerfeld. Talk about first impressions.
Of the 70+ looks that were in Chanel, Charlotte was the 15th girl to walk the barnyard hay runway. However, when Lilly Allen played on stage, two girls danced for the whole song, CENTER STAGE, and got an additional 3 minutes and some 21 seconds of additional "runway exposure time". This is essentially an advertisement in front of the Who's Who of the fashion world and considering that most girls only get seconds of face time, this stage time was a chance for Charlotte to shine.
And right alongside Iekeliene Stange, she let her personality shine while dancing the time away.
Abbey Lee as captured outside of the Donna Karan show. Last fashion season, an injury kept her from walking the full fashion month circuit.
So far this season though, she's walked some of New York Fashion Week's biggest shows like DNKY, Diane von Fursternberg, Altuzarra, and Alexander Wang. Let's hope she keeps it up.
Stockholm Fashion Week August 2011: Rag & Bone coat
Stockholm Fashion Week August 2011: Rag & Bone coat and pants
New York Fashion Week SS17:
Madelene (Marilyn, NY) walked the FW11 Calvin Klein and Alexander McQueen shows. Shot with Mario Testino for Vogue UK, Richard Burbride for Dazed and Confused in the summer. Now it appears is if the consistency of her personal style will give her an edge with the press this coming fashion season. She's already working the bow tie style as started by Jason Wu FW11 and continued by Chanel Couture in July. I'm sure under Chris Gay's management team at Marilyn NY, she's got good things in store for her.
