PLEASE VISIT US AT OUR NEW WEBSITE

GO TO: http://www.somw.org WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED OUR NEW NETWORK AND ARTICLES, NEWS AND OTHER COOL STUFF WILL BE POSTED THERE.

SIGN UP AND WAIT FOR YOUR APPROVAL

WELCOME TO THE NEW SOMW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Men's Alexander McQueen in Milan

The men's show for Alexander McQueen in Milan was the first show for Sarah Burton as the creative director when she stepped in after the death of the late Alexander McQueen. While she helped to finish the earlier collection that Alexander had begun, this was her first collection on her own. Bravo! The line is in good hands. 

FASHION REPORT with Brittany: Traveling

My name is Brittany and I am honored to be a guest writer for SOMW. My duties will include providing retail reports of what is selling, hot boutiques, and new trends. I’m off to Paris tomorrow and look forward to shopping and trend forecasting in the fashion capital of the world. I will also be visiting Florence, Athens, Mykonos, and Amsterdam, so I will provide detailed fashion reports from each city.

To begin my first post, I would like to discuss essentials for traveling. When traveling, it is important to bring proper attire, based upon which city you are traveling to. Going to Paris, a very stylish city, it is important to look your best. Knowing that I am a shopaholic, I limited myself to what I am taking with me, with the plan of shopping my ass off while in Paris and coming home with a whole new wardrobe. So I have to keep in mind that what I bring must be transitional and functional.

The first most important item is a good pair of boots. Boots are great for walking around in and will protect your feet from getting dirty. I am bringing a flat motorcycle boot because they look great with skinny leg pants as well as dresses and are easy to walk in. Most of the roads in Paris are cobblestone, so having a comfortable shoe is essential.

Mia Deputy Boot, $189.00 available at www.piperlime.com

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=779410002&tid=plsp1r&kwid=1&ap=7

A second fundamental traveling item is a great leather jacket. It gets cold in the evenings and a lightweight leather jacket is perfect to throw on over pretty much anything. I am bringing a military style leather jacket by Joie, that is supersoft lightweight leather that has rusty gold buttons going down the front.

Joie Dagney Leather Jacket, $638.00

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod47760049&parentId=cat240005

A final traveling necessity is a cute swimsuit. It is summer time and I will also be spending some time in Greece, enjoying tanning in the sun. It is imperative to have a suitable swimsuit that looks good and doesn’t give you bad tan lines. This ruffled bikini by Undrest is an eye-catching poolside choice that is fashionable and sun-tan friendly!

Undrest Ruffled Bikini, $205

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/62996?cm_sp=we_recommend-_-62996-_-slot3

Michelle Mason is an Actress who just can't stop Modeling

Who said blondes are stupid? If you ever met our good friend Michelle Mason, you would rethink that statement. When we first met Michelle over a year ago, her looks floored us and her wisdom from that blonde head made us want more. She has modeled for Stella McCartney, Chloe, Anna Molonari, Greg Gorman, Andrew Southam. Michelle is in LA pursuing acting and we caught up with her during a rehearsal for a short film she's acting in...

When did you start Modeling?

When I was sixteen I was ridiculously petite and went to one of those modeling expos where there are a bunch of agents. I got some agents, and it kept going from there. I didn't really get out there to work until I was 18. School was always the priority, I never took time off. I wanted  to make sure to graduate college on time and get that done before getting too distracted by the industry.

Sacramento is your home town, right? Do you miss living up north? 

It is. I'm from Gold River, which is on the river (shockingly) nearer to Folsom than Sacramento. I miss the peace of Northern Cal, how close it is to the snow, the wakeboarding, kayaking, etc. Now when I go home I really appreciate how beautiful and peaceful it is, as well as the abundance outdoor activities.

Tell us something amazing that has happened through modeling and something awful you experienced or never expected about modeling. 

I have been bitten by a horse, attacked by (literally) hundreds of jellyfish, been creeped on by numerous clients, learned that some girls are most definitely prostitutes, and survived it all. I have seen alot of the world and met amazing people. I wouldn't change any of it, except I would have spent a year at NYU instead of a few months so I could have worked more in NY at that time in my life.

Tell us about acting in LA? How are the Fashion Industry and Hollywood different?

Fashion and Hollywood have alot of parallels, but at the end of the day are completely different animals. To me, modeling can be fun, but I look at it as a means to an end. I thought I would be done with it when I finished college, but the work keeps on coming. It's one of the only jobs that's flexible enough to allow me to travel for work and make it to all of my auditions. Fashion is about the clothes and not the person in them (unless it's kate moss or a celebrity endorsement). The entertainment industry is based on who you are and how you come across. I much prefer being valued for my personality and skill than for how well some garments hang off of me. I do admire those who work in fashion, the designers and everyone involved. It's a very difficult business and it takes a certain chutzpah (like acting does), to be able to succeed. I love clothes, love seeing collections early, and have learned alot from people I've worked with on how to style and mix up my own wardrobe. 

Tell us some books you refer too as a guide to what you live by.

The tao te ching, and all of Sylvia Boorstien's books on buddhist philosophy. They really help keep things in the right perspective.

Have you been with LA Models the whole time? Who are your bookers, runway and print?

I've had many agents over the years. In LA I was with LA for a few years, went to Next, then came back and have been back for two years. I am with Pam for print and Crista/Sara/Francis for runway.

SOMW loves Michelle and wish her success in her acting... and more in modeling. :)

A Sneak Peak into HYPE Clothing's Holiday look book

SOMW loves HYPE and our girl Brittany over there gave us a sneak peak into the Holiday Look Book. If you have been under a rock and don't know HYPE, here is a description...

Whether you are on the beach cruising on a yacht, or out to a fabulous cocktail party in the hills, HYPE dresses dazzle and shine.

The sophisticated and edgy collection has revamped its look to a more diverse, yet svelte appearance. Silk Jacquard two-toned butterfly dresses and flirty cowl neck blouses are a few key items in HYPE’s Fall 2010 collection. Additionally, wool tube dresses and wool boyfriend blazers paired with printed silk prairie dresses are all the rage at HYPE. The collection ranges between $49.00-$92.00 wholesale and hangs along contemporary brands such as Trina Turk, Nanette Lepore, and Tracey Reese. 

The HYPE woman is sophisticated yet edgy. She likes classic bodies mixed with bold prints and flirty, feminine fabrics. She likes to dress up for brunches and dinners, even going to the beach or going to a party. She likes to shine and dazzle wherever she goes. She also likes items that are easy to transition from day to night. She likes to pair a sexy silk dress with a denim jacket for the day and a pair of sandals and for the evening dresses it up with a shawl and pumps.

Celebrities who shine in HYPE dresses are Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, and Vanessa Hudgens.

For more information check out www.hypeclothesonline.com or contact Brittany at the Hype Showroom:

860 S. Los Angeles St. #309

Los Angeles, CA 90014

Email: Brittany@hypestyle.com

P: 213.236.9000

F: 213.236.9003

Marki in LA

Marki came out to LA from NY to do some hair and shoot some test shoots. This is we he had to say about his trip...

The experience I had when arriving to LA was amazing. The palm trees, weather and most importantly the really cool chill people. It was my first time shooting/working here and I had a blast.The models I shoot with were so laid back and cool which I was expecting them to be since they are California girls. My plan is to come to LA 2 weeks out of the month and to work on shoots and also to do private clients hair. I would love to style any of the beautiful girls of LA's hair and am going to continue to enjoy shooting for the agencies in LA.

Marki

www.markishkreli.com

586.604.2473

COCO got Married!

June 9th, Coco Rocha tied the knot with James Conran who is an Interior Designer and apparently designed Coco's apartment. We are happy for this amazing super looking sweet in her Zac Posen wedding dress. Let's see how long it take for some babies!!

Sample Sale GEREN FORD this Thursday and Friday

We love this line and I've talked to some of you that do too. SOMW is very excited for Geren! Go check out the website:

http://www.gerenford.com/

Joe McKay from NEXT has a son who needs our help...

Here in L.A., NEXT Model Management was going to throw an Art Show on it's own. Then one of their great Models on their Men's board, Joe McKay and his wife Holly brought a new baby boy, Maceo McKay, into the world. Maceo has had many complications and has undergone all kinds of treatments and surgeries in his short time on Earth. Alexis Borges and the rest of NEXT made it a priority to turn the Art Show into a silent auction and fundraiser for Maceo's very expensive treatments. Here is the release from NEXT Model's Alexis Borges...

"Due to a lack of oxygen for an unknown period of time before or during birth, 

Maceo McKay suffered from a brain injury and some daunting physical 

disabilities. 

Holly and Joe spent Maceo’s  first two months of life in the Neonatal Intensive 

Care Unit at Cedars-Sinai and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, helping Maceo 

fight off pneumonia, undergoing surgery to have a feeding tube placed in his 

stomach along with other procedures and tests. 

Today, Maceo, now 14 months old is undergoing ongoing treatment. 

Maceo sees a number or doctors and specialists both Eastern and Western medicine: 

A regular pediatrician 

Pulmonologist 

Neurologist 

Cranial Osteopath 

Chiropractor 

Physical Therapist 

Occupational Therapist 

Early Intervention Specialist 

A Vision teacher 

Two Dieticians 

A Doctor of Integrative Medicine 

Holly and Joe are researching G-Therapy which is administered by specialists only in Europe (FDA has not given the ok for it in the US).  The therapy consists of adding herbs and salts to the diet showing great improvements in kids with similar diagnosis. 

Maceo is doing a reading program at home also. 

Next is hosting an art show benefiting Maceo McKay.  

Next had donated space and time to bring together numerous artists to raise 

money for Maceo.  There will be a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Maceo.  Various pieces of art will be shown throughout the penthouse and will be available for purchase as well.  20% of these sales will also be directed to benefit Maceo. 

Our target this year is to raise $30,000 to help offset the costs of these treatments 

and to help the family through these first few years of Maceo’s life.  The most 

crucial time in repairing brain injuries is when the child is young.  

If you would like, donate through PayPal and enter maceomcay@me.com.  

To learn more about Maceo, view pictures and read a bit more about Holly and Joe’s experiences with Maceo, please check out MaceoMcKay.com 

(SOMW found out on the THANK YOU page of the link above you can Donate Direct without PayPal) 

We are working on tax-exempt status but not have achieved this yet.  This 

donation may or may not be tax deductible. 

ANY CONTRIBUTION, EVEN $5.00, WOULD HELP AND BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. 

On behalf of Holly and Joe, thank you so much for considering this. 

Love, 

Alexis Borges"

We at SOMW ask to please help however you can. Instead of going out to Sushi tonight, make that salad at home and send the $20 to Maceo. Go check out the cute website in the link above and help however you can. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maceo.

We Love LAURA GLEASON

Laura Gleason is one of our dearest friends and is one of our first SOMW Family members before SOMW even existed. She is one of the reasons SOMW has been expanding. She first met our SOMW Family in NY and then LA. While she was on the West Coast she was still developing but emerging super fast including Victoria Beckham hand picking her for her Denim line. We had many conversations about her future and it was clear to us early on that Laura has supermodel potential. She has globe trotted the world including Sydney, New Zealand, LA, San Francisco, NY, Chicago, Munich, Milan, Athens, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and more we are probably missing. We finally skyped the other day while she was in Milan and Laura told us that Ofer Raphaeli from MC2 Model Management signed her to the Tel Aviv Office and found her 6 Agencies around the world in less than a week. All the hard work and living out of the suitcase is paying off and we can't be more proud. We love the stunning, Laura Gleason, our sister. Can't wait to see you in L.A. again!

Anonymous letter to the Young Models

Here is an anonymous letter from an experienced model for the young girls who are braving the new world on their own. Stay on your toes, be aware of everything, and make smart choices that won't harm yourself. We can't thank our SECRET friend enough for these stories and words of wisdom...


"The fashion industry is a great place to grow and experience many fresh and cool aspects of life. It has open many doors for me as a person. It has also brought about many changes in my life including some that will always stick with me.

I think that many people forget models are people. They forget through their words and expectations of weight and rejection. The other day I was told, "I like how skinny the models are in NY, it makes it feel like I am getting a show because you don't see people who look like that everyday." When I asked the person at what cost, she responded with, "It is not my problem, I cannot change a whole industry." Hmmm.. I guess it doesn't matter that girls are killing themselves for this. No responsibility means no blame. I have traveled to many countries and have met many models. Some that were street savvy with strong character and some that were at too young of an age to understand that modeling is a business.

I lived overseas for awhile for work. Where the size to be a model is known to most as "emaciated". The lengths that the girls would go to for this unrealistic size broke your heart. Many of the girls start traveling at a young age with either the benefit of a parent or guardian or on their own. I have met many who were the sole bread winners for their family. Living away from loved ones and in the supervision with many people who in the end only cared about the big next campaign. Many were encouraged to stay thin, and they did through "partying" (we will call it), bulimia anorexia or laxatives. The worst I ever saw was a young girl at the age of 16 who would dip cotten balls in orange juice to stay full.

I have to say looking back I ended up in many situations that could have been avoided. Especially when it came to situations that sounded too good to be true. One time a friend of mine said she knew a hair stylist who could do my hair for a very low cost. Which was great! We went to the man's apartment and my instincts told me something was wrong, but of course I ignored them. Well when I sat down in the chair I was offered something to drink. At first I refused but later accepted. I began to drink the orange juice but felt it was strange how persistent he was about it. As he started to do my hair he started to graze himself against me. I tried to think it was a mistake and moved my legs. After he was done with my hair I asked to use his bathroom. Upon passing a room to my left that was completely trashed I started to feel even more nervous. When I was done using his restroom I noticed a hole behind the toliet paper. I didn't want to cause attention because he was doing my friends hair but after awhile I began to feel very tired. He offered for me to lay down on his bed. I sent a text to my friend to let her know that I wanted to leave NOW. I asked him to get us some more juice and we ran out of his apartment. We ended up falling asleep in my car for hours because we could not drive. WE WERE SO LUCKY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT PEOPLE'S INTENTIONS ARE AND ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS! This industry has brought some of the most amazing people into my life and some of the worst. I would not change the life that I have been given or the opportunity, but you always have to love yourself first and never let anyone break your spirit. Anytime your instincts tell you a situation is bad for you and you do not feel comfortable tell someone!"

Our Newest Discovery - Dina EL

Dina was referred to us by a good friend...when we met her for coffee last Friday we had no idea what to expect...

Then a tall skinny but curvy model walks in catching the attention of everybody in the room.

Amazing personality, funny, witty, personable, stunning looks...hair of a sexy lioness and an attitude that says hey, what the hell is just modeling!

We signed her right there and then...who is she going with? we do not know yet, we haven't decided...so to all you agents reading this...keep your eyes open for her introduction, we will be backing this girl up 100% of the way.

Welcome to the family Dina!

SMASHBOX COSMETICS just got Bigger

SMASHBOX was started by Dean and Davis Factor who's great grandfather was the Hollywood Makeup legend Max Factor. Influenced by high end photo shoots, the Factor brothers wanted to make a brand that would stand up to these intense and professional shoots. That's why the SMASHBOX Photo Studios (Which we know a lot of you have shot or will shoot in) and the Cosmetic line always went hand in hand to experiment and create the look and campaigns of the product. 

Well 14 years later Estee' Lauder has seen the hard work they've put into this studio and digital media ready brand and has bought SMASHBOX to expand the line around the world. And the studios will not be left out. Estee' Lauder knows this is integral in the success of SMASHBOX and is interested in growing that aspect of the company as well. 

We wouldn't be surprised if our SOMW friends will be shooting in a SMASHBOX Studio in Europe or Australia in the near future.   

SOMW Chicago Launch Party

We want to invite you all to our SOMW Chicago Launch Party tomorrow.

For all of you SOMW'ers in the greater Chicago area...stop by, have a drink on us...if you can donate to help Breast Cancer we are supporting the American Cancer Society.

We are gla to announce we keep growing and bringing you news an information you love.

We hope to bring you even better things in the future.

Stay Fashionable!

somw.org

New SOMW Community

A lot of you have been waiting and asking about the new SOMW coming soon...

Well before we launch it we want to pick your brain...

What do you want to see there? What do you want to read? What would you like to find that makes your life better?

We want to try to please everybody...we are pretty sure this new network will make everyone lives easier, we just want to make it perfect for you...

Let us know...we want to hear from you! secrets@somw.org

Also on another note if you happen to be in Chicago this upcoming weekend, stop by the SOMW CHICAGO Launch event! that's right...is already that time...we are ready to rock Chicago!

You can go to our Chicago blog: http://somwchicago.blogspot.com

Q&A with BRIAN HIGBEE, PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian Higbee is a Photographer from Rhode Island, with his cool sexy shots, we thought everyone should meet him. Here is a Q&A with him including a request from the SOMW Facebook Fanpage to get a Photographer's perspective of what to expect from a model. 



When did you move out to LA?
I moved out here in August 08 after putting graphic design aside for a sole career in photography. I put everything in storage back home and drove out here with my camera, laptop and clothes. It was the best decision I've ever made. 


How do you work when photographing and directing models? What do you expect of them?
A good connection between the model and photographer is key. I like to start off with a concept for the model to follow. From there I let everything happen organically and not over direct. Being a good model is knowing your body and what works best with the concept given... and bringin' it!

What agencies do you work with? 
I work mainly with Ford and LA Models at the moment. We have a great working relationship. They're always very helpful and of course have some amazing girls that are motivated to work.

Studio or location?
I tend to choose location over studio. I love mixing sunlight / strobe and I would rather be outside doing my job!


What inspires your imagery?
I'm inspired by everything around me and also draw a lot of ideas from my past. I grew up skateboarding, bmx racing and snowboarding. Most of the music I listened to growing up was NYC and Boston hardcore. That outlet allowed me a lot of creative freedom to do what I wanted. I come from an 11 year career in graphic design along with photography so I'm a very visual person. 

Tell us about any of the photos you're sending me.
Well I like finding cool locations that fit perfectly with the concept of the shoot. I'm a very laid back guy so the behind the scenes are easy going. I like working with a team that you'd hang with outside of work. It makes for a creative and productive shoot.


Check out his site for more work. 
http://www.brianhigbee.com/