Posts filed under 'Various'
With an estimated $35 million in earnings, Gisele Bundchen is still the world’s top-earning model, according to Forbes.com’s annual list.
In the last 12 months, Bundchen made more than double the $14 million earned by Heidi Klum, who came in second, according to Forbes.
Rounding out the top five are Kate Moss ($7.5 million), Adriana Lima ($7 million) and Doutzen Kroes ($6 million). The latter, a 23-year-old from Holland, was second-to-last on the list last year.
“I wish we had snapped her up a long time ago,” Edward Razek, who has been selecting models for Victoria’s Secret for a decade, told Forbes. The company gave Kroes a contract this year.
Victoria’s Secret made millionaires of two newcomers: Miranda Kerr and Selita Ebanks, ranked at Nos. 10 and 12, respectively.
May 1st, 2008
She’s only 1.73m tall, is already 25 years old and looks like a boy.
Yet, fashionistas have been hailing British babe Agyness Deyn (pronounced Agnes Dean) as:
The hottest supermodel on the scene right now.
The next Kate Moss.
The fashion industry’s new It Girl.
The face of a new generation.
and the plaudits just keep coming…
The striking combination of her androgynous look, peroxide blonde crop, punk attitude and quirky technicoloured dress sense has quickly earned her trendsetter status.
Deyn - who is tipped to earn up to ?10 million ($26.8 million) this year - knocked reigning queen Moss, 34, off the top spot of Tatler’s famous annual best-dressed list.
She was also named Model Of The Year at the British Fashion Awards last November, and has bagged lucrative contracts and campaigns with brands such as Reebok, Burberry, Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani.
Since signing with a London modelling agency in 2005 and making her debut at New York’s Fashion Week in late 2006, Deyn has been in hot demand.
She has worked for the big fashion houses including Cacharel, John Galliano, Mulberry, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Versace.
She has been featured on the covers of British, American and Italian Vogue, and the upcoming May issue of the uber-cool style bible i-D will have six different covers of Deyn by six different photographers.
It’s the first time in its 28-year history that the publication has devoted an entire issue to one person.
As it is, the rails of Topshop are flogging copies of her signature personal style and Zara has ordered mannequins based on her.HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
True to her humble beginnings and down-to-earth roots, the former chip shop server from Lancashire - whose real name is Laura Hollins - has never let success go to her head.
The Daily Mail reported that since she relocated from London to New York’s East Village in mid-2006, Deyn has preferred local dive bars to the hip Beatrice Inn, rock shows to glamorous dinner parties, riding her old black bicycle to taking a cab, and vintage clothing store Trash And Vaudeville to Barneys Co-op.
She lives in a modest rented railroad apartment - like a train carriage - on the second storey of a walk-up.
It is reportedly so tiny, there isn’t even room for a sink in the bathroom.
Deyn told The Daily Mail: ‘People always say when they meet me, ‘I didn’t know you were common!’
In a New York Post interview, she also said: ‘It’s funny, because I always think, like - I pretend to be a model. I know that sounds really weird.’
Deyn agrees that she is ‘not as beautiful as the girls before’, but believes her idiosyncratic personality and unconventional style make her ’stand out’.
She also denied any similarity to hardcore party-girl predecessor Moss, saying: ‘I’m not like her at all. I’ll follow my own steps in both career and lifestyle on my own terms. I am not going to follow Kate in any way.’
However, she does have something in common with Moss, who’s now dating Jamie Hince, guitarist of indie rock duo The Kills.
Deyn’s boyfriend of four years is guitarist Josh Hubbard from English indie rock band The Paddingtons.
However, there aren’t many skeletons that the press has been able to unearth about Deyn, except that she indulges in heavy drinking sessions and late nights with celebrity chums such as singer Lily Allen, reality TV star Kelly Osbourne, actress Jaime Winstone and Moss’ rocker ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty.
But is she merely a flash-in-the-pan, flavour-of-the-month upstart who doesn’t deserve all the hype that has been lavished on her?
Or will she enjoy the kind of longevity associated with her popular British counterparts such as Moss, Naomi Campbell, Lily Cole and Erin O’Connor?
TOO EARLY TO TELL
Singapore Tatler managing director Gilbert Cheah said that it’s ‘too early to tell’ whether Deyn can attain a lasting impact.
He told The New Paper: ‘She’s got a very iconoclastic style, and what Tatler recognised is her great individuality without going overboard and looking like a mess.
‘And if you take away the punk hairstyle and funky clothing, she resembles Andie MacDowell, who’s a traditional beauty.
‘Agyness has a very symmetrical face and great skin. She is both interesting and beautiful.’
Mr Cheah added that her continued success in the industry depends on her ability to come across as ‘contemporary’.
He said: ‘There’s only so much you can do with this one same look. It’s recognisable, but also limiting. And then it becomes old quickly.
‘Agyness is making her mark in high fashion and she’s very editorial. That’s one niche she deserves to triumph in, and stylists and designers love her.
‘But whether she can go beyond that and appeal to the masses, where the big money is, remains to be seen.’
Ms Elisabeth Gwee, editor of Her World magazine, agreed.
She said: ‘I like her look - she’s pretty with an edge. But her look has to evolve in order for her to have staying power.’
April 12th, 2008
It seems that Rimmel is sticking with Kate Moss, despite reports that they were planning to axe her for Alexa Chung. The cosmetics company has issued a statement, denying any plans to end Moss’s contract.
“Kate remains the face of Rimmel London and will continue to appear in campaigns for the foreseeable future,” said Rimmel spokeswoman Emmanuelle Bonte. “Rimmel London has no plans to replace Kate. We are very happy with the collaboration.”
The Mirror reported last Friday that the supermodel would shortly be replaced by TV personality Alexa Chung. According to the article, Chung “wowed bosses in secret screen tests” which were also held for Agyness Deyn, Daisy Lowe and Lily Cole.
Sources revealed that Chung had made it onto shortlist, along with St Trinians star Gemma Arterton.
Despite denying such plans, Rimmel had previously considered terminating Moss’s contract in 2005, when she was busted using cocaine.
Interestingly, Rimmel have declined to comment on whether Alexa Chung will soon be joining their camp.
Source: Getty
April 1st, 2008
Part-time fashion model Paris Hilton won’t be inheriting much of her family capital as her grandfather, Barron Hilton, has decided to donate 97% of his $2.3 billion fortune to charity.
However, Paris seems confident that she’ll be able to maintain the lifestyle that she currently leads regardless of her future inheritance: “It wont affect me in any way. I am very fine on my own. My grandfather is incredible man, he is very generous and what he is doing is amazing,” she said.
Well, at least Paris has her forthcoming MTV show to look forward to in 2008.
‘Paris Hilton’s My New BFF’ (best friend forever) is to be aired this year and see’s the starlet producing for the first time as well as taking the lead role: “I obviously have a lot of friends already but I decided to make great TV,” she said.
It’s just non stop for Paris who’s also set to host the MTV Russia Music Awards later this year.
March 31st, 2008
One of Jamaica’s leading models has offered insight into the disturbing racial discrimination holding back the careers of black models in the fashion industry, around the world.
Jamaica-based supermodel Gaye McDonald has spoken out about racism in the fashion industry, and revealed how Paris casting agents “drop black girls like they’re hot.”
The eighteen-year-old, who took the world by storm with her striking looks after winning Caribbean’s Next Top Model, has spoken out about the lack of black faces on catwalks.
McDonald is one of the few fortunate black models to have featured during London, Paris, and New York Fashion Weeks this year.
Speaking exclusively to The Voice while on a modeling casting trip in the UK, McDonald said: “The world is not white, so why should catwalks only feature white models?”
She added: “I’m often the only black girl when I go to castings, which is horrible because everyone looks at you as if you are so different. But I have learnt to make my experience empower me.”
The 5′9” stunner with flawless skin is the new face of United Colors of Benetton.
“I count my lucky Jamaican stars that I have been successful within my modeling career, but from what I can tell, black girls don’t get picked and it’s not because they are not good enough. It’s down to racism,” she said.
McDonald, who is signed to Next modelling agency, is not the first model to speak out about the lack of black faces on the catwalk.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has consistently been vocal on the matter by criticising magazine editors.“Black models are being sidelined by the major modeling agencies,” Campbell once stated.
Five years after her last cover for British Vogue, Campbell highlighted the racial inequality within the fashion industry and the media.
“I even get a raw deal from my own country. For example, I hardly come on the front pages of London’s Vogue magazine,” she said.
“Only white models, some of whom are not as prominent as I am, are put on the front pages.”
The 37-year-old is contemplating setting up her own modelling agency in Kenya to redress the balance.
“I don’t want to quit modelling until I find that black models get equal prominence and recognition by the world media and information instruments,” Campbell said.
“Women of colour are not a trend.”
This new debate has overshadowed the ‘size zero’ furore, which questioned the promotion and relevance of extremely thin models.
Fashion insiders claim there are now fewer black models seen on ramps and in fashion magazines than there were in the 1990s.
Of the 100 plus shows and presentations held during the 2007/08 fashion weeks in London, Paris, Milan and New York, more than a third did not feature any black models.
Elite Model Management, which discovered Naomi Campbell, has only two black models. Its Paris agency says there is not enough work for more black models because people do not like to see black women.
Echoing Elite’s comment, McDonald, who has strutted her stuff for designer collections such as Diesel, Heatherette, Diane Von Furstenburg, Marc Bouwer, and Mary Ping, stated:
“Paris is the worst place to go for castings. Even though you can have a strong walk and look they will never chose you because they don’t like black girls.
“It makes you feel very uncomfortable and you begin to question yourself as to say ‘what’s wrong with me?
“But, I have to always remember where I’m coming from in order to feel proud about myself, despite being rejected due to the colour of my skin.”
Carole White, co-founder of Premier Model Management, which supplies models to top fashion brands, admitted that finding work for black clients was significantly harder than for the white models, because both magazines and fashion designers were reluctant to employ them.
“Sadly we are in the business where you stock your shelves with what sells,” she said.
“Black models don’t sell. People don’t tend to talk about it, but black models have to be so beautiful and perfect because we can’t have a lot of diversity with black models.”
She added: “It’s harder work for the agency because there’s not so much on offer. White models can have more diversity.”
The co-founder of Acclaim Models, Maya Schulz, agrees with White’s views and points the finger at those organising model castings.
“I have had endless casting briefs which say ‘no ethnics’, which in my view is blatant racism,” Schulz said.
“When putting forward my models for casting for London Fashion Week this year, my business partner and I were told over and over again that designers were not looking to use black or Asian models.
“I have been told outright by a designer, ‘please do not send me any black models as they do not suit my clothes’. I have also been told that black models do not know how to carry themselves in a high fashion manner, which is utter rubbish.
“We all know how elegant and graceful Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell and Alex Wek are.”
Continuing Schulz said: “Signed to my books is Sarah Butler and Jasmia Robinson who became household names after featuring on Britain’s Next Top Model. Unfortunately, Sarah and Jasmia have both experienced racism, especially Jasmia.
“Jasmia is known for her amazing features and walk on the runway, but is often told that her hair and features are ‘too Afro’, meaning African.”
She added: “When Jasmia attended a casting for London Fashion Week February gone, we were told by a very famous designer that she looks like a monkey.”
Speaking to The Voice about the racist comments, Robinson said: “I felt sick. How can someone say I look like a monkey?”
The 20-year-old mixed race beauty added: “This is the typical type of racism that black and mixed race girls like myself often experience and it’s wrong.
“Fashion decision makers always say that black girls don’t sell their designs or products, but why don’t they prove it by putting it to the test? They won’t because their excuses are based on lies.”
However, one designer who is attempting to end the racial divide on the catwalk, and setting his own trends, is Gavin Douglas.
“The shortage of black models signed to modelling agencies is very obvious. Very rarely do I come across black models, which is why this year I went out of my way to seek and find,” said Douglas.
Douglas’ designs are exclusively sold in Harrods and he has dressed stars like Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child.
“There should not be a colour issue within the fashion industry because designers like myself dress the world’s population, which should be reflected on the catwalk,” he said.
“The fact that the fashion industry does not have a fair cultural and racial representation on the catwalk, magazines and on billboards raises serious societal problems that need to be addressed immediately.”
Another designer blasting the fashion industry is Katharine Hamnett, who told The Voice: “The catwalks are full of white dogs. Cosmetic companies don’t like black models - the racist bitches.
“I have no idea why, when it’s obvious that black girls are just so genuinely much more beautiful than Caucasians, who have clearly got the short straw.
“Black girls have much better body shapes and it’s such a shame. I just think there should be a bit more of a balance.”
While the debate about the lack of black models in today’s industry grows, The Voice is challenging the fashion racial status quo by organising a black model search in conjunction with Select Model Management – The SUPLIGEN® Brand Nu Model 2008.
Are you the next Gayle, Naomi, or Tyson Beckford?
March 29th, 2008
Supermodel Lara Bingle and cricket star Michael Clarke are engaged to be married after the test player popped the big question while holidaying in the US.
Clarke, who turns 27 next week, asked Bingle to marry him in New York’s Central Park - offering a five carat pear-shaped diamond ring, reportedly valued at $100,000.
The news comes just one month after the stunning pair were forced to quell reports they were getting married.
The couple - touted as Australia’s version of Posh and Becks - have reinvented themselves since they started dating early last year.
Clarke was last week named as one of Who magazine’s 25 most beautiful Australians and although Bingle, 20, missed out on the gong, her career has been revived by the relationship - recently securing an endorsement for swimwear brand Speedo.
Clarke, affectionately nicknamed Pup by his cricketing mates, has also signed with fitness brand Slazenger.
The couple’s representative Chris White, from International Quarterback, reportedly confirmed the engagement, saying the couple called family and friends over the Easter break with the good news.
This announcement is a complete backflip from what the management company’s Lisa Stallard said last month.
“The story (that they were engaged) was absolutely inaccurate - they’re not getting engaged, there is no engagement pending and there has not been any magazine deals done to announce it,” she said.
The pair are believed to be still in New York and it is unknown when they will return home to celebrate the good news with family and friends.
March 25th, 2008
T
he stunning Czech babe looks so write in this sizzling La Senza bikini shoot. Oscar-winning star Sean Penn—who has split with wife Robin Wright—took note of her stunning curves and took her along to Sir Elton John’s Academy Awards bash.
But British ex James Blunt will kick himself for leaving beautiful Petra after seeing these shots.
The 28-year-old—who lost her fiance in the 2004 tsunami—has led the Happy Hearts charity to give poverty-hit kids a future.
“I like to dress sexily and I’m proud of my figure and my work, but that’s not just what I’m about,” she says. “We all have a duty to help where we can.”
Petra has certainly helped to put a smile back on 47-year-old Sean’s face.
March 18th, 2008
Socialite Paris Hilton and her lifestyle inspired Indian designers at the fashion week in Delhi — as the epitome of a 21st-century dandy.
Paras Bairoliya and Shalini Jaikaria of ‘Geisha Designs’ poked fun at Hilton and other celebrity socialites on Saturday with an evening wear collection that sought to capture the “haughty self-display” among the elite.
Models took a stroll down the red carpet, pouting and blowing kisses as they posed for photographers at the edge of the runway. One model clutched a crystal ball, another a half-filled glass of wine while a third cradled a doll.
The ‘Dandy’ collection featured silk and lycra dresses in shades of black and mauve with poppy prints and sequins.
“The big dandies would be Paris Hilton and people like that.” Jaikaria told Reuters after the show.
“Essentially they are a lot in news because of the way they are, their character, their personality.”
In June 2007, Hilton ran afoul of Los Angeles law enforcement officials and served three weeks in jail stemming from a drunken driving incident.
Hilton, 27, unveiled an MTV reality show in Hollywood Hills on Thursday — to choose a “best friend forever” from among 20 men and women competing for the honor.
But the Indian designers said they were just having a bit of fun at Hilton’s expense and not condemning celebrity socialites.
“They are here to celebrate dressing up. They want to enjoy life and we just want to enjoy with them as well,” Bairoliya said.
Around 80 designers are showcasing autumn and winter collections on the runway or in stalls at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week which ends on Sunday.
Designer JJ Valaya introduced a new “currency” in his regal collection with red dresses and velvety gowns bearing motifs of coins stamped by the ‘Kingdom of Valaya’.
Bollywood also made its presence felt with actors Zayed Khan and Soha Ali Khan walking the ramp for designer Manav Gangwani while cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa took a spin on the runway for Raghavendra Rathore’s show on Saturday night.
March 17th, 2008
Statuesque supermodel Erin O’Connor is clearly planning for the future, with a new project that takes her off the catwalk.
The 30-year-old has made a documentary about the fashion industry, due to be broadcast next month on Radio 4.
“I’m writing and producing the programme,” said Erin. “I hope it gives a flavour of how fun the fashion industry can be.”
The model was approached by Radio 4 and jumped at the chance to work on the documentary, part of which was recorded during London Fashion Week.
“The fact that it’s a one-off takes the pressure off somewhat, but I am nervous about the reviews,” Erin admitted.
“I hope it will lead to more projects in future, as I want to focus on writing.”
source:Daily Mail
March 16th, 2008
The remains of Guinean ex-top-model, Kadiatou Katoucha Niane, whose lifeless body was retrieved 28 February in the waters of the Seine river in Paris, France, were buried Friday afternoon at the cemetery of Kameroun, Guinea.
The Pan African News Agency observed a large crowd of sympathisers, fans, relati ves, close associates and friends, who went to pay their last respect to the departed.
The remains of 47 year-old Katoucha, the muse of the French great makes in desig n, arrived Wednesday evening from Paris at the Conakry (Gbessia) International A i rport, through the support of the Guinean government.
March 16th, 2008
Previous Posts