Coterie

S MAGAZINE by Tim Zaragoza http://timzaragoza.com/

The morning of the S Magazine shoot my call time was a bit earlier than the usual 9AM. I remember at the sound of my obnoxiously loud alarm clock I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the faint sun obscurely coming through the window shade. I blinked hard and slow as everything came into focus. My first thought was thank goodness I have a coffee shop downstairs. Morning wouldn’t be the same without Starbucks.  I am a visually obsessed person and the moment I arrived at the location I knew that it would be a great day.  It was a brownstone just off of Grammercy Park with jockey statues lining the entrance, wood moldings, low ceilings, antique lighting and boulle cabinets.  The energy of the place was astounding.  This is one of the first homes built around Grammercy and the producer of the shoot told us that generations of actors from Friends, Frasier, Gossip Girl, SNL and other series had resided in the guest rooms and that the original owner had passed away a few weeks prior while asleep in her bed - that definitely put all of us a bit on edge.  We used the furniture and dim lighting to our advantage to make the images more etherial yet moody.  The semi-nude pictures resemble that of a corrupt fairy-tale with old school elegance.  It was my first time working with Tim, and since this shoot I have had the opportunity to know him better and we have worked a few more editorials.  His work is an amazing example of depth and creativity with raw emotion he draws out from you.

VIXEN

I woke up early and got ready quickly and was eager to get to the location and start shooting.  It was my  first time working with photographer Elias Wessel (http://www.eliaswessel.com/), but I know his work well and love it so I was really very excited about this opportunity.  Instead of shooting in one of the studios downtown we went to an apartment in one of the oldest and chicest buildings on the Upper West Side, the Ansonia Building.  This was certainly one of the more interesting shoots I have done.  The concept was very Stepford Wife meets Pret-A-Porter.  The clothes were chic and trendy designes by The Blondes and Chanel.  And the hair, was an array of colorful wigs while my skin was made more pale - who knew that was possible, ha! - with blushing cheeks and my eyes were  accentuated with bold lashes and eyeliners.  It was a stormy day when we shot and upon my arrival I never expected what I saw when I opened the door; There were racks upon racks of gowns and jewels, a duplex loft with roof access, original wood moldings, exotic art from Asia, Africa and South America on display.  It was magnificent.  Though there was a downside, in this beautiful apartment were about twelve cats.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m animal friendly and I even have a cat myself, but twelve is a bit excessive and not to mention the smell that comes with that many felines.  Everyone on the set was a dream to work with and Elias was even more wonderful and talented than I imagined he would be.  But, if I never go back to that stinky location again, that’s fine with me.

Video footage for Vixen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7NVg0PunjQ

E! 20 Years of Pop Culture

What began as a network for airing movie trailers, entertainment news, event and awards coverage, and interviews had turned into the quintessential channel to watch contemporary film, irresistable reality television and music video previews, and be in-the-know about daily Hollywood gossip and fashion trends.  Last night I joined other artists, actors and models at The London In West Hollywood to celebrate E!’s 20 year mark in entertinment television.  I remember when The Soup was Talk Soup, Live from the Red Carpet was hosted by Joan Rivers, and who could ever forget about the classic E! True Hollywood Stories.  And now, E! hosts a variety of irresistible shows like The Daily 10, E! News and of course the terribly misguied and misbehaved girls on Pretty Wild.  Times, trends and “breaking news” in the celebrity world have changed and E! has been there for all of it.  Here’s to another 20 years! 

Be sure to tune in to E! Channel on it’s official birthday, June 1, 2010, to watch a one-hour special looking back at the past 20 years of pop culture and Hollywood’s most unforgettable stories.  

What I’m wearing:

Dress - Deola Sagoe

Clutch - Roberto Cavalli

Thigh Highs - Walford

Shoes - Camilla Skovgaard

Stylist - Susette Selman

PURPLE FASHION  Magazine #13 photographed by Terry Richardson

There is something so crazy about some of the shoots I have done.  I honestly never imagined that having someone rub lotion and oil all over my body, fluff up my hair, and snap some pictures of me would become my future. It’s so incredible being a part of this but more often and not there is something so surreal about my life and career.  I love being a woman and to flirt for the camera and have breasts.  But, working in fashion definitely teaches you how to downplay the sexuality of being nude.  Being in front of the camera you have to let go of your insecurities and embrace everything about yourself because when you work with someone like Terry there is no hiding behind air-brushing.  There is so much about his creative process that is nearly impossible to explain to someone who has not been there.  It’s you, Terry and the moments he captures forever on film.  It’s always inspiring to see his work because there is such a wide range of people in his images.  It’s just amazing to look and see every different individual and how every person is themselves but at the same time a bit more sexy and free because of the energy Terry brings.  I love being able to call him my friend and hang out, have a coffee, listen to music and chat.  Terry is an incredible photographer and I absolutely adore him. 

By nature I am a workhorse and these last few months been a whirlwind. This week I’m going to give you a little glimpse into what went on during all my recent shoots that are on newsstands now….

ZiNK & FutureClaw

Justin Hyte is a great friend and extremely talented, young photographer.  Between his vision and captivating images with the styling and artistic designs by Sophy Holland it is impossible to go wrong.  I have to admire him for being a visionary but can’t help laughing when he wants the images to be natural in the most unnatural of ways.  For instance, I typically wear clothes, and I am not always followed by a wind machine or left dangling on a high ledge in oversized platform heels - I’m a size 36 (6 US), and most sample sized are a 39 or 40 - while focusing on my smize.  For Zink I was climbing up and down a four and a half foot tall platform box in beautiful gowns and jewelry with vibrant makeup we changed every few frames.  During the shoot I could not refrain from thinking “Oh no, please don’t let me fall and break something…  Oh gosh, keep stomach tight, don’t slip out of the big shoes, stay balanced, don’t frown, relax the face, tighten the muscles and elongate the body, please don’t fall…  You can do this!”  It was amazing to see how the lights brought out even the tiniest accents of shimmer in the makeup, though I do have to admit I got a bit of a headache from my hair being so tight atop of my head - but it was certainly worth it, anything for the sake of fashion!  But, when the issue came to print no one was able to see the colors of the clothes and cosmetics or the true reflection of the shadows against the backdrop or true mood of the story…  Until now.  I happen to have both the color images - the way they were intended to be - and the black and white - the way they appeared in the magazine.  

It doesn’t feel like I’m going to work more than it does that I’m going to spend time and catch up with friends.  For the cover and editorial in FutureClaw there was a much more etherial vibe.  Less makeup, more hair, natural tone and blank set.  For every image Sophy abstracted the art of ingenuity and added to the images to make them more unique.  In the image you see with the very high platform heels, I was actually balancing on a terrifyingly unstable, plastic stool, but with the uniquely beautiful and artistic creations by Sophy, you would never know it.  It was fun working with familiar faces and being relaxed and able to joke around on set.  When I had the antlers on and all I could think of was that silly line from Austin Powers, “Do I make you Horny?”  That and the fact that I looked and felt as though I belonged in Narnia - which I must admit, I love those stories and films.  There is something so special about having knowledge of how the images looked on the screen and the full concept of the spread and then be able to see how the idea translated into a reality when the issue came out.  It was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to share more pictures and stories with you.

Being a model and a cover girl doesn’t mean being pretty. When I go to work I spend hours in hair and makeup. There is a big difference between artists and picture takers. Life should be full of experience and not rendered safe. Everyone I have ever worked with is extremely professional.  It’s always so exciting for me when I go to work and get to by styled by the professionals on set. I have my own style and I don’t typically follow the “fashion trends,” if I find and buy something great I will keep it and wear it for years. Typically when I wake up I put on the first thing I manage to find and it’s funny because when I go to parties or out in the city I’m never totally comfortable because I’m not one of those girls who has personal shoppers or stylists or hair and make-up. When I’m not on set for a photo shoot I’m just me.  But there’s a flip-side, when I’m on set there is something so liberating and it’s like I’m someone else and I’m living vicariously through my work and the photographer’s vision of me.

Operation Smile

Changing Lives One Smile At A Time

It is hard to put into words the feelings of the heart.  Like the changing of the tides, missions come and go.  One surgery not only affects the individual, but those around them and their families for a lifetime.  Revolutionizing and changing lives is the ultimate goal of Operation Smile and this organization has been successful in this time and time again.  Under no circumstances would I categorize any mission as having been easy or for the faint of heart.  Traveling to a foreign country with individuals coming together from various backgrounds from all over the globe, putting their differences behind them in place of one common goal, to help people and change their lives for the better.  Every individual leaves a lasting impression on your heart.  Every quirky detail and selfless act joins volunteers together as a professional team.  The simplest thing for anyone to do is put their name on a committee list, walk a red carpet and and claim to care; actions speak volumes and make all the difference in the world.  Working with and looking into the eyes of the doctors, volunteers, children who have been affected by facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft pallets and their parents; some may not be able to handle the task at hand, but the most generous gift anyone can give is a donation to help change and save the life of another individual and help support Operation Smile.  The hardest challenge is knowing that there are cases too severe, or children too ill to be saved (for lack of a better word).  All our patients are beautiful. They become a part of you. And even though they may never know your name the children and their families will never forget your kindness.

To learn more and find out how you can help, please visit

http://www.operationsmile.org/

Five Easy Pieces

He rode the fast lane on the road to nowhere.

Jack Nicholson plays Bobby, a young man from from a well-bred family of musicians who winds up in a small town as an oil rigger.  Bobby is an angry, restless, lonely man disgusted by routine and does not know what to do with himself. Every project he takes on is a safe haven and a capsule keeping him from the feeble, normal world. A post-modern way of escapism. Bobby drastically interacts with and affects all those around him. It appears that he ”longs to see the world” but in actuality is using this perpetual velocity to flee from his inner sorrows instead of dealing with them.

Bobby: I’d like an omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee. 

Waitress: A #2, chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else? 

Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven’t broken any rules. 

Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh? 

Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees. 

What comes to mind when you think of a woman in Red Lipstick? Red lipstick has become the cosmetic embodiment of sexuality, strength, confidence and individuality. We think of Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Dita Von Teese and any new young hollywood starlet walking the red carpet.  In Cambodia, red lips prove to have quite a different meaning.  Did you know that in countries like Cambodia young girls wear red lipstick while being kept as sexual slaves?  Sex slaves in any form is a despicable practice and a gross violation of human rights.  Anytime you force a young girl unwillingly teenage in those kinds of practices is truly heartbreaking.  The very idea of turning innocent young girls into “Lolita’s” for depraved, preying men is sickening.

It is empowering to know that there are people willing to selflessly come together for a greater purpose - in this case that is lipstick - to raise awareness and funds to help others. 

For more information visit: http://www.thelipstickportraits.org/

The Lipstick Portraits are on view:

May 8 through May 23, 2010

Tuesday through Sunday

12 to 6 PM at 401 Projects

401 West Street NYC.

for press inquiries please contact Dana Larson 

917-345-9841 or dana_h_larson@yahoo.com

Four Flowers Juice

Named for the four fruits that go into this recipe, this drink is extremely refreshing and famous for being served at Sarabeth’s restaurant in New York. With this helpful and easy recipe you can make it at home! 

Ingredients 

Produce

Bananas
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Fresh Pineapple
Fresh Strawberries

Baking

Grenadine (either make fresh or find in the “mixers” section of store)

Condiments & Sauces

Pure Maple Syrup

Directions

Combine 4 peeled and cut bananas with 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice in processor and puree. Transfer to pitcher. Combine 1/2 fresh pineapple that is peeled, cored and cut into chunks with 1/4 fresh squeezed orange juice in processor and puree. Transfer into same pitcher. Mix in 1 cold cup of water, 2 1/2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of grenadine,  1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice and 1 1/2 cups of fresh squeezed orange juice. Chill.  Stir well before serving. Pour fruit mixture into tall glasses and garnish the glasses with strawberries.

*NOTE : To make you own grenadine combine 2 cups of pomegranate juice with 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Let simmer for approximate 15 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.