Sunday Night Fashion

Fashion Week Starts at Liberty

Boston Fashion Week – Insight to the Week

September 22, 2010 - After a 5 years in the fashion industry in Boston, I have come to know many of the people who work in this small square footage of a town. The fashion industry, in itself, is very competitive. Not only that, event planning has always been extremely competitive. With so many events and absolutely no way to know if ten other events are happening on the same night, its a true free-for-all.

So, as I look over the Boston Fashion Week schedule, as well as all my notes, which include my own personal biases I’m not ashamed to admit, and my Facebook and email invites, I have to be pretty selective. My motherly duties do fall into place as well but if you need to know what are the best of the best, I am happy to suggest. So, without further ado, I will list those events here that I will attempt to visit, starting as early as TONIGHT!! This is not the end all and be all for events, there are many more events listed at the official Boston Fashion Week website, so please check it out as well.

Tonight (Sept 22) – Splash – 9pm. – Champagne Model Party – I won’t be there but hotty Tommy Mountain will represent as well as a host of Boston’s most beautiful people. Around 11pm, this bar/cafe/poolside lounge turns into a really awesome Euro dance party. The other night, incredible live DJ music started around 10pm and after an hour I couldn’t stand it anymore and started to bop the shoulders a little and shake the hips a lot and within moments, the whole place was dancing. Then for fresh air we headed up to the rooftop and had animated conversations about fashion and Miami and New York and the night just got cooler and cooler in so many ways.

Thursday – Liberty – 9pm. – Anything that Katie Archembault at Liberty gets her hands around is an instant hit. The New Society Ball just screams “I have to be there!” (I may not be there in person, but you should be!!)

Friday -  Liberty – 9pm. – Yes, It’s back to Liberty for Industry 10. This is an RSVP thing so you better get a hold of the invite somehow and get on the list. This is being put on by the founder of BFW, the amazing Jay Calderin. So you know it’s a Who’s Who.

Saturday – Four Seasons Hotel – 7pm – When I first met the people at Ovations for the Cure (a million years ago) I was totally smitten by the enthusiasm, the love, and the passion of this group of saviours. They had started to do fashion in Boston when Beanians were still saying “Fashion? I have fashion. I don’t need fashion.” I jumped on board, seeing the fun and the potential of bringing fashion to the upscale “benefit” scene that I had been habiting (and being pretty bored by after the tenth “eat, talk, bid, dance” situa-snore.) Ovations has been growing in leaps and bounds and celebrating with lots of pink champagne. I highly recommend anything Ovations is a part of.

Sunday – The State Room – 6:30pm - I am kind of excited to see the F.R.E.E. Show. Firstly, the STATE ROOM! Coolest venue in Boston. Secondly, my good friend and associate Iva Nicole is a part of this show. She is a true professional. Thirdly, I got such a nice email inviting me to come as a VIP that of course I couldn’t help but feel even more inclined to love it.

Monday – Copley Place – Lunchtime – Okay, I’m a sucker for Copley Place. It’s just Boston’s most beautiful shopping mecca, hands down. I’ll be interested to see what’s in the box lunch from Legal Seafood. I’m not much of a mall person, but because of the great people at Copley, I think I’ll take a peek.The lunchtime shows are going on all week. Oo!

Monday – W Hotel Boston – 8-10pm – CLOSED

Tuesday – Fairmont Copley Plaza – 6-8pm – I am dying to see Denise Hajjar’s fashion show. She has been in the local fashion industry longer than anyone in Boston (not that she looks a day over 29). Plus, anything at the Fairmont Copley Plaza is so grand.

Tuesday – Venu – 8-10pm – Under De-Construction, another Iva Nicole event. I met Daniel Hernandez in Providence during Style Week and it is so exciting to see him again, here, in Boston, doing a show for Boston Fashion Week! Hooray! He is so sweet. I am only about nice people, amazing clothes, and cool Venu’s.

(Wednesday – Night off? Or pick anything and give it a try!)

Thursday – Shreve, Crump and Lowe – 5:30-8pm - ECC Style has a real soft spot in my heart. Jeff Lahens, co-founder, was the first believer when I was trying my ADD hardest to promote fashion in Boston about 6 years ago. Jeff (and ever-the-gentleman partner Sean Harris) has been a real fixture in Boston fashion.

Thursday – L’elite – 6-8pm – Practicing my ability to be at two places at once, I’ll be checking out my Amee Models at L’elite, showcasing latest couture designs from Europe and the U.S.

Thursday – Liberty – after 9pm - Liberty Thursday Night Fashionably Late series is a must attend for all those in the fashion industry. Samuel Vartan is another Boston Fashion fixture. Love him!!!

(Friday night off? Or, pick anything and give it a try!)

Saturday, Oct. 2 – Calderwood Pavilion – 7:30(ish)-10pm – Baku Sunset has brought to Boston an elegant, upscale European style fashion scene. Love this group – I feel like I am in good hands with these fashion event planners.

September 12, 2010 – I guess in life there is a moment when you realize that there is something you are meant to do in this world. I believe that my life is now as it should be – a model manager and scout, voice of the fashion world, and “behind the scenes” voyeur, bringing you a complete look and feel of being a part of the fashion industry. The joy that I am bringing to my models of being in New York at this amazing event is making me weak in the knees. Texting back and forth in a flurry during the casting calls, fittings, and travel time; watching them get ready backstage, tracking them down between shows to make sure they are fed, offering words of encouragement, and then seeing them on the runway! Bellissimo!

Yes! I made it to New York, after dealing with huge scheduling conflicts. My dear father couldn’t stand to have me miss the big event, and took over as babysitter for the day to allow me to attend my beloved Couture Fashion Week. I jumped in the car in the first outfit I found, which unfortunately was pants and a button down white shirt. I threw on leather heeled boots and a leather jacket to jazz up my corporate look as quickly as I could, added a Bridget Bardot hair band, applied the lip gloss, and headed out the door.

So I’m in my Lexus, enjoying the fact that my bottom wouldn’t be numb after sitting for the next three hours in these amazing plush leather seats. (I had a Jeep previously and it was like when you ride a 10-speed bike for more than five minutes. You know that feeling of wondering if you will ever be able to sit again? Apparently the Japanese know this feeling and acted appropriately.) And if you know the Berkshires, where I was driving from, then you know there is no good music on the radio. So I clicked on talk radio and because of the buzz in the air and the fact that I felt like my old self, driving to New York City, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took exactly three hours, and with my GPS and my old New York driving skills kicking in, I pulled right into the garage a block away from the majestic Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

I strolled down the sidewalk with my long, blond hair, my long legs, a smile on my face and a little butterfly in my stomach. The Waldorf! My grandparents used to stay here when they came to New York, so every time I walk through the grand lobby, with the the pretty gold clock in the center, I feel my Nana beside me. When I arrived on the third floor I easily found my gang. I immediately had many arms to hug and cheeks to air kiss. And, thank goodness, mostly the women wore glamorous gowns. I did see one or two tuxedos, but it was very nice to see that there were only a few people in jeans. I even saw a young lanky girl in cut-off jean shorts and smiled to myself. Yeah – I seem to like to buck the system too. As much as I hate seeing people not dressed up to an event, I also despise dressing up for events myself. I think it comes from being so noticed every time I am driving in the car, walk into a room, stroll down the street, etc. I downplay myself to ward off the stares.

But there was no downplay on the runway last night at the big event at the Waldorf. Every show was packed and the final show at 8pm, which was the unveiling of the new Andres Aquino collection, including shoes and purses, was reduced to standing room only. The runway was a massive U shape that allowed for maximum viewing for the front-row VIPS who paid $4000 for the complete VIP package. An attendant assigned to you for the day, limo service, champagne, and front-row seating. Which, especially during the Aquino show, offered an amazing display of gowns, models, dancers, and innovation, turn after turn.

After each show, the designer and the models gathered in front of the Step and Repeat to be photographed by rows about 5 deep of eager photographers and attendees. In the beginning of the night, the filling of chairs and the Step and Repeat was a smooth process thanks to the organization of the security team. However, once the Governor and his wife showed up and there was a police security detail, and hoards more people, the crowd control became a lot trickier, I noticed. Especially trying to accommodate five seats together for Miss USA and other celebrities. Turns out it was a good decision not to try to add VIP’s at the last minute. No room!

That said, it was amazing to see a nice Boston crowd there. Friendly faces such as Jamall Oluokon, videographer Diallo Ferguson, my faithful assistant Katya Nadudik, model and show management Marco Radakovic, with models Elena Kollarova, Iva Nicole (who took on the Backstage Manager role), Sarah Kidd and about three or four more beautiful Boston models fluttered around excitedly. Additional Boston models arrive today for another round of shows, including Tommy Mountain and Marvin Neal. I’ve been texting and giving advice since 7:30am, offering my support, finding overnight accommodations, and generally getting excited for them.

I didn’t get to stay for the after-parties, but the text messages and Facebook notes until 2am from Nikki Club and the spanish cafe with the live music (love those musicians, they are amazing) told of a grand time out in the wee New York hours. I recalled as I was driving back, with a huge pang, that I saw the dress that I hand-picked the fabric for, in the store, with Andres. (Yes I cried a little when I realized the impact of not being able to help as much as I had hoped through sponsorships; walk the runway in an Andres Aquino gown of exquisite taste, material, and an astounding ability to make a woman into a goddess; or even to manage the models backstage all weekend. Calling on all my strength, I walked out of the hotel and headed back to my little family.)

What I do love about Couture Fashion Week is that it is one of those shows in New York that is still accessible. For a price. Unlike many NY events, to sit front row, you don’t need to know a designer, be a celebrity, or have that “attitude” that gets you what you want. Yet. And even when there is confusion about seating, be patient, all will be well. It’s very Democratic. Old school. You can simply be a fashion fan to attend. Just a few Benjamin’s, a friendly chat with a show manager, and you’re inside, glamorized, and ready to be mesmerized.

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

]]> http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/couture-fashion-week-fall-2010/feed/ 0 worldmodelmagazine http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/cry-baby/ http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/cry-baby/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:48:46 +0000 worldmodelmagazine http://worldmodelmagazine.com/?p=313 ]]> My daughter on Scott, about two years ago, at Stoneleigh-Burnham School

September 10, 2010 – I recently have been at Stoneleigh-Burnham School more and more for various reasons. My daughters both want to follow in their Mommy’s footsteps, and have a keen love of horses. Scary! I had to pull the plug on it because, unlike my mother who allowed me to do this highly dangerous sport, I am a total chicken. When my three year old, who to this day mentions Ginger The Horse every moment she gets a chance, started to become addicted, I had horrible nightmares of having to move to France because I had lost a daughter to an “incident.” Believe me, riding is a hard-core habit.

I was reminded of my own horror when I passed Mina Payne in the hallway yesterday. She always looks at me with a look on her face like “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” You see, Mina was my last riding instructor at Stoneleigh. I try to hide in the curtains when I see her coming. Can you possibly imagine that I was the one who cried all the time on the field? Oh yes. Not much has changed. I know. However, let me clarify for you. The jumps were REALLY BIG and VERY SCARY. I think people used to forget that I was the one who used to have to sit out of soccer practice because of my various frailties. I mean, I was wrecked with allergies (we didn’t know about those things yet), anemic (nope, that either), with very low blood pressure (umm, probably not) and, to top it all off, a trillion food allergies. I was definitely no Amazon. Just by height. I was 5’11″ tall and 128 pounds at age 14. So I wasn’t all that able to focus on pushing the limits. I would walk down the school hallways with [allergy] tears running down my face and completely congested, itchy skin, and upset stomach, thinking I was a total loser – when all along I was just a victim of barbaric medicinal times.

Anyway, so the riding program at this time was, I would bet a million marshmallows, also more “rigorous” back then. So there I was, surrounded by much more seasoned riders, with me perched on a huge, beautiful horse I had barely ridden, and staring through cloudy allergy eyes at a series of 6′ high jumps. I was just a tad nervous. And so my nervousness, of course, was felt by the horse. Well, It comes my turn, and I giddy-up the horse, and after a few kicks and going way too fast, we careen around the corner a tad sharp. I could hear Mina yelling something or other through the gale force wind as we raced around the field. I have no idea what. Probably “slow down” or some other sage advice. Well, this doesn’t set the horse up very well, which they HATE. I mean, they are in your hands at this point, and if they have to take over, it gets confusing. So we are aimed as straight to the jump as I can get, and up we go.

If you are on a horse jumping a 6′ fence, this feels like you just blasted off in a rocket ship to the moon. You and the horse are looking straight up into the blue sky. There is a fleeting nano-second of air-time, and then you rocket back down, staring into the dirt. Your horse hits the ground like a ton of bricks and so does your backside on the saddle. Well, here comes the bad part. This particular landing, I slid off. I was pretty acutely practiced at falling by this time (I had been riding since I was a baby). I landed safely on the ground, except, I was under the horse. Okay. So now can you imagine why I cried? Thank goodness I was so well nourished with calcium and veggies. My leg, which the horse landed on, remained intact except for a huge bruise in the shape of a horseshoe that made me wince for the next four weeks.

The horse charged across the field and I’m watching through my groans and tears as scary Mina walks slowly out, takes the horse by the reins, and walks slowly back. She made me get on the horse and do it again. Which I did. Then I promptly got off. She yelled at me for crying. I yelled at her that I thought my leg was going to fall off. She told me that maybe I wasn’t cut out for riding. I told her that maybe I wasn’t.

I limped back to the barn, put the horse away, and promptly took up golf.

(Note: A few years later, after college, I got the bug again and bought a horse. I trained with great trainers from Canada with an ex-SBS’er and ended up working with Canadian Olympic coaches. Unfortunately yours truly, being the scaredy-cat that I am, I insisted that I ride the devil-eyed, shifty horse that they were going to put this little tiny girl on. Well, sure enough, I went down one last time when snow crashed off the roof. The horse went one way and I went the other way, and I landed on my butt and cracked my tailbone. At least it wasn’t that other little girl who fell. I don’t know If I could have handled that! Instead she got to live happily ever after. I chaperoned them all to see Star Wars that night in a Canadian Theatre while I sat stone-cold in the seat next to her, missing most of the movie, because I probably should have been at the ER. I didn’t know anything about those places at the time.)

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

September 8, 2010 – Ah, Noho! (Northampton, MA) Today, instead of my usual Noho Starbucks location (where I drive 40 minutes to get here just for my fave Chai tea), I am sitting in the Bruegger’s on Main Street where, unfortunately, a silver fish recently crawled across my toes. Ick. I’m working on about ten projects at once – magazine site, Facebook messages to our models, agency forms, apology emails, and paying bills to name a few. In between, I stare out the window and plan big things.

Noho is still exactly the same as it was when I was a little girl. I feel like not a day has passed. The same candy shoppe is tucked in the corner slot, Thorne’s Market is still the quirky not-quite-”there”-but-still-cool shopping center, and of course, Herrell’s Ice Cream, where Steve Herrell still sits in his perch looking out at the customers as he dreams up new flavor sensations. Also, my old modeling photographer is still just around the corner. I grew up coming here, wearing my purple pants and a roach clip in my hair (I had no idea what this was at the time, but they were pretty), appalled at my best friend who dared wear lipstick, and taking in the beautiful architecture and bustling downtown streets. Noho is a very eclectic town, filled with eclectic people, but it is an exciting town of students and happy business men and women.

One new development is the parking garage, which I use daily for approximately $.50 – $1.50 for my stay. As I drive in to the garage there is a sign that says “Northampton – Where the coffee is strong, and so are the women.” This strikes me as so funny because in a way, this is very true for my upbringing. In my family, the women are really the power houses, the Matriachs, so to speak. Now don’t be fooled –  this is a huge compliment to the men in our family! My grandfather and my father were both prominent businessmen in the community. My Dad stood 6’1″ tall, good-looking, smiling, and driven. My grandfather wore a suit and tie every day, with a pipe or cigar not too far away, even when he was driving his big gas trucks to his customer’s locations. These were rugged, hard-working men. And yet! Every morning, my grandfather prepared a full breakfast for my grandmother, and my father “creeps” up the stairs as quietly as he can with his size ten shoes to bring my mother her coffee to her bedside. He has even taken to bringing me a tea tray! Sadly, these are big shoes to fill, gentlemen.

So, when I look at my private life and my business life, I see the problem!! I keep wondering what it is about me that makes me who I am. The Boston Sophisticate! I went to an all-girls private school; I hang out with my guy friends without a second thought; I am independent; I have visions of business success; and I gush and profess my affections constantly and in a big way to my loved ones. To this day, I am task-oriented, I dream big, I push my co-workers to work hard and play hard, and I make hard business decisions that sometimes are tough to take. How dare I do all these things!

I guess you could say I’ve sipped the Noho coffee and liked it.

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

Boston Magazine, June 2009, “Fashion Victim Turned Victor” photo. I’m sitting in my Newbury Street boutique. Fashions by Lily & Migs. (I am not fond of this photo, so don’t stare too long.)

September 6, 2010 – “WILL WORK FOR VENTURE CAPITAL.” This was the tagline that I scribbled on a piece of cardboard box in black marker for a photo shoot I did with Bill Downey, of Planet617 Photography, about 4 years ago. I stood on the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets holding the sign up for at least ten minutes. Sadly, there weren’t any takers. Or would it be givers? Anyway, that is one tough job to stand on a street corner. It was too-bright-sunny, windy and cold, and I ran shivering to the nearest Starbucks, which luckily was only about ten feet away. Phew!

However, I am still looking for supporters of fashion in Boston. This has been a very hard road I have to say. Currently, I am packing in my sign and working diligently on the business plan for World Model Magazine. These are suddenly exciting times! As the days and months go by – Ta-Da! – the business plan, and my expertise, get stronger and stronger! However, we are expanding our sites beyond Boston and hitting the national and international scene instead. Really, (so many people say this – I swear its not just me!) it’s wonderful to live in Massachusetts, and work elsewhere. During my days on Newbury Street, I gained a whole lot of street-smarts (wanted to) and a much thicker skin (had to). The fashion industry in Boston, I would say, is just about the toughest nut to crack on earth. So now, from my parlor turned bedroom and office, I can flit from piano to laptop to cellphone and work voraciously to develop World Model Magazine. I’ll travel a bit and get into the more fashion-friendly streets of New York, Chicago, and L.A. to start, as well as destinations overseas.

So look for World Model Magazine to hit your computer screen soon. I promise, this will be worth the wait. I’ll do my best to make myself proud! I am a pretty tough customer. I have to run away from even myself once in a while, but it will be such an accomplishment and a final culmination of my efforts. Some of my former supporters turned skeptics, as well as my biggest fans, know that what I do have, in abundance, is the ability to RESURRECT. As a single mother, this is soooo hard, so I hope you will be forgiving and look forward to this magazine which will be a culmination of these long, hard years on the Boston streets.

If you grew up in a single mother household (I didn’t, but man I’m sorry I am living it), you will know how hard this truly is, to be a single mom and run a business, and in such a discriminating industry, no less. I have to give credit to my fabulous business partners who have to witness (and constantly boost up) a single-motherhood-and-two-divorce kinda girl. A big hug and kiss to you, kind gentlemen!!

So, off I go to work on databases, statistics, and P&L charts! Wish me luck! Unless you have venture capital laying around…I could really use the help. We’re on to something big here…

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

Proxy Apparel 

September 5, 2010 – In my last blog I talked about the ultimate model – our Gods and Goddesses. I wanted to point out that the female models used for that photo shoot were all under 5’10″ tall. The point being, that at World Model Magazine, we celebrate the beauty in every person. Just because someone is tall, rich, photogenic, whatever it is that makes them immediately stand out in the crowd, it isn’t the end of the story. People in general are fascinating. We sit for hours at coffee shops and busstops and spend much of our time meeting others, watching as people come and go, and generally being social creatures.

So in this mind-frame, I had the vision for World Model Pros Modeling Agency to celebrate models of all types. As I know all too well, there is one type of model that really shines – someone who loves being in front of the camera. As much as I tried to be a model, I knew I was more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it. If someone has the personality and the passion, modeling is easy, fun, and a terrific way to earn a living. It may even lead to something bigger.

I also mentioned in my blog that I love to envision the future. As one of the first tasks as I was developing this fresh idea (to me) of model discovery and getting excited about training and developing persons that I could see potential in, I took a small group of my first girls to a model casting for a runway show. This was for a new fair trade company starting up. I was intrigued because I knew all about this idea. A dear friend, Bianca Paradis, who at the time, about 6 years ago, was starting up a store in Palm Beach and an on-line presence that offered products made by women in developing countries. I think I was her best customer! Alas, it was hard for Bianca to introduce this new concept, and to such a discriminating crowd. By keeping an open mind, I was richly rewarded. I had beautiful handmade, hand embroidered bags, bamboo yoga pants and tops (the softest material I’ve ever felt), beautiful little cotton dresses embellished with beading, and much more. And most importantly, I was contributing to a new, ethical trade system. When I was getting my MBA eons ago, I struggled with the idea of Big Business vs. The Sucker. I mean, The Consumer. This ethical business plan felt so much better!

So back to Boston. We were welcomed by the head of the apparel company herself, and after filling out forms and doing introductions, we were assured that this would be a relaxed and fun casting. We walked into a room empty save for a long raised platform and some tape on the floor marking out a runway path. After a few walks, the models relaxed and started having fun, and it became apparent that with a little training (the models and I had spent maybe three hours together) that these girls were adorable on the runway.

[Here's the best part:] Proxy Apparel is holding a ground-breaking series of Farm Fashion Tours to celebrate good living through the production of wholesome food and ethical fashion. At beautiful farms and outdoor locations in Massachusetts during three dates in September and October, 2010, you can join a growing faction of folks figuring out that freeing your mind is attainable and, well, sustainable. You can view some of the World Model Pros models on the runway too, sporting an abundance of fashion from around the world. Doesn’t if feel great to know that our Boston girls are bringing to the stage the good cheer and good will of people from across the globe?

Kisses,

Amy Patt, The Boston Sophisticate

September 3, 2010 – This photo shoot was inspired by something very personal in my life. I had been tossing the idea of Gods and Goddesses around for months as I visualized what I wanted to create when I was asked to head World Model Magazine. I try to always create something that is new and different. Innovation is just what drives me. I love envisioning the future.

So when I was thinking of the former success of my Boston Sophisticate blog, what I kept hearing was that people loved my writing style. I believe that this comes from being very personal and sharing a moment to moment view of “Life as I See It.” I don’t sugarcoat much, do I?

I remember in Palm Beach when a family-in-law member came to visit and we were out on the town bonding. We walked into the “hot” spot, which at the time was a hotel in downtown Palm Beach. It has an absolutely amazing courtyard where everyone gathered either to dine or lounge in big white Alice In Wonderland chairs in the late hours of the night. You know, you can fit like four people in a chair. Palm fronds in your face, fountain water spitting at you, dark and mysterious. I used to actually like to go there because it was so beautiful. Moon. Stars. Fountain. Stunning. So in we walk, and the place is pretty crowded with Palm Beach Elite (meaning Boston and New York). I stand 6’3″ in stiletto’s. I used to dress prettier then. My girl is behind me by two steps, and everyone is staring at me as I saunter through. I’m so used to this by now that I just try to ignore it. But she was flabbergasted. “Amy!” She is whispering in my ear. “EVERYONE is staring at you.” I look around and smile. What else can you do. It’s so hard because then what do you say to people? Something profound? Like “The moon is made of Brie!” I get a crowd around me staring and then they wander away disappointed somehow. I guess I wasn’t so inspiring in person. A model is often an image of beauty that isn’t supposed to be human. Just what we desire human to be.

So when I thought about Gods and Goddesses, I looked at my own life as a model and a person. It is not easy being someone that everyone looks at when you walk into a room. Or being someone that people misunderstand immediately based on the way you look, dress, talk, etc. It’s no different for a model than anyone else – in fact – is it harder to live up to the expectations? Or downplay the disappointments? And what do you do with all this beauty? Really, much of your life is spent dealing with the fact that many people will hate you if you disappoint them.

So there I was thinking about Gods and Goddesses. In one quick sitting I wrote the poem that is published in an earlier post (just page down a bit) that I called ‘Gods and Goddesses’. Which inspired the ‘Gods and Goddesses’ shoot. Which is part of the inspiration for World Model Magazine. Models: Leaders in the imaginary. Muses to the arts. Other-worldly. Not quite human. And yet – completely vulnerable.

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

August 21, 2010 – I really can’t believe myself sometimes. I used to be such a nice girl. Flashback – Boston, 2005. There I was, minding my own business, an innocent fan of charity events. So one day our group gets a fabulous idea – Let’s do a fashion show!  So we set out to find designers in Boston and oh – ha ha! Fashion in Boston? Hmm. So in two weeks I created a line of skirts and purses, called it Boston Sophisticate, and then threw it out onto the public stage, willy-nilly, for all the world to see. Ahh – the innocence. It was a pleasant show, I got rave reviews, and I was totally hooked.

Now, I will defend myself to the death that I am the nicest, most sincere, politest person on earth. I swear! Check me out – I drive back and forth to the Berkshires a bazillion times and all those late summer night drives I am actually spending my energy swerving all over the road so I don’t run over the tiny frogs that leap across the dewy pavement. I even check the rear view mirror to make sure they made it safely across. Then I get to a fashion show. For some reason, all the politeness goes out the window. It happens at every show – that critical eye people get. No one’s here!  The show started late!  The models aren’t beautiful! It’s a bit of a rush to go to a fashion event simply because so many things can go wrong. What will happen tonight, I wonder? Trust me – come to an event, you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s a bit addictive. There’s definitely a growing faction of fashion show groupies in Boston. If you like being in the know, you better get to a show.

It’s like going to a new restaurant that just opened up. If it isn’t the most sensational, fantastic, blow your mind food, service and ambiance, then of course, you and your group spend the rest of your lives recalling how terrible that restaurant was. Come on! You know you do it! This is the thrill of new restaurants opening. It’s a huge bash for city folk. The thrill of being there to see either the rise or fall of the new guy on the block. It is very, very important to have everything go perfectly the first night. Otherwise, you’re sunk. I’ve been to quite a few openings and there are places I never return to. Food was too salty! Not enough menu choices! Wine glasses were dirty! Yup – I have a list. Yet we have no shame when it comes to restaurants. We want the best! Right?

So back to fashion. Part of my personal fashion snobbery at this point comes from the fact that I have been a fashion show production victim too. It’s simply the nature of the industry. It’s a very emotional business. You have to get people in just the right mood, and a lot of them. As many people have said, ‘If it were easy, everybody would do it.’  But what is so fabulous is that Boston has so many fashion shows to talk about now! OO – you can be critical three or four nights a week! It’s like fashion has perfected the ultimate ‘diss’ event. So all you restaurateurs out there – from the fashion industry – you are so welcome!

But the good news is, shows in Boston are getting better and better. There are hundreds of people out there that I have trained or worked with whom I hope have a fond spot in their heart for Boston Sophisticate? Venues and organizations are finding fashion shows to be a big draw. And there are thousands of local people who have attended an event. I’m definitely not giving up on my passion for fashion. I’ve found amazing partners and we’ve expanded the business. I am working with retailers and corporations to bring more fashion shows together. I am planning to go to the gym again sometime soon. And hopefully earning enough money to go shopping to find something new and exciting to wear to the next show. You know, living the fashion dream.

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate

]]> http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/boston-sophisticate/feed/ 0 worldmodelmagazine bs pink fairy Amy Liberty Hotel http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/new-talent-wanted/ http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/new-talent-wanted/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:15:22 +0000 worldmodelmagazine http://worldmodelmagazine.wordpress.com/?p=108 ]]> Dan McAndrews, World Model Pros Model & New Talent

Aug 18, 2010 – One of the things that draws me to this industry is my love of discovering and training new talent. I guess I’m truly in my element when I’m walking around a mall or turning a street corner not even really looking for talent and I see someone with potential. It’s totally a gut instinct. A je ne sai quoi. Now, my own personal experience was that everyone under the sun used to ask me that question, ‘Are you a model?’, EXCEPT for anyone with any ability to make me a star. That’s my kind of luck, no matter how many malls I roamed around or New York City restaurants I frequented. I knew many celebs and I guess they just assumed I was all set. D**n! Do I hate now that I felt like that too! I was too proud to ask for assistance. I just assumed it would happen. In reality, I just didn’t have the knowledge and the right people to train me. So lucky you, now I am the agent, and I’m spending my life making other people’s luck.

Actually, even if I did get “discovered”, my mother would never have allowed me to set foot in a studio unless she had called the CIA in to investigate it first. Modeling when I was 14 was just not gonna happen big. It was a very scary world. Instead, I went to a local photographer whom my mother knew all about (in fact, if you want a story, I was “discovered” in the dining hall of my Prep school when he was doing a shoot there). Then when I used to go to agencies I would wait around for them to call me and the calls were so few and far between that I got frustrated and went into computer consulting instead for a while. Darlings, I got very bored. I’d be sipping lemonade on my patio under a green umbrella, fixing a computer, reading about other people doing fashion, while I stared at the phone dying for a modeling job. What is the fun in that??

Anyway, my point is, is that with World Model Pros, it is our mission to discover a select few models who then become part of our family. We take them hand in hand to auditions, castings, and networking events, personally driving them there most of the time, contacting them every day practically about this and that, spending an inordinate amount of time gabbing and goofing and training all over Boston and New York in every Starbucks or hotel lobby we happen to be in, and then getting them bookings for photo shoots, casting calls, fashion shows and print media. The key is that the agency needs to get out there and find the opportunities. It’s not that the agencies didn’t want me, they just didn’t have enough work for all their thousands of models. So now, out I go, sending emails, networking, meeting industry pros, coming up with pitches, creating magazines and an international modeling agency, building strong relationships with my models and local businesses, and by gosh, there will be jobs!!

It is our belief that good models can make a career for him/herself with the right talent and the right agency. I am confident that our team is now the best you can find. I’ve made tons of “learning” mistakes over 5 years in the Boston scene growing a fashion business, and have had huge successes as well. I’ve worked with top international professionals, networked with the best in the business, produced events, and learned everything there is to know about fashion. The most important thing is that through it all I’ve found and cultivated an amazing group of models, make-up artists, hairstylists, photographers, assistants, salespeople, and partners who are truly stellar. The reason why there are only so few Bain & Co.’s, IBM’s and Vogue’s out there is that it takes a team of truly exceptional people to pull it all together, the time to get a foothold in an industry – and most importantly – a good leader to roll up his/her sleeves and get to work, take the falls, and share the triumphs.

If you have been told you could be a model (or even if you just think you could be one) – contact me immediately! I am looking for all types of talent to help take our agency to the next level. You just need a fresh smile, a willingness to trust, and the ability to work hard. I do get personal – I help with diet, exercise, general health, walking, posing, and, well, watch our video. You’ll see. With World Model Pros, if you get chosen, you will never wonder where your agent is! I can’t recall the last time I was sipping anything on a patio unless it was to cultivate a fashion business contact or make important friends.

So darlings! Call me call me! You have to make your own luck sometimes to get you started, and then I’ll take over from there.

Kisses,

Amy

The Boston Sophisticate