The Quest for "it"

Matan Uziel Calls Natalia Vodianova to Join National Eating Disorders Association

Hey There!

On the morning of April 25th, Verbmodels Senior Executive & NEDA's Ambassador Matan Uziel (25), held a press conference on the topic of "Fashion Industry May Be Fuelling Eating Disorders In Women", claiming more focus is needed on reducing obsessive dieting, bad eating habits and body dissatisfaction amongst young people around the world, filled with promise and talent.

A reporter asked whether Uziel thinks the fashion industry is fuelling the rise in eating disorders, Uziel responded "fashion has a bad reputation as a whole, it's notoriously animal unfriendly, and pushes unhealthy body trends to the masses, and there are many people especially in this industry that are responsible for the current situation around the world, but not only them".

 As per Uziel "it's obvious that a vast change would only come from the inside, where positive role models should take the reins and set a good example on young girls".

One of the more interesting moments came when a journalist asked if  NEDA was trying to recruit any top models to spread the word.  Apparently, Mr. Uziel has tried to contact Natalia Vodianova many times through the Naked Heart Foundation, as well as different modeling agents in order to ask for her help. He has never heard back--feeling disappointed and frustrated as Vodianova attends the CFDA's panel talks on model health and body image in the fashion industry, she doesn't seem to take any significant, strong positions to fight the rigid body ideals that contribute to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders which is a shame, and on behalf of the National Eating Disorders Association.  He urges Ms. Vodianova to "take responsibility as a public figure and begin to challenge some of the assumptions that the only way to be beautiful and successful is to be thin."

*photo of Matan Uziel courtesy of Verb Models, photo of Natalia Vodianova courtesy of Maya Shelkovinknova

 

 

Marie Saint Pierre Clothing on America's Next Top Model

                                                   Hey There!

If you didn't know last night you do now! French-Canadian Designer Marie Saint Pierre's fashion was featured on the April 14th episode of America's Next Top Model.  Yes, models Tatianna and Raina, were sporting looks from the Montreal based designer*** during a competitive shoot.  Tatianna wore a SS10 05 Black Coat (1,200) and white cardigan Dordogne ($975)(see photo at left), while Raina wore a black and white tunic SS10 01 Bleone  ($925). 

Both available at 5th Avenue luxury retailer Takishimaya.

***-Montreal based Maire Saint Pierre is represented, in the US, by Passion Style Public Relations

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2010 Cover Goes to Brooklyn Decker!

                                                                 Hey There!

Looks like congratulations are in order for the beautiful  22 year old model Brooklyn Decker for scoring the cover of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. According to reports the sizzling cover, shot by the famed Walter Ioos of Ms. Decker, was barely memorable to the lean and curvy Ohio native.  As in her previous four years, the supermodel shot hundreds of photos during her time in the Maldives--among other lush locales.

This year's issue also includes stunning pictorials of: Sonia Dara, Bethany Dempsey, Cintia Dicker, Zoe Duchesne, Ana Ivanovic, Esti Ginzburg, Jessica Gomes, Ahsley Greene, Damaris Lewis,  Julie Henderson, Julie Ordon, Dominque Piek, Genevieve Morton, Bar Rafaeli, Hillary Rhoda, Daniella Sarahyba Irina Shayk, Christine Teigen, Anne V.Jessica White 

Congrats Ladies!

Vogue January 2010: Hello, Gorgeous

                                                              Hi!

January brings the cold weather but often the warmest of stories.  If you are looking for an inspiring piece--we've got one for you.  As we take on the task of sticking to our New Year's resolutions, maybe shedding a pound or two, here's  a look a professional model who isn't skin and bones, whose curves are just as much a part of her everyday existence as anyone else's.  Read on.

According to the January 2010 issue of Vogue in an article titled Hello Gorgeous we find that at five feet ten and a size 4, has struggled to fit in.  Supermodel Lara Stone is about 2 sizes larger than her modeling peers but this has not stopped her career from skyrocketing.  "Lara Stone has a gorgeous woman's body," affirms Karl Lagerfeld.  Stone has appeared in ad campaigns for the likes of Givenchy and has walked the runway for almost every major designer including Marc Jacobs and Balmain.  In the article Hello Gorgeous, Vogue recalls the days when stylists came to a shoot armed with pins to make clothes fit the models and examines the absurdity of the thought that clothes ONLY hang nicely on supper-skinny girls (aka coat hangers).  The opposite is also true--some clothes look better with "boobs," which is why Stone's career has flourished.  Could her unexpected success mean the return of curves? In this month's issue of Vogue, Stone opens up to Rebecca Johnson about how difficult it can be to constantly hear how different she is,  her methods of coping, and how she views herself--now.

*photo by Willy Vanderperre courtesy of Vogue

Ford Models Artist's Divison Celebrates the Holidays!

                                                  Hey There!

Is December 1st too early for a holiday party? Not if you want to say THANKS for all the wonderful service over the past year to a winning team of "beautifiers" at one of the country's premier modeling agencies. Ford Artists, a division of Ford Models, represents an array of talented hairstylists, make-up artists, manicurists, and photographers (which comprise the division), along with select clients said HAPPY HOLIDAYS at West Chelsea's the Gates last night.

Upon our early arrival we immediately rubbed elbows with Director, Gina Duckworth (see photo at left), in festive attire as she welcomed clients, and MORE clients as the front bar began to fill.  Over trays of mac and cheese lollipops, truffled wild mushroom and goat cheese pizza, and endless amounts of popcorn rock shrimp, artists mingled with holiday cocktails in hand while clients discussed their upcoming projects. Marc Sampaogna of Canopy Brand Group, was one such client, from all accounts his brand strategy and design agency is on to something BIG right now.

Celeb manicurist Myrdith Leon McComack greeted us with open arms introducing her Booker, Michelle Leo as well as her M2M team of valuable assistants, she coins as "team leaders".  Ecstatic over her upcoming assignment via Ford -- a trip down to Miami's Art Basel to coif the hands of countless celebs and models at an event for haute New York Photographer Marc Baptiste -- this was a winning night!  Several other artists reveled in the fact that life is good at Ford, and the prestigious assignments just keep on coming.

Several mouthfuls of popcorn shrimp later, after longing looks at large apple martinis (we no longer drink the hard stuff) we bid our farewell to the beautifiers that 'make it all happen'. We'd hoped we would find 5'11 chiquitas dancing on boxes or something like that, but alas we'll save our strength for another night!

;)

*photo by The Quest for "it"

The Annual Hooters Swimsuit Calendar Turns 24!

                                                                 Hi!

Pass us those wings! The 2010 Hooters Calendar*** girls turned on the charm Wednesday and will do it all again today! One place that we never thought we'd be is HOOTERS, but well...duty called, and besides we wanted to get a gander at a few of the Hooters girls--just like any other red-blooded, beer swiggling American. 

Selected from 20,000 Hooters girls worldwide, we had access to 8 lovelies, who were at the West 56th Street location in New York City, to sign the 2010 calendar and pose for photos.  We quickly scooped up two lovelies to get a bit of perspective on just how they came to be in the calendar, etc.  25 year old  LeAngela Davis, Miss November of Columbus, Ohio has done this ALL before--she was Miss August last year.  Although her goal is to work for the government eventually, her 4 year stint serving wings at Hooters has landed her head of the pack of the lengthy selection process.  Luckily, her photos were selected for a re-shoot giving her a whopping 4th year in the calendar. The secret? "You have to work at Hooters to be in the Hooters Calendar!"

Brittany Tyler, yes there is ALWAYS a Brittany somewhere, isn't there? Ms. Tyler, who is 20 and from Fort Worth Texas, admits "there's a lot of traveling, but you know  it's fun, you kind of gotta keep you bags packed because you never know when you're going to get a phone call." That said, she doesn't mind having missed her bartending stints at Hooters back home-- seems like winning Miss Photogenic via a Hooters pageant, and travelling to the Bahamas to shoot her month of August, has served her well.

Want to get your very own Hooters Calendar signed? The girls appear again TODAY from 5:30 pm- 7:30pm--Good Luck the crowds are fierce. 

***-every year over 400 Hooters Restaurants send Hooters calendars to U.S. troops overseas as part of a program called Operation Calendar Drop.  From Veteran's Day through the holidays customers can purchase the calendars and write a special message on them.  Then Hooters will send these calendars to one of our troops overseas. 

*photos by The Quest for "it"

Announcing the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Model Search!

                                                        Hey There!

Victoria's Secret is offering a once in a lifetime chance to walk on the runway of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS. To enter you must be 18-30 years of age 5'8'' or taller in bare feet and be available to be in in NYC in from October 29th -December 3rd to compete in the search. NO ENTRY FEE or purchase required. Entry deadline is Oct. 24th, 2009.

Please read OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES for complete eligibility/entry requirements and other important information.

Tune in/Dec. 1 at 10/9 Central on CBS

A QUEST CONTEST: Models International Fresh Faces Model Search 2009

                                                                 Hi!

Have you heard? The newly established MI Agency (Models International) in New York City is seeking new models.  The agency with over sixty years of combined experience wants you to enter the Models International Fresh Faces Model Search 2009--TODAY! Read on and ENTER TO WIN...

• An exclusive modeling contract with Models International NY

• A Professional photo shoot with famed fashion photographer Harry Fellows

• Featured as the face of Models International's December Charity/Industry event

• A model start up kit consisting of various necessities that all models need

• Living accommodations in New York while working on Models International assignments

• An image consultation

• An exclusive one on one career development dinner with the Executive Director of the New York office Catherine Tran, and the Director of New Faces Andrienne Kennedy

Email your contact information, age, height and measurements (bust, waist and hip) along with four (4) color *photographs of yourself to ScoutNY@mi-agency.com no later than November 6th 2009.

Good Luck!

Erin Wasson x RVCA to Show Spring/Summer 2010 Collection at Bryant Park

                                                                Hi! 

Model Erin Wasson has been bitten by the Designer bug! Erin Wasson x RVCA is excited to announce that the brand will be showing its Spring/Summer 2010 collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tents in New York City’s Bryant Park. The show will take place Friday September 11, 2009 at 8:00 pm, and marks the debut of Erin Wasson x RVCA on the runway.

 

“Humbled and honored,” are the words Wasson chooses to describe her feelings about being asked to show the new Erin Wasson x RVCA collection at the legendary Bryant Park Tents.  

"Ive spent hours at those Tents as a model, working with some of the icons of American fashion," she notes.  "And meanwhile I've only been doing this design thing for a few months -- ¾Spring ’10 is season three, and it’s kind of insane to think that I’m getting to show on that same stage.  I am incredibly grateful to IMG, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and Maybelline New York for giving me the opportunity.”

 

In keeping with the out-of-the-box thinking that brought together Wasson and surf & skate brand RVCA in the first place, the Spring ’10 show will see the brand bringing a new energy to the Tents. A multi-media installation is in the works and Wasson has personally engaged a special musical guest to play live on the catwalk¾details are under wraps until closer to the show.

Model Casting Call: Walk for Esther Nash at Brooklyn Fashion Weekend

Hi!

We are happy to report that the very talented, ubiquitous red carpet walker Esther Nash*** is back to doing what she does best...designing. Yes, the perpetually exuberant young designer, who hasn't showed for several seasons now, will be debuting her LATEST at the upcoming Brooklyn Fashion Weekend  (April 10-12). 

Fitting & Casting Location

If you are a model and looking for your BIG BREAK now's your chance! Ms. Nash will be holding a casting call for models THIS WEEKEND, Saturday April 4th at 237 Lafayette Street, Inventory Boutique, 5:00 pm- 8:30 pm

NOTE: Participation in this show will also give you consideration for future Esther Nash shows.  Also Esther will be rewarding one model (of her choice) with a photo shoot this spring-modeling her clothing line.

IMPORTANT: To attend this call you must be FEMALE, at least 5"9, and in "runway" form.  Models should bring a comp card/photo to leave with contact info. Bring heels and be prepared to walk if asked. Pictures and agency credit only, NO PAY.

GOOD LUCK everyone!

***- Esther Nash will show at 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 12th.

*photo courtesy of Daryl Reece