Video footage of "Carrousel du Louvre" show

Again, thank you to Fine Magazine for the editing and footage of a lovely show! I loved our circular catwalk- like a merry-go-round!

Fashion Plates Runway video

I blogged about it earlier this year but I found on Fine Magazine's youtube footage of some of our shows late last winter 2010. My favorite part is around 2:30 with the prancing poodles not walking well and overcrowding the stage in their diamond collars!

Here is the "Fashion Plates" show!

Video from Sharon Plache knits' segment

This is hilarious. The song for design knitter, Sharon Plache, increases so quickly that by the time my friends Feben and Saam do their walk after Nadia and I they are practically running. See quick-thinking Saam zigzag behind Feben who opted to do a one and a half on the runway, unbeknownst to Saam. (Young models, take note at how quick-thinking, chemistry and personality can overcome a snafu) hehehe. I love these girls!

Fashion Plates runway show

In late winter I walked the Fashion Plates runway show benefiting students who take home a backpack of food every weekend from The Food Bank in order to feed them until they get to school where they are fed breakfast and lunch by the State. Oh, yes - - there are starving kids in San Diego. Most of my teens qualify for the free lunches at my district but it was different to see the Caucasian-only contingent participate in the show and program that day. That said, good for the Food Bank!

I unfortunately deleted accidentally the professional photos from the show (drat! drat drat!) but luckily dear mom Teresa to young model Blayke had snapped away and we can see most of the show and enjoy the amazing backdrop set like a 50s diner.

I loved our opening Bettie Page looks - - you know Elsa loves period looks with her curvy hips!

Click on slideshow below!

Fashion Plates Runway Show

Beauty Expo - February 2011

Oh, yes, I am way behind again in blogging. It is hard to be a natural story-teller and also have so many pictures to log through - - I want to get it all up but it's hard to. Pardon the tardiness.

This was a lovely Saturday afternoon in San Diego for the Beauty Expo on the roof of the Westgate Hotel. I modeled for Q Designs (Qadir Hamidi) whom I have modeled a lot for in 2011, especially.

We did 2 shows that day (you may note the 2 different hairstyles I had as the wind blew out my first pinned curls after the first show). Outside of us changing on the rooftop behind a partition that blocked us from the stage but NOT the above windows of the hotel and yes, there were many men looking down on us like perverts - it was an immensely lovely show and day. I even had my stepdaughter to help out as a 'dresser' backstage. She was really good, too, after I instructed her to stay calm no matter how hectic it can be. I was proud of her.

Click below for pictures:

Bridal and Beauty Expo 2011

Designer Sharon Plache segment

Here is a snippet from the show. I must point out that we did not have our normal rehearsal time allotted (since we weren't being paid, it was a lot to expect of us to be there for 8 hours for free so we only went in for 4) to choreograph the shows we normally do. Plus our spacing was different being a staircase and ballroom instead of a normal catwalk - so what you see here are me and the other models 'winging it' as far as spacing and not walking on top of each other.

Hehehe. Watch me on the bottom of the stairs, all those turns I am doing is me checking out the models to my right, to my left and even to see if there was anyone behind me on the staircase. With the slow jazzy Xmas music playing, too, it made for a whole lot of traffic jams. :)

That said, I enjoyed immensely the designs by Sharon Plache - -

San Diego 10 Best-Dressed Awards - Runway

This show was set up a month ago but with the sad news of an unexpected passing of the only son of 2 of the socialites winning an award it was canceled and then rescheduled and put on a smaller scale last week at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.

It was decided in accordance with the smaller scale festivities and somber news of the death that the models would donate their paychecks to the charities benefiting.

"Interesting side note: This was also the show that last year (see blog) at the Spreckles Theater I fell off the stage into the orchestra pit - thus injuring myself that a good 3 months of recuperating needed.

I modeled with some younger models (outside of Nadia and Feben in their early 30s, all the rest were 16-19) and was clearly the mother of the show since our normal group of runway girls understandably couldn't make the trip from LA for no paycheck.

The designers for the most part were new for me to model for and wonderfully talented with plans to show their lines in NYC next year. And yes, Leonard, our producer, did put the boys in gold lamet hot pants with fur coats - BAM!

click on slide show below - -

San Diego's 10 Best Dressed runway

San Diego Blood Bank Runway Show

Did I get your attention??? This was a very colorful Under-The-Sea-themed runway show for a big charity party benefitting the San Diego Blood Bank back in June at a mansion in Torrey Pines. All photos courtesy of Gates Photography - gracias!

Feel free to click on the slideshow below for more -

SD Bloodbank Runway show

Runway for a Black Friday

I have not once in my life participated in "Black Friday" - the busiest shopping day (the day after Thanksgiving) of the year. It took being paid and having a job to do it this year - hehehhe.

Gretchen Productions who have hired me to do a number of shows and Bridal shows throughout the past several years booked me and a few fellow models from my agency to help out with their Horton Plaza Mall show featuring clothes from various stores there.

Always an interesting time, I received some pictures from one of the mothers. Another treat - my husband surprised me showing up as well - - and shooting me in black and white film. That said - it will be ages for him to work on and get me my pics so I am putting up these ones from Akiko's mama. Thank you!

Click on slideshow below!

Black Friday Show 2009

"Fashion Hits a High Note"

I commented to Patrick lately that I am almost stressed out about how back=blogged I am on here. Especially in posting photo blogs on here and my picassa which is what I am using this blog for more than anything nowadays.

So, with that - PULEEASE forgive me barely posting things from months, maybe even years ago on here. I want it done!

This blog is about a fashion show I did last May - that was extra FANTABULOUS for me - - not only because the clothes and styling were exquisite and retro but because it benefited and took place on the beautiful San Diego Lyric Opera's stage at the Birch Theater in North Park. To model and do my thing in front of tons of theater and opera folk who know me for my voice and acting talents was a treat!Taken below is a press excerpt and photos are by Will Parsons. Wonderful!

Lyric Opera San Diego and Leonard Simpson presented “Fashion Hits a High Note” on Thursday, May 14 at the Birch North Park Theatre. The evening celebrated 30 years of Lyric Opera San Diego and the venue’s 80th year. Guests arrived on a red carpet that led into this beautifully remodeled theater, originally a movie house. This elegant event began with a delightful social hour and a fabulous silent auction with must-have items.

While Simpson, of Fashion Forward, produced the show. He is known for his high-tech runway shows and his drama. This show had one high note after another, combining fashion, singing and dancing.
The runway was not the typical catwalk. The models came out onto the stage and took turns walking down the left and right stairs into the aisles, showing off their stylish fashions. The highlight of the evening was a segment in which all the male models took off their shirts—the audience went wild. Lyric Opera San Diego brings in opera and musical theater productions with live orchestras and talented singers. Its mission is to create a vehicle in which young professionals can hone their craft alongside established artists.

Click on Slideshow below for more!

"Fashion Hits A High Note"

Holiday Fashion

  This was actually a show from last December (2007) - - I only got the pictures 6 months ago, though hehehe. I will indulge myself posting them as this was such a fun show (although I can't remember who it was for). Partly it was fun because I got to open it (!) and also because fashion guru and the shows producer Leonard Simpson had the sense (ha ha!) to let me walk alone for most of it - which is infinitely easier to work the garments and have less stress than matching strides and turns with a walking partner(s) who are taller than giraffes...

He he it ain't brain surgery but I suppose there is some need for it to be done:)

Click on Slideshow below!

December 2007 Runway

Macys Runway - part 3

Okay, allow me to point out 2 things on this clip of the Macy's INC Spring Trunk runway show from last May.

1). You may have noticed from the other clips from the same show on this blog that the person recording (mi querida mamma!) kept zooming in on my face - hello!!! When I finally saw these clips months later while trying to empty her camcorder - I exclaimed to her, "Why didn't you get more of my outfits?? Every clip is about my face - the show is about the clothes - not my face... And why not shoot more of the other girls???" Ahhh, it's the thought that counts :)

2). Also note the one girl she DID get footage of (only because the gal was almost always right behind me in the lineup order) was one of the 2 plus-size models from my agency. I want to point out that this is a true plus-size model. She is well proportioned, great face and personality and works a lot, I am sure (although she is a little short - shorter than me, even). When I think of that lame excuse of a size 8 "Plus-Size" Model Whitney who won Cycle 10 on America's Next Top Model - it makes me angry for all the true plus size models out there who represent plus size (which is a size 14 and up - not a size 8!!) It was like Tyra Banks thought she would be real PC by finally letting a plus size gal win - but Whitney was NOT plus size!

okay, I have spoken... good day ya'll :)

Macys Runway - part 2

So what the heck are these short videos of runway? They would be the Macys Spring INC Trunk Show back on my 36th bday in May 2008. I barely got them off the camera a couple months ago and am barely getting them on utube. I find them fun as they are not high-fashion but a good lesson in down-to-earth runway walking - meaning playing to the crowd, having a good time, and being able to have personality - Tyra Banks and Americas Next Top Model fans take note: as she got more established she was able to get away with standing out and having personality instead of 'straight modeling'. In San Diego with most of the runway shows we do here they actually like a lot of personality - which is, incidentally, the biggest reason I get work in shows down here - super tall and super skinny and super young: I am NOT, but personality and being able to 'sell the clothes' - I can do...
Click on slideshow below!

Macys Spring Trunk Show

he he he

Macys - Fashion Valley Mall - Spring 2008 INC Trunk Show

En Vogue Fashion Show

 
I still can't hear the name En Vogue without remembering that fabulous female quartet of sexy, sultry singers of the same name circa 1990 (my college years) - - but this blog and fashion show is about the annual fashion and charity show benefiting the Orthodox Greek society and churches of San Diego and Southern CA. (It still beats me why they call it that and don't call it by some just-as-ethnic chic Greek word or title.)

That said, the show was last May at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel and our wonderful producer, Lucinda Mediema, sent us some pictures yesterday. Well, since I am all for documenting my runway career (he he he) and the lovely Trina Turk gowns we got to showcase (sigh), I am here to boast, er post them. Of interest, the Greeks attending this show also included several Orthodox priests whose presence led to a quick stir of double-sided sticky tape backstage on a certain extreme-cut gown on a certain model with a lovely "enhanced" bosom. (Evidently last year there were some scandalous complaints of some of the fashion being too sexy or revealing.) Although if they are funding a real fashion show with real models and not a community or church fashion show, they should expect to see some skin or leg, right??? :) (Well, this models conscious is clean - I boast neither bosoms nor bum...)

Click on picture below for slideshow of model blog regulars!

En Vogue show

Runway is "All About the Kids"

 

Even with my bad knee injury I've managed to limp through several Spring Runway shows. I decided to document some of them in my journal/blog since one day as I'm older and gray(er) I figure my kids (or cats) might want to know about some of the colorful things I've done in my life.

This particular show last March was for the charity, "It's All about the Kids" - that helps 600 disadvantaged youth in San Diego. My teaching for several years in poorer areas of SD definitely has made me aware of just how disadvantaged these kids are in comparison with so many of their peers - although they all have top of the line cell phones and IPODS that I don't have - shoot.

With a Brazilian Carnaval theme, the party took place at millionaire Jonathon Schiff's ocean side mansion in La Jolla. Being in a home, we did not have a normal catwalk, but had to model down a flight of stairs (ugh - how DO beauty pageant gals DO that without looking down??!!) and then onto a small elevated square room that was open on 2 sides so the crowd gathered to watch us.

 

A Brazilian-themed party meant teeny/tight swimtrunks for...thank GOD - the boys -- and not us women (phew!) Seeing the smoothly-waxed Wade and Scott strutting it without a care in the world brought back memories of when I brought my ex-Italian boyfriend Mik - lover of his own physique and teeny speedos - to LA to watch me in a runway show and he ended up being cast in it last-minute by the same gay producer, Leonard Simspon, who did this show. Leonard made Mik (who didn't flinch) strip to his bikini undies to study his body (oh yes he did-gay snap!) and after having him turn around and stared a bit he cut him from the speedo portion of that show (to Mik's chagrin) because he wasn't tanned evenly and he wasn't waxed - la la ha ha! Poor Mik, he's actually not that hairy, but one doesn't want to see soccer-short tan lines, nor nipple or under-belly-button hair on the runway. :P

 

My smooth-voice friend, Stephanie June, a host and producer of ShindyTV was there and got great coverage of the show. To check it out, click on link here.

And click below for slide show of runway pictures!

"It's Alll About the Kids" Runway

"Donna Marsh" Grand Opening

This short runway model with Mexican hips blissfully still finds herself working in her mid 30s at some of San Diego's top fashion events. One of my latest was the Grand Opening of the Donna Marsh store in La Jolla on January 22.


More than 150 'must have' designers are featured in the store including: Badgley Mischka, Trina Turk, Tag Jeans, Marc Bower Glamit, Marissa Bartelli, and a mind boggling spread of unique jewelry, purses and more.
  It rained but it did not damper anyone's spirits. They actually closed the street of Fay Avenue for 1 block and set up a large white tent a la Fashion Week. With great lighting, a great runway, great food and cocktails - a party of 200 invitees was ready to start!
  Already culling a lot of fashionista buzz with her store in Palm Desert, this evening sealed the deal marking Donna Marsh as the 'go to' place to shop for San Diego's well dressed (especially since Saks Fifth Avenue closed in La Jolla).


  I loved the set-up for the evening and was pleased to 'walk' with some fellow model gal friends from my agency. I still do not know how it is that I work, and if you saw me in college at a size 12, with unplucked eyebrows you'd understand more. But I have learned how to walk well and how to present clothes and my biggest compliments at the end of the show was from Donna, herself, who said that I was her husband's favorite model since I danced and had the most fun up there.

  Good times, great store - not that I could afford to shop in it... :P

Hot Mamacitas walk the Runway for Mama's Kitchen

 I have one thing to say: "Chanel! Chanel! Chanel!" whew! This Fall I did a show benefiting the organization Mama's Kitchen (which delivers meals to those affected by AIDS). Staged by the superb fashion guru, Leonard Simpson it was held on a hot, but gorgeous day on the rooftop of the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.  As usual, Leonard got us top of the line designer clothes to wear, as well as great accessories, hats, giant poodles and another breed of dog I can't even pronounce. There was even a trio of ballet dancers from California ballet company. Lots of fun and fabulous - it's hard not to feel great in his shows and benefiting yet another local cause. "Work it out!"

Mama's Kitchen Charity Runway show

Click above on photo album for more photos AND click on link below for a short video clip of the show - - go to "what's Hot playlist", scroll down and click on "Mama's Kitchen" and then click on 'Glimpse of the Fashions' Icon. Can you guess which one is me in black? Hint: the hips, ya'll dem Messican child-bearing hips are a giveaway...
http://www.letsplaydowntown.com/LPD_front_page/Navigation/Link_Nav_San_Diego_frameset.html

"Pretty in Pink"- Runway for a Cause..

Been working a lot of Fall runway shows lately. In September I was hired again this year (see blog from last year here) to do the Charity Runway show for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer/La Jolla MD Spa gala. Held again at the lovely La Jolla hotel, La Estancia, we again showcased Danish designer, Isabell Kristensen based in Monaco.Unlike last year - she wanted us to also do a bathing suit and lingerie (eek!) portion of the show. Well, after much hub-bub and me trying not to eat carbs for a week (I already barely eat carbs), I was chosen to only have to wear 1 bathing suit and no lingerie... the rest were regulated to the younger models from ages 17-24.
Even better - the day of the show, they took me out of my 1 bathing suit and gave it to an African American model with better.... um..assets.Plenty of money was rasied for a great cause and I wish I could have seen the look on all the umm, mainly Caucasian older affluent crowd, when the show started and some girls with thongs came out. Whew!

Click below to see yours truly "work it out" and open the gown segment of the show :)
http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=157252
AND to see some more footage including some familiar faces from elsamart's blog and some of the bathing suits and lingerie please click on link below and click on each icon box to view the short video clips.
http://www.letsplaydowntown.com/SanDiego/SDFashion/PrettyinPink/media_Frameset_PrettyinPink.html

Fabulous, Dahling!

I noted a couple posts ago how tired I've been lately. I've been fortunate to work some weekends modeling in runway shows and it's keeping me busy along with the regular school job.

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of wearing some fabulous clothes in a Charity luncheon/fashion show for the Ronald McDonald Kids' House Foundation. The show was produced and put on by femme fatal, Leonard Simpson - who looks younger and thinner I see her every time - the beotch! In all seriousness, Simpson puts on the best runway shows I've ever done in all my years of modeling - with props, dogs, amazing clothes, flowers, lights, accessories crafted by himself... his shows are stressful, quick and light years more polished than most. I remember how stressed and intimidated I used to be by him and the experienced girls from Los Angeles in my first show with him years ago in Pasadena, Los Angeles. It sure feels good that he now requests me all the time and told the 3 new teens to watch me and have me help them out.

The show was deemed a huge success and then it was on to the next...
click on slide show below!

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