Beauty

Have you ever wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret Model? C’mon, we know you have. We ALL have. Well, believe it or not it is not as easy as it looks. Let’s have a look at what goes on in the making of a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and here we are looking at their most recent 2007 collection. WOW is all I have to say.

Here we have the beauty Adriana Lima. This train is made entirely of rare feathers, is over 10 feet long, and took over three months to make. And in fact, in order to get the show on the road and from workshop to runway (New York to Los Angeles), it took a chartered cargo plane AND a 63-foot line haul truck to get all wardrobe supplies to the runway set.

Making a special appearance this year was Heidi Klum and her return to the runway after the birth of her third child. Gag me that this woman looks like THIS after three babes, but hey…..Joining Heidi was her hubby Seal who celebrated her re-debut by joining her on the catwalk and singing “Wedding Day” with her. Yes, I really might actually puke.

A total of 15 corsets including this piece worn by the lovely Marisa Miller, were created for the show. The corset designer was Australian Jenny Manik Mercian. They in total took over 6 months to create and are embellished with Crystallized Swarovski jewels.

Even though it LOOKS like a breeze, it takes almost an entire year for the design team at Victoria’s Secret to prepare for this show. For example, this outfit (term used loosely) that Karolina Kurkova is wearing took 8 months to go from sketch to reality. And this girl is not walking in just any shoes. These Christian Louboutins were just one of 75 pairs that our *cough my* favorite Parisian shoe designer created exclusively for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

The Angel wings worn by the models known as the Victoria Secret Angels are one of the most talked about piece of any VS fashion show. It took three months for a tream of 42 designers to create the wings that fluttered down the catwalk. Heidi Klum’s here are retractable, and carry a 10 foot wingspan.

Adding to an evening of non-stop excitement was a multitude of performances by the Spice Girls. The Spice Girls appeared for their reunion in their debut performance at this event showcasing hits such as “Stop”. And of course, they were attired in nothing less than custom-made Roberto Cavalli pieces for the event. Catch their performance on YouTube. Gotta say, not a big fan but very hot show!

And yes, even the beauties like Karolina Kurkova need some help before a show. But don’t feel bad if you don’t look as drop-dead gorgeous as she does. She has some help. Before this show? The models had access to 18 makeup artists, 15 hair stylists, 8 nail techs, and 7 body bronzers. Oh, and we can’t forget the 4 massage therapists on hand to loosen up the 30 girls.

Think you still have what it takes to be a VS Angel? Check out what they are looking for, and what you can expect from a casting call….

Model2be from Columbus, Ohio, sent me an email this week:
I’m 17 and want to get into the modeling industry. I have the figure and the looks and know how to do all my poses. But I am really scared about how to do runway. Do you know any sites that offer runway tips or can you give any advice?

It’s Sunday and I am in relaxing mode which means I am getting caught up on my DVR which means I am in modeling mode today as I catch up on America’s Next Top Model and the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. This has me in model mode which is always a fun way for me to look at another side of the fashion industry – modeling is essentially what sells the fashion. Back in ‘the day’ I was finishing University and looking for a way to make some extra cash, and this is when I got really interested in modeling. I answered a classified ad for an open call, and away I went. It was a long process starting, but once it got off the ground, it was a lot of fun. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss those days.

But if you have ever watched any of the modeling reality shows, you will constantly hear them talking about how much harder it is than it looks. It really is, which is why modeling is not just about a pretty face. In FACT, you don’t even need a pretty face. If you know how to model, and have a few vital stats going for you (which honestly, height is the most important, weight not so much) then you can be a model. If you are a quick study, you can learn to model. But any agent or client will want you to know runway, and THIS, besides learning poses, is the hardest component of any modeling career. Models have been cut faster than a bunch of bangs because they did not have a signature walk, or could not walk at all. I got an email from a reader asking for some runway tips, so this is what we will look at today.

Yes, I will say it again. Runway is easily the hardest part of modeling, but honestly, it is the most fun. There is no other place in modeling where you can get live feedback from the audience and see the reaction of the crowd to the beautiful things you are wearing. This is why many models will say that runway is their favorite thing to do. It wasn’t mine, and I will tell you it is because I prefer to not guage that reaction, and not be in front of a large crowd when I am balancing myself on 4 inch heels. But if you can perfect it, or even better, create a signature walk, you can make a LOT of money from runway alone as these are the biggest jobs.

The two things you need to remember when you are doing runway – a.) you are a coat hanger that walks and nothing else, and b.) you are marketing yourself. More models have gotten bigger and better jobs by pulling off an awesome runway. So the advantage to runway is not only the bigger paycheck, but the exposure in live time you get as a model. And really, exposure is what the industry is all about, so soak it up.

On the coat hanger note, you are there to showcase clothing and nothing else. So your first tip is to know what your client wants. You will be briefed when you are booked on what is expected – smile don’t smile, etc. Follow these direction to a TEE. More models have lost bookings all together because they thought they knew better than the client. You won’t, and in fact, you will get more work from this client if you do it THEIR way.

Now, a few body language things you need to take note of:

1.) Do not move your shoulders,at ALL unless you are instructed otherwise.
2.) Keep your eyes straight ahead and do NOT move them at all. Don’t look at people, other models, or ANYTHING but something on the back wall. During rehearsal, find that something and look at it from beginning to end during your entire walk. Do the same thing on the other wall when you are going back down the runway for your next change.
3.) Chin *ever so slightly* down. This is because the rest of the people are sitting and will be looking up at you. You want them to see your face, not your neck. Keep it down just a smidge, and don’t move it, which you won’t be able to because you will be looking ahead.
4.) Your legs should be taking long strides. Not short little steps. Walk as long as you can.
5.) Don’t move or swing your arms unless you are instructed to. Keep your arms close to your body unless you are given something to carry.
6.) You need to have good posture plain and simple which is another reason I was so terrible at it. This will require practice. No hunching, no rounded shoulders, etc etc. Stand straight and tall. And unfortunately, the taller you are the more difficult this is to do. All I can say is practice.
7.) The most important tip is to be confident. Yes, you are a coat hanger, but a beautiful one. OWN the runway, show these folks that you have attitude and if they don’t buy this fashion they are fools. If you lack confidence, it will reek stronger than old Chanel No.5. practice, practice, practice.

For all of these tips, you just need to practice. Pick a hallway in your house and walk walk walk walk walk. Get a full-length mirror and put at either end of the hallway so you can see what you look like. Have someone videotape you. Watch yourself, catch your mistakes, and fix them. I also recommend you watch some on YouTube or on Fashion Television and take notes on what every model is doing. You will find they are all VERY similar. When you get a go-see for a runway booking, you will be ready.

Here’s one from the Stella McCartney 2007 Spring/Summer Collection to get you started.

Best of luck model2be! Come back and let us know when you get your first booking!

I finally just got around to watching this week’s America’s Next Top Model last night, and of course, if you watch it then you know that the famous supermodel from the ‘60’s Twiggy is one of the panel judges. I have been and continue to be impressed with how this woman even 30 years later continues to inspire women in fashion and in the modeling industry, so I am going to talk a little bit about her today.

Personal style is all about setting yourself apart from the crowd and getting your style ideas about yourself from within yourself. No one does this better than the fashion icons of yesterday that continue to inspire not only us, but fashion today. Twiggy is one of those icons, and it’s not only why we love her, but why she is still very active in the industry today. Twiggy, born as Lesley Hornby, started her modeling career in the ‘60’s when she was only 15. Her mom worked as a counter girl at Woolworth’s and her dad was a carpenter. Her young career started early, and she had a lengthy journey from model, to award-winning actress, and TV fashion icon and it continues today. Her sense of style and her lithe tiny frame earned her fame, fortune, and a fan base that was borderline fanatical. This sense of style is one that you can see on the pages of fashion today as well.

We see Twiggy here dressed in a retro coat that she made famous simply by wearing it. The coat has become so famous, it inspires designers today. You can find similarly inspired pieces in fashion houses and retailers all over the world. Take for example this Milly Peter Pan collar coat with its very retro feel to it featuring the large gold buttons, ¾ length sleeves, and two large pockets.

And the time of the ‘60’s was all about the mini mini and the wild, bold colors and just as wild and bold prints as Twiggy is seen here in a mini-dress featuring all of these things. Today’s designers have used icons such as this to inspire the mini-dress of today. You would never guess this Diane von Furstenberg Adelaide silk dress is from a 2007 collection, and this makes it a classic example of such current but retro inspired pieces. Again you have the retro ¾ length balloon sleeves and scoop neck that was very hippy. The wild Gingko print on this silk dress is just enough to stand out amongst the crowd. You will also love the drop waist on this that is very similar to Twiggy’s look, and is completed with a bubble hem skirt. You know me, I am all over the boho hippy look, this one I think is DEEvine.

And we all know how retro today’s shoes are. Any of Twiggy’s items can and were paired with high heels featuring large platforms. Today’s selections of wedges and platform shoes offer just enough retro’s feel with a contemporary twist. But there are other looks today that can add retro to any contemporary piece. I personally love the look of boots with mini-dresses, but of course this look originated in the hippy era, and white calf-length boots were very popular with the short flouncy mini-dresses of the ‘60’s. These Mia Eva - Women’s are so pretty and would look great with a mini-dress. They feature faux leather to give you some affordability, and the pointed toe and calf-length will give you just enough retro feel. The Eva is glamorous, and easy to put on with side zippers and stretchy faux fabric that glides over your calves easily.

Who would have thought Glam Retro would come back so pretty? But aren’t you glad it DID!