Photo: Luigi Murenu
Luigi Murenu is a hair god. And one of the most humble talents in the business. Here is his latest for Vogue Korea.
Photos courtesy of Luigi Murenu
photo of Naomi Campbell because she is F.I.E.R.C.E.
Tag Archives: Beauty
Luigui Murnero Creates Powerful Faces For Vogue
Filed under Fashion, Inspirational, People We Love
On Beauty From Marie Stopes: Birth Control Advocate
You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen. But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your soul’s own doing. – Marie Stopes
Marie Stopes, an author and one of Britain’s first advocates for women’s rights and a pioneer in the field of birth control. As a matter of fact, she and her husband Humphry Verdon Roe found the first birth control clinic in Britain in March of 1921. Also she wrote a book Married Love or Love in Marriage when hers was falling apart. That book became a best seller; publishers could hardly keep it in print. Yeah, that’s right. The first year there were 5 editions released. Wow. Right? This is someone whom when told she couldn’t legally get a divorce, read legal papers and documents to find a way. And she did. She legally divorced in 1913 on the stand that the marriage had never been consummated. So basically, she’s bad-ass.
Now, onto the quote I chose for today. The idea that one can take no credit for ones beauty at sixteen is confusing for a lot of models. Most people assume that modeling is simply being genetically blessed and while that is definitely a part of a model’s success there is still an entire different skill set that makes a model “a model.” And most girls don’t realize they have it.
So, when a model doesn’t understand what it is that makes her a model, then the craft of modeling gets lost in the pursuit to “stay beautiful.” Many many models and actresses fall into this category and their careers end before they reach their prime.
Beyond this, most agents, photographer and editors don’t understand why one girl is awesome and another falls flat. Modeling schools don’t understand this either. Currently there is no support for models to cultivate the craft of modeling and it becomes a game of hit or miss.
Those that have innately figured it out or have been fortunate enough to have longer careers that have afforded them the time it takes to hone in on the talent and craft it find a beauty that is everlasting, mesmerizing and awe-inspiring.
So, what is this craft of modeling I speak of? It’s difficult to fit in all into one blog post. Most simply put it is the ability to capture a feeling and process through the filter of image and project it back out to be captured.
I speak of this process to shine a light on Stopes’ second half of the quote: But if you are beautiful at sixty, it will be your soul’s own doing.
And this is where the craft of modeling transcends into art. Once a model is able to craft an image, the challenge becomes constructing a framework to project their soul into. And this is where we find true beauty.
Because you see, it doesn’t really matter if one is a conventional beauty. What matters is the self awareness, emotional control and an ability to access one’s soul and spirituality.
Gah! So yes. All of us can be a model. And all of us are beautiful and all of us need not be afraid to practice our beauty today. Go ahead, try it. Find yours and express it!
Filed under Beauty, Fashion, Inspirational, Quotes
Iris Apfel Tell Us To Be Proud Of Aging
…and I happen to agree.
From Advanced Style: Thank you Ari Seth Cohen
Are you afraid of aging? Do you embrace it? or do you fight it?
I’m proud of my experiences in life. I’m proud of all I’ve survived and accomplished. I’m grateful for the blessings that have been given to me. Much like Iris, I too feel that if you’ve been blessed, it’s important to share those blessings in a way that benefits others positively.
What blessings do you have in your life today that you can share with your communities?
Filed under Beauty, People We Love
Photographer Greg Kessler: Macro-Morphosis
One of the most creative backstage photographers I’ve ever worked with is Greg Kessler. He did all the photos for Bazaar under the tutelage of Patrick McMullan. But since those early days, he’s been shooting for French Vogue, The New York Times’ T Magazine, 10 Magazine and Dossier Journal.
Filed under Beauty, Fashion, People We Love
5 Powerful Health & Beauty Tonics
1. Coconut Kefir:
New discovery!!! I’ve been drinking Kefir for years and then I came across Coconut Kefir. What? My head exploded. Combining two of my favorite health tonics into one? Yes please!
Here’s just a few reasons it’s great for you:
Half a Face
Here’s something cool, check it out. I snapped a photo of myself with half my makeup removed. It’s a good illustration of how a model’s face acts as a canvas for a makeup artist to paint on.
Here’s a full face of makeup (minus the lips):
And here’s the same look with 1/2 the makeup removed:
How To Book A Job Modeling
I walked into the studio where the casting for Scott Barnes’ new coffee table book was and there was a shoot already going on. The first thing I do is scan the room for the gatekeeper. This is the person, normally a producer, that controls the flow of information and peoples’ comings and goings. Once I spot him or her, I’ll go over and introduce myself. I’ll say something like, “Hi, I’m Emily. Is this where the casting for Scott is?”
Once I’m connected to the gatekeeper, it’s my job to follow their lead. In this case, she was busy discussing business with another producer so I stood quietly and off to the side waiting for her to be ready to deal with me. All around me were hair stylists, nail artists, wardrobe stylists, a model, assistants and other people in production. It’s not my job to connect with any of them. We are all in the same room, yes, but this is not a party and I’m not the guest of honor. So I keep my boundaries professional and continue to stand confident, with purpose.
The producer finishes and signals for Scott to come over to meet me. She then looks at me and begins to explain the shoot and what they’ll need. This is my turn to listen and, if there are any questions, keep my answers short. I still maintain a professional and friendly boundary.
Once Scott joins us, I can now open up and show my personality, but just for that first impression. Then I put it away and maintain a professional distance. I place all my attention on him. He looks at my book. Makes a few comments. and… this next bit is big…
When clients comment on your photos, it is not an invitation for you to have a conversation with them. Unless they ask you directly, there is nothing to say. They are talking about you not with you, no casting director or client wants to have a charming conversation about how you loved working with whichever photographer. Nope, don’t care, not interested. Oh, they’re smiling and engaging with you? They wish you’d stop talking. Let them comment away in peace.
Scott, the client, finishes looking at the book 1/2 way through and hands it back. He’s seen enough and goes quickly over what he wants to do with me, making the decision right then and there that he likes my look, is familiar with my work and wants me to be included in his new book. He then turns to the producer and makes comments about how much he loves my face, loves my look. Please note: this also is not an invitation to comment or even say thank you. It may feel strange but remember, clients are normally talking about you not with you.
At this point Scott walks off. No goodbye and it is not my job to say goodbye either. This behavior is normal. Don’t take it personally if the clients at a casting just walk away or wave you off without so much as a goodbye or thank you. If you’ve ever had to connect with 30 people in the span of 2 hours while overseeing a shoot and making sure a model’s makeup, hair, etc is perfect and be creative director, you’ll understand the pressures that not only Scott but most clients are under during a casting session.
After Scott walks away, my attention turns back to the producer. I put my personality away completely and turn on my business face. She asks if I’m available tomorrow. I respond yes. She thanks me and I leave. Super easy.
I email my agent to let him know how it went well and then I go on with my life. In this case, I drove to my friend Morgan’s house to bring her a coffee and do my best to make her laugh after the week she’s had.
As long as you don’t try to “win” anyone over you’ll be fine. It’s all about your look and there isn’t much you can do to change it. No amount of charm is going to make your eyes round or almond shaped.
More to come tomorrow as we go to set!
Beauty Casting Preparation
I’m meeting with celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes to discuss shooting photos for his next coffee table book. I’d like to take this opportunity to go over what I’ll wear and how I’ll do my hair and makeup for this kind of meeting. Continue reading
Filed under Beauty
James Van Alden: Photography Challenge
My friend James Van Alden asked if I would sit in a my living room chair and let him photograph me with no makeup, no lighting and no hair. Just me. In a tank top.
My first thought was no (expletive) way am I letting anyone photograph me without at least a bit of concealer. But James wouldn’t have it. It was a barefaced challenge. I considered the challenge and countered back. If he wouldn’t let me use concealer or color of any kind, I would accept the challenge if he let me use two products: clear lip gloss and mascara.
And… he said Continue reading
Filed under Beauty, Fashion, People We Love
