Janice Dickinson

[Fawn]

She used to look so pretty and innocent- like a totally different person, it's scary what drugs can do to you. I like the fact that she had a rather exotic and ethnic look when cookie-cutter beauty was the norm. She reminds me of Phoebe Cates but was more model-ly. She was also quite versatile in projecting a sweet innocence in some photos and looking like a total vamp in other photos. When I first saw a feature of her earlier photos in Vogue some years ago, I was quite intrigued.

Even though she comes across as mean on the show, she can be quite amusing. And her books are a fluffy but fun read with all those juicy details and name-dropping.

 

[jadedomega]

Well someone has to tell those ANTM Girls the truth. I mean her comments aren't going to mean and nasty compared to what they will hear in the real fashion industry. That's why she was hired for the show, and I think she intends to keep her job.

 

[baklanyc]

Janice was major back in her day - even back in the Philippines, I heard of her. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Cheryl Tiegs was an American phenomenon, someone who did well in America but never had the same success in Europe. Janice did both, but she was never in the popular American consciousness like Cheryl, just in the fashion circles, but on more shores and perhaps more high-fashion. This was back in the day when print models and runway models were separate categories entirely, unlike today.

Is she bitchy and can she be a loudmouth? You bet. But both she and the producers of America's Next Top Model know that, love her or hate her, you'll react to Janice, and remember her. Long after all the show's winners and losers have faded from public memory, you'll remember Janice's nasty commentary and over the top antics - she's doing it intentionally, to cause frisson, and make soundbites. She's not dumb - she knows what she's doing: she's making television. Which is why she's the only original judge left aside from Tyra. She makes the show interesting.

Personally, I love her. She says what my collegues and I have said and will say again when we have to review models for shows and print ads in our day jobs, but without any fear of public reprisal, because she can say she's definitely been there and done almost everything. Fashion is a tough industry, and she's telling it like it is.

Meanwhile, she may not be the actual First Supermodel, but she knows that if she says it enough, people who don't know any better will defer to her because - she's on tv! And apparently she was a total darling backstage as well to the contestants - Elyse Sewell from season one said that how Janice acted on camera was definitely playing TO the camera. Hell, what do you expect - she was a model!

Little fashion tidbit: when I worked for D.G. Williams mannequins, hers was the most popular face that was purchased for over a decade, I was told. At D.G. Williams, the practice was you could choose a head and choose any body, and Janice was used anwhere from juniors to couture. After the company was bought by La Rosa Italy, her face was re-christened 'Jura' (don't ask me why) and is still used to this day.

 

[urd]

I don't think she is that hot, not even back then. I'd go for Jean Shrimpton, if I have to choose

 

[lady grey]

late 70s- 2005

Janice was major back in her day - even back in the Philippines, I heard of her. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Cheryl Tiegs was an American phenomenon, someone who did well in America but never had the same success in Europe. Janice did both, but she was never in the popular American consciousness like Cheryl, just in the fashion circles, but on more shores and perhaps more high-fashion. This was back in the day when print models and runway models were separate categories entirely, unlike today.


Little fashion tidbit: when I worked for D.G. Williams mannequins, hers was the most popular face that was purchased for over a decade, I was told. At D.G. Williams, the practice was you could choose a head and choose any body, and Janice was used anwhere from juniors to couture. After the company was bought by La Rosa Italy, her face was re-christened 'Jura' (don't ask me why) and is still used to this day.

totally, janice was a global supermodel, she was in as many european vogues as she was in us vogue. cheryl tiegs was an american commercial model ALTHOUGH cheryl was around so long that she also did magazines from late 60s to early 70s as did brinkley- both american commercial models- whose greatest fame was sports illustrated bikinis. janice was a far more successful editorial model in STRICT high fashion- although both tiegs & brinkley were very famous magazine girls too.

anybody who knows late 70s/early 80s fashion knows what a superstar janice was. and her best-selling books mean shes still on top & active. what other past model is...? only elle macpherson, whose fame was 10 years AFTER janices.
janice is a supernova- still.

 

[softgrey]

those old pics of her are beautiful...
i never would have imagined it was the same person...wow...

 

[fullfrontal]

About Janice's "Supermodel" title, from reading her first book that claim was not as a Supermodel as we know today (Naomi, Linda E, Cindi, Kate, etc). She's always said (in the past anyway) that she coined the term "Supermodel". In her autobiography she stated that her agent asked her if she thought she was Superman with the amount of bookings she had and Janice replied no I'm Super Model. I'm don't doubt that that conversation happened but that's where the whole "Janice the First Supermodel" thing stems from. Not from her being a Supermodel in the sense that it's used (or thrown around) today.

Also, Softgrey, you mentioned she hadn't worked as a model in years, but I believe she did a show in Spring 03 or Fall 04 but I can't remember which designer. I saw the show it on Full Frontal Fashion and was surprised she'd been booked. I think it was in Milan.

 

[baklanyc]

totally, janice was a global supermodel, she was in as
anybody who knows late 70s/early 80s fashion knows what a superstar janice was. and her best-selling books mean shes still on top & active. what other past model is...? only elle macpherson, whose fame was 10 years AFTER janices.
janice is a supernova- still.

Well, before she came on board with ANTM, she was supposedly shooting (fashion?) as a photographer. I wouldn't say Janice is still as hot a star as she ever was, because she hasn't maintained her fame but reignited it via the show with her personality, as opposed to her features. Her take-no-prisoners honesty (even when attacking HERSELF) is so much fun to watch for me thhat I can't help but admire her.

I think some of the few models who maintained and then transfigured their fame into another brand (acting) of equal magnitude without pause might be Andie MacDowell and Rene Russo, and their film careers have both kind of quieted down now. Although Milla Jovowich is doing a good job of multitasking her abilities right now...

 

[Labeladdict2]

In 1981 (I was 13) when I was first starting to model, Janice (& Whitney Hoston-a Seventeen model then) was my role model. I wanted to be just like her. I posted her pics & covers all over my room. Now I'm 36 and I think she's obnoxious and silly. What happened to my pretty exotic flower, Janice?

 

[jadedomega]

Exotic Mama!

 

[Luna]

i really do not think she is or ever was a 'supermodel'...

that phenomenon occurred long after she was past her prime...

supertramp however...

If you have to make an announcement on who or what you were/are... then you obviously were never that to begin with..

Liiiike... on ANTM when Tyra introduces the judges.. "The first ever Supermodel, Janice Dickinson"....


If ya gotta shout it out to people....

 

[lady grey]

post-model

I think some of the few models who maintained and then transfigured their fame into another brand (acting) of equal magnitude without pause might be Andie MacDowell and Rene Russo, and their film careers have both kind of quieted down now. Although Milla Jovowich is doing a good job of multitasking her abilities right now...[/QUOTE]
My question is: other than acting [as scores of ex-models try acting to varying success] what other models have found a second career as late as their 40s & 50s? The fact that janice penned TWO best-selling books is extraordinary.

sure andie & renee & milla are suceessful actresses. its impressive. I think janice is 5-10 years older than rene?

 

[hugobossdaria]

whitney houston was a model ?

 

[lady grey]

wh

as I recall whitney was a decent teen-model but since music is in her family she quickly moved from 17 magazine to the top of the charts with 'saving all my love.' she became a top 10 singer as soon as arista released her songs.

what a singer & amazing string of hits.

 

[Spring_Fever]

Janice was major back in her day - even back in the Philippines, I heard of her. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Cheryl Tiegs was an American phenomenon, someone who did well in America but never had the same success in Europe.

Well I'm Canadian and Tiegs was sure famous here, still is. I can't answer the question of her European success, because I don't live in Europe.

Is she bitchy and can she be a loudmouth? You bet. But both she and the producers of America's Next Top Model know that, love her or hate her, you'll react to Janice, and remember her. Long after all the show's winners and losers have faded from public memory, you'll remember Janice's nasty commentary and over the top antics - she's doing it intentionally, to cause frisson, and make soundbites. She's not dumb - she knows what she's doing: she's making television. Which is why she's the only original judge left aside from Tyra. She makes the show interesting.

Just like Simon Cowell, she is only immitating Simon and nothing would ever convince me otherwise. Everyone is copying Simon's style (I'm not talking about his clothes ) and have been since American Idol came out which was well before ANTM by the way. She's just a copy cat and she's not the only one.

Simon was the fist to make acting rude and insulting people hip, now everyone is on the band wagon trying to be a bad *** like him.

Meanwhile, she may not be the actual First Supermodel, but she knows that if she says it enough, people who don't know any better

Exactly, people will believe her and that makes her a liar. Anyone can tell people that they have a career or a past that they did not and they will perhaps be believed but what would be the point of that, at the end of the day you have to live with yourself. She is trying to take a title that doesn't belong to her. It's no different than telling people you won Miss USA when you didn't.

Why does she have to exagerate? She so has much to be proud of so why lie?

I don't really dislike her, or like her.

 

[lady grey]

vogue covers

Simon was the first to make acting rude and insulting people hip, now everyone is on the band wagon trying to be a bad *** like him.

It's simply not true that Janice is imitating Simon or anyone. She's had the exact same personality forever & that's why many people loved & still love her.


Exactly, people will believe her and that makes her a liar. Anyone can tell people that they have a career or a past that they did not and they will perhaps be believed but what would be the point of that, at the end of the day you have to live with yourself. She is trying to take a title that doesn't belong to her. It's no different than telling people you won Miss USA when you didn't.

Why does she have to exagerate? She so has much to be proud of so why lie?

janice is not lying about anything. she was just as successful as she says she was and anybody who knows late-70s//early 80s fashion knows that she was at THE TOP of the business. how many Vogue US covers did Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum ever have? Or cheryl tiegs for that matter?
janice was/is a 100% supermodel & most importantly in HIGH FASHION not commercial, sports illustrated middle-brow-ness & I hope the younger generation of fashion fans can accept that 20th century truism. she rules.

 

[Spring_Fever]

If you have to make an announcement on who or what you were/are... then you obviously were never that to begin with..

Liiiike... on ANTM when Tyra introduces the judges.. "The first ever Supermodel, Janice Dickinson"....


If ya gotta shout it out to people....

Reminds me of Big Brother 5 when Drew kept telling everyone that he had "balls."

 

[Spring_Fever]

Simon was the first to make acting rude and insulting people hip, now everyone is on the band wagon trying to be a bad *** like him.

It's simply not true that Janice is imitating Simon or anyone. She's had the exact same personality forever & that's why many people loved & still love her.


Exactly, people will believe her and that makes her a liar. Anyone can tell people that they have a career or a past that they did not and they will perhaps be believed but what would be the point of that, at the end of the day you have to live with yourself. She is trying to take a title that doesn't belong to her. It's no different than telling people you won Miss USA when you didn't.

Why does she have to exagerate? She so has much to be proud of so why lie?

janice is not lying about anything. she was just as successful as she says she was and anybody who knows late-70s//early 80s fashion knows that she was at THE TOP of the business. how many Vogue US covers did Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum ever have? Or cheryl tiegs for that matter?
janice was/is a 100% supermodel & most importantly in HIGH FASHION not commercial, sports illustrated middle-brow-ness & I hope the younger generation of fashion fans can accept that 20th century truism. she rules.

What does Vogue have to do with anything? She's not saying she was on Vogue, she's saying she was the first ever "Super Model" which makes her a liar. She's lying and therefore is a liar. Just like when she accused Sylvester Stalone of fathering her child and DNA proved otherwise, lying then, lying now.

What do Klum and Banks have to do with anything? Nobody mentioned them until now.

Twiggy was the first Super Model although she wasn't called it. Janice's career in no way measures to Twiggy's.

 

[Spring_Fever]

I just gotta say though, that she was really, I mean really beautiful. I love her mouth in the old photographs and she could really change her looks from photo to photo ie. vamp to child.

I can easily see why she was so successful.

 

[lady grey]

1940s-2005

What does Vogue have to do with anything?"

cause you cant be a supermodel unless youve been on the cover of vogue. that's a handy rule of thumb.

"She's not saying she was on Vogue, she's saying she was the first ever "Super Model" which makes her a liar. "

OK, then strictly carol alt was the first girl called a supermodel. janice was her contemporary & many would say janice held and holds a higher status. seen carol alt lately? nope.

"What do Klum and Banks have to do with anything? Nobody mentioned them until now."
Im contrasting 2000-era so-called-supes with REAL 1980 supes.
By comparison janice dwarfs tyra & heidi although many 2004 model fans wouldn't see that historical truth.


"Twiggy was the first Super Model although she wasn't called it. Janice's career in no way measures to Twiggy's.

"

on principle I agree. twiggy is STILL the greatest model ever. and kate moss is #2, or twiggy's equal, the greatest model since the 60s.

but for arguments sake, why is Twiggy the first 'supe'? [youre just deciding it starts with her]? what about her predecessors Veruschka or Suzy Parker? Or Shrimp or Pene Tree? Lisa Fonsagravves Penn? or any other famous model from 1940s-1966??

The term supermodel was coined in the early 80s and first given to carol alt in people magazine [i think]. If you know fashion circa 1980-83 janice was just as 'super' as carol alt. janice tells the truth. shes the first supe.