Okay, so this one will probably be mostly funny, but kinda serious, and just a little off my normal course :-).... After an appearance on TV this week someone called the agency office to criticize my top 10 list of "First Impression Faux Pas". (click here to view: Women's & Men's) Now I am not certain WHICH of the top five that I discussed this person took issue with as he was too busy criticizing me personally and that is absolutely his right. I wish he had called when he knew I would be there instead of when he thought I would be at the station taping LIVE. (Everyone is 6'9" and bulletproof when they block their phone number and they know the person they are attacking isn't going to answer the phone :-) ....The call came in 3 minutes after my face went off the air.
First, I was criticized for wearing "pedal pushers" (for those of you under the age of 50, or who haven't purchased your digitally remastered copy of "I love Lucy" on DVD, that is what they used to call any sort of cropped pants) LOL, and a deep cut V neck (apparently I am too old to be wearing this- though he had to demand to know my age from my assistant before making this assertion) Also, a woman shouldn't tell a man how to dress.
Okay, for any other of you out there who may like to know "who the heck I think I am" for putting myself out here, I guess I can tell you: I don't think I am anyone at all. I am just a gal who LOVES fashion and all things beautiful. Oh, and I just happen to be in that business (or those businesses if you want to count my Interior Decorating business). For the record I did go to college for Fashion Merchandising over two and half decades ago (but seriously folks- nothing I learned back then is all that relevant to what I say or do now), I have been a model on and off now for 28 years and I have coordinated dozens of fashion shows for over a decade. I subscribe to countless magazines on fashion and home decor thus keeping current on what's hot and what's not. So style is my thing. People call me and ask me my advise and they tell me I look nice. Outside of that, I am just a regular gal that loves to dress up and put on pretty stuff. :-)
Heidi Klum has project runway, Kathy Ireland and Cindy Crawford have lines of furniture, Daisy Fuentes has a line of clothing, Iman has a line of make up, my friend B. Smith has a line of home decorating goods, furniture, TV show and restaurants, Nikki Taylor has a Fashion Boutique. And who is that other former model that has the magazine, the TV show, books and the mega merchandise lines- oh yeah, Martha Stewart. There are many more, but you get the idea...
There is a lot of cross over when it comes to Beauty, Fashion and Style. These things are often mutually inclusive. It is no accident that some people end up in these fields. It is almost like there is no place else for them and I am just one of those people. So for those of you who like to visit my blog, I am sorry I have neglected it. I will try to do better. For those of you who enjoy watching the TV segments THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
I am not perfect, I am just a gal who likes pretty things and who likes to share what I know. Truth be told- most of the reason is I am sharing at all is because people ASKED me to! Many, many people have asked me over the years to teach them, give seminars, speak at their schools, on TV etc. I was and still am humbled each and every time that I am asked. While I do think I have something to offer, I do not think I am the be all and the end all of know-it-all's. There are still people that I go to and say: "Do I look stupid in this?"
I will add this: I am never mean spirited- it is not who I am. I can instruct someone on the correct way to do something with out demeaning them. (Seriously, there is plenty I don't know how to do- just ask my accountant!) I will use humor and I will show the correct way but I will not make someone feel small. I was the ugly duckling as a child and the odd one out, It is something you keep with you always no matter how much distance you put between then and where you are, somehow there it still is. I wouldn't change it though- it gives me a certain empathy. I am still an underdog at heart- I just have better teeth, contact lenses, and straighter hair.
I don't respect or admire people who are mean spirited. If someone has a contrary opinion to mine I welcome it, but it in polite society there are ways to make your opinion known without being a bully or being insulting.
Being a model has given me thick skin so I can take a hit or two, there is just a time, a place and a way to do it so that everyone is heard and can respond. If the person who called my office would like to actually talk to me or write to me, I would still love to hear from him or anyone else.... Style and civility are not mutually exclusive ;-)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
For the love of Brows…
This is a matter near and dear to my heart. For those of you that are models for my company you have heard me pontificate on this topic. There is a dreadful trend in eyebrows that I see over and over in young girls: Over plucking! Actually: Over, over plucking. I don’t know why they are doing it. It looks terrible on everyone. It makes even pretty girls look awful.
Who started this trend? Where else is it seen? In what city or even remote island? On what celebrity or on what model? (Okay- sure I love Whoopie too- but do you really want to look like her?) Someone PLEASE TELL ME lest I go mad! The only thing worse is when they pair this heinous look with snowy white eye shadow and sharp laser thin black eyeliner inside their bottom lid. This look is infiltrating the mainstream at an alarming rate. Oh, the tragedy! Coco Channel and Kevyn Aucoin must be spinning in their graves. If only I had their crow footless eyes and elastic skin- you wouldn’t catch this wrinkly lady squandering those gifts with this incongruous look. No way Sharpe. It is the tale of the Emperor’s new clothes for the 21st century gone mad.
I am truly confounded by the notion of having access to the correct way to do something and NOT doing it that way especially when the correct way costs no more than the incorrect way of doing it and it takes waaaay less time. Furthermore the correct way makes everyone look better, it's less painful, lower maintenance, and doesn’t scare small children. (Why do you think so many people have an aversion to clowns- think about it- it’s probably a brow thing too.)
Do you see where I am having a hard time getting my cerebrum around all of this? I see pretty young girls with lovely brows one day and then a few months later I bump into them and it’s like they have had a run in with a one-eyed waxer. (I think: “Is there a big casting for space aliens going on and I missed the memo?”) Nope- they have just succumbed to “The Look”. Well here’s a new memo: “The look” is wrong. “The look” is ghastly. “The look” is a malevolent force working its way through the halls of schools, malls and office buildings all across the country. “The Look” must be stopped.
I have racked my brain to come up with an appropriate metaphor for this whole scary thing, and I think I have done it: It is like going to the Doctor and saying: “Doctor- I feel great- but everyone around me is sick- could you please make me sick?”
Now girls, if you continue with this trend you may find that my cautionary tale has come too late and you will not be able to grow your eyebrows back. (It’s kind of like when your mom used to tell you: “If you don’t stop making that funny face- it may freeze that way and you’ll be sorry.” But this time it’s true! Your face (or at least a little part of it WILL stay that way- and you really WILL be sorry.)
Okay- Still don’t believe me? Here is my challenge: Pick up a magazine- any magazine and find a photo of someone whose eyebrows match yours. If you can find 4 people whose brows look like yours you are right on track. (These photos can not come from The Most Wanted poster at the post office, a police photo array, or the “Don’t” Section in the back of any of the fashion magazines.) If you can’t then you probably need to rethink your brows- but don’t despair there is lots of help in the links below!
For more information on eyebrows check out my eyebrow segment on the April 9th episode of Bridge Street with Rick and Julie on WIXT Newschannel 9 (watch the video now at: http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=195859 ) and you only need to wax once a month or so- not once a week- I misspoke :-)
http://www.oprah.com/health/beauty/health_beauty_brows.jhtml http://www.secondcitystyle.com/node/400
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?pagetype=ART&id=44
Who started this trend? Where else is it seen? In what city or even remote island? On what celebrity or on what model? (Okay- sure I love Whoopie too- but do you really want to look like her?) Someone PLEASE TELL ME lest I go mad! The only thing worse is when they pair this heinous look with snowy white eye shadow and sharp laser thin black eyeliner inside their bottom lid. This look is infiltrating the mainstream at an alarming rate. Oh, the tragedy! Coco Channel and Kevyn Aucoin must be spinning in their graves. If only I had their crow footless eyes and elastic skin- you wouldn’t catch this wrinkly lady squandering those gifts with this incongruous look. No way Sharpe. It is the tale of the Emperor’s new clothes for the 21st century gone mad.
I am truly confounded by the notion of having access to the correct way to do something and NOT doing it that way especially when the correct way costs no more than the incorrect way of doing it and it takes waaaay less time. Furthermore the correct way makes everyone look better, it's less painful, lower maintenance, and doesn’t scare small children. (Why do you think so many people have an aversion to clowns- think about it- it’s probably a brow thing too.)
Do you see where I am having a hard time getting my cerebrum around all of this? I see pretty young girls with lovely brows one day and then a few months later I bump into them and it’s like they have had a run in with a one-eyed waxer. (I think: “Is there a big casting for space aliens going on and I missed the memo?”) Nope- they have just succumbed to “The Look”. Well here’s a new memo: “The look” is wrong. “The look” is ghastly. “The look” is a malevolent force working its way through the halls of schools, malls and office buildings all across the country. “The Look” must be stopped.
I have racked my brain to come up with an appropriate metaphor for this whole scary thing, and I think I have done it: It is like going to the Doctor and saying: “Doctor- I feel great- but everyone around me is sick- could you please make me sick?”
Now girls, if you continue with this trend you may find that my cautionary tale has come too late and you will not be able to grow your eyebrows back. (It’s kind of like when your mom used to tell you: “If you don’t stop making that funny face- it may freeze that way and you’ll be sorry.” But this time it’s true! Your face (or at least a little part of it WILL stay that way- and you really WILL be sorry.)
Okay- Still don’t believe me? Here is my challenge: Pick up a magazine- any magazine and find a photo of someone whose eyebrows match yours. If you can find 4 people whose brows look like yours you are right on track. (These photos can not come from The Most Wanted poster at the post office, a police photo array, or the “Don’t” Section in the back of any of the fashion magazines.) If you can’t then you probably need to rethink your brows- but don’t despair there is lots of help in the links below!
For more information on eyebrows check out my eyebrow segment on the April 9th episode of Bridge Street with Rick and Julie on WIXT Newschannel 9 (watch the video now at: http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=195859 ) and you only need to wax once a month or so- not once a week- I misspoke :-)
http://www.oprah.com/health/beauty/health_beauty_brows.jhtml http://www.secondcitystyle.com/node/400
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?pagetype=ART&id=44
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Model Searches...and other scary stories.
Well, I have put this one off for a long time....and guess what? I am going to put it off for a little while longer! I am doing this because I would love to hear some of your experiences with model searches before I launch into my diatribe. Everytime a model search comes to town our phone rings with questions about model searches. I can't tell you how many phone calls I have fielded over the years from concerned mothers whose daughters desperately want to go to these things. Put up your questions and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.
I will create an official post on this topic as soon as I can (I am behind the eight ball lately) and this one will take a while :-)
-ams
I will create an official post on this topic as soon as I can (I am behind the eight ball lately) and this one will take a while :-)
-ams
Friday, September 08, 2006
Model Behavior
There is a code of conduct for all industries and the modeling industry is no different. Unfortunately a lot is made of a few successful models' less than "model behavior".
Let me tell you that THIS agent has a definite opinion on how a model should behave. My interest in this goes beyond common decency. EVERYONE should be nice ALWAYS. That is my personal belief, but a model behaving badly is not only a reflection on the model but it is a reflection on the agency that dispensed them as well.
If I send out a model who shows up late, without the correct outfits or make up if it was required, snapping their gum and yapping on their cell phone, you can bet this agent will get a call. You can also bet your blue jeans that the talent will be getting an unpleasant phone call from me.
Any client that has ever had talent like this foisted upon them may not remember that model's name; but you can bet your Manolos they would remember the AGENT'S name.
An agent is only as credible and reputable as the last model I sent out to a given client.
Fortunately I am VERY clear to all new talent what I expect from them, and "diva" attitude is on the list of unacceptable behavior.
NO ONE is so good looking that they can work in this business (especially in a small town) and have a bad attitude. I can't think of one of my clients that would put up with one of the notorious "bad girls" of the modeling biz, just because they are great looking. Not one.
The bottom line is that being nice is the first step to success in so many things and modeling is no exception. I have had the good fortune to work with some of the most professional models. Some of them get called back for more work by clients BECAUSE they are so wonderful to work with. Fancy that- a model getting called back because they are nice. Who'da thunk?
I have long been saying that one of the biggest problems facing the human race is there is not enough emphasis on knowing how to behave in polite society. My children are taught to open doors for EVERYONE (not just ladies), to be NICE to everyone (not just people they know and who are nice to them) and to stand up and give their seat to anyone who they see standing. My children have given me a gray hair or two over the years but there is no prouder moment that when this mom sees her son go up to a stranger and offer them his seat in a doctor's office. There are no words....
So, where are you going with this Ann Marie? Well, I will tell you: whether you are a model, a mogul, a marine or a maid, it pays to be nice. If my agent had ever called me and said: "I have a client that wants you to come back because they said you were great to work with" I would be happier than if they said I had great bone structure or nice legs. How about this for a bonus: Being nice doesn't require carb counting or a single sit up (cue the Halleluiah chorus).
Let me tell you that THIS agent has a definite opinion on how a model should behave. My interest in this goes beyond common decency. EVERYONE should be nice ALWAYS. That is my personal belief, but a model behaving badly is not only a reflection on the model but it is a reflection on the agency that dispensed them as well.
If I send out a model who shows up late, without the correct outfits or make up if it was required, snapping their gum and yapping on their cell phone, you can bet this agent will get a call. You can also bet your blue jeans that the talent will be getting an unpleasant phone call from me.
Any client that has ever had talent like this foisted upon them may not remember that model's name; but you can bet your Manolos they would remember the AGENT'S name.
An agent is only as credible and reputable as the last model I sent out to a given client.
Fortunately I am VERY clear to all new talent what I expect from them, and "diva" attitude is on the list of unacceptable behavior.
NO ONE is so good looking that they can work in this business (especially in a small town) and have a bad attitude. I can't think of one of my clients that would put up with one of the notorious "bad girls" of the modeling biz, just because they are great looking. Not one.
The bottom line is that being nice is the first step to success in so many things and modeling is no exception. I have had the good fortune to work with some of the most professional models. Some of them get called back for more work by clients BECAUSE they are so wonderful to work with. Fancy that- a model getting called back because they are nice. Who'da thunk?
I have long been saying that one of the biggest problems facing the human race is there is not enough emphasis on knowing how to behave in polite society. My children are taught to open doors for EVERYONE (not just ladies), to be NICE to everyone (not just people they know and who are nice to them) and to stand up and give their seat to anyone who they see standing. My children have given me a gray hair or two over the years but there is no prouder moment that when this mom sees her son go up to a stranger and offer them his seat in a doctor's office. There are no words....
So, where are you going with this Ann Marie? Well, I will tell you: whether you are a model, a mogul, a marine or a maid, it pays to be nice. If my agent had ever called me and said: "I have a client that wants you to come back because they said you were great to work with" I would be happier than if they said I had great bone structure or nice legs. How about this for a bonus: Being nice doesn't require carb counting or a single sit up (cue the Halleluiah chorus).
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