Have you ever wondered what a model thinks about before stepping onto the runway? I caught model Madeline Berl literally right before she stepped onto the runway for designer Wanda Beauchamp at the Art Hearts Fashion show.
Madeline was the closing model for designer Wanda Beauchamp and I must say that she looked absolutely stunning! When I saw her walk down the runway, I was in awe. She looked like she just walked out of a magical garden. She really made us feel like we were in a fairytale.
Model Carley Beck’s hair is crimped for designer Alexandra Popescu-York at New York Fashion Week
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This season I decided I wanted to switch it up and try something new. Usually I ask fashion models questions that I come up with during New York Fashion Week. This time, I wanted to make it a little fun and asked my friends to come up with questions that they were dying to know about fashion models.
My friend, Mara from the Upper West Side wanted to know : Does all of the runway prep – like dressing up and getting your hair and makeup done – take away from the fun of doing it on your own free time? Watch the video to find out!
Thank you so much for your question Mara!
A little backstory behind the video:
I was behind the scenes at Couture Fashion Week when I saw model Carley Beck getting her hair crimped for her next fashion show. While I’ve seen different crimping videos online, I’ve never scene it in person. So I wanted to get an up close view. I started talking with Carley and we really connected. When we exchanged Instagram accounts, I was so surprised. I was already following her! I looked up and saw that she had the same look across her face. Apparently she recognized my logo and was already following me too! It was so funny! While we didn’t figure out exactly how we know each other, I have a pretty good feeling that it was probably through all my work at past New York Fashion Weeks.
Watch Carley getting her hair crimped by hairstylist Ramika Guillory:
I want to hear from you! What do you think about the crimped hairstyle? Be sure to subscribe to my blog and follow my blog’s Instagram @newstylemode
For more of Carley’s fashion adventure, you can follow her on Instagram @carley_beck
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible’” – Audrey Hepburn
I can’t tell you how proud I am of model Charlotte Smith. She’s made something that might have seemed impossible into a reality. She walked for her favorite designer Dan Liu during New York Fashion Week. Here is the inside scoop of what it was like!
Catching up with Charlotte Smith:
Jenny Alweiss: How was modeling for Dan Liu?
Charlotte Smith:Absolutely incredible! He’s my favorite designer. What I love about Dan is that he cares about every model. He won’t put a model in a dress he doesn’t think fits. He wants the model to look incredible. He puts heart and soul into every look and it shows!
Jenny: What inspired the collection?
Charlotte:The Spy Who Loved Me movie with James Bond. His collection was a powerful Bond girl. It was sexy. We wore sunglasses and a headscarf on the runway which was based off of Audrey Hepburn. I adore her.
Jenny: What is Dan Liu really like?
Charlotte: He’s so talented. He has a strong vision and brings out your confidence. He told each model “this is what you’re doing” and explained what he wanted. He boosted the overall moral and he’s very enthusiastic. He was so excited to be there. He told us for this collection, “no smiles, you’re dangerous – you’re a badass spy!”
Jenny: What was it like to be on the runway?
Charlotte:I was on cloud nine the whole time! I wore one of his signature pieces – a jacket with a bird on the back. Dan chose me to be the one to rip off my sunglasses and wink at the end of the runway.
Jenny: What were you thinking about when you were on the runway?
Charlotte: I was imagining myself as a spy. I kept thinking “I am a spy. I am a bad ass. I’m so happy to be here.”
Jenny: Were your outfits comfortable to wear on the runway?
Charlotte: Yes! His clothes are incredibly well made.
Jenny: Speaking of being a spy, do you have a favorite spy movie?
Charlotte: I love the James Bond movies. They’re great!
Jenny: Were there any funny moments at the fashion show?
Charlotte: Yes – Madeline, one of the models needed to borrow my heels even though were in the same show! It was chaotic. Also, there were like 5 people working on me at the same time – spraying my hair, touching up my makeup, and helping me get into the clothes. They were just zipping up my dress right before I had to go.
Jenny: What were the other models like?
Charlotte: They’re so sweet. We were all supportive of each other. We got waffles together after the show with all of our hair and makeup still on!
Photographer: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Jenny: Question from Igor in the audience: What drives you?
Charlotte: I have a mantra “I’m working to be the best version of myself.” You can’t change yourself for a designer. You have to stay true to yourself. You are enough and if a designer doesn’t like you, don’t take it personally. Always keep your options opened. Be your best self.
Photographer: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Check out my first blog post about Charlotte and her sister, Natalie Smith. You can follow her on Instagram @charlotte.smith
I want to give a special thank you to photographer Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America for the photos. Thank you!
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Back in January, model Victoria Summer Whetzel and I were both fashion show judges for PLITZS Fashion Marketing’s Model of the Year competition. I admire how sincere she is. First off, she had a really cute Betsey Johnson telephone purse which has a removable phone set handle that plugs into her cellphone. Basically, her purse can turn into a working phone. How cool? But in all seriousness, Victoria is a really sweet and down to earth model.
During the competition, she pointed something out to me that I didn’t realize. For the Model of the Year competition, there were 3 categories – petite female models, male models and 5’8″ female models. She mentioned how PLITZS Fashion Marketing didn’t have a plus-size category for curvy models to compete in. As a curvy model, Victoria hopes that the next year’s PLITZS Fashion Marketing’s competition will have a plus-size/curvy category.
Photographer: Jake Pierce
Meet Victoria:
Jenny A. (Me) : When you were a judge at the PLITZS Fashion Marketing competition, what were you looking for in each of the model candidates?
Victoria Summer Whetzel: I was mostly looking for someone who could command the space as soon as they hit the runway. This is the modeling industry, so everyone is beautiful. But I believe the standard of beauty is changing. It’s more than a pretty face and a physique that lives up to society’s standards. Beauty is taking care of yourself and being proud of who you are. Beauty is being able to walk a runway and silence a room by your presence. Beauty is being kind to others and being kind to yourself. That’s what I look for in a model.
Me: Is there something you are looking to see more of on the runway? A specific look, personality, walk…etc?
Victoria: I would love to see more plus-size and curvy models of course. Models like Ashley Graham, Denise Bidot and SO many more. Plus-Side models are body activists and I think their activism has moved mountains in the modeling industry. They have paved the way for many emerging models, including myself. I hope one day I can be a leader in this movement too.
Me: You’re trying to break into the modeling industry as plus-size model. What is the hardest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Victoria: I think the hardest challenge I’ve faced so far, is proving to myself that I have what it takes. Far too often, we are the ones holding ourselves back. Sometimes it’s important to take a moment to remind ourselves that we are enough and celebrate ourselves for all that we have to offer.
Question from Liana in the audience: What kind of food do you usually eat? We hear all these stories about how models don’t eat to stay thin because “thin is in.” How do you cope with that kind of mentality?
Victoria: Being thin has never been a part of who I am, so I just try my best to put foods into my body that make me feel good.
Me: Do you eat certain foods before modeling?
Victoria: I don’t eat anything specific. I eat whatever I feel will make me do my best work that day.
Me: If you could be a fruit or veggie, what fruit or veggie would you be?
Victoria: I would be a watermelon. They have a ton of seeds that represent growth and they are better when shared in the summertime. 🙂
Photographer: Jake Pierce
Me: Overall, do you find it difficult to be a plus-size model?
Victoria: Being a plus-size model is hard. Being any kind of model in this industry is hard. But you just have to remember that you get to tell people who you are. They don’t get to tell you who you are. One example of this comes from a recent experience here in New York City.
I attended an open call for an independent designer’s showcase for their swimsuit line. Most of the girls at the call were sizes 00-6, but there were a handful of plus-size girls there too. Probably around 5 or 6 in all. All of the petite model’s took turns modeling a bikini from the designer’s line. The designer then decided she wanted me to also model one of her designs. She said I was the most ‘fit’ of the plus-size girls and she wanted a curvy model. She gave me a swimsuit to put on, and as soon as she handed it to me, I realized it was the same exact bathing suit she had the petite models wear. This swimwear was not designed for girls like me. It was made for a model probably around a size 6.
At first, I felt embarrassed because the swimwear didn’t fit, but I put it on anyway. That day, I saw my first real glitch in the industry. I was being asked to wear this suit, so the designer could say she designs for plus-size models. But I am not a Size 6. I am a Size 12 and I am grateful for designers out there who celebrate me for being just that.
Victoria modeled for New York Fashion Week at PLITZS in Feb 2018. You can follow her on Instagram @theofficial.vsw
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New York Fashion Week is one of my favorite times of the year! Over the weekend, my brother and I went to Couture Fashion Week where we saw designer Andres Aquino‘s Turbulent Waters Swimwear Collection. Personally, I have always adored designer Andres Aquino. He’s very creative and I think that his work is stunning.
I really enjoyed seeing his swimwear on the runway. Each model strutted down the runway in one of his bathing suits matched with a pair of high heeled black boots. Most of his designs were black and gold pieces.
My most favorite piece from his collection was worn by the award winning model, Samantha Speulveda. She wore his finale piece – a gorgeous black one-piece bathing suit with elaborate gold sequined sleeves.
I think the most shocking part was that designer Andres Aquino’s swimwear were all one-pieces! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I don’t usually wear bathing suits but when I do, I try to wear a one-piece.
Honestly, I’m in love with the sexy sequined bathing suit look. Recently, I’ve seen videos on Facebook of one piece bathing suits with sequins. I wonder if they’re waterproof!
It’s a little crazy for me to think of wearing a bathing suit when I’m still bundling up in all of my winter gear! I guess when it’s hot out, I’ll be ready to hit the beach in style 🙂
Be sure to follow my blog on Instagram @newstylemode
I was looking at the schedule for New York Fashion Week when I realized something. Valentine’s Day and New York Fashion week overlap! I was really curious what it was like to model on Valentine’s Day and what it was like to date as a model. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, I decided to reached out to model Sergio Delavicci (Gio) and ask him what his dating life is like.
Valentine’s Day… Gio Style
Jenny Alweiss (Me): As a model, what is it like to date?
Sergio Delavicci (Gio): I like to be as professional as possible. I try not to date within the fashion industry. On one hand, if I date someone in the industry, she would understand my lifestyle. On the other hand, it can get messy. She would be more likely to get jealous if she sees me taking pictures with other women.
Me: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Gio: I believe in interest at first sight. I can see someone and be interested. I think it can lead to love down the road.
Me: What is your ideal date?
Gio: A nice romantic spot. Maybe somewhere with a candlelight dinner where we can sit across the table and get to know each other.
Me: What was your most adventurous date?
Gio: Skinny dipping.
Me: What would you say was your worst date?
Gio: I met a woman through a dating website and she didn’t look anything like her pictures! We met at an expensive restaurant and started talking. First of all, she didn’t have good oral hygiene and she kept ordering all this expensive food from the menu. I’m not cheap but I was looking at the menu and the bill was going to be $175! To be honest, this girl was not my type to be splurging in that kind of way. I excused myself from the table, got into my car and drove off.
Me: What do you look for in a woman?
Gio: I have to be attracted to her. Since I take good care of myself, I want a woman who is also in shape. I like a woman with nice hair, nice skin and nice teeth. Once I’m attracted to her outside, then I get to know her on the inside. I look for someone who is spontaneous and is not afraid to do new things.
Me: Are you single?
Gio: Yes.
Photography by Richard Simpson
Me: Have you ever modeled on Valentine’s Day?
Gio: I have been modeling on Valentine’s Day for the past 5 years. 3 out of the 5 years I’ve modeled for NYC Live which always takes place on Valentine’s Day.
Me: Is modeling on Valentine’s Day any different than modeling on a regular day?
Gio: No, it’s the same. It doesn’t feel any different to me to do fashion shows on Valentine’s Day. Modeling is a full time job. I’m focused and I want to be successful.
Me: Did it ever bother you that New York Fashion Week and Valentine’s Day overlap?
Gio: It doesn’t bother me because I’m really not into Valentine’s Day. Holidays to a professional model don’t mean a lot. There are still going to be fashion shows, even on holidays. If you don’t want to model on Valentine’s Day, you’ll just be replaced. I want to be on a level where I am irreplaceable.
Me: Are you modeling on Valentine’s Day this year?
Gio: Yes, I am. I’m modeling for NYC Live.
Me: Did you ever celebrate Valentine’s Day while you were at New York Fashion Week?
Gio: Yes. While I was at a fashion show, someone passed a Valentine’s Day card to me from the audience who is a big supporter of my work. In the card she asked if she could take me to dinner after the fashion show and be her Valentine.
You can follow my blog on Instagram @newstylemode and check out model Gio’s Instagram page @ruffryder_84
Want to know what it’s like to model for Couture Fashion Week? Model Maanami Naomi shares her fashion experience at New York Fashion Week’s Couture Fashion Week with us. Watch and find out what she really thinks!
Just wait for it! At the end of the video, you’ll get to see the elegant black dress that Maanami modeled for which was designed by fashion designer Azulant Akora. ❤
