SOMW invited Sarah Tyer (Red Model Management) to be our official spokesperson for the evening, we had a great time running into the Olsen twins, Joanna Kruppa, Eve Salvail, Narciso Rodriguez (who kept complementing Sarah on her smile), The Head Casting Director of Abercrombie and Fitch and other fashionista personalities.
Here are some of the picture our photographer snapped during this crazy evening...
Sarah waiting for the SOMW crew to be ready at the SOMW studio in the Fashion District...
walking towards Anna Wintour's genius creation: Fashion's Night Out (around the 5th Ave area).
*if you would like a copy of a picture taken of you, please write to us to secrets@somw.org and tell us what picture it is and we will be happy to send it to you...
He had the privilege to talk to Valentina from Italia, we are just amazed to see how models are literally changing the world, this is our conversation with her.
Rogelio:
When did you start modeling?
Valentina:
At 16, I did my first shooting for a cover.
Rogelio:
Wow, that was your first job? Your first modeling job was a COVER? What publication was it for?
Valentina:
It was only a cover for a local magazine that sells on the island where I live.
Rogelio:
Oh wow, well still a cover is a cover. Where are you from originally?
Valentina:
I am from Cagliari on Sardinia island
Rogelio:
Amazing, that is in Italia right?
Valentina:
Yes.
Rogelio:
So, doing your first cover at the age of 16, where did that take you?
Valentina:
I competed in the contest for "Miss Italy." At that point I spent most of my time working in Sicily and Sardinia.
Rogelio:
Oh wow, so this is quite the island to start modeling I guess...
Valentina:
Yes, on my island and throughout Italy, but I do travel often.
Rogelio:
So what agency are you with in Italia? Or are you a free agent?
Valentina:
I work with different agencies. I do commercial work, and regional and national campaigns.
Rogelio:
Ok, so you do not do a lot of high fashion?
Valentina:
No, primarily advertising and commercial work.
Rogelio:
So you work a lot and travel a lot. How would you describe your personal life (family, friends, love)? Are these components of your life affected by your work?
Valentina:
I do spend a lot of time studying. I'm going after a degree in archeology.
Rogelio:
Congratulations, that is amazing!
Valentina:
Thank you. And the rest of the time I am really swamped with modeling.
Rogelio:
Archeology and modeling...so I'm guessing you don't have too much time for fun and a personal life huh?
Valentina:
It does get hectic, but I do have time to go out with my friends
Rogelio:
So that's great, a very balanced lifestyle...
Valentina:
Yes, I have a lot of fun
Rogelio:
Tell us more about your passion for archeology, it seems so exciting.
Have you traveled for it already? Have you found any exciting ancient things?
Valentina:
In school we do have exams, but I've also been able to go on excavations!
Rogelio:
That is amazing! So exciting!!!
Valentina:
I also really enjoy studying Roman and Greek history.
Rogelio:
WOW! Tell us about your first excavation, do you remember it?
Valentina:
Yes, it was in my town Cagliari on Sardinia island. We did excavations of the ancient wall that protected the city in the Pisan period. It was very exhilarating for me...I even found some artifacts!
Rogelio:
That must have been so exciting, your first excavation and you found ancient artifacts...I can only imagine the thrill.
So what are your plans when you graduate?
Valentina:
I'd like to move to Rome, but right now my sole focus is on my last exam. In September I will start my 2 national advertising campaigns.
Rogelio:
Wow, congratulations Valentina. It is definitely refreshing to see such a young model with such a great and bright archeological career ahead of her.
Valentina:
Thank you.
Rogelio:
We will definitely be tracking your career. Maybe when we come to Italia you can show us around...maybe take us to an excavation?
Valentina:
Yes, absolutely.
Rogelio:
We will let you go back to your studies, thank you for your time and sharing your experiences with us.
My name is Adesuwa Pariyapasat my friends here at SOMW asked me to write about my views on the stereotype of models being "stupid."
First of all, I am not quite sure why he picked me out of this plethora of model friends. Perhaps because I am the only publicly self-dubbed 'nerd in heels.' The requirements on being a model don't just mean you fit all the social/cultural acceptable traits of "beauty," but also, it requires that you are mentally capable of handling all that comes with being in the industry. Personally I feel as though models who are "smart" are able to utilize and maximize the opportunities given to them, those are the models that become more successful. For instance, models like Heidi Klum are completely genius!!! This woman is the role model to follow in the industry.
She is a marketing genius, and I am sure she has a manager, but her own career development is something we should all strive for as models. I guess one of the reasons why people might think that we're “stupid” is because many models start when they are very young (13-17 years old). This means that models skip higher learning education. I feel some people might insinuate that since there’s a lack of a certificate of higher learning, that we're stupid and/or uneducated.
People should not categorize a person as 'stupid' because they did not attend a University. Nobody should feel that they have the right to categorize anybody, as a rule. A college degree or high school degree is important, but what does it really mean anyway? Why does anybody have to conform to certain standards in order to be considered smart? Once upon a time, before the idea of a 4 year college came along, did people not excel? Did people not have companies? Society has always have a way of learning, but I do not believe it just comes down to higher learning, people learn also through living and experiences that form their actions, thoughts and their overall sense of survival helping them excel in life? School is just organized learning, which is great, but I do not believe it is the only way of becoming smart and successful. I mean don’t get me wrong I have met some dumb models in my time, but I still do not believe we should all be stereotyped because of a few models that decided to party too hard and abuse drugs. Yes do NOT do drugs, this cause your brain to stop functioning the way it is supposed to.
Do not underestimate us- we are here to take over the world (some people say we already have!) I am personally a big fan of Lydia K; that woman is an ambassador for her country, and she used modeling as a stepping stone to greater things. Models have used their wit and charm to excel in their lives and achieve their goals and dreams. A good example of a model that succeeded in life and fulfilled his goal is CNN Correspondent Anderson Cooper, which I have to say I have a big crush on. Yes, he used to be a model, I bet you did not know. So next time you want to judge a model, think twice, do not let the pretty face fool you.
Sarah waiting for the SOMW crew to be ready at the SOMW studio in the Fashion District...
walking towards Anna Wintour's genius creation: Fashion's Night Out (around the 5th Ave area).
*if you would like a copy of a picture taken of you, please write to us to secrets@somw.org and tell us what picture it is and we will be happy to send it to you...