Showing posts with label Wayne Sterling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wayne Sterling. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Spur Magazine Interview: Britt Maren & Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Britt Maren for Spur Magazine on January 26, 2011.
Spur Magazine Interview: Britt Maren & Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Britt Maren for Spur Magazine on January 26, 2011.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Spur Magazine February 2011 Interview: Nimue Smit and Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Nimue Smit for Spur Magazine on November 24, 2010.
Nimue Smit was that instant sensation two years ago when she debuted in fashion as a Prada/Miu-Miu runway exclusive. Her wide eyed child brand of beauty certainly put her in the advance wave of the gorgeous new Dutch models like Patrica can der Vliet and Mirte Maas who were beginning to flood the runways and the editorials. But what set Nimue apart and certainly what ushered her straight from the runway to the Prada SS09 campaign as well as the Alberta Ferretti (FW09) and Armani Collection (SS10) campaigns was an extra polish of sophisticated grace. Extremely well educated, articulate and witty (with a talent for mimicking a wide variety of accents in a wide range of languages) Nimue is a distinct sign of fashion's current need to highlight girls who bring an intelligent understanding and a wider cultural value to the act of modeling. Fashion has always been about the fantasy of high style as a life style. Beyond just beauty and a sleek slim body (all of which Nimue boasts) the myth of fashion is also about the ideal of perfect diction, perfect manners and cultivating a polished exterior that reflects the elusive ambiance of chic. It is exactly that aura that this 18 year old Dutch beauty exudes in person . Freshly re-located to New York Nimue sat down with Spur of the eve of the American Thanksgiving holidays and gave us a great insight to her upbringing, her ambitions in life and her passions outside of modeling. This was what she had to share. - Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling: Why is it that Dutch girls speak such flawless English Nimue?
Nimue Smit: Maybe because they start us in school at a very young age. It's funny you think the english of Dutch girls is so good though. I can always pick up on a Dutch accent speaking English. There's always something a little off. In fact there was a book out that collected all the phrases with the slight mistakes the Dutch make with English.
WS: How many languages do you speak?
NS: I speak Dutch...English ...I understand some French but I wouldn't say I speak it well. The same for German. But those basic four languages. In school they taught us to read ancient Greek as well as some Latin. I think if you're going learn the Romance languages like French, German English or Spanish or Italian it's good to know the roots of your language.
WS: Wow. That's seriously impressive Nimue. Switching to pop culture, I just got an email asking what I thought of the Harry Potter movie Pt 6. I know you just saw it.
NS: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I grew up with the books from the first one so it is very interesting for me to see the way they developed the story throughout the years.
WS: The last movie frustrated me over the point at which they chose to split the book in two parts.
NS: But at least they didn't have to cut out sections of the book like they had to in the previous films. This way they can let the story develop and be really true to the full plot.
WS: You said you grew up with the Harry Potter books...How old are you now ?
NS: I'm 18. I started modeling when I was 15 in Holland and I did the Prada-Miu Miu exclusive for my first show season when I was 16. Then right after that I did the shoots for Burberry...British Vogue...Italian Vogue with Meisel.
WS: Your parents are both doctors, yes?
NS: Yes. And I have grandparents who were also doctors so growing up I was fascinated by the whole idea of going into medicine.
WS: You're not tempted to break the tradition for fashion?
NS: At one point I might go to medical school. I'm not sure yet. I just finished high school this June so this is my first time modeling full time. I'm enjoying the modeling right now and as long as I enjoy it I want to keep pursuing it. I just moved to New York on my own and I'm enjoying discovering the city. It's so different from a place like Amsterdam or Paris. Paris is so organic as a city . You can see where it started on the Seine and just spread and spread. But in New York it feels so planned out. There's nothing old here. It is hard to believe that hundreds of years ago Manhattan was like one big forest when the Dutch first came here to trade. They could take boats right up the Hudson river. But you'd never believe any of that now looking at Manhattan. I was born in Amsterdam and grew up just outside of the city, sort of between the suburbs and the countryside.It' s the green heart as they call it...sort of where the houses give way to the forest.
WS: In your country, would you like to be extremely famous as a model...on the level of...the biggest Dutch girl now?
NS: That would be Doutzen. I'd say she's the most known of all the Dutch models. She's a celebrity everywhere she goes because her L"Oreal ads are everywhere but I'm not sure that I'd want that for myself. Modeling was never really seen as a big deal in Holland before, not until Holland's Next Top Model became popular. That changed it a bit...but no I wouldn't want to be known everywhere I go in Holland. I have friends who tell me that Doutzen copes with it well though . She's always polite. If she's having dinner and someone wants an autograph, she's always obliging. I have to say I enjoy going back home to Holland to visit after working. I would love to live for a little while in a houseboat in Amsterdam . That would be so quaint.
WS: How would you summarize your personal style Nimue?
NS: Well I love wearing a great sweater, probably a baggy one or maybe a jacket with very fitted pants and great shoes. I find that I'm always looking for classics and basics, That's basically the essence of my style. For that I love Alexander Wang of course.
WS: As all the models do.
NS: As all models do (laughs) Rodarte is just so beautiful to look at. I would love to have something of theirs'. I love all the luxury French brands. I love my Celine bag. It' s perfect to fit everything I need into it.
WS: You got it as a post show gift?
NS: Yes. It was the most amazing surprise.
WS: Great marketing move on Celine's part !
NS: Oh yes. I think it's great when designers offer trade for doing the shows and they offer you a quality piece because when the models really like something... a bag, a shoe...a dress...a coat...we will wear it constantly from city to city. It's a great form of advertising I think.
WS: I love the concept of the off-duty model . She sometimes makes you notice the bag or shoe even more than when it' s in an ad.
NS: I love the classics. Chanel. Yves Saint Laurent. Givenchy. Vuitton...you know the quality is always going to be fantastic. My style is try to mix all these things together with my basics to create something timeless.
WS: You're not very heavily into accessories like jewelry it seems.
NS: Not a lot and not unless it really means something to me. I wear a ring that I got from my grandparents. This watch was from my grandmother who passed away. So I like that the few pieces of jewelry I have are very special to me.
WS: And what's your current listening Nimue? Models always have the best musical tastes.
NS: I just saw Le Roux in concert. She's really good live. I also like a lot of the old music like George Harrison and Bob Dylan...The Beatles.
WS: Who are freshly out at iTunes!
NS: Yes I'm so excited!
WS: Thank you so much for our conversation Nimue. It was very nice to meet the girl behind the beautiful images.
NS: Thank you for thinking of me for this Wayne.
Nimue Smit was that instant sensation two years ago when she debuted in fashion as a Prada/Miu-Miu runway exclusive. Her wide eyed child brand of beauty certainly put her in the advance wave of the gorgeous new Dutch models like Patrica can der Vliet and Mirte Maas who were beginning to flood the runways and the editorials. But what set Nimue apart and certainly what ushered her straight from the runway to the Prada SS09 campaign as well as the Alberta Ferretti (FW09) and Armani Collection (SS10) campaigns was an extra polish of sophisticated grace. Extremely well educated, articulate and witty (with a talent for mimicking a wide variety of accents in a wide range of languages) Nimue is a distinct sign of fashion's current need to highlight girls who bring an intelligent understanding and a wider cultural value to the act of modeling. Fashion has always been about the fantasy of high style as a life style. Beyond just beauty and a sleek slim body (all of which Nimue boasts) the myth of fashion is also about the ideal of perfect diction, perfect manners and cultivating a polished exterior that reflects the elusive ambiance of chic. It is exactly that aura that this 18 year old Dutch beauty exudes in person . Freshly re-located to New York Nimue sat down with Spur of the eve of the American Thanksgiving holidays and gave us a great insight to her upbringing, her ambitions in life and her passions outside of modeling. This was what she had to share. - Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling: Why is it that Dutch girls speak such flawless English Nimue?
Nimue Smit: Maybe because they start us in school at a very young age. It's funny you think the english of Dutch girls is so good though. I can always pick up on a Dutch accent speaking English. There's always something a little off. In fact there was a book out that collected all the phrases with the slight mistakes the Dutch make with English.
WS: How many languages do you speak?
NS: I speak Dutch...English ...I understand some French but I wouldn't say I speak it well. The same for German. But those basic four languages. In school they taught us to read ancient Greek as well as some Latin. I think if you're going learn the Romance languages like French, German English or Spanish or Italian it's good to know the roots of your language.
WS: Wow. That's seriously impressive Nimue. Switching to pop culture, I just got an email asking what I thought of the Harry Potter movie Pt 6. I know you just saw it.
NS: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I grew up with the books from the first one so it is very interesting for me to see the way they developed the story throughout the years.
WS: The last movie frustrated me over the point at which they chose to split the book in two parts.
NS: But at least they didn't have to cut out sections of the book like they had to in the previous films. This way they can let the story develop and be really true to the full plot.
WS: You said you grew up with the Harry Potter books...How old are you now ?
NS: I'm 18. I started modeling when I was 15 in Holland and I did the Prada-Miu Miu exclusive for my first show season when I was 16. Then right after that I did the shoots for Burberry...British Vogue...Italian Vogue with Meisel.
WS: Your parents are both doctors, yes?
NS: Yes. And I have grandparents who were also doctors so growing up I was fascinated by the whole idea of going into medicine.
WS: You're not tempted to break the tradition for fashion?
NS: At one point I might go to medical school. I'm not sure yet. I just finished high school this June so this is my first time modeling full time. I'm enjoying the modeling right now and as long as I enjoy it I want to keep pursuing it. I just moved to New York on my own and I'm enjoying discovering the city. It's so different from a place like Amsterdam or Paris. Paris is so organic as a city . You can see where it started on the Seine and just spread and spread. But in New York it feels so planned out. There's nothing old here. It is hard to believe that hundreds of years ago Manhattan was like one big forest when the Dutch first came here to trade. They could take boats right up the Hudson river. But you'd never believe any of that now looking at Manhattan. I was born in Amsterdam and grew up just outside of the city, sort of between the suburbs and the countryside.It' s the green heart as they call it...sort of where the houses give way to the forest.
WS: In your country, would you like to be extremely famous as a model...on the level of...the biggest Dutch girl now?
NS: That would be Doutzen. I'd say she's the most known of all the Dutch models. She's a celebrity everywhere she goes because her L"Oreal ads are everywhere but I'm not sure that I'd want that for myself. Modeling was never really seen as a big deal in Holland before, not until Holland's Next Top Model became popular. That changed it a bit...but no I wouldn't want to be known everywhere I go in Holland. I have friends who tell me that Doutzen copes with it well though . She's always polite. If she's having dinner and someone wants an autograph, she's always obliging. I have to say I enjoy going back home to Holland to visit after working. I would love to live for a little while in a houseboat in Amsterdam . That would be so quaint.
WS: How would you summarize your personal style Nimue?
NS: Well I love wearing a great sweater, probably a baggy one or maybe a jacket with very fitted pants and great shoes. I find that I'm always looking for classics and basics, That's basically the essence of my style. For that I love Alexander Wang of course.
WS: As all the models do.
NS: As all models do (laughs) Rodarte is just so beautiful to look at. I would love to have something of theirs'. I love all the luxury French brands. I love my Celine bag. It' s perfect to fit everything I need into it.
WS: You got it as a post show gift?
NS: Yes. It was the most amazing surprise.
WS: Great marketing move on Celine's part !
NS: Oh yes. I think it's great when designers offer trade for doing the shows and they offer you a quality piece because when the models really like something... a bag, a shoe...a dress...a coat...we will wear it constantly from city to city. It's a great form of advertising I think.
WS: I love the concept of the off-duty model . She sometimes makes you notice the bag or shoe even more than when it' s in an ad.
NS: I love the classics. Chanel. Yves Saint Laurent. Givenchy. Vuitton...you know the quality is always going to be fantastic. My style is try to mix all these things together with my basics to create something timeless.
WS: You're not very heavily into accessories like jewelry it seems.
NS: Not a lot and not unless it really means something to me. I wear a ring that I got from my grandparents. This watch was from my grandmother who passed away. So I like that the few pieces of jewelry I have are very special to me.
WS: And what's your current listening Nimue? Models always have the best musical tastes.
NS: I just saw Le Roux in concert. She's really good live. I also like a lot of the old music like George Harrison and Bob Dylan...The Beatles.
WS: Who are freshly out at iTunes!
NS: Yes I'm so excited!
WS: Thank you so much for our conversation Nimue. It was very nice to meet the girl behind the beautiful images.
NS: Thank you for thinking of me for this Wayne.
Spur Magazine February 2011 Interview: Nimue Smit and Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Nimue Smit for Spur Magazine on November 24, 2010.
Nimue Smit was that instant sensation two years ago when she debuted in fashion as a Prada/Miu-Miu runway exclusive. Her wide eyed child brand of beauty certainly put her in the advance wave of the gorgeous new Dutch models like Patrica can der Vliet and Mirte Maas who were beginning to flood the runways and the editorials. But what set Nimue apart and certainly what ushered her straight from the runway to the Prada SS09 campaign as well as the Alberta Ferretti (FW09) and Armani Collection (SS10) campaigns was an extra polish of sophisticated grace. Extremely well educated, articulate and witty (with a talent for mimicking a wide variety of accents in a wide range of languages) Nimue is a distinct sign of fashion's current need to highlight girls who bring an intelligent understanding and a wider cultural value to the act of modeling. Fashion has always been about the fantasy of high style as a life style. Beyond just beauty and a sleek slim body (all of which Nimue boasts) the myth of fashion is also about the ideal of perfect diction, perfect manners and cultivating a polished exterior that reflects the elusive ambiance of chic. It is exactly that aura that this 18 year old Dutch beauty exudes in person . Freshly re-located to New York Nimue sat down with Spur of the eve of the American Thanksgiving holidays and gave us a great insight to her upbringing, her ambitions in life and her passions outside of modeling. This was what she had to share. - Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling: Why is it that Dutch girls speak such flawless English Nimue?
Nimue Smit: Maybe because they start us in school at a very young age. It's funny you think the english of Dutch girls is so good though. I can always pick up on a Dutch accent speaking English. There's always something a little off. In fact there was a book out that collected all the phrases with the slight mistakes the Dutch make with English.
WS: How many languages do you speak?
NS: I speak Dutch...English ...I understand some French but I wouldn't say I speak it well. The same for German. But those basic four languages. In school they taught us to read ancient Greek as well as some Latin. I think if you're going learn the Romance languages like French, German English or Spanish or Italian it's good to know the roots of your language.
WS: Wow. That's seriously impressive Nimue. Switching to pop culture, I just got an email asking what I thought of the Harry Potter movie Pt 6. I know you just saw it.
NS: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I grew up with the books from the first one so it is very interesting for me to see the way they developed the story throughout the years.
WS: The last movie frustrated me over the point at which they chose to split the book in two parts.
NS: But at least they didn't have to cut out sections of the book like they had to in the previous films. This way they can let the story develop and be really true to the full plot.
WS: You said you grew up with the Harry Potter books...How old are you now ?
NS: I'm 18. I started modeling when I was 15 in Holland and I did the Prada-Miu Miu exclusive for my first show season when I was 16. Then right after that I did the shoots for Burberry...British Vogue...Italian Vogue with Meisel.
WS: Your parents are both doctors, yes?
NS: Yes. And I have grandparents who were also doctors so growing up I was fascinated by the whole idea of going into medicine.
WS: You're not tempted to break the tradition for fashion?
NS: At one point I might go to medical school. I'm not sure yet. I just finished high school this June so this is my first time modeling full time. I'm enjoying the modeling right now and as long as I enjoy it I want to keep pursuing it. I just moved to New York on my own and I'm enjoying discovering the city. It's so different from a place like Amsterdam or Paris. Paris is so organic as a city . You can see where it started on the Seine and just spread and spread. But in New York it feels so planned out. There's nothing old here. It is hard to believe that hundreds of years ago Manhattan was like one big forest when the Dutch first came here to trade. They could take boats right up the Hudson river. But you'd never believe any of that now looking at Manhattan. I was born in Amsterdam and grew up just outside of the city, sort of between the suburbs and the countryside.It' s the green heart as they call it...sort of where the houses give way to the forest.
WS: In your country, would you like to be extremely famous as a model...on the level of...the biggest Dutch girl now?
NS: That would be Doutzen. I'd say she's the most known of all the Dutch models. She's a celebrity everywhere she goes because her L"Oreal ads are everywhere but I'm not sure that I'd want that for myself. Modeling was never really seen as a big deal in Holland before, not until Holland's Next Top Model became popular. That changed it a bit...but no I wouldn't want to be known everywhere I go in Holland. I have friends who tell me that Doutzen copes with it well though . She's always polite. If she's having dinner and someone wants an autograph, she's always obliging. I have to say I enjoy going back home to Holland to visit after working. I would love to live for a little while in a houseboat in Amsterdam . That would be so quaint.
WS: How would you summarize your personal style Nimue?
NS: Well I love wearing a great sweater, probably a baggy one or maybe a jacket with very fitted pants and great shoes. I find that I'm always looking for classics and basics, That's basically the essence of my style. For that I love Alexander Wang of course.
WS: As all the models do.
NS: As all models do (laughs) Rodarte is just so beautiful to look at. I would love to have something of theirs'. I love all the luxury French brands. I love my Celine bag. It' s perfect to fit everything I need into it.
WS: You got it as a post show gift?
NS: Yes. It was the most amazing surprise.
WS: Great marketing move on Celine's part !
NS: Oh yes. I think it's great when designers offer trade for doing the shows and they offer you a quality piece because when the models really like something... a bag, a shoe...a dress...a coat...we will wear it constantly from city to city. It's a great form of advertising I think.
WS: I love the concept of the off-duty model . She sometimes makes you notice the bag or shoe even more than when it' s in an ad.
NS: I love the classics. Chanel. Yves Saint Laurent. Givenchy. Vuitton...you know the quality is always going to be fantastic. My style is try to mix all these things together with my basics to create something timeless.
WS: You're not very heavily into accessories like jewelry it seems.
NS: Not a lot and not unless it really means something to me. I wear a ring that I got from my grandparents. This watch was from my grandmother who passed away. So I like that the few pieces of jewelry I have are very special to me.
WS: And what's your current listening Nimue? Models always have the best musical tastes.
NS: I just saw Le Roux in concert. She's really good live. I also like a lot of the old music like George Harrison and Bob Dylan...The Beatles.
WS: Who are freshly out at iTunes!
NS: Yes I'm so excited!
WS: Thank you so much for our conversation Nimue. It was very nice to meet the girl behind the beautiful images.
NS: Thank you for thinking of me for this Wayne.
Nimue Smit was that instant sensation two years ago when she debuted in fashion as a Prada/Miu-Miu runway exclusive. Her wide eyed child brand of beauty certainly put her in the advance wave of the gorgeous new Dutch models like Patrica can der Vliet and Mirte Maas who were beginning to flood the runways and the editorials. But what set Nimue apart and certainly what ushered her straight from the runway to the Prada SS09 campaign as well as the Alberta Ferretti (FW09) and Armani Collection (SS10) campaigns was an extra polish of sophisticated grace. Extremely well educated, articulate and witty (with a talent for mimicking a wide variety of accents in a wide range of languages) Nimue is a distinct sign of fashion's current need to highlight girls who bring an intelligent understanding and a wider cultural value to the act of modeling. Fashion has always been about the fantasy of high style as a life style. Beyond just beauty and a sleek slim body (all of which Nimue boasts) the myth of fashion is also about the ideal of perfect diction, perfect manners and cultivating a polished exterior that reflects the elusive ambiance of chic. It is exactly that aura that this 18 year old Dutch beauty exudes in person . Freshly re-located to New York Nimue sat down with Spur of the eve of the American Thanksgiving holidays and gave us a great insight to her upbringing, her ambitions in life and her passions outside of modeling. This was what she had to share. - Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling: Why is it that Dutch girls speak such flawless English Nimue?
Nimue Smit: Maybe because they start us in school at a very young age. It's funny you think the english of Dutch girls is so good though. I can always pick up on a Dutch accent speaking English. There's always something a little off. In fact there was a book out that collected all the phrases with the slight mistakes the Dutch make with English.
WS: How many languages do you speak?
NS: I speak Dutch...English ...I understand some French but I wouldn't say I speak it well. The same for German. But those basic four languages. In school they taught us to read ancient Greek as well as some Latin. I think if you're going learn the Romance languages like French, German English or Spanish or Italian it's good to know the roots of your language.
WS: Wow. That's seriously impressive Nimue. Switching to pop culture, I just got an email asking what I thought of the Harry Potter movie Pt 6. I know you just saw it.
NS: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I grew up with the books from the first one so it is very interesting for me to see the way they developed the story throughout the years.
WS: The last movie frustrated me over the point at which they chose to split the book in two parts.
NS: But at least they didn't have to cut out sections of the book like they had to in the previous films. This way they can let the story develop and be really true to the full plot.
WS: You said you grew up with the Harry Potter books...How old are you now ?
NS: I'm 18. I started modeling when I was 15 in Holland and I did the Prada-Miu Miu exclusive for my first show season when I was 16. Then right after that I did the shoots for Burberry...British Vogue...Italian Vogue with Meisel.
WS: Your parents are both doctors, yes?
NS: Yes. And I have grandparents who were also doctors so growing up I was fascinated by the whole idea of going into medicine.
WS: You're not tempted to break the tradition for fashion?
NS: At one point I might go to medical school. I'm not sure yet. I just finished high school this June so this is my first time modeling full time. I'm enjoying the modeling right now and as long as I enjoy it I want to keep pursuing it. I just moved to New York on my own and I'm enjoying discovering the city. It's so different from a place like Amsterdam or Paris. Paris is so organic as a city . You can see where it started on the Seine and just spread and spread. But in New York it feels so planned out. There's nothing old here. It is hard to believe that hundreds of years ago Manhattan was like one big forest when the Dutch first came here to trade. They could take boats right up the Hudson river. But you'd never believe any of that now looking at Manhattan. I was born in Amsterdam and grew up just outside of the city, sort of between the suburbs and the countryside.It' s the green heart as they call it...sort of where the houses give way to the forest.
WS: In your country, would you like to be extremely famous as a model...on the level of...the biggest Dutch girl now?
NS: That would be Doutzen. I'd say she's the most known of all the Dutch models. She's a celebrity everywhere she goes because her L"Oreal ads are everywhere but I'm not sure that I'd want that for myself. Modeling was never really seen as a big deal in Holland before, not until Holland's Next Top Model became popular. That changed it a bit...but no I wouldn't want to be known everywhere I go in Holland. I have friends who tell me that Doutzen copes with it well though . She's always polite. If she's having dinner and someone wants an autograph, she's always obliging. I have to say I enjoy going back home to Holland to visit after working. I would love to live for a little while in a houseboat in Amsterdam . That would be so quaint.
WS: How would you summarize your personal style Nimue?
NS: Well I love wearing a great sweater, probably a baggy one or maybe a jacket with very fitted pants and great shoes. I find that I'm always looking for classics and basics, That's basically the essence of my style. For that I love Alexander Wang of course.
WS: As all the models do.
NS: As all models do (laughs) Rodarte is just so beautiful to look at. I would love to have something of theirs'. I love all the luxury French brands. I love my Celine bag. It' s perfect to fit everything I need into it.
WS: You got it as a post show gift?
NS: Yes. It was the most amazing surprise.
WS: Great marketing move on Celine's part !
NS: Oh yes. I think it's great when designers offer trade for doing the shows and they offer you a quality piece because when the models really like something... a bag, a shoe...a dress...a coat...we will wear it constantly from city to city. It's a great form of advertising I think.
WS: I love the concept of the off-duty model . She sometimes makes you notice the bag or shoe even more than when it' s in an ad.
NS: I love the classics. Chanel. Yves Saint Laurent. Givenchy. Vuitton...you know the quality is always going to be fantastic. My style is try to mix all these things together with my basics to create something timeless.
WS: You're not very heavily into accessories like jewelry it seems.
NS: Not a lot and not unless it really means something to me. I wear a ring that I got from my grandparents. This watch was from my grandmother who passed away. So I like that the few pieces of jewelry I have are very special to me.
WS: And what's your current listening Nimue? Models always have the best musical tastes.
NS: I just saw Le Roux in concert. She's really good live. I also like a lot of the old music like George Harrison and Bob Dylan...The Beatles.
WS: Who are freshly out at iTunes!
NS: Yes I'm so excited!
WS: Thank you so much for our conversation Nimue. It was very nice to meet the girl behind the beautiful images.
NS: Thank you for thinking of me for this Wayne.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Models.com Top 10 Newcomer: Britt Maren
As seen on models.com:
Britt Maren Photographed exclusively for models.com by Hugh Lippe
Well what a surprise! New York Fashion week actually emitted a clear, bonafide, distinct first season girl who now has every power editor, stylist and designer standing at attention. The girl in question? Women’s new face Britt who in the tradition forged by agency mate Mirte, proved that Girl 1 at Alexander Wang, especially when you are an unknown , can certainly trigger a lot of traction. That traction proved itself when Britt walked Marc Collection the following Monday and then Rodarte, Michael Kors and Donna Karan during the ensuing week. That triggered a massive wave wave of requests for the London, Milan and Paris shows. Rest assured that this girl is going to benefit from the kind of flawless management that put her on the map in the first place. It seems in the model-marketing sweepstakes, ” Made In New York” still carries major weight.
-Wayne Sterling
Britt Maren Photographed exclusively for models.com by Hugh Lippe
Well what a surprise! New York Fashion week actually emitted a clear, bonafide, distinct first season girl who now has every power editor, stylist and designer standing at attention. The girl in question? Women’s new face Britt who in the tradition forged by agency mate Mirte, proved that Girl 1 at Alexander Wang, especially when you are an unknown , can certainly trigger a lot of traction. That traction proved itself when Britt walked Marc Collection the following Monday and then Rodarte, Michael Kors and Donna Karan during the ensuing week. That triggered a massive wave wave of requests for the London, Milan and Paris shows. Rest assured that this girl is going to benefit from the kind of flawless management that put her on the map in the first place. It seems in the model-marketing sweepstakes, ” Made In New York” still carries major weight.
-Wayne Sterling
Models.com Top 10 Newcomer: Britt Maren
As seen on models.com:
Britt Maren Photographed exclusively for models.com by Hugh Lippe
Well what a surprise! New York Fashion week actually emitted a clear, bonafide, distinct first season girl who now has every power editor, stylist and designer standing at attention. The girl in question? Women’s new face Britt who in the tradition forged by agency mate Mirte, proved that Girl 1 at Alexander Wang, especially when you are an unknown , can certainly trigger a lot of traction. That traction proved itself when Britt walked Marc Collection the following Monday and then Rodarte, Michael Kors and Donna Karan during the ensuing week. That triggered a massive wave wave of requests for the London, Milan and Paris shows. Rest assured that this girl is going to benefit from the kind of flawless management that put her on the map in the first place. It seems in the model-marketing sweepstakes, ” Made In New York” still carries major weight.
-Wayne Sterling
Britt Maren Photographed exclusively for models.com by Hugh Lippe
Well what a surprise! New York Fashion week actually emitted a clear, bonafide, distinct first season girl who now has every power editor, stylist and designer standing at attention. The girl in question? Women’s new face Britt who in the tradition forged by agency mate Mirte, proved that Girl 1 at Alexander Wang, especially when you are an unknown , can certainly trigger a lot of traction. That traction proved itself when Britt walked Marc Collection the following Monday and then Rodarte, Michael Kors and Donna Karan during the ensuing week. That triggered a massive wave wave of requests for the London, Milan and Paris shows. Rest assured that this girl is going to benefit from the kind of flawless management that put her on the map in the first place. It seems in the model-marketing sweepstakes, ” Made In New York” still carries major weight.
-Wayne Sterling
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Women New York City Spring/Summer 2011 Show Package on models.com
Women Spring/Summer 2011 Show Package
Art Direction: Jason Duzansky
Print Production: Ryan Nelson
From Models.com, written by Wayne Sterling:
What do you do when your show packages have become so influential, the competition starts to copy you? You remind said competition that they have not convened a board comparable to the beautifully managed models of Women Management . Then you switch up the formatting of your presentation with the kind of high taste that puts amateurs to shame. The concept of the Women show package as part of an on-going series of collector’s items, is still very much in play. Jason Duzansky’s art direction this season moves the box into seriously sophisticated territory by offering the object in a beautiful fetish pink suede. The twisted femininity of that is a very witty fashion in-joke, as the kind of knowing woman who would source such an object, shows up in the suite of cards (again echoing that off shade of pink sashed with the signature olive green that has become a Women trademark) . And just when you got used to a four panel show card, Women SS11 one-ups the structural challenge by offering a six panel card. As a result marquee Women names like Natasha, Iris, Maria Carla, Jamie, Isabeli and Iselin are presented in a perfectly selected series of images that makes an extravaganza of the girl’s editorial profile. To view Jourdan Dunn’s card is to be dazzled by a retinue of stunning images that reminds us this girls is basically inimitable. That is the function of a great show package, to amplify the value of the model in question and Women has clearly become a master of this feat. The other audacious feat is the great care with which this agency introduces its new faces. They number six for SS11 and girls like Kristina , Alejandra and Anabelle are already looking like a part of that formidable tradition at Women where the girls are women, upscale, burnished and polished. For mastery of production values , for its modernization of all that Old School glamour and most of all for the consistency of line of its imagery this Women show package does more than continues a tradition. It makes the best statement about taste and quality of any show package so far this season. Louie Chaban in his understated way has just issued a declaration about the power of innovation tempered by elegance that is going keep these models ultra-coveted.
Women New York City Spring/Summer 2011 Show Package on models.com
Women Spring/Summer 2011 Show Package
Art Direction: Jason Duzansky
Print Production: Ryan Nelson
From Models.com, written by Wayne Sterling:
What do you do when your show packages have become so influential, the competition starts to copy you? You remind said competition that they have not convened a board comparable to the beautifully managed models of Women Management . Then you switch up the formatting of your presentation with the kind of high taste that puts amateurs to shame. The concept of the Women show package as part of an on-going series of collector’s items, is still very much in play. Jason Duzansky’s art direction this season moves the box into seriously sophisticated territory by offering the object in a beautiful fetish pink suede. The twisted femininity of that is a very witty fashion in-joke, as the kind of knowing woman who would source such an object, shows up in the suite of cards (again echoing that off shade of pink sashed with the signature olive green that has become a Women trademark) . And just when you got used to a four panel show card, Women SS11 one-ups the structural challenge by offering a six panel card. As a result marquee Women names like Natasha, Iris, Maria Carla, Jamie, Isabeli and Iselin are presented in a perfectly selected series of images that makes an extravaganza of the girl’s editorial profile. To view Jourdan Dunn’s card is to be dazzled by a retinue of stunning images that reminds us this girls is basically inimitable. That is the function of a great show package, to amplify the value of the model in question and Women has clearly become a master of this feat. The other audacious feat is the great care with which this agency introduces its new faces. They number six for SS11 and girls like Kristina , Alejandra and Anabelle are already looking like a part of that formidable tradition at Women where the girls are women, upscale, burnished and polished. For mastery of production values , for its modernization of all that Old School glamour and most of all for the consistency of line of its imagery this Women show package does more than continues a tradition. It makes the best statement about taste and quality of any show package so far this season. Louie Chaban in his understated way has just issued a declaration about the power of innovation tempered by elegance that is going keep these models ultra-coveted.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Spur Magazine July 2010 interview: Fei Fei Sun by Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Fei Fei Sun for Spur Magazine on April 26, 2010.
It started as a glimmer when Fei Fei a 20 year old fashion student from China came ambling down the Jil Sander FW 10 runway . Because of her presence and her poise in that engagement, instantly the queries started to pour in as to who this sensational new find ,might be. Casting directors found themselves cross-comparing notes, a rare occurrence in a modeling world marked by an overflow of too many new faces at the same time. By the time the dust settled in Paris, Fei Fei had marched down the catwalk for the likes of luxury brands like Celine, Miu Miu and Hermes signaling just how unique a beauty she was. The feedback from the fittings and the go-sees was that Fei Fei was a rare proposition offering a new look that was so distinct and editorial you could sense that her success was not a fad but rather the first steps in what could be a truly breakthrough career. Spur caught with this fascinating newcomer in her first week in New York. We found that all the advance buzz about Fei Fei's intelligence, grace, humor and humility were all totally true. What we found most touching was her determination to share her wonderful new experiences with her classmates back in her Shanghai University. That is the mark of a truly sensitive spirit, the feature that will render Fei Fei a very memorable model for a long time to come.
Wayne Sterling: Where in China are you from Fei Fei?
Fei Fei Sun: I'm from a small town near to Shanghai. I model in Shanghai though.
WS Your agent tells me you studied fashion at your University.
FF. Yes I was studying clothing design and there was a little bit of modeling to that.At Suzhou University they allow you to study just about anything. Taking photographs…modeling…clothing design…or singing…playing the piano…You could study anything at my school.
WS: What did you use as your reference for learning about international modeling world from China?
FF: As you know I have many friends and they are starting out as clothing designers. We talk among each other about the Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris so everyday we would check models.comand style.com and look at the pictures of the shows and the backstage. We also would buy the magazines like Vogue and Elle in China. We'd buy foreign books too like ID and Pop. My school in Shanghai is a very good university . When you finish your high school and are trying to get into the university…my university..the entry requirement is very high. You have to study hard to get into that university so my friends…everyone there is very bright (laughs)
WS:Does China has a main fashion city?
FF: In China Shanghai and Bejing is like New York vs Paris. Shanghai is the New York and Beijing is more like Paris. It is very different. I chose Shanghai because my university is near Shanghai and for modeling every day I have castings and jobs there. So I told my school I wanted to give international modeling a try so I could travel and see everywhere. This is my first time ever in New York and so was London, Milan , Paris so everything to me is new.
WS: How does New York strike you as a first time experience?
FF: My friends told me that New York was going to be a lot like Shanghai but I think New York is better. I love my agency. Everyone here is friendly to me. Once I had some rest I started just walking everywhere in New York. I went to Times Square because my friends told me if you come to New York, you must go to Times Square.
WS: Are there lots of young girls in China deeply into fashion?
FF: It is different than the way it is in Europe. Girls are in school and the teachers don't like young girls in China to wear in make-up. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But Monday to Friday you wear your school clothes.
WS: Do you think you're going to be famous in China?
FF: In China the Market Directors always come to the shows in Milan and Paris.. When the fashion editors see me in the shows they stop me after the show to say congratulations. It is my first time in Europe. I'm a new face there. My friends and the fashion editors are very supportive because sometimes it is hard to get into those shows when you are a Chinese girl. Maybe 1 or 2 shows would be good.
WS: But not so many top shows in your first season was amazing! Are there Chinese designers becoming big stars at home?
FF: Shanghai and Bejing both have Fashion Weeks. The time is March to May. Do you know Qiu Hao? . Foreign people call him Hao Qui. He started in London at St Martins . In China the Fashion Week is not like Paris or New York. The Fashion Week has many clothing designers showing and many Chinese models.
WS: It means it is a growing market.How was experiencing Europe for the first time?
FF: I liked it . During the day you had many to things to do and you had very little free time. I got to see many famous models. Many super girls and Top Models.
WS: And now you're one of them (laughs)
FF: It was very interesting the Fashion Week. When I first came to London, I thought…wow ..this is really different. I didn't know where to go…where to buy clothes…what area I was in. But the people in London were very friendly and when you were standing there and you don't know where to go , maybe some people would say "Do you need some help?" .The city of Paris is very beautiful. Fashion Week in Paris is very busy. Everyday it was fittings till very late , maybe until midnight. But my driver was so friendly and he would tell me what the name of the famous buildings were. He cared for me especially at lunch time and dinner time. After Fashion Week I went back to Shanghai and told my friends that the people were really kind and I didn't feel lonely.
WS: Were there any specific shows where you thought "Wow..these clothes are so beautiful"
FF: Every fashion show I go to is a new one for me. For me all the clothes were a surprise. I enjoyed all the designers. They were different. Different people had a different style. You could see their personality in the clothes they made.
WS: You said it so perfectly. Are you going back to university soon?
FF: Modeling is the first thing now but school will always be important too. In school you can learn a lot of different things. Your friends and you are all growing together. When I am finished modeling I will go back to school to study to be a clothing designer.
WS: What if the modeling is for a long time like 10 years?
FF: I hope I can do this for a long time. I love shooting and the shows and meeting different people. I'm trying my best to do it for a long time.
WS: The longer you work in New York and Europe the more famous you'll become in China.
FF: That would be fun but I was not modeling just to be famous. I was doing it just because I like it. I don't know how to say…I like modeling not because I want people to know me but because I enjoy it and it helps to learn so many new things.
WS: Well I adored speaking with you Fei Fei . I think you are so beautiful and you have the spirit to match it. Thank you for talking time out for Spur.
FF: Thank you it was very nice to meet you!
It started as a glimmer when Fei Fei a 20 year old fashion student from China came ambling down the Jil Sander FW 10 runway . Because of her presence and her poise in that engagement, instantly the queries started to pour in as to who this sensational new find ,might be. Casting directors found themselves cross-comparing notes, a rare occurrence in a modeling world marked by an overflow of too many new faces at the same time. By the time the dust settled in Paris, Fei Fei had marched down the catwalk for the likes of luxury brands like Celine, Miu Miu and Hermes signaling just how unique a beauty she was. The feedback from the fittings and the go-sees was that Fei Fei was a rare proposition offering a new look that was so distinct and editorial you could sense that her success was not a fad but rather the first steps in what could be a truly breakthrough career. Spur caught with this fascinating newcomer in her first week in New York. We found that all the advance buzz about Fei Fei's intelligence, grace, humor and humility were all totally true. What we found most touching was her determination to share her wonderful new experiences with her classmates back in her Shanghai University. That is the mark of a truly sensitive spirit, the feature that will render Fei Fei a very memorable model for a long time to come.
Wayne Sterling: Where in China are you from Fei Fei?
Fei Fei Sun: I'm from a small town near to Shanghai. I model in Shanghai though.
WS Your agent tells me you studied fashion at your University.
FF. Yes I was studying clothing design and there was a little bit of modeling to that.At Suzhou University they allow you to study just about anything. Taking photographs…modeling…clothing design…or singing…playing the piano…You could study anything at my school.
WS: What did you use as your reference for learning about international modeling world from China?
FF: As you know I have many friends and they are starting out as clothing designers. We talk among each other about the Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris so everyday we would check models.com
WS:Does China has a main fashion city?
FF: In China Shanghai and Bejing is like New York vs Paris. Shanghai is the New York and Beijing is more like Paris. It is very different. I chose Shanghai because my university is near Shanghai and for modeling every day I have castings and jobs there. So I told my school I wanted to give international modeling a try so I could travel and see everywhere. This is my first time ever in New York and so was London, Milan , Paris so everything to me is new.
WS: How does New York strike you as a first time experience?
FF: My friends told me that New York was going to be a lot like Shanghai but I think New York is better. I love my agency. Everyone here is friendly to me. Once I had some rest I started just walking everywhere in New York. I went to Times Square because my friends told me if you come to New York, you must go to Times Square.
WS: Are there lots of young girls in China deeply into fashion?
FF: It is different than the way it is in Europe. Girls are in school and the teachers don't like young girls in China to wear in make-up. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But Monday to Friday you wear your school clothes.
WS: Do you think you're going to be famous in China?
FF: In China the Market Directors always come to the shows in Milan and Paris.. When the fashion editors see me in the shows they stop me after the show to say congratulations. It is my first time in Europe. I'm a new face there. My friends and the fashion editors are very supportive because sometimes it is hard to get into those shows when you are a Chinese girl. Maybe 1 or 2 shows would be good.
WS: But not so many top shows in your first season was amazing! Are there Chinese designers becoming big stars at home?
FF: Shanghai and Bejing both have Fashion Weeks. The time is March to May. Do you know Qiu Hao? . Foreign people call him Hao Qui. He started in London at St Martins . In China the Fashion Week is not like Paris or New York. The Fashion Week has many clothing designers showing and many Chinese models.
WS: It means it is a growing market.How was experiencing Europe for the first time?
FF: I liked it . During the day you had many to things to do and you had very little free time. I got to see many famous models. Many super girls and Top Models.
WS: And now you're one of them (laughs)
FF: It was very interesting the Fashion Week. When I first came to London, I thought…wow ..this is really different. I didn't know where to go…where to buy clothes…what area I was in. But the people in London were very friendly and when you were standing there and you don't know where to go , maybe some people would say "Do you need some help?" .The city of Paris is very beautiful. Fashion Week in Paris is very busy. Everyday it was fittings till very late , maybe until midnight. But my driver was so friendly and he would tell me what the name of the famous buildings were. He cared for me especially at lunch time and dinner time. After Fashion Week I went back to Shanghai and told my friends that the people were really kind and I didn't feel lonely.
WS: Were there any specific shows where you thought "Wow..these clothes are so beautiful"
FF: Every fashion show I go to is a new one for me. For me all the clothes were a surprise. I enjoyed all the designers. They were different. Different people had a different style. You could see their personality in the clothes they made.
WS: You said it so perfectly. Are you going back to university soon?
FF: Modeling is the first thing now but school will always be important too. In school you can learn a lot of different things. Your friends and you are all growing together. When I am finished modeling I will go back to school to study to be a clothing designer.
WS: What if the modeling is for a long time like 10 years?
FF: I hope I can do this for a long time. I love shooting and the shows and meeting different people. I'm trying my best to do it for a long time.
WS: The longer you work in New York and Europe the more famous you'll become in China.
FF: That would be fun but I was not modeling just to be famous. I was doing it just because I like it. I don't know how to say…I like modeling not because I want people to know me but because I enjoy it and it helps to learn so many new things.
WS: Well I adored speaking with you Fei Fei . I think you are so beautiful and you have the spirit to match it. Thank you for talking time out for Spur.
FF: Thank you it was very nice to meet you!
Spur Magazine July 2010 interview: Fei Fei Sun by Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Fei Fei Sun for Spur Magazine on April 26, 2010.
It started as a glimmer when Fei Fei a 20 year old fashion student from China came ambling down the Jil Sander FW 10 runway . Because of her presence and her poise in that engagement, instantly the queries started to pour in as to who this sensational new find ,might be. Casting directors found themselves cross-comparing notes, a rare occurrence in a modeling world marked by an overflow of too many new faces at the same time. By the time the dust settled in Paris, Fei Fei had marched down the catwalk for the likes of luxury brands like Celine, Miu Miu and Hermes signaling just how unique a beauty she was. The feedback from the fittings and the go-sees was that Fei Fei was a rare proposition offering a new look that was so distinct and editorial you could sense that her success was not a fad but rather the first steps in what could be a truly breakthrough career. Spur caught with this fascinating newcomer in her first week in New York. We found that all the advance buzz about Fei Fei's intelligence, grace, humor and humility were all totally true. What we found most touching was her determination to share her wonderful new experiences with her classmates back in her Shanghai University. That is the mark of a truly sensitive spirit, the feature that will render Fei Fei a very memorable model for a long time to come.
Wayne Sterling: Where in China are you from Fei Fei?
Fei Fei Sun: I'm from a small town near to Shanghai. I model in Shanghai though.
WS Your agent tells me you studied fashion at your University.
FF. Yes I was studying clothing design and there was a little bit of modeling to that.At Suzhou University they allow you to study just about anything. Taking photographs…modeling…clothing design…or singing…playing the piano…You could study anything at my school.
WS: What did you use as your reference for learning about international modeling world from China?
FF: As you know I have many friends and they are starting out as clothing designers. We talk among each other about the Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris so everyday we would check models.comand style.com and look at the pictures of the shows and the backstage. We also would buy the magazines like Vogue and Elle in China. We'd buy foreign books too like ID and Pop. My school in Shanghai is a very good university . When you finish your high school and are trying to get into the university…my university..the entry requirement is very high. You have to study hard to get into that university so my friends…everyone there is very bright (laughs)
WS:Does China has a main fashion city?
FF: In China Shanghai and Bejing is like New York vs Paris. Shanghai is the New York and Beijing is more like Paris. It is very different. I chose Shanghai because my university is near Shanghai and for modeling every day I have castings and jobs there. So I told my school I wanted to give international modeling a try so I could travel and see everywhere. This is my first time ever in New York and so was London, Milan , Paris so everything to me is new.
WS: How does New York strike you as a first time experience?
FF: My friends told me that New York was going to be a lot like Shanghai but I think New York is better. I love my agency. Everyone here is friendly to me. Once I had some rest I started just walking everywhere in New York. I went to Times Square because my friends told me if you come to New York, you must go to Times Square.
WS: Are there lots of young girls in China deeply into fashion?
FF: It is different than the way it is in Europe. Girls are in school and the teachers don't like young girls in China to wear in make-up. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But Monday to Friday you wear your school clothes.
WS: Do you think you're going to be famous in China?
FF: In China the Market Directors always come to the shows in Milan and Paris.. When the fashion editors see me in the shows they stop me after the show to say congratulations. It is my first time in Europe. I'm a new face there. My friends and the fashion editors are very supportive because sometimes it is hard to get into those shows when you are a Chinese girl. Maybe 1 or 2 shows would be good.
WS: But not so many top shows in your first season was amazing! Are there Chinese designers becoming big stars at home?
FF: Shanghai and Bejing both have Fashion Weeks. The time is March to May. Do you know Qiu Hao? . Foreign people call him Hao Qui. He started in London at St Martins . In China the Fashion Week is not like Paris or New York. The Fashion Week has many clothing designers showing and many Chinese models.
WS: It means it is a growing market.How was experiencing Europe for the first time?
FF: I liked it . During the day you had many to things to do and you had very little free time. I got to see many famous models. Many super girls and Top Models.
WS: And now you're one of them (laughs)
FF: It was very interesting the Fashion Week. When I first came to London, I thought…wow ..this is really different. I didn't know where to go…where to buy clothes…what area I was in. But the people in London were very friendly and when you were standing there and you don't know where to go , maybe some people would say "Do you need some help?" .The city of Paris is very beautiful. Fashion Week in Paris is very busy. Everyday it was fittings till very late , maybe until midnight. But my driver was so friendly and he would tell me what the name of the famous buildings were. He cared for me especially at lunch time and dinner time. After Fashion Week I went back to Shanghai and told my friends that the people were really kind and I didn't feel lonely.
WS: Were there any specific shows where you thought "Wow..these clothes are so beautiful"
FF: Every fashion show I go to is a new one for me. For me all the clothes were a surprise. I enjoyed all the designers. They were different. Different people had a different style. You could see their personality in the clothes they made.
WS: You said it so perfectly. Are you going back to university soon?
FF: Modeling is the first thing now but school will always be important too. In school you can learn a lot of different things. Your friends and you are all growing together. When I am finished modeling I will go back to school to study to be a clothing designer.
WS: What if the modeling is for a long time like 10 years?
FF: I hope I can do this for a long time. I love shooting and the shows and meeting different people. I'm trying my best to do it for a long time.
WS: The longer you work in New York and Europe the more famous you'll become in China.
FF: That would be fun but I was not modeling just to be famous. I was doing it just because I like it. I don't know how to say…I like modeling not because I want people to know me but because I enjoy it and it helps to learn so many new things.
WS: Well I adored speaking with you Fei Fei . I think you are so beautiful and you have the spirit to match it. Thank you for talking time out for Spur.
FF: Thank you it was very nice to meet you!
It started as a glimmer when Fei Fei a 20 year old fashion student from China came ambling down the Jil Sander FW 10 runway . Because of her presence and her poise in that engagement, instantly the queries started to pour in as to who this sensational new find ,might be. Casting directors found themselves cross-comparing notes, a rare occurrence in a modeling world marked by an overflow of too many new faces at the same time. By the time the dust settled in Paris, Fei Fei had marched down the catwalk for the likes of luxury brands like Celine, Miu Miu and Hermes signaling just how unique a beauty she was. The feedback from the fittings and the go-sees was that Fei Fei was a rare proposition offering a new look that was so distinct and editorial you could sense that her success was not a fad but rather the first steps in what could be a truly breakthrough career. Spur caught with this fascinating newcomer in her first week in New York. We found that all the advance buzz about Fei Fei's intelligence, grace, humor and humility were all totally true. What we found most touching was her determination to share her wonderful new experiences with her classmates back in her Shanghai University. That is the mark of a truly sensitive spirit, the feature that will render Fei Fei a very memorable model for a long time to come.
Wayne Sterling: Where in China are you from Fei Fei?
Fei Fei Sun: I'm from a small town near to Shanghai. I model in Shanghai though.
WS Your agent tells me you studied fashion at your University.
FF. Yes I was studying clothing design and there was a little bit of modeling to that.At Suzhou University they allow you to study just about anything. Taking photographs…modeling…clothing design…or singing…playing the piano…You could study anything at my school.
WS: What did you use as your reference for learning about international modeling world from China?
FF: As you know I have many friends and they are starting out as clothing designers. We talk among each other about the Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris so everyday we would check models.com
WS:Does China has a main fashion city?
FF: In China Shanghai and Bejing is like New York vs Paris. Shanghai is the New York and Beijing is more like Paris. It is very different. I chose Shanghai because my university is near Shanghai and for modeling every day I have castings and jobs there. So I told my school I wanted to give international modeling a try so I could travel and see everywhere. This is my first time ever in New York and so was London, Milan , Paris so everything to me is new.
WS: How does New York strike you as a first time experience?
FF: My friends told me that New York was going to be a lot like Shanghai but I think New York is better. I love my agency. Everyone here is friendly to me. Once I had some rest I started just walking everywhere in New York. I went to Times Square because my friends told me if you come to New York, you must go to Times Square.
WS: Are there lots of young girls in China deeply into fashion?
FF: It is different than the way it is in Europe. Girls are in school and the teachers don't like young girls in China to wear in make-up. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But Monday to Friday you wear your school clothes.
WS: Do you think you're going to be famous in China?
FF: In China the Market Directors always come to the shows in Milan and Paris.. When the fashion editors see me in the shows they stop me after the show to say congratulations. It is my first time in Europe. I'm a new face there. My friends and the fashion editors are very supportive because sometimes it is hard to get into those shows when you are a Chinese girl. Maybe 1 or 2 shows would be good.
WS: But not so many top shows in your first season was amazing! Are there Chinese designers becoming big stars at home?
FF: Shanghai and Bejing both have Fashion Weeks. The time is March to May. Do you know Qiu Hao? . Foreign people call him Hao Qui. He started in London at St Martins . In China the Fashion Week is not like Paris or New York. The Fashion Week has many clothing designers showing and many Chinese models.
WS: It means it is a growing market.How was experiencing Europe for the first time?
FF: I liked it . During the day you had many to things to do and you had very little free time. I got to see many famous models. Many super girls and Top Models.
WS: And now you're one of them (laughs)
FF: It was very interesting the Fashion Week. When I first came to London, I thought…wow ..this is really different. I didn't know where to go…where to buy clothes…what area I was in. But the people in London were very friendly and when you were standing there and you don't know where to go , maybe some people would say "Do you need some help?" .The city of Paris is very beautiful. Fashion Week in Paris is very busy. Everyday it was fittings till very late , maybe until midnight. But my driver was so friendly and he would tell me what the name of the famous buildings were. He cared for me especially at lunch time and dinner time. After Fashion Week I went back to Shanghai and told my friends that the people were really kind and I didn't feel lonely.
WS: Were there any specific shows where you thought "Wow..these clothes are so beautiful"
FF: Every fashion show I go to is a new one for me. For me all the clothes were a surprise. I enjoyed all the designers. They were different. Different people had a different style. You could see their personality in the clothes they made.
WS: You said it so perfectly. Are you going back to university soon?
FF: Modeling is the first thing now but school will always be important too. In school you can learn a lot of different things. Your friends and you are all growing together. When I am finished modeling I will go back to school to study to be a clothing designer.
WS: What if the modeling is for a long time like 10 years?
FF: I hope I can do this for a long time. I love shooting and the shows and meeting different people. I'm trying my best to do it for a long time.
WS: The longer you work in New York and Europe the more famous you'll become in China.
FF: That would be fun but I was not modeling just to be famous. I was doing it just because I like it. I don't know how to say…I like modeling not because I want people to know me but because I enjoy it and it helps to learn so many new things.
WS: Well I adored speaking with you Fei Fei . I think you are so beautiful and you have the spirit to match it. Thank you for talking time out for Spur.
FF: Thank you it was very nice to meet you!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Spur Magazine Interview: Rianne ten Haken + Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling of The Imagist & Models.Com interviewed Rianne ten Haken for Spur Magazine at Women NYC on November 17,2009 :
Rianne Ten Haken, the 23 year old Dutch beauty currently igniting a major buzz in the fashion industry is the interesting case of a girl whose career started immediately from the top. In her very first season in September of 2003 Rianne opened the SS 2004 Marc Jacobs show on the recommendation of the show's power stylist Venecia Scott. Immediately there was a bidding war with Versace quickly nabbing the fresh faced newcomer to be the face of the label for Spring 2004. Italian Vogue and Numero covers followed quickly as well as assignments for Chanel. All seemed aligned to assure that the luscious beauty of Rianne was to follow the path of the traditional supermodel. But suddenly work slowed to a trickle even though her perfect proportions kept earning Rianne sporadic runway gigs like a cameo on the Vuitton Spring 2008 "Nurse" intro where she walked in the section of the show reserved for icons like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. It was interesting then when Miss Ten Haken re-entered the Steven Meisel orbit in 2009 with back to back covers of Vogue Italia (Oct and Nov) proving that this powerfully glamorous girl has serious staying power with some of the most demanding photographers and designers in the business. Already the leverage of those two covers have earned Rianne a massive Only Girl story in Self-Service magazine as well as an interesting conversation about the return of image of strong women in magazine editorials. In her first post-comeback interview, Rianne sat down with Spur to explain what she had been doing in her "off duty" years, her views on femininity and sexuality in fashion and her thoughts on the increasingly fast turn over on new models. This was her strong perspective.
WS: Two Italian Vogue covers later everybody 's buzzing about you Rianne. You took a little time off. Tell us what you were doing during that off duty phase
RTH:
I was still working. I was doing some commercial work. I was living in Europe having a nice life…finishing my school and you know just enjoying the moment …not anything major but just going on with my life
WS: What were you studying in school?
RTH: It was business school which was a little bit boring but I had to get it out of the way. I'm done with school. I graduated in July . I'm enjoying the moment right now of not doing anything. I'm finally having the time to read the books that I want to read. And not always having that weight on your shoulders of having to do assignments
WS: What made you decide to come back to NY and plunge back into the industry?
RTH: I was living in Paris for 3 years. it was beautiful city and a beautiful life but at certain point you had done everything you can in Europe and you're ready for a change again. Because I used to live here in New York so I was kind of missing New York so I decided to give it another shot. It is such an easy city to live and the energy and the people make you feel like everything is possible.
WS:As opposed to Paris…
RTH: Paris is a little bit more mellow . It is definitely a better quality of life in some ways but if you want to work and make the most of your career you definitely have to come back to New York.
WS: Upon coming back did you find things different or essentially the same
RTH: I think you grow up and you look at it in a different way. Whereas when you were younger you just don't really know what's going on you just run around and people tell you to go here and go there and you just do it. I guess now that I have more life experience ..you form your own personality.. so you look at it in different way and you're not the youngest one anymore. That is what has really changed. People are not any more like "Oh you're a baby!" But you appreciate it more. You realize how lucky you are. You know who people are . The first season I came here I was like…Marc who? You have no idea who people are ..you don't understand the politics of the game . Now is better
WS: Do you feel like things in fashion are moving faster?
RTH: Well definitely. If I only look model-wise, I think in the last 3 or 4 years so many models pass through it . After 1 or 2 seasons of fame you never hear from them again. Whereas when I started I felt like there were more girls who were around for a longer period of time. Today you're big for one or two or three seasons and also I find the look of the models to be very different. Before it was more of a classic beauty whereas today it is like the girls look alike. Longish hair, pale skin. They work together on the runway. If you look at the fashion shows there is not much individuality.
WS: Speaking of individuality…your hair...
RTH: I know..I'm standing out. You couldn't miss me. After the Italian Vogue cover came out I thought let me just wait and see what the response is. We can always go back to a different color.
WS: Off duty from modeling what's fun for you?
RTH: I' m very much a homebody. I have very really beautiful house in Holland so I like to do some work on it in Holland. I like to read. I like to be in nature. I grew up no farm so I like to be outside. I like going out to dinners and to the movies. Music wise I like tacky 80's music.
WS: What would you say your career goals right now are
RTH: My goal is just about sticking around as long as I can. It is hard now to set certain goals to tell yourself like… I want to be on the cover of Vogue Paris. It is not up to you no matter how beautiful you are or how great a personality you have. I just take it as it comes and I hope I can do some great work still.
WS: There's a big surge of girls from Holland right now...
RTH: There is! There's Mirte… Patricia…I don't know all of them because they're really young girls . I think there's always a trend going on. There was the Russians for a while…the same thing for the Brazilians. There was a time when the Belgian girls were really hot.
WS:What quality would you say best describes a cool Dutch girl?
RTH: I think that if you look at Holland as a country you find that life is good there so models from Holland tend to be more laid back and relaxed because they know they can always go back to a stable life. So girls take modeling as something to enjoy as opposed to coming from a really poor country. There's a tradition of putting things in perspective. In Holland no-one asks me if I'm a model or what labels I'm wearing.
WS: There's something to be said also for a woman looking like woman in fashion shoot. How do you feel about this?
RTH: I also think it is different from what I remember from the past. I think it is different from the past three years in that the girls are very child-like. If you really look a woman then fashion is not so interested. People are very afraid of sexuality in the fashion industry. French magazines like Self-Service don't mind a very beautiful woman. But I think some people feel like it takes the focus off the clothes. Which is why people like the girls who are more like anonymous clothes hangers as opposed to attracting attention in and of themselves.
WS: Could you see yourself as being a star in the supermodel mould?
RTH:I don't think you can choose to be that . If it happens it happens but it is difficult to be in that position because nobody tells you the truth anymore. People just want to be your friend at any cost. Being a public figure is very difficult because you live under a microscope. Everything you say or do is being judged a million different ways. I love being able to go back to Holland and having my two feet on the ground.
WS: Well thank you so much Rianne for sharing your interesting perspective on the industry.
RTH: Thank you so much Wayne!
Rianne Ten Haken, the 23 year old Dutch beauty currently igniting a major buzz in the fashion industry is the interesting case of a girl whose career started immediately from the top. In her very first season in September of 2003 Rianne opened the SS 2004 Marc Jacobs show on the recommendation of the show's power stylist Venecia Scott. Immediately there was a bidding war with Versace quickly nabbing the fresh faced newcomer to be the face of the label for Spring 2004. Italian Vogue and Numero covers followed quickly as well as assignments for Chanel. All seemed aligned to assure that the luscious beauty of Rianne was to follow the path of the traditional supermodel. But suddenly work slowed to a trickle even though her perfect proportions kept earning Rianne sporadic runway gigs like a cameo on the Vuitton Spring 2008 "Nurse" intro where she walked in the section of the show reserved for icons like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. It was interesting then when Miss Ten Haken re-entered the Steven Meisel orbit in 2009 with back to back covers of Vogue Italia (Oct and Nov) proving that this powerfully glamorous girl has serious staying power with some of the most demanding photographers and designers in the business. Already the leverage of those two covers have earned Rianne a massive Only Girl story in Self-Service magazine as well as an interesting conversation about the return of image of strong women in magazine editorials. In her first post-comeback interview, Rianne sat down with Spur to explain what she had been doing in her "off duty" years, her views on femininity and sexuality in fashion and her thoughts on the increasingly fast turn over on new models. This was her strong perspective.
WS: Two Italian Vogue covers later everybody 's buzzing about you Rianne. You took a little time off. Tell us what you were doing during that off duty phase
RTH:
I was still working. I was doing some commercial work. I was living in Europe having a nice life…finishing my school and you know just enjoying the moment …not anything major but just going on with my life
WS: What were you studying in school?
RTH: It was business school which was a little bit boring but I had to get it out of the way. I'm done with school. I graduated in July . I'm enjoying the moment right now of not doing anything. I'm finally having the time to read the books that I want to read. And not always having that weight on your shoulders of having to do assignments
WS: What made you decide to come back to NY and plunge back into the industry?
RTH: I was living in Paris for 3 years. it was beautiful city and a beautiful life but at certain point you had done everything you can in Europe and you're ready for a change again. Because I used to live here in New York so I was kind of missing New York so I decided to give it another shot. It is such an easy city to live and the energy and the people make you feel like everything is possible.
WS:As opposed to Paris…
RTH: Paris is a little bit more mellow . It is definitely a better quality of life in some ways but if you want to work and make the most of your career you definitely have to come back to New York.
WS: Upon coming back did you find things different or essentially the same
RTH: I think you grow up and you look at it in a different way. Whereas when you were younger you just don't really know what's going on you just run around and people tell you to go here and go there and you just do it. I guess now that I have more life experience ..you form your own personality.. so you look at it in different way and you're not the youngest one anymore. That is what has really changed. People are not any more like "Oh you're a baby!" But you appreciate it more. You realize how lucky you are. You know who people are . The first season I came here I was like…Marc who? You have no idea who people are ..you don't understand the politics of the game . Now is better
WS: Do you feel like things in fashion are moving faster?
RTH: Well definitely. If I only look model-wise, I think in the last 3 or 4 years so many models pass through it . After 1 or 2 seasons of fame you never hear from them again. Whereas when I started I felt like there were more girls who were around for a longer period of time. Today you're big for one or two or three seasons and also I find the look of the models to be very different. Before it was more of a classic beauty whereas today it is like the girls look alike. Longish hair, pale skin. They work together on the runway. If you look at the fashion shows there is not much individuality.
WS: Speaking of individuality…your hair...
RTH: I know..I'm standing out. You couldn't miss me. After the Italian Vogue cover came out I thought let me just wait and see what the response is. We can always go back to a different color.
WS: Off duty from modeling what's fun for you?
RTH: I' m very much a homebody. I have very really beautiful house in Holland so I like to do some work on it in Holland. I like to read. I like to be in nature. I grew up no farm so I like to be outside. I like going out to dinners and to the movies. Music wise I like tacky 80's music.
WS: What would you say your career goals right now are
RTH: My goal is just about sticking around as long as I can. It is hard now to set certain goals to tell yourself like… I want to be on the cover of Vogue Paris. It is not up to you no matter how beautiful you are or how great a personality you have. I just take it as it comes and I hope I can do some great work still.
WS: There's a big surge of girls from Holland right now...
RTH: There is! There's Mirte… Patricia…I don't know all of them because they're really young girls . I think there's always a trend going on. There was the Russians for a while…the same thing for the Brazilians. There was a time when the Belgian girls were really hot.
WS:What quality would you say best describes a cool Dutch girl?
RTH: I think that if you look at Holland as a country you find that life is good there so models from Holland tend to be more laid back and relaxed because they know they can always go back to a stable life. So girls take modeling as something to enjoy as opposed to coming from a really poor country. There's a tradition of putting things in perspective. In Holland no-one asks me if I'm a model or what labels I'm wearing.
WS: There's something to be said also for a woman looking like woman in fashion shoot. How do you feel about this?
RTH: I also think it is different from what I remember from the past. I think it is different from the past three years in that the girls are very child-like. If you really look a woman then fashion is not so interested. People are very afraid of sexuality in the fashion industry. French magazines like Self-Service don't mind a very beautiful woman. But I think some people feel like it takes the focus off the clothes. Which is why people like the girls who are more like anonymous clothes hangers as opposed to attracting attention in and of themselves.
WS: Could you see yourself as being a star in the supermodel mould?
RTH:I don't think you can choose to be that . If it happens it happens but it is difficult to be in that position because nobody tells you the truth anymore. People just want to be your friend at any cost. Being a public figure is very difficult because you live under a microscope. Everything you say or do is being judged a million different ways. I love being able to go back to Holland and having my two feet on the ground.
WS: Well thank you so much Rianne for sharing your interesting perspective on the industry.
RTH: Thank you so much Wayne!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Spur Magazine - Christina Kruse, interviewed by Wayne Sterling
Wayne Sterling, of Models.com & The Imagist interviewed Christina Kruse for Spur Magazine on January 31, 2009.
Christina Kruse rose with spectacular speed in the mid-90's through the pages of Harper's Bazaar and Italian Vogue to become one of the Hallmark models of her era. Which is why 12 years later it is wonderful to see this beautiful woman still front and center in blue chip brigades at the SS 09 Marc Jacobs show, the current CK One ads running in print and in television as well as her upcoming editorial in W Magazine as photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The team of Inez and Vinoodh will also highlight Christina in the next issue of Purple in their nude "Pin Up" series that has featured models such as Angela Lindvall and Lara Stone in the past.
Spur met with Christina one bright Saturday morning in New York and what was most striking about Christina, apart from her timeless beauty, was the air of calm and completion that emanated off her in waves. Christina was in the middle of preparing for a massive exhibition of her artwork at a very prestigious New York gallery, but hers was very serene beauty that morning , unhurried and unworried. She spoke with a slight English accent in a very soft voice but her ideas of life, modeling, motherhood and fashion were very certain. Here is what Christina had to say.
Wayne Sterling: Good morning Christina. We're very excited to hear about your upcoming photo exhibit.
Christina Kruse:Well actually it's a show that's going to bring together all the work I'm been doing for the past 12 0r 13 years. So its not jut the photographs. There's going to be drawings and collages and prints and watercolors and photograms as wells as the portraits.
WS:Photograms like Man Ray used to make?
CK:Excatly. There'll also be portraits of others but with a special meaning that makes it fit into the entire exhibition. Its going to be here in New York at the Steven Kasher gallery on 23rd Street.
WS: Brilliant. How did this all come together? I mean, Steven Kasher is one of the biggest photo-gallaries in NY
CK: I got a show in Germany last year and they chose to show some of the portraits which took them a little bit out of the context in which they were meant to be seen. But that show travelled to Paris which is how I think it caught the attention of Steven Kasher. But before that I had been represented by Katy Barker, maybe 10 years ago as a photographer, so I kind of had some contacts in the photography world that encouraged me to do this.
WS: Its almost as if you have two parallel lives then...Christina the visual artist and Christina the fashion model.
CK: I have to say that I feel very fortunate to have my agency Women, managing my career the way they do. They really limit what I do to a tiny, tiny, tiny group of jobs.
WS: Super-super selective in other words.
CK: Very much so. Sometimes I'll be like... I don't mind doing that certain job but Women will say no...not that...only this and this and this. It is wonderful for me that way. I wake up in the mornings, I take the subway to my studio in Brooklyn. I do my work every day and then I come back into the city by 4 to pick up my son and make him his dinner. And then sometimes there are modeling jobs in between but it is with people who really inspire me and make me feel very comfortable to be in their company.
WS: Did you go art school as a teenager?
CK: No, it's funny. everybody always asks me that but I went to a regular school. I mean we had art classes and went to museums on field trips and all that. But no...I wasn't really the art student type. I left school in Germany when I was 15, by myself, to go to school in America. I went to school in Arizona. The program we were studying was closer to like...zoology...dissecting insects and stitting in fields studying different birds and insects. So there I was with my umbrella because being so pale I would get sun-burned easily and I was like "What was I thinking"
WS: You must have felt like David Bowie in "The Man Who Fell To Earth"
CK: Oh, but I made friends. There were these twins who were kind of like "earth sisters". They wore Birkenstocks and I wore Birkenstocks . They didn't shave their legs and i didn't shave my legs so we kind of identified with each other.
WS: How did you fall into modeling then?
CK: I was in a mall and this scout came up to me and asked me if I wanted to model. I was too young then. But one summer on my vacation all of a sudden I found myself in Italy, because that's where you started then. Things were different then. back then you wouldn't work until you had lots of tests in your book so you would have to go to Milan and shoot tons of tests. For instance I remember meeting Georgina Grenville in Italy back then and she became one of my best friends. But I remember being really impressed that her mother had allowed her to come to live in Milan on her own at such a young age. but even the shows were different then. They were really choreographed and you had to remember all these steps and turns . then we got to New York and all of that went away.
WS: And when did you start making art as your daily practice?
CK That would have been in...96? Though it didn't become really serious until 97. So it has been 12 years working now. I remember I used to go back and forth between Paris and New York so much, the stewardesses on Air France would recognize me because I would always be working on these little cards that I would water-color. A 7 hour flight was so long and boring, it was how I'd occupy my time. So after a while they'd know when my water was starting to become a little too muddy and dirty and they would have fresh water ready for me without my having to ask. That was really nice.
WS: I get the feeling that creating art is a very intuitive and organic thing for you. It is within you.
CK: Oh yes. It is about this dialogue that you have within yourself that has to be private. I' m one of those people who does not really mind being alone.
WS: Is it a struggle balancing the art work with raising your son?
CK: Not at all. In fact I feel really lucky to have nice life where I have the freedom to create and spend lots of time with my son. Being around a child also makes you more open and aware in many ways. They remind you of all the things you've forced yourself to forget. Take for instance the way children can learn languages so fast. That is because they can hear the phonetics of language that our ears no longer pick up. A child can hear the subtleties in the pronunciation of Mandarin. So having my child actually helps me to be more open and aware and perceptive.
WS: I get this feeling from you that you're very much at peace with yourself and the world around you and that you're quite happy
CK: Yes. I feel very lucky. I mean there are things I want to do and things I still want to create but that's going to require getting this really big job or getting some backing. But I'm afraid of that thing of having to answer to other people about what I create. I like that freedom of living my life quietly and carefully. Today for instance is my birthday and I'm going to go into the studio today and then see a play and then have dinner and there's not much more than that that I need. So its a good life you know.
WS: Well Happy Birthday Christina and thank you so much for taking a Saturday morning out to talk to Spur.
CK: Thank You Wayne It was very nice talking with you. I really enjoyed this!
Christina Kruse rose with spectacular speed in the mid-90's through the pages of Harper's Bazaar and Italian Vogue to become one of the Hallmark models of her era. Which is why 12 years later it is wonderful to see this beautiful woman still front and center in blue chip brigades at the SS 09 Marc Jacobs show, the current CK One ads running in print and in television as well as her upcoming editorial in W Magazine as photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The team of Inez and Vinoodh will also highlight Christina in the next issue of Purple in their nude "Pin Up" series that has featured models such as Angela Lindvall and Lara Stone in the past.
Spur met with Christina one bright Saturday morning in New York and what was most striking about Christina, apart from her timeless beauty, was the air of calm and completion that emanated off her in waves. Christina was in the middle of preparing for a massive exhibition of her artwork at a very prestigious New York gallery, but hers was very serene beauty that morning , unhurried and unworried. She spoke with a slight English accent in a very soft voice but her ideas of life, modeling, motherhood and fashion were very certain. Here is what Christina had to say.
Wayne Sterling: Good morning Christina. We're very excited to hear about your upcoming photo exhibit.
Christina Kruse:Well actually it's a show that's going to bring together all the work I'm been doing for the past 12 0r 13 years. So its not jut the photographs. There's going to be drawings and collages and prints and watercolors and photograms as wells as the portraits.
WS:Photograms like Man Ray used to make?
CK:Excatly. There'll also be portraits of others but with a special meaning that makes it fit into the entire exhibition. Its going to be here in New York at the Steven Kasher gallery on 23rd Street.
WS: Brilliant. How did this all come together? I mean, Steven Kasher is one of the biggest photo-gallaries in NY
CK: I got a show in Germany last year and they chose to show some of the portraits which took them a little bit out of the context in which they were meant to be seen. But that show travelled to Paris which is how I think it caught the attention of Steven Kasher. But before that I had been represented by Katy Barker, maybe 10 years ago as a photographer, so I kind of had some contacts in the photography world that encouraged me to do this.
WS: Its almost as if you have two parallel lives then...Christina the visual artist and Christina the fashion model.
CK: I have to say that I feel very fortunate to have my agency Women, managing my career the way they do. They really limit what I do to a tiny, tiny, tiny group of jobs.
WS: Super-super selective in other words.
CK: Very much so. Sometimes I'll be like... I don't mind doing that certain job but Women will say no...not that...only this and this and this. It is wonderful for me that way. I wake up in the mornings, I take the subway to my studio in Brooklyn. I do my work every day and then I come back into the city by 4 to pick up my son and make him his dinner. And then sometimes there are modeling jobs in between but it is with people who really inspire me and make me feel very comfortable to be in their company.
WS: Did you go art school as a teenager?
CK: No, it's funny. everybody always asks me that but I went to a regular school. I mean we had art classes and went to museums on field trips and all that. But no...I wasn't really the art student type. I left school in Germany when I was 15, by myself, to go to school in America. I went to school in Arizona. The program we were studying was closer to like...zoology...dissecting insects and stitting in fields studying different birds and insects. So there I was with my umbrella because being so pale I would get sun-burned easily and I was like "What was I thinking"
WS: You must have felt like David Bowie in "The Man Who Fell To Earth"
CK: Oh, but I made friends. There were these twins who were kind of like "earth sisters". They wore Birkenstocks and I wore Birkenstocks . They didn't shave their legs and i didn't shave my legs so we kind of identified with each other.
WS: How did you fall into modeling then?
CK: I was in a mall and this scout came up to me and asked me if I wanted to model. I was too young then. But one summer on my vacation all of a sudden I found myself in Italy, because that's where you started then. Things were different then. back then you wouldn't work until you had lots of tests in your book so you would have to go to Milan and shoot tons of tests. For instance I remember meeting Georgina Grenville in Italy back then and she became one of my best friends. But I remember being really impressed that her mother had allowed her to come to live in Milan on her own at such a young age. but even the shows were different then. They were really choreographed and you had to remember all these steps and turns . then we got to New York and all of that went away.
WS: And when did you start making art as your daily practice?
CK That would have been in...96? Though it didn't become really serious until 97. So it has been 12 years working now. I remember I used to go back and forth between Paris and New York so much, the stewardesses on Air France would recognize me because I would always be working on these little cards that I would water-color. A 7 hour flight was so long and boring, it was how I'd occupy my time. So after a while they'd know when my water was starting to become a little too muddy and dirty and they would have fresh water ready for me without my having to ask. That was really nice.
WS: I get the feeling that creating art is a very intuitive and organic thing for you. It is within you.
CK: Oh yes. It is about this dialogue that you have within yourself that has to be private. I' m one of those people who does not really mind being alone.
WS: Is it a struggle balancing the art work with raising your son?
CK: Not at all. In fact I feel really lucky to have nice life where I have the freedom to create and spend lots of time with my son. Being around a child also makes you more open and aware in many ways. They remind you of all the things you've forced yourself to forget. Take for instance the way children can learn languages so fast. That is because they can hear the phonetics of language that our ears no longer pick up. A child can hear the subtleties in the pronunciation of Mandarin. So having my child actually helps me to be more open and aware and perceptive.
WS: I get this feeling from you that you're very much at peace with yourself and the world around you and that you're quite happy
CK: Yes. I feel very lucky. I mean there are things I want to do and things I still want to create but that's going to require getting this really big job or getting some backing. But I'm afraid of that thing of having to answer to other people about what I create. I like that freedom of living my life quietly and carefully. Today for instance is my birthday and I'm going to go into the studio today and then see a play and then have dinner and there's not much more than that that I need. So its a good life you know.
WS: Well Happy Birthday Christina and thank you so much for taking a Saturday morning out to talk to Spur.
CK: Thank You Wayne It was very nice talking with you. I really enjoyed this!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Suddenly Last Summer: How an obsession with Elizabeth Taylor helped make me the man I am today
Elizabeth Taylor is a real beauty. Even in black + white you can tell she has violet eyes.
Anyone who cares about beauty owes it to themselves to see Suddenly Last Summer.
Wayne took my advice, saw Suddenly Last Summer and fell under Elizabeth Taylor's spell......
Howard Rosenman credits Elizabeth Taylor for making him the man he is today. He shared his story with the LA Times Magazine:
In 1973, I met a handsome young model named Bruce Weber and a friendship was forged over a mutual obsession with Elizabeth Taylor’s beauty. He went on to become one of the world’s greatest photographers. He has shot Elizabeth many, many times (and has become a great friend). In fact, he and I exchange rare pictures of Elizabeth for Christmas and our birthdays almost every year.
The entire article can be read here.
Anyone who cares about beauty owes it to themselves to see Suddenly Last Summer.
Wayne took my advice, saw Suddenly Last Summer and fell under Elizabeth Taylor's spell......
Howard Rosenman credits Elizabeth Taylor for making him the man he is today. He shared his story with the LA Times Magazine:
In 1973, I met a handsome young model named Bruce Weber and a friendship was forged over a mutual obsession with Elizabeth Taylor’s beauty. He went on to become one of the world’s greatest photographers. He has shot Elizabeth many, many times (and has become a great friend). In fact, he and I exchange rare pictures of Elizabeth for Christmas and our birthdays almost every year.
The entire article can be read here.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Christina Kruse:Reisebuch 1-5 on Models.Com
Janelle Okwodu of models.com covered Christina Kruse' rception at the Steven Kashner Gallery.
Christina Kruse with hairstylist Bob Recine. All photos Rebecca Richard for MDC.
Art and fashion are intrinsically linked- their shared spirit of creativity and inventiveness draws an eclectic mix of people together. Christina Kruse, one of the most legendary faces of the 90s is back in a big way. In addition to reemerging in the pages of Pop and Purple and strutting down the catwalk for Alexander Wang, Kruse has yet another project on her hands. For the past 13 years she has been actively engaged in creating art. Combining collage and photography Kruse’s unique self portraits are currently on display at the Steven Kasher gallery. Naturally some of her high fashion friends stopped by to pay homage to the artistic beauty on the night of her opening - guests at her opening included Agyness Deyn, Cameron Russell and many more. (On exhibit at the Steven Kasher gallery through March 28th)
- Betty Sze at models.com
Christina Kruse with hairstylist Bob Recine. All photos Rebecca Richard for MDC.
Art and fashion are intrinsically linked- their shared spirit of creativity and inventiveness draws an eclectic mix of people together. Christina Kruse, one of the most legendary faces of the 90s is back in a big way. In addition to reemerging in the pages of Pop and Purple and strutting down the catwalk for Alexander Wang, Kruse has yet another project on her hands. For the past 13 years she has been actively engaged in creating art. Combining collage and photography Kruse’s unique self portraits are currently on display at the Steven Kasher gallery. Naturally some of her high fashion friends stopped by to pay homage to the artistic beauty on the night of her opening - guests at her opening included Agyness Deyn, Cameron Russell and many more. (On exhibit at the Steven Kasher gallery through March 28th)
- Betty Sze at models.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Steven Klein Selected Works
Steven Klein: Selected Works
Wayne Sterling interviewed Steven Klein exclusively for The Imagist:
Wayne Sterling: How common is it for mainstream magazines to find the images in an editorial too strong?
Steven Klein: 'I FIND MOST MAGAZINE EDITORIALS WEAK IN COMPARISON TO THE VISUAL FIELD OF CINEMA AND ART.'
WS: Do you think today's audience wants pushed images or do they want to sit in a comfort zone given the recession fears of today?
SK:'PEOPLE CRAVE TO SEE IMAGES THAT WILL COMPEL THEM OUT OF THEIR BOREDOM.'
WS: Do you think your images lose something when they're seen on the Internet as opposed to print?
SK: 'I AM FINDING MANY IMAGES TO BE STRONGER ON THE INTERNET. IN FACT WHEN THE NY POST PUBLISHES AN IMAGE FROM MY SHOOT OR I SEE MY EDITORIAL FEATURED ON A BLOG AND MIXED IN WITH ITS GRAPHICS AND TEXT, THE IMAGES TAKE ON A NEW LIFE, NOT SO PRECIOUS BUT VITAL.'
WS: What do you see as the future of print magazines and lavish fashion editorials?
SK: 'THEY NEED TO CATCH UP TO THE MODERN LOOK OF MANY OF THE BLOGS I SEE.'
WS: Your images are certainly cinematic. Do you think we'll be watching fashion ads+ editorials that are mini- videos or mini-films in the near future?
SK: 'I AM ALREADY CREATING MINI FILMS ON MY WEBSITE THAT ARE DERIVED FROM MY SHOOTS,'
TO SEE THE MOVIES ON THE STEVEN KLEIN SITE :
stevenkleinstudio.com
enter site
go to: Moving Image
proceed to Film Projects
One of Steven Klein's fans, Robster16, edited a tribute video to Steven Klein:
Wayne Sterling interviewed Steven Klein exclusively for The Imagist:
Wayne Sterling: How common is it for mainstream magazines to find the images in an editorial too strong?
Steven Klein: 'I FIND MOST MAGAZINE EDITORIALS WEAK IN COMPARISON TO THE VISUAL FIELD OF CINEMA AND ART.'
WS: Do you think today's audience wants pushed images or do they want to sit in a comfort zone given the recession fears of today?
SK:'PEOPLE CRAVE TO SEE IMAGES THAT WILL COMPEL THEM OUT OF THEIR BOREDOM.'
WS: Do you think your images lose something when they're seen on the Internet as opposed to print?
SK: 'I AM FINDING MANY IMAGES TO BE STRONGER ON THE INTERNET. IN FACT WHEN THE NY POST PUBLISHES AN IMAGE FROM MY SHOOT OR I SEE MY EDITORIAL FEATURED ON A BLOG AND MIXED IN WITH ITS GRAPHICS AND TEXT, THE IMAGES TAKE ON A NEW LIFE, NOT SO PRECIOUS BUT VITAL.'
WS: What do you see as the future of print magazines and lavish fashion editorials?
SK: 'THEY NEED TO CATCH UP TO THE MODERN LOOK OF MANY OF THE BLOGS I SEE.'
WS: Your images are certainly cinematic. Do you think we'll be watching fashion ads+ editorials that are mini- videos or mini-films in the near future?
SK: 'I AM ALREADY CREATING MINI FILMS ON MY WEBSITE THAT ARE DERIVED FROM MY SHOOTS,'
TO SEE THE MOVIES ON THE STEVEN KLEIN SITE :
stevenkleinstudio.com
enter site
go to: Moving Image
proceed to Film Projects
One of Steven Klein's fans, Robster16, edited a tribute video to Steven Klein:
Monday, February 9, 2009
Purple Magazine Spring 2009 - Christina Kruse, photo: Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
As seen onThe Imagist:
Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matdin photograph Christina Kruse, the German super-icon of the 90's, famous for her platinum hair, pale skin, cobra tattoo, and her fearless independence in front of the camera and on the runway. Now she's a mother living in new York and working as a photographer. And just when everyone's tired of all the pretty girls around, she's back, showing us how the past can flourish in the unpredictable future.
Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matdin photograph Christina Kruse, the German super-icon of the 90's, famous for her platinum hair, pale skin, cobra tattoo, and her fearless independence in front of the camera and on the runway. Now she's a mother living in new York and working as a photographer. And just when everyone's tired of all the pretty girls around, she's back, showing us how the past can flourish in the unpredictable future.
Purple Magazine
Shoot Date: December 2nd, 2008
Model:Christina Kruse
Photo: Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
Makeup: Tom Pecheux
Hair: Eugene Souleiman
Manicure: Rica Romain
Photo Assistant: Shoji Van Kuzumi
Digital Assistant: Manoodh Matadin
Lighting Technician: Jodokus Driessen
Studio Manager: Marc Kroop
Necklace: Bulgari Archive - throughout story
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Women Fall 2009 Show Package on Models.Com
The Women Fall 2009 show package is online at Models.com. The package and cards were designed for the 2nd season in a row by Jason Duzansky.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Imagist on Christina Kruse's Private Vision
On Saturday morning, at 10 am, Wayne Sterling of Models.com & The Imagist interviewed Christina Kruse for an upcoming issue of Spur Magazine
From The Imagist :
Christina Kruse's upcoming exhibit will also feature two limited edition books chronicling her 12 years of work
I was a mess this morning. Late for my Spur It-Girl interview with Christina Kruse I rummaged through my coat and realized I left my camera at home. Duh! Thankfully my I-phone has a record add-on and that saved the day. I'm now sitting at my desk transcribing the interview and I have to say I was really awed by Christina's calm, centered energy. Very dignified but very warm is how I'd describe the aura but most of all super-private in a way that makes the idea of "privacy" feel oddly...chic. . We spoke about her life as an artist, her upcoming exhibit at the Steven Kasher Gallery in NYC on March 5th , her life as a model from the 90's till now and her life as a mother. My favorite quote from the interview ? "As far as I'm concerned when it comes to books and printing everything went downhill after the Guttenburg bible". That gave me a good laugh which I always need when I have to be up early on a Saturday morning. I know I've gone off on my screeds in the past about how "The Industry" fails to recognize the range and complexity inherent in the proposition of a woman. But that's not completely true. Christina is not some blank 15 year old yet her recent bookings have been as enviably blue-chip as any. There's one really beautiful edit coming up in that certain bi-annual fashion bible that I can't wait to see. It proves that the true creatives of the industry work hard to transcend the banality and narrow mindedness of constantly casting only one kind of girl . I want to thank James at Women and Christina for facilitating such an intelligent and civilized Saturday morning.
From The Imagist :
Christina Kruse's upcoming exhibit will also feature two limited edition books chronicling her 12 years of work
I was a mess this morning. Late for my Spur It-Girl interview with Christina Kruse I rummaged through my coat and realized I left my camera at home. Duh! Thankfully my I-phone has a record add-on and that saved the day. I'm now sitting at my desk transcribing the interview and I have to say I was really awed by Christina's calm, centered energy. Very dignified but very warm is how I'd describe the aura but most of all super-private in a way that makes the idea of "privacy" feel oddly...chic. . We spoke about her life as an artist, her upcoming exhibit at the Steven Kasher Gallery in NYC on March 5th , her life as a model from the 90's till now and her life as a mother. My favorite quote from the interview ? "As far as I'm concerned when it comes to books and printing everything went downhill after the Guttenburg bible". That gave me a good laugh which I always need when I have to be up early on a Saturday morning. I know I've gone off on my screeds in the past about how "The Industry" fails to recognize the range and complexity inherent in the proposition of a woman. But that's not completely true. Christina is not some blank 15 year old yet her recent bookings have been as enviably blue-chip as any. There's one really beautiful edit coming up in that certain bi-annual fashion bible that I can't wait to see. It proves that the true creatives of the industry work hard to transcend the banality and narrow mindedness of constantly casting only one kind of girl . I want to thank James at Women and Christina for facilitating such an intelligent and civilized Saturday morning.
Solve Sundsbo photographed Christina Kruse for the last issue of POP Magazine on September 17, 2008 in London.
POP Magazine
Model:Christina Kruse
Photographer:Solve Sundsbo
Stylist: Katie Grad
Makeup: Mark Carrasquillo
Hair: Luke Hersheson
The Imagist says : Isa Asklof is many things (all awesome)
From The Imagist:
17 Swedish and insanely directional
Former MDC MOTW Isa Asklof lands in NY at Women and trust ...this girl's chart is a bonfire of awesome magnitude right this minute. There's something about this face coming down the runway towards you that feels 60's Mod meets 90's London. Its a thing, I assure you.
17 Swedish and insanely directional
Former MDC MOTW Isa Asklof lands in NY at Women and trust ...this girl's chart is a bonfire of awesome magnitude right this minute. There's something about this face coming down the runway towards you that feels 60's Mod meets 90's London. Its a thing, I assure you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
