13-11-09
Raw
Margo Bushueva @ Ford (Paris)
Photographers' way to describe the models they worked with is always interesting and inspiring. What do they think and why do they like a girl more than the previous one, what makes her suddenly a better model and who do they want to shoot with next time. We featured Alexandre Brunet's story published in Dedicate a few weeks ago, including a few pictures of his favorite - Stella Maxwell. Time went by and time brought him another favorite in front of his camera: Margo Bushueva. A girl who's got a vibe. We know how easy it is to write such words and how lame it turns out to be when there is not thoughts and no vision behind. But in Margo's case, there is definitely more than pretty words. Pictures speak for themselves like in a short movie. Scene after scene, we discovered Margo (5'11"5 - 179) in motion, as raw as possible. Just her, just her looks and attitudes, no fancy stuff and no added promises. We guess this owes to be called "a vibe".
Shiny, shiny
Jasmine Yan @ Elite (NY)
Second time here for Jasmine, brand new but already a favorite. We first focused on her incredible ability to express emotions on raw pictures (Jonathan Leder is a maestro for that), this time it will be her soft and subtle features only and with a slightly more elaborated styling. Still nothing but Jasmine, despite the city background and the sleek, sunny day aesthetic. Yorick Nube certainly knows how to picture both harmony and/then drama out of casual atmospheres and does it in his own delicate manner. Not hard to understand Jasmine was the perfect model of the situation.
12-11-09
Way ahead of the game
Hind Sahli @ DNA (NY), Elite (Paris), Elite (Milan), Elite (London)
It's been a little while since we introduced Hind a few months ago with a couple of polaroids and her first tests done in Paris before summer. And we've been relentlessly thinking of doing an update on her as her book started to grow, she made a stop by New York signing with DNA and finally started her career with a beautiful first season there. First class shows piled up day after day from BCBG to 3.1 Philip Lim via Philosophy, Lacoste, Max Azria and Vera Wang. Then things seemed slightly slower...
This being said, a first season in Paris which includes Hussein Chalayan and Kenzo (by Antonio Marras) is always good to add to any model's portfolio, regardless of what people consider as being the avant garde of the city. These two never failed bringing us the good surprises and the breeze of fresh air one needs during a whole week of fashion shows in the City of Lights. And you might know it now: we always prefer girls that are promising for being who they are than the latest talk of the town.
Next step in Hind's career has a similar taste. Nothing astonishing, just Biba. We're not going to dive into that topic again - we know it isn't Vogue. But we don't care. After all, wasn't Biba one of the first magazines worldwide to publish editorials featuring Lakshmi Menon ? Way ahead of the game. The story shot by Takao Oshima (styled by Delphine Pavy) is pretty simple: silk, velvet, white background... and Hind.
Acting in English
Gaia Weiss @ Just WM (Paris)
Born and raised in Paris with French and Polish roots, Gaia seems to be another of those precious discoveries that only Eskimo knows how to find. Another one and another completely different one, with a lovely story behind her modeling career and a look that playfully goes back and forth between classic and rock'n'roll. It becomes even more interesting when you know both are heavily related, her look starts where her story brought her when she fell in love with London after being a perennial fan of The Beatles.
Bringing back with her a little vibe from Saint James Park in her eyes like others would bring postcards in their luggage. Facts say she's 5'11 (180) and nobody will ever complain but her face screams poetry and grace (might be from her experience as a classic dancer and theatre performer) - her true strength as a model. And even beyond modeling actually as she's taking some acting lessons now. In English, of course.
10-11-09
And the Operator said...
Manuela Lazic @ New York Models (NY)
... 40 cents more or it's over. Love the phone and the vintage vibe we get from it. Reminds us of that day in our childhood when they suddenly replaced coins by cards in public phones. Didn't expect to get that blast from the past from one of the freshest faces and we really don't mind the contrast on each picture by Mark Wimberly. Looks like the first time Manuela has to play a role, other than too obvious ones, and truth is she gets even much more powerful this way. Not only cute and fresh, intense as well. Already a part of recent modeling history with her sister Elena (both started with Elite Paris, got nice jobs and even a Moschino Cheap & Chic campaign), Manuela is getting ready to spread her wings and fly higher, carefully groomed by New York Models.
Growing and Glowing
Valerie Van De Graaf @ SPS (The Netherlands)
It's just a short update but still a milestone in Valerie's career. Needless to repeat the whole story again, we've been featuring her once per week lately and you might get our point on a shy girl who recently started to blossom. In front of cameras and everywhere else. Interesting fact arrived from Paris where she shot with photographer Jonathan Segade (nice to feature his work again!) . For many girl, many models and especially blond ones, this styling and atmosphere would have looked too much. Not for Valerie. She just managed to make this series epic, fresh, plenty of humor. Glowing.
05-11-09
Portraying Potential
Karina @ Image Discovery (Ukraine)
We love the atmosphere of today. For several reasons but one of them has to be the joyful mix of DIY pictures from mother agencies all over the world using style as their best new weapon to promote their newest finds and girls doing their first (or second) steps in magazines as big as Vogue Italia. Between the two, there might be only a tiny bridge we could name creativity. Innovation all the way, from the quirky digitals taken at the agency's offices to how a newbie handles her first serious editorials and makes her marks in the spotlights. It's not what you do, it's how you do it. Or how to fit some standards and be different at the same time.
After Mandarina twice in two days, we thought Image Discovery could be another good example of how mother agencies from countries like Romania, Ukraine or anywhere else outside Paris, NY and London, can raise their level of creativity when it comes to make the difference. New faces' portfolios can be just a set of polaroids - when the girl has enough potential, response from fashion capitals is just as fast as can be. But when the turnover rate is as high as today, when good agencies do their good work everywhere in the world, having basics in your rosters doesn't always highlight your efforts the right way.
We introduced Karina a few weeks ago and those digitals would have been enough to keep the expectations sky-high till she signs somewhere in Paris, NY or Milan and gets actual A-level work. Though, as her new pictures arrived yesterday and provided they bring some extra information on Karina's potential, we decided it's time for a little update (turned bigger than expected). The atmosphere suits her expressions if it's not her expressions that sets the mood. Ukrainian kitsch spread all over the series through a few fancy accessories balanced by some classy black and white. Pure portraits.
Secret Weapons
Oana Timerman @ Mandarina (Romania)
We seriously can't get enough of Oana, of these moods she brings to her pictures. But who could ? Who could overlook her classic-beauty-with-a-twist and wonderful palette of expressions ? Who couldn't get caught loving her fragile intensity and striking versatility on yesterday's pictures ? We have doubts someone couldn't at least be intrigued and willing to know more about her. And truth is that she could be one of most coveted girls currently at Mandarina Models, especially with the recent rush to Romania during the current scouting trips. With a vintage touch and a true DIY-vibe, Oana's latest digitals are as many new secret weapons added to her portfolio. Well, not that secret anymore as you can check them live right now (taken yesterday afternoon). But Mandarina surely have some more, waiting to be developed and discovered.
04-11-09
Technique and Inspiration
Oana Timerman @ Mandarina (Romania)
Mandarina Models as the new masters of headscarf styling ? Why not. At least, they can already count a few masterpieces with Oana's latest digitials. The idea is brilliant for two reasons mostly. First of all, the styling suits her so well as it shows a very different side of her potential. Hence our idea to put a few ones with her hair on her shoulders to compare and watch the obvious: she's versatile enough to go from one character to the other by a simple change of hairdo. From strong, classic beauty to an ethereal, edgy creature. Genius. Second point is pretty similar to first in the fact it's another good way to highlight her potential. The emphasis it puts on her features - emerald eyes, incredible cheekbones, impeccable skin, fierce yet distant expression - is precious and even priceless. The technique itself is pretty interesting: refined styling tips combined to the least fancy way to take pictures ever. Results speak for themselves and Oana keeps getting more and more attention each day.
Blue Cats love the Carpet outside, We just love Ksenia
Ksenia Malanova @ Eskimo (Russia), Women (Milan)
Here she comes again. We introduced Ksenia Malanova, Eskimo's brightest Russian jewel, back in July of this year and wanted to celebrate her first steps in Milan with Women. Many new pictures. Updated polaroids, various new tests. Discovering brand new sides of an endless potential. We knew she was talented and that such a beauty is priceless. We didn't know how far this could go and how much the camera would love her. Got the answer from every angle in every possible style. Still raw and focused on her face and expressions with no added promise. From sleek black and white to the most simple shot in white tank-top, Ksenia delivers unique pictures, using that precious piercing gaze of hers to capture our attention. She's 17 and as you've probably noticed from every picture above, she's got perfect proportions besides that limitless potential. The hardest part of our work was to pick the pics... there was twice as many of the same quality left in her portfolio.
