Donatella Versace Wants Personality For Models To Be Super Again

Donatella Versace is not a believer in the natural look. She thinks it's time models should be super again. But amidst the sea of faceless models today, the Italian fashion designer cries, "There is not enough ego!"


"Now is a bad moment. Now we need something. We need a special personality. We need to feed the egos of these girls. Somebody like Kristen (McMenamy) who had a huge ego. Beautiful...," Donattela Versace says.

She misses the time when supermodels really become "supermodels" and recalls one occasion when her late brother Gianni Versace produced an autumn/winter show in 1991 that has become an era-defining moment in fashion.

"That moment when my brother put on the runway Christy, Linda, Cindy and Naomi together – they sang Freedom, and George Michael was in the audience – that was an iconic moment of fashion. That moment was when supermodels really became supermodels. It was the print girls' move to the runway, and that was something that felt new too – the print girls were not usually catwalk girls."

It was Donatella Versace who encouraged her brother to use attention-grabbing print girls for his show, contradicting the fashion industry's trend of staying away from notorious girls for fear that they might overshadow the clothes.

"It was a time when designers were afraid of models with fame. They were afraid that the clothes would be overtaken by the fame of the models. I said to Gianni, 'Do not be afraid like everybody else, because it is just stupid. Fame on fame means more fame! It does not take away anything; it adds.' It gave personality to the clothes, it gave things an edge that a runway show needs, otherwise it can be so borrring."

Being a hater of all things "borrring," Donatella Versace goes on to say that she does not like the neutral, pretentious look of models today.

"There is an idea of neutrality in models now. Little make-up, no expression, like a robot... That is very stupid. It is almost as if the models have to have the appearance of something serious, to give an intellectual base, but they themselves are rarely like that. And the roots of fashion are essentially fun. It is something that women wear to make themselves feel better, that shouldn't be forgotten. When you take the joy out of fashion, it is not fashion any more. If you are going to be very clever, too clever, be a scientist. I am not a scientist."

For Donatella Versace, what today's fashion models are lacking are personality. She remembers the time when the fashion industry was full of fun, crazy girls like the catfighting Linda Evangelista and Kristen McMemenamy, Amber Valetta, and the cigarette-puffing tiny girl - Kate Moss. These crazy girls have turned out to be iconic models.


"It was never about changing the girls, it was about defining who they were. I always respected the personality," Donnatella Versace explains.

"You should never be afraid in fashion. In this economic situation the worst thing you can be is afraid. You need to do something special, not safe."


The complete fashion manifest of Donnatella Versace is presented in the LOVE magazine's The Fashion Icons issue, out tomorrow.

Debenhams' Live Lingerie Models For Men's Holiday Shopping

Following the steps of XOXO's NYC shopping windows where models can be seen changing clothes, a London department store also hired models to help men pick out items for their ladies this holiday.


Debenhams Oxford Street branch in London used live lingerie models to help men pick out lingerie. The models were of various shapes — apple, pear, and hourglass-shaped bodies in sizes 8, 12 and 16. They walked around in lingerie inside the department store for a day while men chose the women with curves resembling most closely to their ladies.

"The idea was a huge success, with our male shoppers commenting on what a great idea the event was at this time of year," said spokeswoman Ruth Attridge for Debenhams lingerie department.

Using live department store models to help men buy the right-sized lingerie came from a research conducted by Debenhams, which showed that almost two-thirds of men do not know their partners' bra or knicker size.

The unique solution had male shoppers walking away with the perfect fit from 30 brands and 70 bra sizes on show.

Models Strip On XOXO's Shopping Windows!

Ok. So you are a struggling model who want to make it big in the fashion industry. How would you like to get publicity (for yourself and for the product that you are endorsing) by stripping inside the shopping center?

No, you don't need to strip past your underwear, but you will be changing clothes and walk in lingerie from time to time. Outside, people would be crowding because every strip and modeling that you make are seen through the glass windows.


Junior label XOXO has erected holiday windows on 38th Street and Fifth Avenue where models can be seen changing clothes. Because the clothing line's target is publicity, they welcome the crowd of voyeurs, er, curious men who obviously are mesmerized to stop by and watch the teasing models through the shopping windows. This, despite the fact that the label's target clients are women.

"The scene is a young woman's apartment, where two shapely models try on clothes, flip through magazines and even paint each other's fingernails. After dark they switch to evening wear, and spend hours getting dressed for a night on the town. All in front of floor-to-ceiling windows."

XOXO's Creative Director Carol Powley has oriented the models to focus on their modeling/acting and not to pay any attention to the public:

"When I want them to change clothes, I send them a text message. It's very voyeuristic. You want to be looking at them, but you wonder if you should be."

The conservative people are disgusted while others scream for additional men models. Either way, XOXO and the models behind the shopping windows really give a new meaning to "window shopping." Hopefully, that would not be cheap or irrelevant.

Top Korean Model Daul Kim Is Found Dead!

Daul Kim, 20 years old model from Seoul, Korea, was found dead in her Paris apartment yesterday morning. The cause of her death remained unknown, but it was rumored as suicide.


As top model, Daul Kim was known for her gorgeous hair, incredible street style, and passion for telling a good story - a model with real personality. She started modeling in 2006 with impressive editorials for Korean Vogue, and was most noted for impersonating supermodel Linda Evangelista for Vogue editorial photographed by Oh Joong Seok in January 2009.

Although most of her modeling career was with Vogue, Daul Kim has also walked the runways for top designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Alexander McQueen, and Chanel. Her recent work was with Christopher Kane for a Topshop TV commercial and a photo shoot for the fall issue of Dansk.

Daul Kim's death came as a shock, both for family, friends, and fans of the Korean model. No cause of death has been released yet, but her agents at Next has confirmed her death in a statement:

"She was a top model and a great friend to all of us at Next. Please respect her family's privacy at this time of sadness. We will all miss her very much."

Modeling aside, Daul Kim was also an active blogger. She maintained a blog called "I Like To Fork Myself." Intriguingly, she titled her last entry "say goodbye to forever." The body of the post was a video of the song "I Go Deep" by Jim Rivers. Underneath the song, she wrote "best track forever."

Daul Kim's story is just like one of those sad stories shared by not a few people who are working in the beauty industry - they started with beautiful ambition, lucky enough to enjoy success at a young age, and mysteriously ended their glamorous lives in tragic deaths.

"what i do is not a bad occupation
someone is always willing to pay.

+i would find it

tiring.

-oh no , its quite ________,
almost peaceful

no need to believe in either side

or any side

there is no courage.

theres only yourself.

the belief is your own precision"

- Daul Kim, I Like To Fork Myself, 2009/11/06

7 Steps To Being A Model

Director of Scouting for Ford Models Aaron Newbill shares his tips for aspiring models in a recent Marie Claire article:


1. Do the research beforehand.
"One should check to see who is reputable first, length in the business, and who an agency represents."

A simple scanning through magazine spreads will help you look for agents and agencies that represent the models you like. If you're going to make a call or an email to a smaller agency, gather information about the company first by researching over the web. If you are convinced they are not a scam and they have good reputation in the industry, go ahead and make the contact!

2. Make important preparations.
"Classes can be helpful to individuals in terms of self confidence and comfort with aspects of the business."

Although modeling classes are not prerequisite to becoming a model, they are very helpful especially if you do not have enough knowledge of the modeling industry and you need a confidence boost. And just like any job interview, when you are presenting yourself to the modeling agency, get ready with the information you gathered about them (their company, the models they represent, etc.)

3. Make an impression with your portfolio.
"A great portfolio is a relative concept, after all, you can't please every client all the time, but make sure that your book has enough variation that an agency can see your potential. The basis of a good book should show a model who is comfortable in front of the camera, one who has a range of expression and movement. As to length, a few great pictures can look better than a long book of fluff. A flow to the book is important — after all you want to get and keep the client's attention."

So before scheduling interviews or going to auditions and open casting calls, make sure you present a portfolio that speaks about your personality and your modeling potential. If you want to make an impression that you are versatile in front of the camera, diversify with photos of yourself in portrait/headshots, casual/commercial poses, editorial photography, swimsuits and lingerie, sports and actions, etc. Most importantly, your photos should be clear.

4. Be natural.
"I always say 'come as you are.' If you have a quirky look or style naturally, work that! Don't be concerned about changing who you are to impress an agency. When meeting prospective models we prefer to see them as they are: no makeup, natural hair, and their personality. Body-conscious clothing like skinny jeans and a tank are good so we can see the body."

Because modeling has a very wide range, you don't have to emulate styles just to be considered. Be yourself and come to the presentation like you are the next standard of style and beauty.

5. Play with the camera.
"When we meet with prospective models we ask to see a couple of snapshots or polaroids. A simple headshot, bodyshot, profile, and a smile is good."

Whether you're doing it for the portfolio or for the test shoot, always remember to bring the fun. Make yourself shine even in amateur and casual shots by striking different poses and making varied facial expressions.

6. Stand-out and shine.
"An outgoing personality is always a standout, able to express themselves and not be nervous or shy. A feeling that modeling is something they want to do, rather then something they are being pushed into is key. The models that do well are confident, ambitious and have a certain humbleness about the fact that being genetically gifted is what got them in the business. In the end this is a business and respect and professionalism is really important."

With poise and confidence, give the impression that you know what you are doing and where you are heading. Aside from the stunning look and confident gait, an outstanding personality also means arriving to interviews or photo shoots early.

7. Read before signing the contract.
"Do not sign anything without reading first! Do your research, and just go with what your gut tells you."

If you successfully make the impression and are able to get the contract, stay calm and make sure you read and understand everything before signing. If you have any questions or clarifications, don't hesitate to ask. After that, you can dance and celebrate.


Want to know more how to become a model? Get your own Insider's Guide to Modeling now!