Supermodels Take It Off For Climate Change

On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Cameron Russell so inspired by the pictures she saw coming in from around the world on 350.org's Global Day of Climate Action, that she wanted to help. While the one-day event was called 'the most widespread day of political action in the planet's history,' we know that not everyone reads the newspapers. So we figured we'd try to get the point across the best way we know how--with clothes, or really, with the lack of clothes. We hope you'll get the point--feel free to watch it twice in case you got distracted the first time.



350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand.

Our mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.
Our focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

To tackle climate change we need to move quickly, and we need to act in unison—and 2009 will be an absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on cutting emissions. The problem is, the treaty currently on the table doesn't meet the severity of the climate crisis—it doesn't pass the 350 test.

In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, we're harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. We hope to have actions at hundreds of iconic places around the world - from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to your community - and clear message to world leaders: the solutions to climate change must be equitable, they must be grounded in science, and they must meet the scale of the crisis.

If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to the latest climate science, we can start the global transformation we so desperately need.

Women Loves Rony Shram

Rony Shram knows how to make beautiful women look even more beautiful. Using shadows and light he knows exactly how to bring out the sparkle in a woman's eye, the shine in her hair and the sheen of her skin.

I love working with Rony. He has the talent to focus his lens to reveal only the qualities in a woman that as a whole give pleasure to the senses - in other words, gorgeousness.

Yulia Kharlapanova


Yulia Kharlapanova


Alexa Yudina


Alexa Yudina


Toma Barkova


Toma Barkova


Valeria Sokolova


Valeria Sokolova


Katarina Ivanovska

Katarina Ivanovska

Olya Ivanisevic


Olya Ivanisevic


Ana Mihajlovic

Ana Mihajlovic

Rony was interviewed in a German photo magazine a few months ago. It was mostly about technique, but there were a few non-technical questions in there that showed me who the modest man behind the camera is:

1. Can you say some about the training/ photographic education you received? What were the most valuable lessons you learned on the way up?

I have had almost no formal education in photography. When I decided I wanted to shoot professionally, I took two lighting courses at night. Other than that, I took some photo classes in high school. I never really imaged this would be a career.

When Istarted, I really didn't know the first thing about this business--including the fact that most photographers start as assistants (which is a great idea, by the way). As such, I have never assisted. I don't think I've ever been to a photo shoot where I wasn't the photographer. It's both a blessing and a curse. My style has definitely been defined by the fact that I am almost exclusively self-taught.

By the way, I wouldn't exactly say I am "up"--maybe up and coming, at best. I still have a long way to go.

2. So how did you get into fashion photography?

Good question. I came to New York to study political science at Columbia. I graduated and worked in consulting for a couple of years before deciding I wanted to go to law school. And then one day I realized it was all a bad idea. I just couldn't imagine continuing on that path anymore. A good friend told me to follow my dreams. I naively went out and bought a camera. And I struggled for a while until someone decided to take a chance on me.

3. What inspires you?

As far as ideas... those come from pretty much anywhere. But as far as motivation and interest are concerned, I would have to say my inspiration comes from the models. My work is mostly about the women in the images (and women in general), above anything else. It's about the energy and beauty they emanate. I'm not trying to challenge or subvert any of the established notions of femininity (or at least as they exist in my mind). I honor and celebrate them.

Rony's work can be seen at: www.RonyShram.com

Jeremy Laing Fall 2009 Show

Jeremy Laing Fall 2009 Show
Time: February 15, at 2:00pm
Location: 24th Street Loft, 148 West 25th Street, 21st Floor
Stylist: Melissa Ventosa Martin
Casting Director: Sarah Dawes

Olya Ivanisevic


Valeria Dmitrienko


Olya Ivanisevic


Valeria Dmitrienko

Yigal Azrouel Fall 2009

Yigal Azrouel Fall 2009 Show
Time: 11 am
Location: The Salon at Bryant Park
Casting Director: Natalie Joos

Yulia Kharlapanova (opened)


Bruna Tenorio


Sheila Marquez


Olya Ivanisevic

Bruna Tenorio

Sheila Marquez

Olya Ivanisevic

Yulia Kharlapanova (closed)

Olya Ivanisevic - new polaroids

These polaroids of the lovely Olya Ivanisevic were taken on Friday at Women.

Lara Bonomo @ Teen Vogue Interview

Lara Bonomo is the Bookings Director of Teen Vogue - as Bookings Director she casts models, hair stylists, and makeup artists for Teen Vogue fashion editorials. There are many steps a model has to go through to get into the pages of Teen Vogue. The first step is when Lara meets the model & polaroids as soon as she arrives in NY. She tracks their progress from day one. Lara aggressively promotes the models she believes in to the fashion editors that style Teen Vogue shoots. The second step to getting into Teen Vogue is when Lara arranges for the right models to go see the photographer & stylist. The precision with which Lara matches models with the fashions in her editorials & the style of her Teen Vogue photographers & stylists makes Lara a star. Her cognizance of which model would look good in which clothes is what makes her an excellent casting director. Lara's professionalism, kindness & wicked sense of humor make her so amazing to work with. The models who start with Teen Vogue frequently move on to do Italian Vogue , French Vogue, British Vogue & American Vogue. Lara keeps a polaroid collage on her wall of models she is considering for upcoming editorials & Teen Vogue alumnus who have gone on to become supermodels. Yesterday I visited her at her office for an interview:

Q:How did you get into this business?
A:I've always loved magazines and would flip through my mom's old Vogues and Glamours when I was little- I loved the glamour and mystique of the models and how they took on different personas depending on the fashion point of view. When I graduated from college I sent my resume to model agencies and magazines, hoping to land a job where I could really learn about thhe industry. My first job was at an agency working on the new faces board and my next job was as the Asst Bookings Editor at Mademoiselle magazine. I could not have been happier-

Q:Where is your favorite city to travel and why?
A:Paris- Everything about that city is amazing- The architecture, history, people, culture. It really does have a joie de vivre all its own

Q:What do you like to do in your free time?
A:Read, see movies, hang out with friends

Q:If you weren't in fashion, what could you see yourself doing as a career?
A:I wouldn't work :)

Q:What do your friends think about you working in fashion?
A:They think it is cool- a lot of them are in industries that are very buttoned up so they like to hear the stories that could only happen in the fashion industry

Q:What are your must-have makeup essentials?
A:Neutrogena SPF 45 moisturizer
Rosebud salve for the lips-

Q:Who is your favorite designer and why?
A:I can't really say a favorite - it changes every season-

Q:What advice would you give to a girl trying to break into this industry?
A:Be realistic- Modeling has criteria that has to be met just like most other industries. It is not the right career for everyone.

Q:What is the best part about working in fashion?
A:It is constantly changing so you do not get bored-

Q:What do you miss most about home when you're working?
A:My kitty cat- Big

Q:Who are your style icons?
A:Jane Birkin - effortless

Q:How do you prepare for a photo shoot?
A:We are always shooting so I have to keep up on the newest models and hair/make-up talent. I like to keep the photographers and stylists updated n who we should think about shooting for the upcoming shoots-

Q:The best fashion advice you've ever received:
A:Less is more

My top 3:
Items I can't live without:
1.Passport
2.I Pod
3. water

Places I've been:
1. Paris
2. all over US
3. Tulum, Mexico
4. And I travel vicariously through the models who come visit me and tell me of their favorite places they have worked or the exotic locations they are from-

Designers:
1. Marc Jacobs
2. Philip Lim
3. Lanvin

Items in your handbag:
1. wallet
2. NY Post
3. cell phone