Now imagine that you are a model. Hair, done. Make up, done. Clothes & styling, done.Towering high heels, on. Music on. *Your name* and GO!

The world’s eyes are on you as soon as you step onto that catwalk, you start your:
walk-walk-fashion-bab…..when….suddenly….

Catapum! Boom! Pun-ba! Splat! Kaboom!*

Yup. The trip.

And it can happen even to the best of all Supermodels, if not ask Jessica Stam…

Or Naomi Campbell…

And even to the sex symbol/model types -aka- Carmen Electra. And who can forget that episode of S&TC when Carrie Bradshaw falls down the catwalk and has no other but Heidi Klum walking – literally – all over her…

So since it could happen to any of us, we shouldn’t be laughing at it right? Especially if we are ment
to be serious news presenters…

Trust magazine editors too to click on the fact that we all love seeing models trip over, to end up featuring them in.the.cover. of their glossies too! Exactly what L’Officiel did back in 2009 and good
ole VOGUE Italia, earlier in February this year.

But what is it that causes even the best of supermodels to trip over, besides lack of sleep or challenging footwear, or a combination of both..? Well apparently, the answer is… hazardous catwalks! Check this out:

Interesting hey? I love what Jay Alexander says:“It’s how you navigate the clothes, it is about “clothing navigation”.A-ha. A-ha. *taking notes*

But what if… say… there’s a hole in there? Or what if it is the worse runway in the world? What do you do? (Besides wishing swallow me earth and carrying on like a true professional?) Well… learn from Naomi and turn your walk of shame into a cash cow, making ££££/$$$$ from it! Here is how:

So… if even the best of Supermodels fall flat wearing heels, what hope do we mere mortals have of avoiding the walk of shame?

Exactly. None.

We might not have to walk on hazardous catwalks, but we live in hazardous cities! Think: Fresh grass, escalator steps, pavement cracks, drains, gaps between cement blocks, old pebbled streets, automatic
doors, icy streets, wet streets…

When was the last time that you tripped over?

xoxo
Nonita

* I don’t know the onomatopeia for a model tripping over the catwalk, alright? So I had to ask my 4 year old nephew Manel to help me out with the sounds of what is like when he falls over – which happens rather often – so those are his suggestions.

Auf deutsch lesen  >

Identical twins, yet still quite different,Raphaela and Delilah, both successful behind the camera as models whilst acting as photographers themselves.

They work together not only in the fashion world, but they also share the same wardrobe, giving them a double selection of clothing and shoes. Not unpractical if you travel a lot in the fashion world …

We were able to coax the two sisters to give us a few details about their careers and also about the topic of modelling and internet:

You both are a great duo! Are the two of you only available together or do you also do things separately?

We usually work together, both professionally and privately. Not to say that we do separate and have individual lives. We don’t want the men to get the wrong idea and have the impression that we are only a packaged deal  ;-)

What differentiates you from each other? Are there qualities about each other that you bother you?

We have similar personalities and characteristics, but of course there are always small differences, Delilah is a bit more aggressive than Raphaela.
We get along very well and usually when we do have an occasional argument we sound like an old married couple

Since when have you been modelling and what brought you to the modelling world?
We modelled as children, then took a break to finish school and receive career training. Now we are back in the modelling world for more than a year with agencies and we hope to give it our best effort to become more successful.

Since our father is a photographer, we have gained an insight into this industry at an early age so it was not so difficult to begin a career in photography and to gain experience early on.

Which model jobs have you already done? What was the most amazing job you have done so far?

We both model often for Triumph, which we really enjoy; unfortunately still no photo job.
We did some commercial campaigns for Otto, Klosters Davos and Post Hotel Weggis
Furthermore, we did advertising campaigns for Mind Set, Gretener, Netto, Uvex, DAG Personal, Ottos, Stöckli …

How come no agency name appears on your website www.bolzerntwins.com? Do you manage your job bookings completely alone?

No, we are also represented by agencies, such as JJ-models, but we also manage a lot of jobs ourselves. We should update out website in this area.

In addition to modelling  you are also active as a make-up artists and photographers. Tell us a little about your experiences in the different areas and how they relate to each other.
We like all areas and we are content to have varieties within our career paths, therefore we chose to begin working in the three areas of this industry. Because we know all areas of this business, it makes it possible to connect one part with another. If you learn a concept quickly then it can easily be applied in another area, which is very practical.

As you are models and photographers you certainly have a few tips for new faces, what is the best way to present yourself  in front of a camera?

The best is if you try to stay relaxed and as natural as possible. When you have to put yourself in a different role / character, it is important to feel that role on the inside.

Where do you see yourself in future? In front of or behind the camera? What would be a dream job for you?

Our dream is to continue to make it successfully in the future. As photographers, we want a photo studio either in Switzerland or anywhere abroad would also be an option. To become successful photographers in the fashion industry. As a model, it would be cool to become the face of a well known brand …

What do you think about online platforms such as modelmanagement.com? And how important is the Internet in general for the model and photo industry?

We think it’s a great opportunity to establish the first impression of yourself as a model and to have the opportunity to apply for castings. The Internet is now a very important tool, it will probably become even more important in the future. Nevertheless, word of mouth – propaganda should not be underestimated.

What if your favourite feature on your modelmanagement.com  profile?

To constantly be informed of casting opportunities everywhere and to also be able to advertise independently.

Having not watched a beauty pageant in at least 10 years and being of the opinion that beauty
pageants are tacky, old fashioned and uncool, I stumbled upon the Miss Universe contest last
week and out of sheer boredom I decided to watch it. And surprise-surprise… There’s models
in there!!!

Wot? Do you mean models as in fierce, ‘walk-walk-fashion-babies’ inside The Donald’s beauty pageant? Yup.

“Nervous me? No, no nerves. Excited if anything” – Said Jimena Navarrete, Miss Mexico before being crowned Miss Universe 2010

Yeah, that is because you are a model lav, otherwise you’d be having ‘major, major’ problems.

Ha! and there was naive little me, wondering what was that hypnotizing, je ne se quoi in all my favourite girls, starting with the stunning and sweet-looking Miss Albania… Awww!

Now you wouldn’t guess would you? That behind that naive beauty queen smile and ‘country band’
the girl is Angela Martini, a fierce New York based supermodel from the books of New York’s Elite Model Management. Meaow!

So is the case of Miss Mexico, the winner, who is also a model:

And so is the gorgeous Miss Ireland (My favourite one):

But hold on a minute! Weren’t all the beautiful girls in the Miss Universe contest supposed to come
from deep in the valleys of their own countries, bearing fruit baskets a la red riding hood and have
no experience in the real fashion world whatsoever?

Well, apparently NAT! Some of them look more like she wolfs rather than caperucitas. :S
Take a look at these girls who are also models…

Miss Slovakia:

Miss Canada:

Miss Finland:

Miss Switzerland:

Miss Ukraine:

Miss Brazil:

Miss Russia:

Now see if you can spot the models from the non models in this video of the contestants: (FUN!)

I know!!! and I know what you are thinking: OMG!! What is she wearing? High heeled Ugg
boots as the ‘national costume’ of Australia?! :S Seriously?!

And is that seriously what people really wear in Albania?!

What’s with the clothes right? I don’t know about you Mr El Trump but we fashion people
are not ‘feeling’ the fashion in Miss Universe, so it may be time for Miss Universe to undergo
a serious fashion revamp. No wonder the event doesn’t even figure in the fashion calendar.
Clothes and shoes designed by who..? Why not bring on the real fashion designers and stylists,
now that would be cool!

Which brings me to the next question: if Miss Universe is such an unfashionable event, why
so many experienced fashion models werking it there?

Aaah well, the case of my favourite gal Miss Ireland (who also happens to be Donald Trump’s
favourite) kind of explains it. She may not have won – officially – (another model did) but straight
after the show she was offered a $$$$$ modelling contract in New York at The Donald’s very
own Trump Model Management. Tons of lucrative modelling contracts are said to be pouring
in from all over the place for the gorgeous Irish model and she deserves it. Not only is she beautiful
but she is also got her head screwed on and her feet on the ground. (You can read up on her here)

And I bet you my pack-a-lunch that it will be the same case for all the other models who took part
on this year’s Miss Universe. What? do you mean that the models aren’t really doing it for a year
wearing that tacky tiara, or for the ugly freebie clothes, jewellery, make up and shoes that the
winner gets? Ah-ah.

The ‘major, major’ modelling contracts seem to be the pull these days. Even for the not so experienced girls like the gorgeous Miss France and the lovely Miss Australia – who according to the experts, would rock the catwalks of Victoria’s Secret and I totally agree, they both have the killer body and lovely personality for it!

So my final question is… is it fair that experienced models working in the fashion capitals of the
world should compete against third world country pretties, with zero pro modelling experience,
who come from countries were the modelling and fashion industry are centuries behind to say the
least? Shouldn’t new blood be given at least half a chance?

I think that all the non model contestants deserve a huge applause for braving to even stand
next to this intimidatingly beautiful and talented towering goddesses of the fashion catwalks.
Would you dare? I’d legg it before I become fashion roadkill!

Models in Miss Universe yay or nay?

xoxo
Nonita

It’s official and been aired!! The FashionTV coverage from Fresh Faces Spain 2010 is now here for you to see even more of the excitement that took place back in June in Barcelona.

“We were extremely pleased with the very cool video from FashionTV! They came to the event and shot everything from the models preparation backstage, to the editorial photo shoots, the models catwalk for the judges and VIP’s, and the all important party where the winners were announced. We love it!!”

Marc Charach, modelmanagement.com

Watch the video and let us know what you think!

Success in different lines! Photographer Guenther Egger used models he cast through modelmanagement.com to shoot several stories for his very glamorous and cool fashion magazine UP.

Through a big casting on modelmanagement.com he together with creative director Bea Egger made his choice of models and then invited them to a live casting in Innsbruck. The models that arrived certainly convinced him!  Almost all of them got booked for different stories, scenes and poses.

The result are these extraordinary photos, which can be already seen in the latest issue of UP.

Watch out for future castings for UP magazine!

Auf deutsch lesen  >

Presenting our 10 Fresh Faces finalists 2010 for Germany!

Each of these lucky finalists will be attending the Grand Final in Berlin.

The finalists will participate in both Fashion and Swimwear shootings,  under the watchful eyes of the jury. They will make the all important final decision and select the two models with the most potential to start modeling internationally and be the Fresh Faces 2010 Germany!

GERMANY

What, what? Yes, yes! Now that was unexpected. (Yo! you kids of today who may not know who
Mr Scorsese is, you may want to ‘Wiki him’ or something…)

The film (I can’t just say the ad now can I? That would be wrong!) stars Gaspard Ulliel,
Ingrid Schram and Amalie Bruun. The music in the video is “She Said Yeah” by the Rolling
Stones. And so far the reviews?

‘“I am not going to be the person I am expected to be anymore”–Bleu by Chanel is spot on
capturing EXACTLY what a 38-42 year-old Man feels.’
-Says Alexandre Meerson, Direct Sales & E-Commerce Director at ESPA, Luxury
Skincare brand, London and Founder of Digital Luxury Brands.

Now, I am not a 38-42 year old fine man (darn!) – Chanel Bleue’s prime target marget – so
I don’t quite ‘get it’ in that sense. What do you guys reckon?

Here is the making of:

Et voila here is the ad:

Clever Chanel hey? I wonder who is next… Steven Spielberg for Prada?
I can just about picture models chasing dinosaurs a la ‘Jurassic Park’ or fighting fiercely against massive sharks a la ‘Jaws’ after spraying themselves with a bit o’ Prada. That would just about hit, spot on, people in my check box: 29-90 year old, fierce, fashion loving hunters, bit crazy, who watch far too many movies and can’t afford Prada clothes, so buy themselves the perfume instead…

Thoughs gentlemen please?

xoxo
Nonita

Leer en espanol>

Looking for inspiration or just for a great movie to watch? Here is a collection of 10 of my absolute favourite photography related movies of all time!

1.- The Third Man (1949)
A black and white feast for the senses. Each scene is like a glorious monochrome shot. A must see classic film that reminds us of the magic of a black and white world.

2.- La Jettee (1962)
An incredible 28-minute black and white science fiction film, constructed almost entirely from still photos! Set in Paris, the film tells the story of a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel.

3.- Dreams (1990)
Eight short films based on actual dreams and memories. The surreal visuals in each scenario are absolutely eerie and stunning. A visual masterpiece and a photographer’s never-ending fountain of inspiration.

4.- Raise The Red Lantern (1991)
Colour and light are beautifully portrayed in this classic Chinese production. The grim tale clashes beautifully against the eye-popping colours that seem to dominate the screen.

5.- Baraka (1992)
A movie with no plot, focused on a bewitching set of images, shot over 14 months in 6 continents and 24 countries. Photographer’s heaven.

6.- Pecker (1998)
A sandwich shop guy becomes an overnight photography sensation when his grainy, out-of-focus studies of unglamorous subjects – which are far from professional – strike a chord with New York art collectors.

7.- Shooting the Past (1999)
A British Television drama focused around a photographic library threatened by closure. The library images tell the most fascinating stories.

8.- Born into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids (2004)
A fantastic documentary film about children who live in the red light district of Calcutta, where their
mothers work as prostitutes. Zana Briski, a New York-based photographer, gives each of the children
a camera and teaches them to look at the world with new eyes. The images captured by the children
are stunning!

9.- The Milk of Sorrow (2009)
The images in this movie are so incredibly beautiful that they almost seem like they belong inside
the pages of a photography book. Incredibly inspiring visuals.

10.- The Woman That Dreamed About A Man (2010)
A succesful, chic and stylish fashion photographer starts dreaming about a mystery man who
she ends up meeting in Paris and her life is never the same again.

Now this is eye candy for women! It ticks all the boxes in any fashionista’s list. Stylish woman,
check. Shoes to die for, check. The ultimate male sex symbol, check. All wrapped up around a
thrilling, passionate and tres chic story. Click here to watch the trailer.

After watching those films, I can’t help but feel the urge to dust off my poor neglected old Nikon
and start looking at the world with new eyes… (erm, after Googling images of Marcin Dorociński
to death! Ladies: isn’t he cuuuuuuuuuute?!)

Which are your favourite photography related movies?

xoxo
Nonita

Steven Meisel has that special ability to script and tailor his fashion editorials so that each can reference and reflect current social trends, situations and events. We should be extremely thankful for the fact that Italian Vogue is willing to go the extra mile and give this talented photographer carte blanche when putting together his shoots.

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

The Makeover Madness editorial spread that caused such a stir, depicts models as rich women at an elite clinic, in various pre- and post- cosmetic surgery states, complete with bandages. A finger pointed to the general world’s obsession with perfect bodies. Fashion magazines are singled out as one of the prime “culprits” of promoting unattainable body shapes, yet there was the editorial in Vogue Italia. Anyone who works in print and digital images knows that Photoshop is usually applied with a liberal hand, (check this video out, it is amazing), so the perfect body doesn’t even exist. Makeover Madness should be taken as tongue-in-cheek.

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

The State of Emergency shoot garnered rave reviews and awful comments in equal measures. Models which are presumed to be spies, are handcuffed, arrested and caught by police. “The degradation of women”, some cried, “how insensitive” said others. Terrorism is something that is part and parcel of daily life in many countries, yet it seems to fall away from public consciousness as soon as there is a lull. North Americans were brainwashed after September 11, freezing into a state of paralysis, believing that danger lurked around every corner. Life must go on, people must be aware and take action. Bringing further awareness to the public through a fashion magazine should not be struck down so quickly.

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia

Which brings us right up to date with Vogue Italia’s Water & Oil shoot, also by Steven Meisel. The bickering comments are never-ending as can be seen here. BP’s oil catastrophe off the Gulf of Mexico is a very recent and touchy situation; why is it necessary to maintain this halo of sacredness around the affair? This is devastating and so are the photos. Meisel has managed to despoil the essence of fashion, the beauty of the clothes and the model, Kristen McMenamy, representing the terrible effects of the oil spill. The result is starkly and spine-chillingly beautiful. The classic concept of beauty has been entirely wiped out to clearly reflect the enormity of the situation.

Fashion is labelled superfluous and unimportant by so many people but at the same time, manages to create such commotions. Is it more important than many want to believe? Is it due to a lack of understanding? Maybe it’s time to really think about the labels we so easily and readily use when dealing with fashion and the images that are produced. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion concerning what may or may not be offensive. For me, something that is controversial is the fact that there are women walking around, fully swaddled in black niqabs due to religion and subsequent male domination that goes hand in hand. Distasteful is going to the theatre or the opera and seeing people dressed in tracksuits and flip flops. And offensive? Offensive is imposing one’s views and thoughts on others, believing that there is only one correct way to see things. Fashion will continue to dish up succulent editorials, some geared mainly to sell beautiful clothes or others that will push the boundaries and make us think. I sincerely hope that we can maintain an open mind and continue to discuss into the small hours of the night what each photo means and reflects of our current state of affairs in the world.

Er, who's the singer here? Naomi snatches the mic from J.Lo. From digitalspy.com

I got to thinking about models mixing it up with music as I recently heard that flame-haired Karen Elson – who just happens to be hitched to The White Stripes’ Jack White  – had penned and recently released her own debut long-player. Titled The Ghost Who Walks - Elson’s nasty nickname given by bullies because of pale appearance, (teenagers are sooooo cruel!) – it’s a mix of gothic-folk and country, and it’s actually pretty good. Produced by White, critics have questioned his input, but, admittedly, Elson has long- established music credentials being as a performer and has a long list of collaborations and guest appearances under her Gucci belt.

Karen with her band. From nytimes.com

And on stage singing songs from her debut album. From moralfibre.co.za

Hopefully Elson will fare better than Naomi and the other supermodels who have chanced a music career. After Naomi there was Kate. Ms Moss – when not dating rock stars, Jamie Hince, Pete Doherty etc, – fancies herself as one, having apparently co-wrote four songs on a Babyshambles (Doherty’s band), album. She has also provided vocals for songs by Primal Scream and The Lemonheads, but alas, a solo record deal is still outstanding (best stick to clothing designs, Kate). More recently still, last year Agyness Dean (who dated Albert Hammond Jnr from The Strokes, sensing the model-music connection now?) lent her vocals to the single Who by London-based rockers the Five O’Clock Heroes. But even a high-profile model on-board and the column inches that ensued couldn’t help the track, which limped to a heady number 102 in the charts. Even Alice Dellal has gotten in on the act, forming her own Slits-esque band, the beautifully entitled Thrush Metal. Gross.

Kate rocking out with her ex, Pete Doherty. From rollogrady.com

And with her fiance, Jamie Hince from The Kills

Aggy fronted 5 O Clock Heroes on one of their singles. From contactmusic.com

And with her ex from The Strokes. From harpersbazaar.com

But it’s not all doom, gloom and record contracts in the shredder. Two obvious success stories in the transition from modelling are Carla Brunei and Grace Jones. Jones, who created some of the most original and exciting disco music in the 80s is still going strong, regularly headlining on the festival circuit. No mean feat seeing as she is now 62 (Jesus, she’s older than my mum!) and still working a look like no other.

Grace's infamous pose... actually made from collages of more than one photo, by photographer Jean-Paul Goude

Pop stars and models have enjoyed something of a close relationship; the rock n roll lifestyles of both perfectly go hand-in-hand, I’m thinking Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, David Bowie and Iman, and, more recently, Seal and Heidi Klum. I reckon the latest crop of models turned rockers should limit their associations with music by simply hooking up with rock legends instead. A duet in the romantic sense and not in the musical sense.

The original rock 'n' roll-model couple, Mick and Jerry

What do you think? Does having free time and pots of cash entitle our favourite fashion clotheshorses to chance it in the music industry. Or should they just stick to the karaoke machine?