Just a few shots of the winter wonderland around my house. Some of these pictures were submitted to the Calgary Herald photo contest.
©Lisa Kauffmann
Sunday, December 30
WInter in Calgary
Friday, December 28
New Things for 2013
I have been writing this blog for close to 5 years. Do I wish I had written more? Yes.
I have been suffering from writer's block for the past year as reflected n the amount of posts I have written has dwindled considerably.
To be perfectly honest, I am in desperate need of inspiration.
I do not want to write about horrible things in the world (guns, violence etc.). We have the newspaper and CNN for that.
What I do find that inspires me though, is the art of photography.
I rediscovered my love for photography after seeing Albert Watson in Toronto in November. I was quickly reminded of everything I learned about photography during my years as a model, and Albert was my best teacher. Many models have gone on to become very good and successful photographers. Ellen Von Unwerth and Bruce Weber were both models and are top photographers now.
I live in Calgary. Not exactly the fashion capital of the universe, but that is ok. There are a lot of talented fashion types here in Calgary that are pushing the envelope to create amazing designs, photos and images. I am humbled by their talent.
So I have decided to show my photography on my blog. I invite everyone to comment and critique it. I do not have the latest fancy digital camera. I may just have to wipe the dust off of my Nikon F3 and go analog. In the meantime, here are some photos:
I have been suffering from writer's block for the past year as reflected n the amount of posts I have written has dwindled considerably.
To be perfectly honest, I am in desperate need of inspiration.
I do not want to write about horrible things in the world (guns, violence etc.). We have the newspaper and CNN for that.
What I do find that inspires me though, is the art of photography.
I rediscovered my love for photography after seeing Albert Watson in Toronto in November. I was quickly reminded of everything I learned about photography during my years as a model, and Albert was my best teacher. Many models have gone on to become very good and successful photographers. Ellen Von Unwerth and Bruce Weber were both models and are top photographers now.
I live in Calgary. Not exactly the fashion capital of the universe, but that is ok. There are a lot of talented fashion types here in Calgary that are pushing the envelope to create amazing designs, photos and images. I am humbled by their talent.
So I have decided to show my photography on my blog. I invite everyone to comment and critique it. I do not have the latest fancy digital camera. I may just have to wipe the dust off of my Nikon F3 and go analog. In the meantime, here are some photos:
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| ©Lisa Kauffmann 2012 |
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| ©Lisa Kauffmann 2012 |
Wednesday, November 14
Albert Watson. The Greatest Living Photographer Today
Working with Albert was always a pleasure. His focus and professionalism was always contagious, and he engaged everyone on the shoot to attain his vision of what he wanted to see in camera. I guess what I love the most about Albert is his love for photography and how he loves to share stories and insights on taking pictures. As a model, I always knew that when I was being photographed by Albert, that those photos would be masterpieces. Some of them are on gallery walls and museums now. Everything I learned about photography was from Albert. He was my greatest teacher.
I was in Toronto last week to attend the opening of Albert Watson's Retrospective at the Izzy Gallery in Yorkville. I had booked my trip months ago and was looking forward to see Albert, his wife Liz and their son, Aaron. Hurricane Sandy put a dent in the original plan for the Watson's, so they ended up driving to Toronto from NYC. It was touch and go for the opening, but they managed to arrive in one piece and everything went as planned. I was so happy to see Albert after so many years and to have a picture of me on the wall of the gallery.
When one choses a career in life, we choose goals along the way. One of my big goals as a model was to work for Vogue and to be photographed by Albert Watson. That goal (and dream) came true many times as I worked with Albert on many occasions such as Italian Vogue, Blumarine, Stern, Macy's, Clairol, L'Oreal, to name a few and travelled to wonderful locations such as Scotland, Paris and an amazing road trip through Texas.
To see my photograph on the wall of a gallery as a limited edition is the greatest honor I have ever received as a model. But even better was to be praised in front of the whole photography community at a seminar in Toronto by Albert himself referring to me as one of the most professional and patient models he has ever worked with. That is priceless.
Albert Watson's Retrospective is on at the Izzy Gallery in Yorkville until December 27, 2012.
Friday, November 9
Time to Choose.
I came across this today as I was perusing my Facebook. It was written by my friend Paul Fisher. Paul is a model agent in Los Angeles and is the host of the reality show about model agencies called "Remodeled". It is a good read. Enjoy.
Time to Choose: Social Responsibility and the Modeling Industry
We see it happening all over the world: huge multi-national corporations changing their practices – and their public image – in response to the pressure to become socially responsible. In the past decade, as environmental awareness has increased exponentially and anxiety about global warming has grown, major industrial companies have realized they have a choice: change their practices in response to the growing outcry, or cling to an outdated and destructive model. Airlines like Virgin Atlantic, energy companies like BP, auto manufacturers like Ford: all have chosen to make major changes in how they do business. They have chosen the path of responsibility, and are discovering that being good corporate citizens doesn’t mean forgoing profits or their responsibility to their shareholders.
The modeling industry, however, remains stuck in the past. Though some old agencies have folded and new players have emerged, the essential dynamic remains unchanged: beautiful, young – very young – girls are brought into a world which has little regard for their vulnerability, and little regard for the colossal impact that the images they produce have on women across the globe. Once considered an isolated and rare phenomenon, eating disorders and body dysmorphia (distorted self-image) are now a genuinely universal phenomenon, affecting girls as young as six and seven and causing incalculable social harm. For too long, the modeling and fashion industries have either ignored the problem, or paid lip service to “being part of the solution” without making any enduring and substantive effort to bring a sense of social responsibility to the business of beauty.
It’s time to choose. The choice is not between doing the right thing and making money. As other good corporate citizens have shown, a willingness to undergo an ethical makeover can enhance rather than diminish profits. The choice is between remaining stuck in a business model that is unsustainable and destructive or embracing a new and responsible way of discerning, cultivating, and marketing beauty to the world. The Network has the vision, the program, and the tools to help modeling agencies and those whom they serve to transform an industry, to transform lives, and to transform our world.
It’s time to choose.
Saturday, October 6
Calgary's Fashion World..It's There. Somewhere.
Calgary is not exactly the fashion capital of the world, nor of Canada for that matter. When one sees business women in dress suits with cowboy boots in October, it doesn't exactly scream couture. There is at least a season's worth of "What Not to Wear" material in one hour of watching people in downtown Calgary. In other words, pretty grim.
Well, being the eternal optimist that I am, I figured that there has to be fashion SOMEWHERE in this town.
I went to a fashion mixer here in Calgary because I need to see what is out there in this town. I left here at a very young age and never was part of Calgary's fashion scene. This was my first foray into the fashion party scene in Calgary in over 25 years. It was interesting....
There is talent here in Calgary, and I am going to make it my manifest destiny to go to all of the cool little boutiques and vintage shops and meet the designers.
There is a very talented designer here in Calgary by the name of Paul Hardy. I met him at Brett Wilson's Garden Party a few years back and he is a sweet, quiet genius. His creations have been worn by the likes of Sara McLachlan, Kate Hudson and Alannis Morrissette.
He will be having a huge 10th anniversary bash at his new atelier on Alyth Road (the new warehouse district in Calgary) on October 20 unveiling his Spring Summer 2013 line. It is being hailed as the 'fashion party of the year' and 'an event never seen in Calgary before'. Apparently Jeanne Beker and Spiro Mandylor will be flying in from Toronto for this big event. Will I be there?
No.
My flight is booked and I am off to Europe next week. I have meetings with agents for my scouting prospects. I woud have really liked to be here for the Paul Hardy show, but that is how the cookie crumbles.
Well, being the eternal optimist that I am, I figured that there has to be fashion SOMEWHERE in this town.
I went to a fashion mixer here in Calgary because I need to see what is out there in this town. I left here at a very young age and never was part of Calgary's fashion scene. This was my first foray into the fashion party scene in Calgary in over 25 years. It was interesting....
There is talent here in Calgary, and I am going to make it my manifest destiny to go to all of the cool little boutiques and vintage shops and meet the designers.
There is a very talented designer here in Calgary by the name of Paul Hardy. I met him at Brett Wilson's Garden Party a few years back and he is a sweet, quiet genius. His creations have been worn by the likes of Sara McLachlan, Kate Hudson and Alannis Morrissette.
He will be having a huge 10th anniversary bash at his new atelier on Alyth Road (the new warehouse district in Calgary) on October 20 unveiling his Spring Summer 2013 line. It is being hailed as the 'fashion party of the year' and 'an event never seen in Calgary before'. Apparently Jeanne Beker and Spiro Mandylor will be flying in from Toronto for this big event. Will I be there?
No.
My flight is booked and I am off to Europe next week. I have meetings with agents for my scouting prospects. I woud have really liked to be here for the Paul Hardy show, but that is how the cookie crumbles.
Tuesday, October 2
Underaged and Underweight Models-Update
A few months back I wrote about how Vogue was going to refuse to use any girl under the age of 16 and that they would be vigilant about eating disorders.
Well, fashion is fickle. There have already been reports of Vogue China using a girl who was 15. And as for using healthier girls on the catwalk, it may be better, but they still all look like stick insects with no expression on their faces. They still do not inspire me.
I loved when the shows had personality with the likes of Pat Cleveland Marpessa, Dalma and the 'original' Gisele.
Rochas Spring 2013
Chanel 1991
You tell me who looks like they are having more fun!
Well, fashion is fickle. There have already been reports of Vogue China using a girl who was 15. And as for using healthier girls on the catwalk, it may be better, but they still all look like stick insects with no expression on their faces. They still do not inspire me.
I loved when the shows had personality with the likes of Pat Cleveland Marpessa, Dalma and the 'original' Gisele.
Rochas Spring 2013
Chanel 1991
You tell me who looks like they are having more fun!
Wednesday, September 19
Model Scout
I was born and raised in Canada, lived overseas since the age of 17, living in Paris, New York and Rio de Janeiro, and wound up back in Canada in my hometown of Calgary. My adventures living overseas being a model would fill a book, but does the world really need another tell all book from the trenches of the modeling world?
I miss the life I had as a model and I would be a liar if I were to say I didn't. Granted, there are some elements of the biz that I could do without, but in general, I enjoyed it immensely. The traveling, the financial side, working and learning with some of the best and creative minds in photography, fashion marketing and advertising was more valuable than going to any university. Do I regret not attending university? Sometimes....
I am using my experience as a model to inform and mentor young girls that have the 'it' factor to be the next supermodel. I have an eye for beauty that comes from working in the trenches of the fashion world. When I offered my services to the local agencies here in Calgary, I was basically laughed at. "We already have scouts and mentors for our girls, what can you offer that we don't already have?.", they said. Really? Who? Does your mentor know what its like to be a 17 year old girl thrown into the lion's den of modeling in Paris? Does your mentor actually prepare young prospects to the real reality (not the America's Next Top Model reality) of the fashion business? Can your mentor truly say they have been there done that? Do you really care about your prospects' health and wellness both physically, emotionally and psychologically now and throughout their career?.......Didn't think so.
Conclusion? I have gone out on my own and am scouting and mentoring the next generation of models.
The difference between me and my competition is that I scout for the whole package. I look for girls (and boys) that have that special something that Eileen Ford calls the 'X' factor. But I go one step further. I also scout for role models. Young people that have beauty, brains and a good heart.
As a model, your image in the magazines and online becomes who you are. Young girls and boys look up to you. What you do in your off time is also important. In this day and age, anyone can be photographed any where any time. My models are expected to be role models 24 hours a day. It doesn't mean they can't have fun and party, but they have to be conscious of their image and not be put in a compromising position. When I modeled, I made sure that when people took photos of me at a party, I didn't have a drink in my hand. And this was in the pre internet days!
I want my models to give back. Help those whose voices are not heard. Giving back by supporting those less fortunate, whether it be through donation or by volunteering or through awareness campaigns. Keeping it real.
I miss the life I had as a model and I would be a liar if I were to say I didn't. Granted, there are some elements of the biz that I could do without, but in general, I enjoyed it immensely. The traveling, the financial side, working and learning with some of the best and creative minds in photography, fashion marketing and advertising was more valuable than going to any university. Do I regret not attending university? Sometimes....
I am using my experience as a model to inform and mentor young girls that have the 'it' factor to be the next supermodel. I have an eye for beauty that comes from working in the trenches of the fashion world. When I offered my services to the local agencies here in Calgary, I was basically laughed at. "We already have scouts and mentors for our girls, what can you offer that we don't already have?.", they said. Really? Who? Does your mentor know what its like to be a 17 year old girl thrown into the lion's den of modeling in Paris? Does your mentor actually prepare young prospects to the real reality (not the America's Next Top Model reality) of the fashion business? Can your mentor truly say they have been there done that? Do you really care about your prospects' health and wellness both physically, emotionally and psychologically now and throughout their career?.......Didn't think so.
Conclusion? I have gone out on my own and am scouting and mentoring the next generation of models.
The difference between me and my competition is that I scout for the whole package. I look for girls (and boys) that have that special something that Eileen Ford calls the 'X' factor. But I go one step further. I also scout for role models. Young people that have beauty, brains and a good heart.
As a model, your image in the magazines and online becomes who you are. Young girls and boys look up to you. What you do in your off time is also important. In this day and age, anyone can be photographed any where any time. My models are expected to be role models 24 hours a day. It doesn't mean they can't have fun and party, but they have to be conscious of their image and not be put in a compromising position. When I modeled, I made sure that when people took photos of me at a party, I didn't have a drink in my hand. And this was in the pre internet days!
I want my models to give back. Help those whose voices are not heard. Giving back by supporting those less fortunate, whether it be through donation or by volunteering or through awareness campaigns. Keeping it real.
Thursday, August 9
Canada Wins Bronze in Soccer! Yes, you read that right!
If you have been following my blog, first, I want to thank you for reading it. As you have probably figured out by now, I am a huge fan of soccer.
I am borderline fanatic.
Since the 1982 World Cup, I have not missed a WC final, going even as far as renting out a hotel room because there was no cable TV at the lake, and I couldn't take my children to the sports bar (1998, France 3 Brazil 0).
I lived in Brazil for close to ten years and I immersed myself in the culture of the love for soccer. People there are so passionate for the game, it is something that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. My ex husbands uncle is so crazy for his team Fluminense, that if you were invited to go to a match with him and Flu lost, you were permanently banned from ever going to the stadium with him again. You were considered bad luck. The closest thing we in Canada can relate to is our love of hockey.
Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada, but I am sensing a change.
More and more kids (both boys and girls) are playing soccer and our Canadian Women's National Team (CWNT) just won the Bronze medal in the London Olympics. After a heartbreaking loss to the USA in the semi finals, Canada pulled it together in the Bronze medal game and scored the winning goal against France in the 91st minute.
They lost all of their games in the World Cup last year. The women's team have regrouped, changed their coach, turned it around and are now considered a strong team. The captain, Christine Sinclair, is a hero and a national treasure. She is our Ronaldo, our Pele, our Michel Platini!
Soccer Canada is maybe finally getting it. We need more investment and opportunity for our kids to have the dream and opportunity to play for Canada, and for Canada to succeed at an international level in both mens and womens soccer. They have started the movement by bringing in the new coach, John Herdman, for Canada. Now they need to do the same for the men.
I am looking forward to the day where I will see both the men's and women's teams in the World Cup and the Olympics.
Hopefully that day will come sooner, rather than later.......
I am borderline fanatic.
Since the 1982 World Cup, I have not missed a WC final, going even as far as renting out a hotel room because there was no cable TV at the lake, and I couldn't take my children to the sports bar (1998, France 3 Brazil 0).
I lived in Brazil for close to ten years and I immersed myself in the culture of the love for soccer. People there are so passionate for the game, it is something that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. My ex husbands uncle is so crazy for his team Fluminense, that if you were invited to go to a match with him and Flu lost, you were permanently banned from ever going to the stadium with him again. You were considered bad luck. The closest thing we in Canada can relate to is our love of hockey.
Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada, but I am sensing a change.
More and more kids (both boys and girls) are playing soccer and our Canadian Women's National Team (CWNT) just won the Bronze medal in the London Olympics. After a heartbreaking loss to the USA in the semi finals, Canada pulled it together in the Bronze medal game and scored the winning goal against France in the 91st minute.
They lost all of their games in the World Cup last year. The women's team have regrouped, changed their coach, turned it around and are now considered a strong team. The captain, Christine Sinclair, is a hero and a national treasure. She is our Ronaldo, our Pele, our Michel Platini!
Soccer Canada is maybe finally getting it. We need more investment and opportunity for our kids to have the dream and opportunity to play for Canada, and for Canada to succeed at an international level in both mens and womens soccer. They have started the movement by bringing in the new coach, John Herdman, for Canada. Now they need to do the same for the men.
I am looking forward to the day where I will see both the men's and women's teams in the World Cup and the Olympics.
Hopefully that day will come sooner, rather than later.......
Monday, August 6
How the Olympics Have Changed
I love the Olympics. Or should I say, I used to love the Olympics more than I do now.
Growing up in Calgary in the 70's, my family was privileged to belong to the Calgary Winter Club. They had a swim team that all of us kids competed for at one time or another. Mom or Dad would drive us every night for practice, either hang out and socialize, go curling, or go home for some rest and relaxation while the four of us swam laps and dreamed about being an Olympic swimmer.
For me, the Olympic gold medal was the be all and end all for a swimmer. It is the highest level that a swimmer can reach. When Mark Spitz won 7 golds in Munich in 1972, swimming became increasingly popular in Canada and USA. Swimming has had its ups and downs over the years, with doping scandals from the former East German team, and now the questionable swimming of the Chinese. Michael Phelps was caught with a bong after the Bejing Olympics, but managed to spin out of that one before London.
Olympics are about the hard training, sacrifice and above all, HEART!
I guess it was ever since they allowed the Dream Team of the NBA to play in the Olympics that it all went downhill for me. These guys were the best of the best at the time, but they were PROFESSIONALS.
In the 'old' days, an athlete won a gold and then the sponsors could use them to sell their products. That was how athletes were compensated for all of their hard work and sacrifice, and could 'retire' from the amateur sports world, become a commentator a motivational speaker or disappear into oblivion.
Not any more.
Now, athletes can be professionals and be Olympic athletes at the same time. They are already raking in endorsements before the Games and usually by sponsors that are also sponsoring the Games. Is this right? The jury is still out on that.
I get psyched when I see Canadian athletes do well, because I know what they put in to get where they are.
I like to see stories on Usain Bolt and his legacy that he is leaving for future runners in Jamaica. Giving back. Its heartwarming.
I guess I can do without the 'yo yo' attitude of the USA basketball team, who collectively earn over 180 million dollars a year and treat the Olympics with such a 'whatever' attitude.
For me, that is not the spirit of the Games.
Now we just have to rid ourselves of Brian Williams on CTV...
Growing up in Calgary in the 70's, my family was privileged to belong to the Calgary Winter Club. They had a swim team that all of us kids competed for at one time or another. Mom or Dad would drive us every night for practice, either hang out and socialize, go curling, or go home for some rest and relaxation while the four of us swam laps and dreamed about being an Olympic swimmer.
For me, the Olympic gold medal was the be all and end all for a swimmer. It is the highest level that a swimmer can reach. When Mark Spitz won 7 golds in Munich in 1972, swimming became increasingly popular in Canada and USA. Swimming has had its ups and downs over the years, with doping scandals from the former East German team, and now the questionable swimming of the Chinese. Michael Phelps was caught with a bong after the Bejing Olympics, but managed to spin out of that one before London.
Olympics are about the hard training, sacrifice and above all, HEART!
I guess it was ever since they allowed the Dream Team of the NBA to play in the Olympics that it all went downhill for me. These guys were the best of the best at the time, but they were PROFESSIONALS.
In the 'old' days, an athlete won a gold and then the sponsors could use them to sell their products. That was how athletes were compensated for all of their hard work and sacrifice, and could 'retire' from the amateur sports world, become a commentator a motivational speaker or disappear into oblivion.
Not any more.
Now, athletes can be professionals and be Olympic athletes at the same time. They are already raking in endorsements before the Games and usually by sponsors that are also sponsoring the Games. Is this right? The jury is still out on that.
I get psyched when I see Canadian athletes do well, because I know what they put in to get where they are.
I like to see stories on Usain Bolt and his legacy that he is leaving for future runners in Jamaica. Giving back. Its heartwarming.
I guess I can do without the 'yo yo' attitude of the USA basketball team, who collectively earn over 180 million dollars a year and treat the Olympics with such a 'whatever' attitude.
For me, that is not the spirit of the Games.
Now we just have to rid ourselves of Brian Williams on CTV...
Tuesday, June 12
Enabled and Entitled
The world has been overrun by the "Enabled and Entitled". Who are these E&E's? Where did they come from? How can we rid ourselves of them?
Most of us have seen the following scene at least once. Supermarket, 3 pm, any given weekday, mom getting groceries with little ones in tow. Time to go through the checkout and one of the little ones sees a bag of Skittles that has been strategically placed at eye level by the supermarketeers.
" I want, I want!", comes the shrill cry. Mom, who is probably at the end of her rope, gives in. Toddler has just won his first battle and has been initiated into the E&E club. The men in suits at the ad agencies in NYC and Toronto know this and continue to lambast our eyes and ears with the latest and greatest thing that we all 'must have'.
The worst culprits of the E&E club are teenagers. I should know, I live with 3 of them. They think that the world revolves around them and that they should get whatever they want whenever they want and by any means necessary. Even if this includes emotional blackmail or manipulation. When parental divorce is thrown into the mix, it becomes even worse. Guilt becomes the commodity.
Getting a summer job? Heck no! Not the E&E crowd. That might involve actually WORKING!
The E&E crowd that the world has become familiar with is the Quebec protesters. For those who are unaware, there have been protests in the streets of Montreal for the past three months because the government wants to raise the university tuition in Quebec. As it stands right now, Quebecers have the lowest tuition in Canada. They pay the same amount of tuition now as Albertans paid in 1990, including inflation. But they don't want to pay the increase that has been proposed to them. So off they go to the streets and protest, break windows and cause major havoc because they have been brought up to expect to get things for nothing in return. My message to them? GROW UP!
Seriously, it gets worse.
There is a teacher in Edmonton who was suspended by the local school board for giving out zero's in his classroom. HELLO??? If a student doesn't do his work, why should he get anything? He deserves a BIG FAT ZERO. When I was in school, we got marks docked for improper grammar and spelling mistakes! Not any more. Kids are not allowed to fail in the school system. Teachers can't give them zeros! These kids, who have been coddled and told that they are special, and haven't learned that doing good in school is an expectation and not a cause for celebration, are the ones that will be looking after me when I am old. SHUDDER! One only learns from failure, not by being coddled by the world.
So my message to the E&E's out there? SUCK IT UP AND GET REAL. The world is an unfair place and is not the wonderful world of Disney or Barney or whatever shite you were influenced by when you were young. When you screw up, there are consequences for your actions. You are no better than anyone else, so stop thinking that you are 'all that'. You aren't.
The world revolves around the sun, not around you.
Wednesday, May 16
VOGUE and Underweight Models: Spring Summer 2012
Over the past week there has been a lot of chatter about Vogue banning underaged models and girls that have eating disorders. I think its a great initiative, but to be perfectly honest, it sounds like another round of lip service and will quickly be forgotten as fast as last season's trends. I hope I am proven wrong.
I worked as a model in the late 80's early 90's in New York Paris and Milan. I remember an episode of 20/20 with Barbara Walters in 1991 interviewing the feminist writer Naomi Wolf ,who had just wrote a book called 'The Beauty Myth'. Ms Wolf was going on saying that "100,000 plus women die of anorexia every year, because of images they see in magazines".
What did she use as an example of the images that cause this epidemic of anorexia?
A picture of ME!
Boy was I floored. How could she say such a thing? She had never met me and didn't know me personally??? First of all, I was and am NOT anorexic. I was beyond shocked and mad at Naomi Wolf for saying that I was 'probably anorexic and probably not menstruating', and for using my picture to illustrate what was causing anorexia in teenagers. Her remarks were hurtful and they offended me. Couldn't have been further from the truth.
Luckily, they interviewed Helen Gurley Brown, (the famed editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine back in the day when they had those amazingly sexy cover photos shot by Francesco Scavullo). She said that models eat like race horses to be able to keep up with their workload and travelling. At least the grand dame of the magazine world was defending me and my fellow models.
For those of you that remember the early 90's in fashion, the look was total Glamazon. The models were a lot curvier and healthier looking than the girls are today. The models that I see in the magazines nowadays are truly retouched within an inch of their lives. We can thank the addiction to Photoshop for that.
I think that to be true to all, the use of Photoshop should be restricted to just touching up ever so slightly, not to reconstruct and misconstrue someones natural body shape. I believe that if Vogue began to limit the use of Photoshop in its editorials, this would also be a step in the right direction. Its needs to be part of their mandate as well. It would also separate the real photographers from the chaff. But thats a whole other blog post.
Banning underage models is to be applauded. Banning models that have eating disorders is also a good initiative, but I can't see how Vogue is going to discern who is naturally slim (ie. Gisele) and who has an eating disorder.
Give us back the fantasy and the beauty of the fashion photo. Fashion is a fantasy, yet it still needs to root itself somewhat in reality.
I worked as a model in the late 80's early 90's in New York Paris and Milan. I remember an episode of 20/20 with Barbara Walters in 1991 interviewing the feminist writer Naomi Wolf ,who had just wrote a book called 'The Beauty Myth'. Ms Wolf was going on saying that "100,000 plus women die of anorexia every year, because of images they see in magazines".
What did she use as an example of the images that cause this epidemic of anorexia?
A picture of ME!
Boy was I floored. How could she say such a thing? She had never met me and didn't know me personally??? First of all, I was and am NOT anorexic. I was beyond shocked and mad at Naomi Wolf for saying that I was 'probably anorexic and probably not menstruating', and for using my picture to illustrate what was causing anorexia in teenagers. Her remarks were hurtful and they offended me. Couldn't have been further from the truth.
Luckily, they interviewed Helen Gurley Brown, (the famed editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine back in the day when they had those amazingly sexy cover photos shot by Francesco Scavullo). She said that models eat like race horses to be able to keep up with their workload and travelling. At least the grand dame of the magazine world was defending me and my fellow models.
For those of you that remember the early 90's in fashion, the look was total Glamazon. The models were a lot curvier and healthier looking than the girls are today. The models that I see in the magazines nowadays are truly retouched within an inch of their lives. We can thank the addiction to Photoshop for that.
I think that to be true to all, the use of Photoshop should be restricted to just touching up ever so slightly, not to reconstruct and misconstrue someones natural body shape. I believe that if Vogue began to limit the use of Photoshop in its editorials, this would also be a step in the right direction. Its needs to be part of their mandate as well. It would also separate the real photographers from the chaff. But thats a whole other blog post.
Banning underage models is to be applauded. Banning models that have eating disorders is also a good initiative, but I can't see how Vogue is going to discern who is naturally slim (ie. Gisele) and who has an eating disorder.
Give us back the fantasy and the beauty of the fashion photo. Fashion is a fantasy, yet it still needs to root itself somewhat in reality.
Thursday, May 3
Offensive? What About a Sense of Humour?
Yesterday I shared a photo on Facebook of the former president of Brazil, Lula da Silva. It showed him reading a book upside down. The title of the photo used the same idea that is used by Master Card adverts worldwide. " Reading glasses,$2000, Ricardo Almeida suit, $8000, reading a book upside down:PRICELESS."
I thought is was hilarious and shared it on my Facebook. Well boy did I ever open a can of worms. One of my friends from Brazil( who has since de-friended me) took total offense to the posting and in her rant, called me prejudiced, bitter and above all ignorant. How dare I make fun of the former President of Brazil !!!
Seriously?
Is it now offensive to take the mickey out of politicians? Steve Colbert, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, 22 Minutes are all political satire shows on the TV here in North America and they all hone in on politicians.
Thoughts?
I thought is was hilarious and shared it on my Facebook. Well boy did I ever open a can of worms. One of my friends from Brazil( who has since de-friended me) took total offense to the posting and in her rant, called me prejudiced, bitter and above all ignorant. How dare I make fun of the former President of Brazil !!!
Seriously?
Is it now offensive to take the mickey out of politicians? Steve Colbert, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, 22 Minutes are all political satire shows on the TV here in North America and they all hone in on politicians.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, May 1
A Father's Love -The David Goldman Story
A while back I wrote about David Goldman, the New Jersey father who literally went to the ends of the earth to bring back his son Sean. I just finished reading his book ' A Father's Love' which talks about the hell he went through to get his boy Sean back. At the end I was in tears.
David got his boy home, but did you know that there are over 3000 American children that have been abducted by one of their parents and taken to foreign countries? I was shocked! How can this happen?
I became interested in the Goldman case because I too was married to a Brazilian and the ruling in the Goldman case could have trickled down and affected my custody situation with my children. Luckily my ex husband gave me permission to come back to Canada with our children because he is savvy enough to know that Canada is a much better place to raise children. They go back and visit their dad every year, but I am always attentive to the fact that he could change his mind and not let them come back to Canada. In Brazil they say 'um pe atras' which means to have one foot behind or to be cautious. If that was to happen, I would probably find myself in David Goldman's situation.
The Hague Convention was completely ignored and treated with contempt by the Ribeiro/Lins e Silva clan in Brazil. They tried every legal manoeuvre possible to attack and basically wear David Goldman down. He never gave up. Here was this simple down to earth dad from New Jersey, just trying to bring his son home from Brazil after the mother of the boy died during childbirth. The step family (Lins e Silva) and the grandparents (Ribeiro) became the abductors and their actions were deplorable.
Not only was this a David vs Goliath scenario, it was also the beginning of the end of the cronyism that has plagued Brazil for centuries. The Lins e Silva family are a very influential family of lawyers in Brazil that specialize in family law. Their tentacles reach the inner sanctums of the courts in Brazil. The irony of it all is that the head of the 'family' was one of the authors of a report for the Hague convention showing how child abduction can cause parental alienation. SERIOUSLY!
David Goldman's fight is far from over. He is committed to bring back all of the children who have been abducted and absconded by one of their parents and taken to a foreign country. A new bill is being passed in the USA based on Sean's abduction and David's fight to bring Sean home.
I ask that Canada become more pro active in this too. There are many intercultural marriages that could result in divorce and many children could be abducted to other countries that are a lot worse than Brazil (such as Middle Eastern countries where women have no rights).We need to secure our borders so that children are protected from this. I need permission to travel with my boys when I leave Brazil, but there is no system in place at border crossings here in Canada. Why is that?
David got his boy home, but did you know that there are over 3000 American children that have been abducted by one of their parents and taken to foreign countries? I was shocked! How can this happen?
I became interested in the Goldman case because I too was married to a Brazilian and the ruling in the Goldman case could have trickled down and affected my custody situation with my children. Luckily my ex husband gave me permission to come back to Canada with our children because he is savvy enough to know that Canada is a much better place to raise children. They go back and visit their dad every year, but I am always attentive to the fact that he could change his mind and not let them come back to Canada. In Brazil they say 'um pe atras' which means to have one foot behind or to be cautious. If that was to happen, I would probably find myself in David Goldman's situation.
The Hague Convention was completely ignored and treated with contempt by the Ribeiro/Lins e Silva clan in Brazil. They tried every legal manoeuvre possible to attack and basically wear David Goldman down. He never gave up. Here was this simple down to earth dad from New Jersey, just trying to bring his son home from Brazil after the mother of the boy died during childbirth. The step family (Lins e Silva) and the grandparents (Ribeiro) became the abductors and their actions were deplorable.
Not only was this a David vs Goliath scenario, it was also the beginning of the end of the cronyism that has plagued Brazil for centuries. The Lins e Silva family are a very influential family of lawyers in Brazil that specialize in family law. Their tentacles reach the inner sanctums of the courts in Brazil. The irony of it all is that the head of the 'family' was one of the authors of a report for the Hague convention showing how child abduction can cause parental alienation. SERIOUSLY!
David Goldman's fight is far from over. He is committed to bring back all of the children who have been abducted and absconded by one of their parents and taken to a foreign country. A new bill is being passed in the USA based on Sean's abduction and David's fight to bring Sean home.
I ask that Canada become more pro active in this too. There are many intercultural marriages that could result in divorce and many children could be abducted to other countries that are a lot worse than Brazil (such as Middle Eastern countries where women have no rights).We need to secure our borders so that children are protected from this. I need permission to travel with my boys when I leave Brazil, but there is no system in place at border crossings here in Canada. Why is that?
Monday, April 23
My New Vice: The Real Housewives of Vancouver
Yes I will admit it. I watch the Real Housewives of Vancouver. Go ahead and judge me, I don't care. These 5 women are living the life and having a ball doing it. So they are over the top? Trust me, the fashion business is worse.
Catfights and drama? Its all for the cameras. Apparently they came to Calgary to interview potential 'Housewives' for a Calgary version, but the producers said that the wives in Calgary were 'too nice'. I can believe that...to a point. I have seen some real bitches with $$$ in this town who would have been perfect. They know who they are.
Each of the RHOV have very strong personalities. Here are my thoughts on each one, so far after 3 episodes.
1. Jody Claman. Lots of people think she is a bitch, but personally I like her chutzpah. She tells it like it is. She is no-nonsense. Her one liners are epic. In one scene she is sitting with Reiko at a cafe. The dialog goes something like this:
Jody: "Reiko, you have such great arms! What do you do?"
Reiko: " I do push-ups every day"
Jody: "I push my husband off me every night, hahahahahaha."
2. Christina Keisel. Yes she plays a gold digger, and freely admits it " Vancouver is a gold mine and I like digging'. Not quite sure about her though. I have a hard time believing that she is only 30. I think that under that 'persona' is a little frail girl who is deeply insecure about herself. Where is her accent from?????
3. Mary Zilba. Ah yes, sweet Mary. A bit too sweet actually. She needs a bit more of a backbone. Stay away from the ex-boyfriend who has a new girlfriend and stop sleeping with him! Yes, therapy would be beneficial here! Stand up for yourself more girl!! The scenes with the music director were cringe worthy. He was just creepy.
4. Ronnie Negus. Somehow the persona on the TV doesn't match who I think she really is. The editing makes her out to be a lush who drinks too much. We all drink! I, too have a child with a disability and I know how tough it is on some days. Ronnie, thank you for bringing awareness to children with disabilities!
5. Reiko Mackenzie. The 'Switzerland' of the group. She gets along with all of the Housewives and tries to broker peace. I think its cool that she likes fast cars. Keep the kids away from sugar though!
So there you have it! The Real Housewives of Vancouver is on SLICE tv every Wednesday night at 10 pm.
Each of the RHOV have very strong personalities. Here are my thoughts on each one, so far after 3 episodes.
1. Jody Claman. Lots of people think she is a bitch, but personally I like her chutzpah. She tells it like it is. She is no-nonsense. Her one liners are epic. In one scene she is sitting with Reiko at a cafe. The dialog goes something like this:
Jody: "Reiko, you have such great arms! What do you do?"
Reiko: " I do push-ups every day"
Jody: "I push my husband off me every night, hahahahahaha."
2. Christina Keisel. Yes she plays a gold digger, and freely admits it " Vancouver is a gold mine and I like digging'. Not quite sure about her though. I have a hard time believing that she is only 30. I think that under that 'persona' is a little frail girl who is deeply insecure about herself. Where is her accent from?????
3. Mary Zilba. Ah yes, sweet Mary. A bit too sweet actually. She needs a bit more of a backbone. Stay away from the ex-boyfriend who has a new girlfriend and stop sleeping with him! Yes, therapy would be beneficial here! Stand up for yourself more girl!! The scenes with the music director were cringe worthy. He was just creepy.
4. Ronnie Negus. Somehow the persona on the TV doesn't match who I think she really is. The editing makes her out to be a lush who drinks too much. We all drink! I, too have a child with a disability and I know how tough it is on some days. Ronnie, thank you for bringing awareness to children with disabilities!
5. Reiko Mackenzie. The 'Switzerland' of the group. She gets along with all of the Housewives and tries to broker peace. I think its cool that she likes fast cars. Keep the kids away from sugar though!
So there you have it! The Real Housewives of Vancouver is on SLICE tv every Wednesday night at 10 pm.
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