One Model's Story

[model_mom]

Monday Jan 13th

We screwed up again this morning but in a BIG way! Ali’s agent told me her Teen Vogue shoot was for 10.00 am but the call time was really 9:00am. We were on our way when her agent called to say, “Where the hell are you Ali”? She told us everyone was freaking out because she wasn’t there! Needless to say Ali was a wreck when we finally arrived. I left her there and went back to pick her up at 8:00pm. I ask her how it went. She said they were still putting makeup on the other models when she arrived and no one made a big deal about her being late. I think maybe that was just there way of putting her at ease. The other models names were Caroline Trentini and Jessica Stam.. Ali said the shoot was mostly for face and eye shots. Ali was so tired she went straight to bed back at the apartment.

Tuesday Jan14th
Ali went to the agency to pick up her castings and to get polaroids taken for her show card. I met her to go on castings. While Ali was at a casting afor Glamour magazine, her agent called to tell her she was confirmed for the job in Honduras with Alban Christ….on the beach with horses!
Ali will be gone a week and her agent tried to talk me into letting her go by herself. .She wants me to go home and come back for the shows in February. She thinks Ali is getting used to going on castings without me and the housemother will be back at the apartment by the time I leave.

I talked to Ali’s agent this afternoon to let her know that I was leaving Ali in NY till after her trip to Honduras. She told me that Ali was booked for a job for Vogue for Thursday and Friday. She said everyone at the agency was so pleased about the response Ali was getting by some big clients. Ali is going to a party tonight with Asta and Anica. It is an Anniversary party for Gotham Magazine. Ali agent promised me that she would be at the party. I went downstairs to see them off and a white limo pulled up to pick them up.

It’s 11:00 pm and Ali’s not back…by 12:00 I was freaking out. Her cell phone is off , I tried her agents but it’s off too. How in the hell can I go home now with my 16 year old out partying till all hours? I was up and waiting at 1:30 when they walked in the door. When I am really mad I cry…the other girls took off to their room and I gave Ali the riot act. She said she was sorry, her phone was dead and she couldn’t get the other girls to leave. I’m not buying that one.

Wednesday- Jan.15th

Ali left for her job to go on her castings and I called the agency to let them know I had changed my mind about leaving Ali alone in NY. I told her agent what had happened the previous evening and how upset I was about the whole deal. She ask us to come into the agency and talk things over with the “Ford Group”.
They video taped her ‘walk’ and I filled out some papers she needed for her trip to Honduras. We found out later that Ali’s agent had called Asta and Anica and cussed them out for keeping Ali out so late…..great now I’ve managed to upset the only two friends that Ali has in NY. I talked to Asta when we went back to the apartment and she understood how I felt but the other model stayed pissed at me for the rest of the week.

Thurs- Jan 16th

Ali left to go to her job but they only used her for ½ a day because the photographer wanted someone whose legs were a little longer and slimmer. They cancelled her job for the next day but told her she would be paid for both days. Her agent called to ask what happened and gave her some more castings for the afternoon.
She booked another job tomorrow as a stand in for a Victoria Secret Model (Latisha Casta) in a photo shoot by photographer Michael Angelo.

Fri-Jan 17th

Ali left this morning to go to a warehouse on the Pier for her job and I went shopping for her trip to Honduras. We didn’t bring any summer clothes, so I went to pick up a few things. When Ali came in at 8:00 pm, she said her job consisted of standing for the photographer till the lighting was right and then Latetia stepped in to do the shots. This went on most of the day. She was happy because the pay was $600.00 for the day. Asta left today to go to England for a shoot for Japanese Vogue. Ali will miss her.

Saturday Jan- 18th

Ali’s agent came by this morning because two of the models had a major cat fight in the middle of the night over a pillow and blanket that went missing. One of the models packed her things and left over it. Ali has a tiny chicken pox scar on her forehead and her agent ask her if she had ever thought about having plastic surgery to have it removed. That woman drives me nuts! It seems she is always looking for something to put you down about. I told her we would pass on the surgery, then told Ali to get her coat we were going out for a walk. Ali has a test tomorrow for pictures for her book.

 

[model_mom]

Sunday- Jan 19th

Ali left to go to her shoot and I did our wash and packed for her trip. She is traveling with the stylist for the shoot. I met her today and she promised she would look out for Ali. I can’t believe I’m letting her go so far away but I guess if she is going to do this right I need to let go sometimes. Asta came back from England while Ali was gone. I love that kid. She is so sweet and talented. She makes some of her own clothes. She cut off a pair of jeans and made a really cute jean skirt to wear to her castings. She told me that all of her family back in Lithuania lived in a two room house. She sends money when she can to help them out. She won the Supermodel of the World search in 2001 and Ford flew her family to the states to see her win the night of the model search. She’s afraid that Ford will send her home if she doesn’t book some good shows in February.
Ali was back by 5:30pm and I made supper for the girls. She said the photographer said she was going to be famous. I ask her how many times had we heard that already and that we are still waiting… She said she did a Rock and Roll shoot in a long black dress, big bouffant hair and a guitar. I can’t wait to see that! I leave to go home tomorrow and I’m starting to worry already. She leaves at 4:30 Tuesday morning for Honduras. We were talking tonight and she said to me, “ Mom, can you believe it. I’ve always wanted to do a shoot on the beach with horses and in two days that’s what I will be doing.” I’m happy for her….I just wish the beach was closer.

I taught Asta, Anika and another model named Kate how to play poker tonight. We played with pennies and Asta won all our money. She thought it was a great game...but I told her to always stick to playing with pennies. They left to go out and took the cards with them. I hope they don’t think they are card sharks and lose all their money. They left some roses for Ali to wish her good luck on her trip. I told Ali I wish I could take them all home with us.

Ali took the journal to Honduras with her to record her trip. I am inserting what she wrote.

 

[model_mom]

It's my first night in Honduras and it's been a really wild trip. My flight from NY took off this morning at 4:30 am. My first stop was in Houston, Texas. Then I took a much smaller plane to San Pedro, Sula,another plane from there to an island called Gahula. At that point, I thought I was where I needed to be,not so,my last flight was to an island called Rotan. The island is very underdevolped where I was. The roads were made of dirt and the houses were very small. People were riding bikes everywhere and there were dogs roaming free all over the small town,but when you look out the ocean,you forget about all that. It is beautiful and so blue.
A man introduced himself to me as Mr. Romes, a local rancher and told me that he would be taking me to the hotel where I was staying.He told me he would return in the morning and take me out to pick out the horses i would be riding in the photoshoot. The hotel was small but very nice and it had a little restaurant downstairs where I ate dinner. I ordered spaghetti and a salad and it was very good. I'm off to bed now....the rest of the crew are already here doing another shoot and I will meet with them in the morning. So much for the stylist being with me for the trip. I'm not even to mention it when my mom calls.

I woke up early today,had breakfast and went to a ranch to check out the horses. I rode six of them and managed to pick out the ones that i thought would be best for the shoot. The owner has a son and he has been following ne around all day. His name is Devon and he wants me to go out ot DINNER TONIGHT! Devon picked me up at 6:00 in a big white pickup and we went to a little restaurant to eat. During the course of dinner it comes out that he is only 14 and DRIVING!! He's still cute though. I had to be in early. I have a 5:00 am wake up call.

 

[model_mom]

Thursday Jan 23rd
I am exhausted. The other model was the main girl today and I was in the background in a lot of the shots. The location of the shoot was fabulous. There are expensive homes on the island and the shoot was locate on the beach in front of one of them. I had a couple of shots taken in the water and the rest of the time I just sat around till we finished at 6:00pm. The other model is leaving tonight and I will have my shoot with the horses tomorrow. The photographer ask me if i was sure i could ride the horse I had picked out. I told him, I grew up riding and I thought I had picked out the best ones for the shoot. When i returned to the hotel, Devon was waiting for me again. I told him I was off to bed but that I would see him tomorrow. I am going to bed without dinner i am so tired.

 

[model_mom]

January 24th
Today was very exciting but I am worn out. I had to meet with the crew at 5:00am.again today. The hair stylist had to sew extensions in my hair. I never realized how bad it hurts to have that done. Then it was on to hair and makeup. I ended up looking like I have enough hair for three people. They brought the horses down to the beach and they looked like they had been to the stylist too. They’re beautiful. They made me wear so many strange clothes but it was all worth it because I loved messing with the horses. It didn’t feel like work to me. We had to switch horses when one of them started rearing up and almost threw me. A storm was moving in and I guess it scared him. I split my pants during that one. Alban took a couple more shots in the rain and then we took a break for lunch. Devon was at the shoot to take care of the horses and I found out later that he 73 pictures of me.
Alban even gave him some polaroids. It never stopped raining so we finished it up in the rain and then headed back to the hotel.
I’m leaving tomorrow but I will remember this place for a long time.

 

[model_mom]

Sunday Jan 26th

I spent all day yesterday traveling and didn’t get back to the model’s apartment till late. I was so tired I slept in my clothes.
When I woke up this morning I found out I have a job for La official (?) magazine today. It only lasted a couple of hours. (Trying on different clothes and shooting in a very fancy hotel suite.) I picked up some food and came back to the apartment. Asta was here and we decided to rent some movies and stay in for the rest of the day. I had another call from my agent to tell me that I had booked a show for Douglas Hannant and he also want me to be his fit model and do the hair and makeup test. $1,000. dollars.
YEE HAW! Mom’s coming back to NY on the 1st of Feb. It’s been nice but I will be glad to see her. I think I am going to Ho Jo’s to stay with her because show week is coming up and the apartment will be packed.

 

[nyc_art_style]

thank you so much for posting this model_mom!

 

[Regalis]

This is so fascinating, please keep posting *subscribe*

 

[model_mom]

Feb1st - New York …I’m back

I flew back to NY today. I stopped at the apartment and loaded Ali up. She had on Sponge Bob PJ’s, two coats and flip flops and was standing out front waiting for me. I was so glad to see her! We ordered pizza from around the corner and spent all evening trying to catch up on her homework and finals. I have to mail it all back to her school by Wednesday or they will have to drop her for the year. It’s going to be more expensive from here on out because we will be eating out a lot.
Asta came over to visit awhile, then she went out tonight with some of the other models. We have to get some sleep because we probably will spend the best part of Sunday working on the rest of this.

Feb3rd

Ali had 16 castings today….her agent said to be sure and wear your “show boots” she said Ali’s looked like ****, the heels weren’t tall enough and we needed to go find another pair. She gave us a picture and as luck would have it there was a fix-it shoe shop around the corner. The guy took the old heels off and put new ones on and Ali was set. Ali came out of most of the castings saying they took polaroids and that she had tried on clothes. Ali’s last casting was over at 7:30. we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to Ho Jo’s. to rest.

Feb 4th

Ali went into the agency this morning and her agent told her she ‘might ‘ have an exclusive for Calvin Klein…which means she can’t do any other shows, but they would compensate her for that…how nice that would be! Ali had castings today, many of them uptown between5th,6th,and 7th and Broadway. Ali seems to believe that most of the clients like her and that they thought she had a great ‘walk’. Ali’s agent called to say that she’s working tomorrow again for Douglas. I love the order of my writing…there is no order.

 

[model_mom]

Feb5th- Wednesday
This day was just a blur. Ali had castings all over Manhattan . She goes in the door, and most of the time stands in line or sits in the floor till they say, “your next”. They take her book, flip through it and you leave….but if they like you they take your show card, take polaroids and you try on clothes….then it’s on to the next one. In the mean time, I stand in lobbies, sit at McDonalds or lurk in a store near by. We saw a lot of famous models today…but the best was Natalia V. She is drop dead gorgeous. Asta took Ali to a “Ford model and booker’s” party tonight. They were back pretty early because they have castings in the morning.

Feb 6th….more castings…cold as h***. Ali worked for Douglas again. She adores him. He has some big name girls walking his show.

Feb7th Friday

5 inches of snow outside
I got up early to go leave the wash at a laundry up the street. Ali had call backs for Ralph and Calvin today. Ali went to a fitting for Douglas and for the Wink show.
One of the agents told us that Ralph and Calvin check out all the new girls in town, put some of them on temporary holds and right at the last minute decide who is in most demand and then pick one of them for an exclusive. We grabbed cabs all day long because of the snow. Ali has the Twinkle show at the Manhattan Ballroom tonight. I went with one of the interns at Ford named Sarah…we love her. She takes the time to explain a lot to us that we need to know. Ali’s friend Camilla was in the show too. Afterwards we went to a place called ‘Jerry’s’ to eat. (Prince street). My heart stopped tonight when I saw my kid on the runway. She was a real pro.

 

[JDeMarco]

thanks for posting this, and PLEASE DON'T GOOOO! *runs away crying*

 

[model_mom]

(* BIG thanks to whoever fixed the font on all this.)

Sidenote: Here's something to think about. Every season in NY,there are about 20 new faces from all the top agencies that have a shot for the few slots left in the "main shows". The rest of the slots are already taken ahead of time by the top girls who have been around for awhile. Each agency has their "stars" for each season and they are showing this kid off everywhere trying to pick up one of the top slots. Ali was one of Ford's pick that year and the other one is fixing to walk in the door.

 

[HeatherAnne]

We love you model_mom, you will be missed, thanks for sharing yours and Ali's story.

 

[model_mom]

Feb,8th Saturday

Ali had a few more castings today and afterwards we went to a McDonalds to eat. One of the agents from Ford was there and introduced us to a young girl he had with him. Her name was Lilliane Ferezzi (sp?). She is 14 years old and comes from Brasil. He told us she was the runner up for the "Ford Supermodel contest". He is taking her around to all the castings because she doesn't speak English. I ask him if she was staying at the model apartment but he told us she was staying with the Fords. She is so beautiful.

Ali has been confirmed for Douglas Hannant,Catherine Malandrino,Wink, and Chan Paul,and James Covellio that we know of. She went back for a third time to see Ralph yesterday but we still haven't heard anything. She had a casting today for DKNY but Ali's agent called to say she was already booked for that time slot. The Wink show is tonight and I get to attend.

Ali's show for Wink was different than a regular runway show. The models were on a raised platform and they stood in one place and posed for the photographers and audience. Ali knew a couple of the models that she had met on castings, Caroline T. and Bekah J. The show paid in clothes only.

 

[model_mom]

Feb,10th Sunday

Ali went back today for a few fittings. She told me she is really worried about the heels she has to wear at Catherine Malandrino's show. They have a five inch wedge that comes to a narrow band on the part you walk on. She said several of the girls fell while they were walking around in them. She also had a store front casting on Mott Street.

She left at 3:30 to go to Chrisitie Auction house in Rockerfeller Plaza to get her hair and make up done for the "Palmer Jones" show. Ali's show was so amazing tonight. When I arrived there were armed guards everywhere and breathtaking jewels in all the cases. The theme of the show was " Cat Burglars'. Some of the models wore jeweled masks and Ali had on a million dollar bracelet.. The collection was beautiful and Pink Panther music was playing in the background. Ali has her first show in the tents tomorrow!

 

[model_mom]

Feb,10th Monday

Ali had a show this morning in the tents. (James Covellio) I managed to slip in by telling one of the security guards that my daughter was one of the models in the show. I was in the "standing room only crowd" until the show was about to start. One of the ushers walked up and ask if I would like to fill in one of the seats in the front row!!! It takes my breath away every time I see her walk. It's so unreal....with all the makeup and the beautiful clothes I can hardly believe it's her. I save everything. The run of the show bill, WWD,the goody bag,and any polaroids I can get my hands on.

As we were leaving a town car drove up and out stepped Paula Abdul and her little dog. It was so unreal,we started laughing and almost fell down the steps. Ali went back again after the show to see the casting director for Ralph Lauren....she came back upset and said she had walked so fast that they had to say, "slowly,slowly."

She is a wreck over this. Her agent told her how important it is to book that show ,but the more she goes to see them,the more she thinks it's not going to happen. We also found out today that Ali's option for the Calvin Klein show was dropped but that Lilliane had booked it.

 

[model_mom]

Asta came by tonight. She is leaving to go back home tomorrow. She told us that she didn't book any shows and it was time to go home. Ali was crying,she thinks the world of her and can't stand the thought that she might never see her again.

Feb,11th Tuesday

Ali had a call time of 8:00 am for hair and make up for the Caterine Malandrino show. The show started at 11:00 and I had a pass for the balcony seating. Heidi Klum was in the show along with Ai T., Ana Beatriz,Leticia,Oluchi and a lot more. Ali and Lilliane only had one look each but they both did a great job. Ali managed to stay on her feet in those heels but one of the girls fell and skidded into one of the props. The pay for this one was also 'clothes only'.
We left there and ran to the Douglas Hannant show. It was in a beautiful litte theater on west 43rd called the"Laura Belle". She had two looks at this show. There were many big name models booked for the show,Karolina K,NataliaV,RaqueZ,Maiacarla,Eugeuenia,Erin W. and the list went on. Ali had some beautiful outfits, I was so proud of her. Douglas has been so kind to Ali. He paid her for being his fit model,hair and make up model and he also paid her for the show. I think that maybe he gave some of the other big name models in his show their start in the business too.

After the show one of the makeup guys stopped her and said,"They need to see you at Balenciaga." He made a phone call and it wasn't long before Ali's agent called to tell Ali to go to that casting.Ali said she tried on several outfits but you never know. One minute you think you're going to get booked and the next you find out you're not.

 

[model_mom]

Feb. 12th, Wednesday

Ali had a free day today and unfortunately that's not a good thing during fashion week. She had a fitting for a small show on Thursday night (Detachere?) and a casting for the Imatation of Christ show (not sure what that is either) but horses are involved and that's all it took for Ali to want to book the show. Ali went into the agency today. She said it was kind of sad because she felt like they were disappointed in her. On the other hand she said a lady named Glenna took her aside and told her she's going to be a star....here we go again. It made her feel better anyway.

Ali's agent called and she wanted Ali and a few other models to go with her to a party called, "Fashion TV with Naomi Cambell and Jeanne somebody?". I am sitting up waiting for her to come in. She has a show in the morning for Chan Paul.

Ali has been a sweetie through all this. She hasn't been home for a month and a half and she hasn't complained at all. She hates the cold,and is disappointed that she didn't book any other money shows but other than that I'm really proud of her attitude. We have spent a lot of time together in the last few weeks and have talked about everything under the sun. Not many 16 year olds would care to spend this much time in a small hotel room with their mom. I love you kiddo!

Feb.13th Thursday

The Chan Paul show was at a place called 'Mao Space'. It started at 11:30 today and I was lucky enough to get a seat again.
She had on a white sweater trimmed in fur and knee length white pants. She looked gorgeous. I am still amazed to see that Ali fits right into all of this. When she walks out it's hard to believe she's the same kid I know. We'll go home in a few days and she'll put her jeans back on and all of this will seem like it never happened.
There were only seventeen looks,so I think he must be a new designer.
At every show on the first few rows,goodie bags are placed in the seats as a thank you for attending the show. Today I recieved my first goodie bag and inside was a make up and nail kit.

 

[model_mom]

* sidenote Backstage

After every show I get a chance to go backstage to meet with Ali. It is chaos after a show. The press is interviewing the designers,models are looking all over for their things,makeup artist and hair stylist are packing up their gear to rush to the next show and the designer showroom staff is making sure they have all the outfits and shoes are together to take back to the showroom. A lot of the models stop to tell the designer congratulations. Photographers are everywhere. At this point most of the attention is focused on the designer...and rightly so. Everybody is hugging and air kissing goodbye and the place is cleared out in no time...except for the staff that is left behind to clean up the mess.

 

[model_mom]

Ali booked the Imatation of Christ show today so she had to go to a fitting this afternoon. No one at the agency mention that Ali's option for the Ralph Lauren show was cancelled. I know the show is tomorrow. I wish that her agent had called and told her but That's the way this business is. You know what they want you to know and the rest ...you just have to guess at. Ali's show tonight was un an upstairs studio on Elizabeth street. I thought I had seen in all when it comes to hairstyles but I was wrong. The stylist had used a ballon and taped it to the model's head and then worked the hair all up and around it....I have no comment on this one....but I will mention that one of the model's balloon's burst during the show. Ali wore two really nice outfits and did a great job. It was a small show and it was for "clothes only".