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Take a look at Jimena Navarrete’s stunning Reem Acra dress

I met her back when I used to think modeling was fun and important.  You’re usually able to think this way when you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’ll be one of the thousands of girls in this industry to really “make it” – runway shows in Paris, billboards in Time Square, dating rock stars, the works.  I was nineteen and living for a dream that would never happen and, in the end, didn’t matter that much anyway.  But then, then I was happy and the hope, however impossible my success actually was, gave me a sense of euphoric buoyancy that I have not been able to recreate.

The job was a runway show for celebrities in the backyard of some Bel Air mansion.  The house was traditional and American with wooden white siding and green trim.  Stately columns, green grass, a blue sky.  Los Angeles.  It sat atop a hill above the pool where pink tents were set up for the rich and famous.  The models got our makeup done backstage.  Pink lips, liquid eyeliner cat-eyes, curly hair.  I look at pictures from that day and I can’t tell if I look younger or just more naïve.  Happy in my blind stupidity.

I was initially attracted to her because I thought we looked related.  She was beautiful.  Her teeth were uneven and bent in directions any American orthodontist would want to correct.  I loved her mouth; it reminded me of Kirstin Dunst.  She smiled often, her cheeks stretching up warmly to squinted eyes and a perfectly square forehead.  I later realized that this was because she wasn’t very interesting or intelligent – unerring friendliness is often used to combat these shortcomings.

For whatever reason, most likely narcissistic ones, we took to each other immediately.  She invited me out that night to dinner with she and her promoter boyfriend, a longhaired douche bag (also friendly) who used to be on soaps back in the seventies or whatever era he was actually twenty.  He was older and owned a penthouse with views of the Hollywood Hills.  They met when she was barely out of high school and she moved in within days of their first date.

Some of the other people who would be joining us for dinner were at the event, pervy older men who had no vested interest in women’s clothing except when they were taking it off to fuck.  They came only to check out the specimens modeling.  Scouting, you might call it.  After the show we met a few of them, many remarking that none of the girls were good and most of them had cellulite.  Nice to meet you, too, assholes.  But I laughed, caring less that these men were pigs and more that I was not one of those girls.

I drove back to my mom’s house to kill some time.  I had come home from college and moved back into my high school bedroom.  At this point in my career, I wasn’t making any money.  Modeling was a novelty.  When people asked what I did, I’d respond with some hodgepodge answer that I was a student on a leave of absence – a leave of absence that would go on for about seven years – but I sometimes modeled.  The answer usually commanded a response like “Good for you” and “Smart girl” or “You don’t want to be one of those who turns twenty-eight and is still doing that shit.”  The truth and gravity of that last statement only became more real as I got older and modeling had suddenly morphed from the land of possibility to the land of golden handcuffs, tied to money and a ladder to nowhere.  That’s what happens to “those” girls.  That’s what I didn’t wan to happen to me.

I dressed in an outfit I thought was fashionable, but most likely wasn’t.  I was still weaning myself off of taste I had acquired while an adolescent.  That would all change soon enough.

Dinner was at an expensive and sceney restaurant, often seen in the background of paparazzi photographs, celebrities walking to their cars in big glasses with their faces half covered with a well-manicured hand.  The owner was at the show that day; he was one of the men who made the cellulite comment.  A real keeper.  His dark, thick, long hair was always tucked behind his ears and he rarely looked at you when he talked.  His eyes scanned the contents of whatever room he was in – always looking for something better than you.  He reminded of a snake hiding a very long, slithering tongue, eyes bulging post-catch.  He was nice only because he knew what he wanted.  I thought he was important, so I was charming.

We sat down towards the back of the restaurant in a booth preferred by the VIPs that came in nightly.  Next to me was a skinny, frail man in his thirties, his family was in the fruit and politics business; he was extremely wealthy as a result.  He wore tight leather jackets most likely made of the exotic skins of endangered animals.  Sometimes he wore glasses.  He kept his arms crossed on top of the table when engaging in any sort of debate.  Later, he would attempt to woo me and fail, just like every other man at this table.

Had I been there now, older and more discerning, the conversation was most likely dull and self-involved, but at the time – just a sophomore in college and friendless – these older people were riveting.  I sat at the edge of my seat, knowing well how to engage and be engaged, how to win friends with wit and charm and complements.  In the end, I was briefly welcomed into the fold, but they tired of me as soon as I wised to their games of which I would have none.  They didn’t want the smart girls; they wanted the nice ones.

I know… I know… Holiday Portraits already?

The kids are back to school, The Halloween costumes are being put on the shelves at Target and if you are like me… You are already telling your significant other what you want for the Holidays.

I know it can be stressful with the planning that it takes to get your Holidays in order so I have decided to offer a Holiday Portrait Package that will simplify your annual Holiday photos.

Holiday Portrait Special-$199.00

▪ up to 1 hour of portrait photography coverage

▪ Location of your choice inside Riverside County

▪ Online Viewing and Ordering Gallery (online for 1 month) Perfect for out of town family members.

▪ Final Image Adjustments

▪ Choice of 25 custom designed holiday cards or $20.00 print credit

▪ Families up to 4 people. ($25.00 for each added individual)

Details: Photoshoot must be booked no later than 10/25/2010

To book your photoshoot now:  You can send me a email broaddivision@sbcglobal.net or call 951.264.2759 to set up your appointment. I am available 7-days a week.

The Series: Atomic Frolic

Series: “Atomic Frolic”

Come join me at the Downtown Riverside Arts Walk…

I will be showing my latest series in Prints, Portfolio and Gallery style viewing.

Artist & Film Photographer Melissa McCluskey will also be showing her study of film photography, prints and portfolio titled: “This is How I Breath”

• September 2nd, 2010
• Life Arts Building, Room #39A
• 3485 University Ave., Riverside CA
• 6:00 P.M.

Stephanie Nolan
Crofton, Maryland
5’10
129
34C-24-35
Dress: 4
Shoe: 9
Modelmayhem Profile
  

“A true fashion model should NEVER be a diva, no matter how successful she has been in the industry. Having a great disposition in the industry, makes everything run smoothly when working with clients, agents and the team you are collaborating with. And also, a fashion model should NEVER be late for any type of event, audition, shoot, ect.! Bad for business!” – Stephanie Nolan 

For Today’s Belle of The Ball, I decided to choose Stephanie Nolan of Crofton, Maryland. I reviewed her ModelMayhem and Facebook page. She is well-known in the in the DC and Maryland area fashion scene. Singer Missy Elliott handpicked Stephanie to represent Adidas Brand Respect M.E. clothing in 2008 and 2009 as well as having a small part in the Adidas “60th anniversary” commercial. She recently did a runway show for D.C. designer Emore’J Couture Apparatus II. I think with the right direction, Stephanie will have longevity in her modeling career. It’s hard to believe that this ebony beauty had a baby girl four months ago and is blessed to returned to her modelesque shape. As with all females being featured in the “Belle of The Ball” posts, the society will keep you up to date on Stephanie’s rising success in this industry. Check out her photos and see why this Southern Belle was rightfully chosen. 

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