Thursday, October 5, 2017

Claudia Schiffer Builds Her Lifestyle Brand One Stylish, Supermodel-approved Product at a Time


Legendary super model Claudia Schiffer is on her way to becoming a powerful lifestyle brand one fringed boot, red lipstick, and luxurious sweater at a time.  One of the most successful and enduring models of the nineties, Claudia has never really had a break from the fashion and beauty industry in the last thirty years of her career, but then she never really wanted one.  Through marriage and motherhood, Claudia has remained as relevant today as she has been at any point in her career.  So deep is her love of fashion, it has resulted in her own personal warehouse filled with her collection of iconic designs from the most coveted designers, from gowns to knits, to footwear, handbags, and more. 


But to think that Claudia lives in couture would be completely off the mark.  In fact, she is much like the rest of us, refining her own personal style into a uniform of classic pieces that work for her busy life, are comfortable, fun, and infinitely relatable.  Jeans, boots, trousers, flats, sweaters, blouses, and knits that can go from her English countryside estate to business meetings and beyond, are as functional for her as the rest of us, prompting her to create a line of cashmere sweaters and knits that are luxurious, sporty, fresh, and versatile.  My personal favorites are her versions of striped sweaters, a symbol of classic French style. 



This year saw the launch of the highly anticipated Claudia Schiffer Makeup Collection in collaboration with ArtDeco Cosmetics, highlighting her own favorite products and colors, gleaned from her lengthy career as the face of a multitude of brands.  Who couldn’t benefit from the beauty secrets of a woman who has stood at the pinnacle of the fashion and beauty industries for decades?


Although we have seen her countless times “running in heels” as it were, Claudia is more likely to be seen in lux boho suede boots and chic flats, worn with jeans and a sweater for her busy schedule, proving that true style does not compromise on comfort.  Her passion for footwear has led to an exciting collaboration with Edgardo Osorio, designer of the coveted label Aquazurra, in an eight-piece collection ranging from suede boots and booties that are equal parts boho and French-woman-chic, to embroidered flats that pair just as perfectly with jeans as with a gown.  In true Claudia Schiffer fashion several pieces are embellished with tiny stars giving them a hint of a supermodel flair. 




How Claudia arrived at this point is the stuff of fashion legend and to celebrate her thirty year career she has just released her own book published by Rizzoli, a perspective of her experiences working alongside legendary editors, photographers, and designers over the decades.  Fittingly the book launch was feted in grand style at Fashion Week in Milan. 



Claudia Schiffer is more like the rest of us than not, despite her success, as she proves beauty and style are not exclusive nor defined by age or time.  She is firstly a mother and wife who just happens to be a supermodel and powerhouse brand in the making.
    
                                                               XOXO Shelley




#Claudia Schiffer for Aquazurra #Claudia Schiffer Cashmere #Claudia Schiffer Makeup #Claudia Schiffer by Rizzoli #Claudia Schiffer supermodel business woman #facethis.blogspot.com #Shelley Goodstein

Sunday, October 1, 2017

The Original Supermodels Reunited For Gianni Versace Tribute in An Epic Fashion Moment


In a fitting tribute to the late Gianni Versace, murdered twenty years ago, his sister and successor Donatella staged the most memorable show of the Spring Summer 2018 Collections season.  Reviving Gianni’s most iconic prints, the “Animalier”, ‘Baroque”, and “Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe” were applied to new shapes and silhouettes that still stand for powerful women comfortable in their own femininity, every bit as much as Gianni’s designs.


While the styles were updated, Donatella brought back the print on print designs, printed leggings, and bodysuits, which were a trademark of the house back in the eighties and nineties.   Gianni worshipped women and elevated five of his chosen models of the day to, in his words, “Goddess” stature.  In a fashion world first, these same supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, and Carla Bruni were reunited in a stunning tableau wearing golden gowns, before taking to the runway in true supermodel style to George Michael’s “Freedom” in a grand finale. 




This season’s models including Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kaia Gerber showcased today’s designs in a modern, fresh way, bringing Gianni’s glamor and sophistication to a new generation.  Just as the supermodels still reign as industry icons twenty years on, Gianni’s love of women, his luxurious creations, and joy for life are a part of fashion history. 


We’d love to see more of these gorgeous supermodels who are every bit as relevant today as they were twenty years ago. Let’s hope it isn’t another twenty years before they reunite again.  Donatella has carried the torch of the Versace label in her own grand style, while never forgetting where it all began.  With Gianni. 

                                                               XOXO  Shelley


#GianniVersacetribute #Versace SpringSummer2018 #supermodelsreunited #originalsupermodels #epicfashionmoments #CindyCrawford #ClaudiaSchiffer #NaomiCampbell #HelenaChristensen #CarlaBruni #facethis.blgospot.com #Shelley Goodstein

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Models as Social Media Influencers: The What, Why, and How to Succeed


Social media:  it is the new reality of modeling and cannot be ignored.  The entire fashion and beauty industries have been changed by the power of the individual on social media platforms, affecting advertising, branding, and even in some cases actual design.  For the first time in the world of modeling, models have more control over their personal brand image than ever before. 


By now we all know that having a large, engaged following on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and Twitters is gauged as “influence” and clients are now considering a model’s own influence on social media in the casting process.  A model’s look or portfolio are not enough to land bookings in many cases, as clients are interested in models who have a large number of followers and will give a shout out to their brand, post or re-post project-related (and approved) images and video clips (stories), or simply have a recognized face and persona that are in line with their own brand image and reflects their target market.   So powerful is this influence that agencies are now representing talent that often does not conform to traditional model standards.  Tattoos, piercings, extreme looks, unnatural hair color, shorter types, and quirky models are now cast for campaigns because of their own personal influence and cool factor.  The ramifications for the standard models is enormous as the competition increases and the cult of personality becomes extremely important to a successful career. 


So what does that all mean to new models and those looking to take their career to the next level?  We asked several models and agents for their tips on how to manage this new side of the business of modeling to stand out and increase your own influence:

Content - What to post: 

- selfies: on set with makeup and hair done or in the process – no duck lips - ever
- natural selfies: clean, fresh, pretty
- inspirational pics or clips: working out and showing how fit you are
- eating real food: everyone loves seeing a model enjoying her meal
- street style: going to castings, with other models or alone
- smiling: this is often not a shot in a model’s book so this is the perfect place to show off your amazing smile
- activities: doing things that you love that show you are more than just a “model”, such as skateboarding, hiking, reading, cooking, days out with friends, family time
- travel: amazing views or sites that you really like such as skylines, beaches, art work, urban scenes
- behind-the-scene pics or clips: with permission - always
- your best features: if you have amazing eyes or long legs this is the perfect chance to show them off
- personality: show it off – this is your chance to be you
- humor: shows you are real, fun, and that you don’t take yourself too seriously
- clips: use Snapchat and Instagram Stories to bring your personal brand to life

How often to post:

Believe it or not some agencies require their models to post twice per day to build their feeds quickly with content.  And they are watching to see what you post, so keep that in mind.  Once you have established a reasonable number of followers on your platforms, once a day will be enough. 

Hashtags: #

- check what hashtags agencies and top models use and keep a list for yourself
- when posting to Instagram, use only a couple of hashtags in the initial post and then immediately comment on your own post to add a few more
- check the app Hashtagger to learn which tags are trending for the type of photo or clip you want to post
- common hashtags are #modellife, #modeloffduty, #modelstyle, #modelcasting, #onestowatch, #newfaces, #motivation, #backstage, #makeup, #behindthescenes, #modelstreetstyle

Do’s and don't’s:

- always check with the agency for their own rules regarding posts on your accounts
- it is not your model portfolio so only post test shots with the express permission of the photographer – always check so you don’t infringe on anyone’s copyright and credit everyone involved in creating that particular shoot
- post covers, runway images, and tear sheets interspersed with your personal pics and clips to show your progress and that you are a working model
- the fastest way to lose out on potential bookings with great clients is to post nudity or a lot of butt shots – unless that is the type of modeling work you want.

How to keep it authentic:

            This is your chance to have your own voice in your brand image, to have personality, and to be a “real” personal rather than a mannequin ready to be transformed into other people’s vision.   Be yourself and it will show.  Being precious sends the wrong message to potential clients and could actually hurt your chances of making strong impressions with potential clients.  Endear yourself to your followers and let them see what the modeling life is actually like.  Take them on your adventure and share this exciting time.  Be gracious and answer their comments, and delete the ones that throw shade.  It is your feed, your account, your brand.  

How to increase your followers:

- don’t buy followers – it is easy for other people to see that you did that and they will know you are trying to inflate your influence – and most of those followers will disappear quickly and your numbers will actually decline – you don’t want potential clients to see that negative spiral
- follow other models, photographers, brands, designers, art directors, editors, magazines, stylists, makeup artists, and clients
- comment quickly on other model’s and industry pros' posts so your comment is seen right away, and keep the comments friendly and fun, as other people might in turn check out your profile and follow you
- be regularly active on the platforms, both in posting and in commenting and liking
- be generous in your “likes” – what goes around comes around


Influence is here to stay and models must embrace it to succeed. Don’t be overwhelmed with the task of gaining influence.  Think of it as a way to control your brand image, outside of your portfolio.  Revel in being able to show your own style and personality, and use it as a tool to learn how to be a better model in front of the camera.  Find your best angles and expressions.  Practice moving in front of the camera.  Make it yours!


                                                               XOXO  Shelley


#businessofmodeling #modelsandsocialmedia #influencers #modeling101 #howtobreakintomodeling #gettingintomodeling #modelscouting #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein