DRE DECARLO CELEB PROMO CONTINUES… french supermodel Elodie Passlaigue

Now you should be familiar with my DRE DECARLO CELEB PROMOs by now. This time it was FORD MODEL MANAGEMENT french supermodel Elodie Passlaigue!!!

This hot supermodel did me the honor of agreeing to shoot with me!

-Photographer: Logan Thomas, Styling: Dre DeCarlo & Kesia Estwick, Make-up: Helene Headley-

 

And I was also given the privilege of styling her myself!!–

Clothes made available by RED BOUTIQUE, upstairs SHERATON MALL, ST. MICHAEL, BARBADOS.

I also asked reknowned local punk/industrial designer KESIA ESTWICK to create an outfit for the stunning french supermodel. She failed to disappoint. She delivered as always!!–

Stay tuned for more of the DRE DECARLO CELEB PROMOs!!!!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: French Supermodel ELODIE PASSELAIGUE

One of the Clinique campaigns that helped her to be propelled into the eyes of the average person

Elodie Passelaigue, being born in a country which she says that being a model is not seen as a respectable career choice. Passelaigue was born and raised in Salon-de-Provence (a tiny medieval town in Rhone Valley, South of France), Provence, France until 18 years of age with no movie theatre or shopping malls (at that time) within her small district. So, she lived a very humble childhood picking pears and apples with her close friends while running through the nearby fields. Elodie is the daughter of two Club Med’ G.O.s, and the eldest of four girls. To this date, her three sisters, nephew, grandma and mom still remain in the South of France, from where they all watch her accomplish her dream of traveling the world.

by Frederic Lucano

When I asked her about what she thoughts about many persons, especially parents, saying that modeling really ISN’T a lucrative career.

-She responded, ” We’d be dumb NOT to do (be models) it!  Because at the stage that we (her and her close supermodel friends) are at in our lives, we make more money than most people at any level, in any position, at any co-operation in the world! We’re travelling the world, seeing things that people only DREAM of seeing and doing things that people could only DREAM of doing in their lifetime and then they ask you why!!??”

 

-caught mid-laugh during a shoot for her new Marshalls campaign-

Dre- When did you start modeling?

Elodie- I started modeling when I was about 21 in Canada. Back in France, my then boyfriend and my mom were bugging me to send my pictures to a contest (Karin Models). I saw it on TV and I saw fliers for it and I guess I gave in (chuckle). So, eventually, I got some pictures done, because I had a friend in the arts programme at my university. About 4-5 months later, I was asked to go to Karin Models and they basically told me that I was one of the finalists. But then told me to come back because I was really skinny, like smaller than I am right now and the same height! I was about to leave for Canada so I said to myself that this isn’t going to happen. So, on my way to Canada, my mom says, “You know, you should keep in touch with these people and ask for information on agencies in Canada!” And I’m like, “Come on mom! I’m leaving for Canada, and that’s a big enough change!”

 

by Chris Nicholls

But then I met this guy from Ottawa Life Magazine, and I started doing some work for them and some other high-end jobs in Canada. I eventually moved to New York and at first I was with Karin Models and then I switched over to Elite Model Management, and now I’m with Ford Model Management New York.

 

by Nigel Barker, of America's Next Top Model fame

While in Canada, Elodie had to pay for her studies on her own. On week days, she worked as a parking attendant on the University lot; on weekends, she made popcorn for the on-campus movie theater crowd. Eventually, she found a job as a sales representative and front desk associate at a boutique hotel in Ottawa – across the Rideau River from Hull: ARC, The Hotel.

It is at the end of June 2000, during a trip to Toronto, that she paid her lucky visit to Elmer Olsen at Elite Toronto – a contact she had been given years before, when she became a finalist of the Jacques Dessange Model Look of the Year contest, organized in partnership with Karin Models in Paris. On that Friday afternoon when she first met “E.O.”, the magic took place: Elmer fell “in love” with her look. She was instantly introduced to the Canadian market as the “hot new thing” of the moment. She got her first test shoot with photographer Alvaro Goveia the next day and started working with the same photographer for Holt Renfrew’s Christmas Catalog the following Monday.

by Larry Travis

…In three days, she had achieved what takes years, or at least months, for most to accomplish: she had launched her modeling career and was already earning dividends!

by Chris Nicholls

by Chris Nicholls

She even touched base on supermodels who think that because they have a title, that it gives them the right to be nasty to people-

“You have to be careful how you are with people because all of it can be taken away from you in a heartbeat! You can’t be nasty like that! When your look fade, your health is gone and you’ve been nasty to people all your life then your life is ruined! And you never know who your real friends are!”

 

–Below are all of her Clinique campaigns. Tell me if  you recognize a few

Now, here’s a SHORT list of the clients that she has had the privilege of working with:

Angel Sanchez

Ann Taylor

Avon

Balenciaga

Bergdorf Goodman

Calvin Klein

Giorgio Armani

Glamour Magazine – UK

Sephora

Sotheby’s

Marshalls

Max Mara

H&M

Carolina Herrera

Cartier

Celia Krithari

Celine

Chanel

Hampton’s Cottage and Gardens

Harper’s Bazaar Magazine – USA

Harper’s Bazaar Magazine – Russia

Harry Winston

Hermes

Christian Dior

Clinique Cosmetics

Ralph Lauren

Stella McCartney

L’Oreal Paris

Dolce and Gabana

Domino Mag

Donna Karan

Vogue Nippon

Vogue Pelle

Vogue Spain

Vogue USA

…. and the list goes on. For more, please visit http://www.elodiepass.com

STAY TUNED FOR THE DRE DECARLO CELEB PROMO PICS (by Logan Thomas) WITH ELODIE HERSELF!!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!: America’s Next Top Model winner- MCKEY SULLIVAN

What is your full name?

Brittany McKey Sullivan

How long have you been modeling?

On and off for the last 5 years.

What has the progression experience been like as a model?

Well, sometimes I didn’t do anything. I was a hair model for a couple years when I was in college and now after doing the show (America’s Next Top Model/ANTM), everything seems to be going pretty well! There’ve been ups and downs but that’s just the industry.

What was the America’s Next Top Model experience like?

For me, it was definitely a great experience. It was extremely stressful though, the entire time I was there I was depressed (giggles). The first couple of weeks I had to get used to all the cameras being around ALL THE TIME! But after a while you pretty much don’t even recognize them anymore! I was really focused, so ALL my energy went into getting a little better every week and not being in the bottom two (smiles). I wouldn’t focus on winning because I think that distracts you in a way. It’s really difficult living with so many girls. You’re always around each other, bickering but… humans are adaptable, so I adapted. It was good but I don’t think that I could do it again (chuckles).

At the G Star Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Hammerstein Ballroom on February 17, 2009 in New York City.

So, what are you doing now in life?

I just moved to Paris.  I’m taking some classes there and I’ve been there for about 3 weeks now and when I get back there, I’m gonna be looking for some agencies. I didn’t want to just go as soon as I got there and be totally clueless so I decided to wait a while to feel out the city (smiles). My agency (Elite Model Management) is in Chicago and New York and they have an affiliate in Paris, so… I’d probably be going with them but I’m not sure yet (smiles).

At this year's Absolute Caribbean Fashion Weekend in Barbados, where she ripped the runway and conducted a modeling workshop.

What has your experience been like in Barbados?

It’s very cool!! (smiles brightly) (chuckles) Not only am I in a tropical place with very nice people, but I get to see what fashion’s like in other parts of the world where it isn’t like a big fashion centrral. The models are much nicer even if they don’t know much about the industry, they’re not at all catty and moody like (using fingers as claws and making a funny face) RARRR!! (LAUGHS) Like how those in New York and Paris are. The designers are VERY talented and you get to see things that arn’t scripted, you get to see the rawness. And that’s a good thing.

How do you handle the ‘cattyness’ from the other models internationally?

Well, alot of them arn’t very nice, especially behind the scenes, the interviews and confessions (on ANTM). All the ‘cattyness’ gets hard during the show but you would have noticed that in the show, I just went cooking and kind of ignored them (laughs). Alot of them are VERY competitive and are really mean to you but I just don’t understand how being mean is going to help your chances but it seems to be what they think!… (sigh) I just ignore (smiles).

How did you get into modeling from being a kick-boxer and martial artist?

Well, I did mixed martial arts and what actually got me into modeling was a really bad soccer accident. I had to get 3 knee surgeries and therefore modeling went pretty well with that (chuckles) because you can’t exercise too much or you’ll get too big or masculins-looking then you won’t be able to fit into the clothes so… I’m doing great! (laughs).

What is you main goal in modeling?

Hmm.. To push myself as far as I can! Do my best, then move on with my life. and do something else because I just want to be the person I am when I wake up every morning and when I go to bed every night, to feel like I’ve done something with my life. So, if modeling ever stops feeling like that for me then I won’t do it anymore.

What do you see yourself doign after your modeling career?

I would like to be a doctor, a neonatal surgeon…… (silence) (McKey laughs)

Okay.. When you were in college, what did you study?

Law, Chemistry, Biology and Government & Politics. (long pause)

So, what’s it liek being a CoverGirl® ?

It’s excellent!! CoverGirl® is a wonderful company, they’re very good to me (smiles). It helps me to do alot of things like the Make A Wish Foundation. It makes me feel good about myself.

McKey's CoverGirl® ad

How would you describe your personal style?

I’m not particularly into fashion. I like clothes, but I don’t like shopping. I liek tiemless things, I’m not very trendy. I’d say I’m vintage, very vintage. I’m a medieval first lady (laughs).

How would you describe McKey/Brittany? … the person, not the model.

hmmm… I guess I’m just kinda lame! (laughs) I’m boring, I like to play with the dogs, I looooooove animals, I love going for walks, I love playing sports, I love cooking… I’m you’re average woman, home in her pajamas. (laughs) I don’t do crazy things, I don’t party alot….. I’M LAME! (laughs).

So, who are you wearing?

Uh…. Target (laughs)

What is your advice for aspiring models around the world?

Be organized, polite, don’t get in your head that you’re above anything, because you’re not! Remind yourself that you need to think of this like a business person. Learn how to take criticism, and you have to stay strong in who you are as a person to do so. Realize that you aren’t done growing as a person and you’re not done changing. Keep pushing because if modeling is what you really want, THEN PUSH!

Absolute Caribbean Fashion REPORT! – Caribbean Catwalk Night

The 2009 Absolute Caribbean Fashion Weekend was held at the Fairmont Royal Pavillion, St. James, BARBADOS. There were three nights for different showings. The designers were categorized by region; Barbados Night, International Couture & Caribbean Catwalk. Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Designers featured on the Caribbean Catwalk night were as follows; Shawn Griffith Perez, Kimya Glasgow, Kimon Baptiste, Queen Esther- Kummba Designs, Heather Jones and Claudia Pegus. Special runway appearances were made by America’s Next Top Model winner McKey Sullivan and international Canadian top model Simone Small.

Absolute Caribbean Fashion Weekend, Caribbean night,  showcased talented designers from across the region, whose works consisted of some FABULOUS designs, coupled with a few near misses as well as a few total disasters……

Claudia wowed the audience with her ‘Tribute to Michelle Obama’ line. Inspired by the fashion stylings of Michelle Obama herself. It was a definite hit amongst the audience and fashion media.

model Imogen, wearing a fabulous fuschia dress from Claudia Pegus’ line

model Shani, wearing the Claudia Pegus ‘show-stopper’ of the line, ‘Tribute to Michelle Obama’.

winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 11, McKey Sullivan, rocking it in a Claudia Pegus piece

Queen Esther, from St. Lucia, was another crowd pleaser with her Kuumba Designs. Showing many fresh, innovative ways to design, wear or create clothing strictly from white cloth. Which, in my opinion, is VERY hard to pull off, as the preceding designer hailing from Trinidad &Tobago, Shawn Griffith Perez, failed at his attempt to TRY to achieve the same effect. Don’t get me wrong! Some of his white pieces were beautiful, just very few! And his tie-dye pieces were HORRENDOUS!

international Canadian top model Simone Small, donning a fabuluos piece by Queen Esther

model Kenyah, wearing Kummba Designs by Queen Esther

model Nia, wearing a questionable dress by Shawn Griffith Perez

model Sedia, donning a fab dress by Shawn Griffith Perez

Ms. Heather Jones… hmm.. colorful, VERY colorful, very caribbean-inspired. Liked it for the most part but some of her pieces were just WAY over the top, and not in a good way (as pictured below) !

Heather Jones’ ‘show-stopper’, worn by McKey Sullivan

model Orchid, wearing a beautiful Heather Jones piece

Heather Jones’ piece…

Heather Jones’ piece- hott!!

Favorites of the weekend were Claudia Pegus, Pat Blackman, Kuumba Designs, Jewel Shannon & Kimya Glasgow. Other participating designers were either disappointing or fell short of average, or just plain old boring, has-been stuff. Sorry, I like to be honest .

-Dre DeCarlo for KuramaMagazine.com