Who's That Girl?

In an industry full of illusion and superficiality, you can still find a few diamonds in the rough. Allow me to introduce you to Mirte. We met a month or so ago when I was in Amsterdam and we're repped by the same agency, Rocket Garage. She's a Dutch beauty who's just finishing up her studies at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute. There's definitely more to her than just a pretty face, so I sat down with her for a little chat to see what makes Mirte tick. Let's get familiar...

1. Describe your style?
Baggy t-shirt, leather jacket, skinny jeans, heels / sneakers + head phones, back pack and my single speed (bike).

2. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I don't really remember? ...but as a teenager editing and making films.

3. What's your spirit animal or an animal you identify with?
Uuuhhmm, I don't really knoww... haha. But I love dogs? My boyfriend and I had Banjo, a curly coated retriever. But sadly he passed. When I move to Australia in August we will get our first curly puppy!

4. If you had a super power what would it be?
Teleportation

5. Why do you make so many funny faces?
It's fun!! ... and it pulls down those awkward barriers. I work with different people all the time and when I make fun of myself, not take myself too seriously -I hope- others feel more relaxed too. If we can laugh together, have fun, appreciate each other while being professional and hard working. Then we all walk out of the door wanting to work with each other again...... right?

Mirte is creative, quirky, and just an all around cool chick. When you're working with her on a project, you know you'll always have a good time. I mean, how can you not adore this girl.

Next month, I'll introduce you to another model who's making moves and doing big things. Until next time.

Light As a Feather

The summer just snuck up on us. One day we're bundled up in sweaters and scarves, and now we're shedding our layers for swimsuits. Ugh, I'm not ready. Yesterday I was relaxing by the pool with some girlfriends and we were all lamenting over this situation. We thought we had more time to prepare. You know, cut back on the carbs, eat more leafy greens, and actually make an effort to hit the gym. Yeah, that didn't exactly happen. But what's the big deal about shedding weight for a beach body anyway?

The idea of dieting has been around since ancient times, but it wasn't until the 1800s that fad diets hit the market. People have resorted to chewing and then spitting out their food, taking arsenic, and even digesting tapeworms to lose pounds. I would like to think that we're a little more sensible and civilized now, but the idea that we need to go to extremes to look thin and attractive still remains. We've traded in the parasites and poison for lipo and crash diets.

As models, we are asked by our agents to stay in shape which isn't too much to ask. When you show up to a job as a 6 and the client is expecting a size 2, that's definitely a problem. A professional model is required to maintain a certain look, and unfortunately the look can be interpreted as skinny. That idea of beauty and weight spills over into how the average woman thinks she should look. If you see thin models and celebrities that pop culture says are pretty, then you think you should aspire to look like them to be attractive too. There are very few people who are immune to these persuasive images. I even size myself up with those thin models, but I know that super skinny body type is definitely not healthy for me.

So how can you stop being so critical of your own love handles? Face reality. Those celebrities you idolize with the super sculpted bodies work out for hours with a trainer everyday and do expensive juice cleanses to lose weight. That just isn't possible in the real world. What you can do is incorporate more fresh fruits and veggies in your life and stay active. Also, you've got to forget about the numbers and focus on how you feel. I avoid scales, because I think they're evil. Instead, I consider my energy level. If I'm sluggish or stressed, then I know my body is in bad shape and I need to do better. Last but not least, the ancient Greeks thought walking around naked was good for weight loss. I'm not big on losing pounds, but I love the idea of actually taking a good look at yourself in the nude. Instead of avoiding full length mirrors, run right up to them and strike a pose. Get used to the idea of accepting your body and liking it. Sure there may be room for improvement, but you don't need an extreme home makeover.

Getting back to the original story... after finally stripping off our coverups and sulking over the lack of prep time for bikini season, we all were able to relax. Stretch marks... yeah, we've got them. Cellulite... oh, there you are. Hello, bloated tummy. You can't photoshop your body in real life and in real time. What you see is what you get and there's nothing wrong with that.

Headband Hair Fix

Mondays are always tough for me. No matter what, I wake up in a frenzy. I go through my usual beautification process, but somehow I still feel frumpy. My hair just isn't cooperating. I desperately reach for some miracle products or maybe even try styling my curls. Nothing's working. Raarrrr! But there's no time to fidget, I'm in a rush. What do I do? Manic panic starts to take over until...

I discover an headband I used to wear years ago. The only time I would wear this before was when I was exercising or hanging out around the house. I slip it on and I'm instantly relieved. This old thing actually looks pretty good. Who woulda thought?
Headbands are an easy solution if you're in a hair funk. The trick is finding the one that works not just for your face and hair, but also your outfit. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Print vs. Solid- Florals and other patterns are normally not my thing, but they can be super fun. Wear them to jazz up a simple look. You can always opt for a solid if you're already wearing a bold print outfit or you're into color blocking from head to toe.
  
  
• Thin vs. Wide- This one really comes down to how much hair you're trying to cover up. Let's say you're a curly girl, but the hair that frames your face isn't the same texture as the longer coils. Use a wider headband to conceal the difference. Let's say you're pulling your hair up into a messy bun, but you want to add a little flair without drawing too much attention. A thin headband is the perfect accent.
  
  
• Hard vs. Soft- It's totally a personal preference. As a kid, I wore those skinny plastic headbands. They looked cute, but my head would start to ache after a few hours. I've even had issues with soft headbands losing elasticity. It can be frustrating either way. It's all about the slip factor... What's going to stay on without annoying you.

Embellished and ornate. Simple and stylish. You've got tons of options and the choice is yours. Headbands can keep you from having a bad hair just like that. Wink-wink!

Dear Fairy Model Mother: How Do I Call My Agency Out on Its Bullsh*t?

A few months ago I was on an epic road trip with a group of really awesome models. We had hours and hours of time to waste, so of course we talked shop. One of the girls mentioned she'd been having issues with her agency. She'd been working with them for a while without a contract. At first her agents were getting her good work, then it just stopped. In the past months, she had booked her own jobs. And get this, her agency still wanted a cut of what she was making. Excuse me?!

Let it be known that I'm a little leery of agencies and their ways. The hidden fees and expenses. The sneaky clauses in contracts. It gives me the heebie jeebies. So when this model started telling me about her whoas, I was immediately like "Girl, stand up for yourself!" If you and your representation don't have a binding agreement, then they have absolutely no business trying to take commission for something they did not book you on. I told her that it would be in her best interest to politely call her agency out on its bullsh*t.

After our conversation, Ms. Model decided to take action. Before having a talk with her agents, she did some leg work of her own. She compared how long she'd been with them, how many jobs they had gotten her, and then how many jobs she had gotten all by herself. Upon my suggestion, she then approached her agents with her concern and basically asked them "what can I do to make sure that I'm getting more work?" Here's where a model has to get a little sneaky. You just called your reps out, so be prepared for the backlash. Start looking for another agency like now! So my friend did just that. I got her in with another model agency outside of Cali so she can travel. But if the work for her is slow in LA, her agents here should have been trying to get her placed in other markets so they can still make money off her. Duh!

This whole ordeal is like a game of chess or poker even. Everything is strategic. You make a move to call your agents on their bluff. They make a move to either regain your trust or set you up for failure. Well, my friend's agency did something that was just down right sheisty. They agency signed a contract with her new reps in another market as if they were her mother agency entitling them to a percentage of her earnings without doing any legwork at all. Oh no! This smart model called them out on it and then presented her agents with a list of demands. In response the LA agency dropped her from their roster. In the breakup email, her booker said this:

"We’ve hit a wall. We just don’t get a response on you... we all love and care about you, but professionally, we just can’t get any traction and have to cut ties."
What the freak! Once again, this is crap. How is it that this model is getting all this work on her own, but her agents are having trouble finding her jobs. That agency just wasn't trying hard enough. Bullsh*t! In the spirit of getting even, newly-free agent model booked an awesome editorial on her own the very next day. Take that.

The lesson to be learned here is to believe in yourself and keep it pushing. If your so called reps aren't doing their job and are giving you the run-around, don't believe the hype. You know what you are capable of, it's just a matter of finding the right team to push you to the next level. On your wait out the door, don't slam it. Try not to burn any bridges because you never know what you might encounter in the future. But there are bigger and better things just around the corner and you know it's true. Like Jay Z said...On to the next one.

I Get It From My Momma

Good looks and great style are definitely hereditary. Of course it helps if your mother is a legendary super model. It may be old news, but Georgia May Jagger and her mom Jerry Hall have teamed up for a campaign for Sunglass Hut. The images are more than gorgeous, they are inspiring. Take a peek...

Super cute and playful. I'm loving these photos of the blond duo shot by photographer Matt Irwin for the Sunglass Hut's Mother's Day campaign. Jerry Hall, now 56, has been striking a pose in front of the camera since she was Georgia's age.

Here's some advice from Jerry to Georgia that's helpful to the rest of us too:

On working in the industry -
Jerry: “The best modeling advice I've given her is to be on time and be nice to everyone.”

On not fixing the gap between her teeth-

Georgia: "I’m quite happy I didn’t. As a model, in a weird way it is helping other people to feel more comfortable with your flaws."

Jerry: "I said to her, “You can’t have braces. That gap tooth is lucky. Lucky!”

Good stuff, Jerry and Georgia. Sometimes it pays to listen to your momma. For the most part, your mom has already experienced much of the lessons you still have to learn. So when she gives you advice, don't just shrug it off. There's wisdom in her words. I'm very blessed for what my own mom has given me too. Hopefully we can all inherit our mom's grace and pass that trait on to our own children. Share the love.

Beauty Blast: Glossy Glow

I finally found the secret to looking younger. It's this thing called blush. Have you heard of it? You put it on your cheeks and POW! You look like you're 16 again. Ok, but really. The right shade of blush can make you appear a bit brighter and fresher giving the illusion of youth. I've got the perfect one-two-punch to give you a girly glow...

I went into Sephora to find a replacement for some cheap cosmetics I'd bought a while ago. I was trying to match the color of this sort of peachy cream blush I loved, and I found something even better. Sephora's own Microsmooth Blush Duo in this great hue Guava Glow. Here's how it works:
"This beautiful blush duo combines a luminizer to highlight cheekbones and a matte satin blush to contour and define. The ulta-light, micronized pigments blend effortlessly into the skin to enhance skintone and give you a flawless, no-makeup look and feel."

The result is super cute without looking like you've splashed paint on your face. You know what I mean. For extra sparkle on a night out and even a day date, try this super shiny lip gloss in Feening for Pink. If you want to draw attention to your pout, this will do the trick. It's got intense shimmer and a little goes a long way. But try this gloss soon, it's a limited edition.

So let's review. Silky, golden coral blush. Check. Rosy, glossy lips. Check. Get it all and get it now. Because every girl wants to be Pretty in Pink.

"Come and Lay Your Bones Down With Me"

It's just so perfect it makes me cry. Every now and then you work on a project just to help out a friend. You're not sure if it will be something you'll put on your resume, but you do it in good faith anyway. This work is definitely something I am proud of...

A couple months ago, my boy Chuck Willis presented me with a great opportunity. He said that he was working on a music video for his friend Ginny Blackmore's song Bones. Normally in front of the camera and not behind it, the video would Chuck's directorial debut. Just out of pure excitement for my pal alone, I agreed to be a part of the cast. It was a Sunday afternoon on a quiet soundstage in Echo Park when this cool work was came to life. I don't want to give away the storyline, so just watch...
The entire experience was so amazing. There was this feeling on the set that we were creating something memorable, and we did just that. We had real moments of pure emotion. We pulled from past experiences and heartache to bring these stories together and make a great video. Not only can you really identify with Ginny Blackmore's lyrics, but you totally know how these characters feel. The video is just downright beautiful.

Thanks for the chance to put my stamp on an already gorgeous piece of art. Ginny, Chuck, and the entire cast and crew... you rock!

Punk at the Met

Fashion anarchy takes control at one of the most prestigious red carpet events of the season. Ok, so I'm exaggerating a little bit, but someone still needs to call the fashion police. Last night celebs and pop icons showed their "best" at the Met Gala to kick off the Costume Institute's annual exhibit. This year's theme is Punk: Chaos to Couture. I hate to say it, but there were way more misses than hits on my style scoreboard. The good was good, and the bad was just terrible. And you already know who takes home the award for worst dressed of the night. Let's get to it...

First of all, most of the celebs played it too safe. It's like they were more concerned with looking pretty than really going with the theme. Aside from a few who really went for it like Nicole Richie in Topshop and Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs, everyone just looked boring. For goodness sakes, it's PUNK, people! I want sharp edges, disheveled hair, jewelry that looks like it will hurt somebody not pretty curls and chiffon. Too many stars tried to mix dark rocker beauty with girlie dresses. It just didn't work. Go hard or go home. Looks I loved : Anne Hathaway as a blond bombshell in Valentino and Jaime King with a spiked tiara and satin tux also from Topshop. No surprise that Gwen Stefani looked perfect in Margiela, but then again she's the queen of punk glam. Joan Smalls and Tom Ford weren't exactly edgy, but they rocked it wearing nothing but Tom Ford, of course.

Now for the bad...
I just can't. I have so many questions. What the h*** ?! Why in the **** ?! Who the f*** is your stylist?! I get that it's a Givenchy custom-made gown. Your new BFF Beyonce is also wearing Givenchy. Both are prints from the Fall Ready-to-Wear 2013 collection. Riccardo Tisci, creative director of Givenchy, is also one of the co-chairs for the event. But the question still remains: why did you wear this ?! Wearing your grandma's upholstery is not acceptable for the Met. Not only do you look like an actual couch, but you've got printed gloves to match. No ma'am! I can't take it anymore. Looking at this train wreck makes me ill. Come on Kanye, you've got to make sure your girl doesn't embarass you. No wonder Kim wasn't invited before. Think about your fashion legacy, 'Ye. This one goes down in history as TERRIBLE.

Chime in: Who made your best and worst list from last night's Met Gala?

Ooo La La: Paris Photo LA

Every now and then really cool things happen in LA. Ok, I know what you're thinking... awesome things always happen here. This may be true, but this particular event was way cooler than the usual shebang. It was on a perfect Sunday afternoon that Taye Hansberry and I went to Paris Photo at Paramount Studios. What exactly is Paris Photo? Well, darlings...

It's a fantastic contemporary photography exhibition that happens once a year in Paris and also here in Los Angeles. This art fair features everything from historical images, video and film, and also fashion photography. Some of the featured works this year included Andy Warhol's BMW Art Car and Acqua #3 by Giorgio Armani.

Taye and I were in awe of the entire scene: the people, the sunny day, the studio. For some reason we must have been drawing a lot of attention to ourseleves, because so many people kept taking pictures of us. Oh my gosh! The Paramount lot is so fun. We walked through sound stages and then onto the streets of New York to see great art.  I was especially drawn to photography by David Armstrong from a collection called Night and Day full of wonderful black and whites and gritty nightlife portraits. Too bad Paris Photo only lasted one weekend, because I could live amongst all that beautiful photographyevery single day.

Au revoir until next year.

Watch Out For That... Runway

Ooo, girl! All dressed up for a fashion show. You've got on a hot dress and super high heels. Your hair's all done. Makeup looks great. The lights dim. The music starts. It's time for you to hit that catwalk. You take your first few steps and you notice the audience whispering and examining your outfit approvingly. You've got their attention so you really start strutting. Head up. Shoulders back. And then... SPLAT!

This was the case a few days ago at a show during Nigerian Fashion Week. As she was walking down the runway, Sudanese-Egyptian model Amal Contran tripped and busted her butt. Not pretty. The photos are quite entertaining. I mean, Amal really takes flight. She looks like she's going up for a dunk. Poor girl.

Taking a fall like that in front of hundreds of people is ridiculously embarassing. Every model has experienced a tiny stumble or trip, yet we always try to recover quickly without anyone noticing. But a fumble that big, gets seen around the world. Congrats, Amal. Not only does everyone know your name, but you have officially joined the sisterhood of models who fall at fashion shows.

Let this serve as a reminder that we all have bad days. Even when it comes to the things we do well, we're not perfect. Take a cue from supermodel Naomi Campbell who's had her own runway catastrophes. When you fall flat on your ass, do it with grace and laugh it off. You may be on the floor, but you'll still be on top of your game.