Fashion Shoot with Powell Styling

I shot for Powell Styling with photographar James Douglas Shields and got these awesome new shots for my portfolio.  I am so thankful I got to work with such a great team!

We shot down in Wall Street. What a beautiful area!! I want to go and have lunch down there by myself at the same time all the handsome business men do....

If I had a rooftop like this, I'd sunbathe everyday!

My favorite shot... oh la la! Paris, anyone?

On a secret mission....

I apologize for the lame commentary on my photos. I guess I'm just in one of those moods..... ;-)

Be True To Yourself (and update your blog)

I'm back!

I want to give a brief thank you for all of you who take the time to read my blog and for the comments. I  thouroughy enjoy reading up on all of yours.  If you have yet to introduce yourself and/or have a blog to share by all means say hello!

I got a personal email awhile back from Modelina Michelle, a lovely girl from the Bay Area in California who is a petite model.  Not only did her email and kind support make my day (Thank you Michelle! :) but she also asked if I had any advice to give to those pursuing modeling/acting.

So it got me thinking... who am I to give advice? Who am I not to give advice? Well, its nothing you haven't heard before but now you get the Kristin version (I know you can hardly contain the overwhelming excitement you feel at this very moment). So embrace yourself....

It will give me a chance to post something in between my ever changing hairstyle, which I'm sure can become repetitive and boring... (ok let's get real here... it will be nice to fill in the gaps when I don't book anything for two weeks. No one will be the wiser ;)

So here goes nothing:

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!

Overused? Yes, but I still love this passage from Hamlet:

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!"

If you listen to what everyone else tells you and try to conform to their sometimes well-meaning sometimes malicious "advice," you will be one sad and lost soul.  Know who you are and OWN it. And be proud. This makes the hugest difference in the casting process. And in life, well its just that much more fulfilling to think you are really that phenomenal! The doors of opportunity seem to open a lot more swiftly when I'm always checking myself to make sure I am working at, committing to and presenting my best and true self. 

I have been told my ears are too big, my teeth are too small, I need to shave my arms, I'm not a true model unless I get naked, I'm too tall and skinny for this modeling job, I'm too tall to be an actor, my freckles are too random on my face, I'm too nice, I'm too good, I'm not outgoing enough, I'll never make it in the business unless I'm a backstabbing bitch. I've also been giving countless "opportunities" to meet with certain people who can "give me success" if I suck their dick.

Classy, no?

And ironically enough, the people who criticize the most and act like  you should feel SO BLESSED to be getting their opinion, are the one's who have little to no credibility to their name. Its almost funny. And here's what I say to all that....

"I find nothing wrong with my ears or teeth and my freckles are cute. I'm not shaving my arms because that's lame. I'm too tall and skinny? Is this not a modeling job? I'm too tall to be an actress? Then get me a taller actor! Idiots. I'm more of a model than those naked, cross-eyed girls in your portfolio and by the way you're a bad photographer. It pays to be nice and I am awesome. And some of the best actors are introverts. And above all, I would like to keep my integrity and morale, thank you very much. So, in actuality, YOU can suck it!!!!

My Little Tribute to NY Fashion Week

So here is my little tribute to the 2010 New York Fall Fashion Week. I was going to choose two or three looks that I need to somehow recreate with Forever 21 or H&M clothing (or buy from the designer if I do in fact reach my New Years Goal of 5 million $$. Hey you never know!) But, I of course would have to narrow my choices down which would take me all night, so I decided instead to pull every photo off the Mercedes-Benz website that caught my eye.  So bear with me....

 Cute clothes, more stockings and thigh-high socks. Oh I'm SO excited.  Even more excited than when it suddenly became okay to mix brown and black and then gold and silver.  Seriously though.... it used to be so annoying when those "rules" were in existence.  My former roommate (you know who you are!!  ;) Would say to me, "Seriously Kristin. You cannot wear those brown boots with that sweater." Well, now I can. HA! And now I can wear thigh-high socks with heels so THERE!

I spent some time at the tents at Bryant Park this year, which I'm so thankful I did since it was the last year Fashion Week will be held there. (Now that's just weird).  Tommy Hilfiger was the very last to show his collection. I also got to see Tibi. It was so inspiring just to be around the craze of Fashion Week, and watching these shows live put a permanent smile on my face the entire week. I'm SO grateful to be a part of this industry. I may not be at the status of these models, but every designer I work with and every photo I take exhilarates me to no end. I LOVE being a model in NYC. And I enjoy and admire the people I work with, and who I aspire to work with. Amazing and talented and beautiful people!!  Standing there absorbing everything around me confirmed this even more.

I can't wait to post the photos from the shows I worked. I walked for some really awesome designers.  Next post!

Ok now I have to give credit to the designers whose clothing I'm showcasing :).....

j

In not the correct order at all....

Adam, BCBGMaxazaria, Brian Reyes, Carlos Miele, Cynthia Steffe, DKNY, Georges Chakra, Herve Legerby Max Azria, J Mendel, Jill Stuart, Leifsdottir, Mackage, Max Azria, Michael Angel, Milly by Michelle Smith, Monique Luillier, Prabal Gurung, Tadashi Shoji, Tony Cohen, Vera Wang, Zac Posen

Anyone want to go shopping???

Its the B12 Vitamins. I Swear!

My January ROCKED! 

While I was in LA I asked a friend of mine what his NewYears Resolution was. 

"I don't have a resolution. I have a Theme..." he says in an endearingly superior and meticulous way. 

and that is...

"Focus and Breathe in the New Energy."

So imagine how shallow I felt when I had just told him my resolution was to get 5 Million Dollars.  I'm not sure what my back up plan would be if this isn't the year my fantastic self gets discovered. Rob a bank? Marry a rich douche bag?) I'm just thankful he didn't say something like, "Reach out to others more and make the world a better place."

So ultimately I'm stealing his theme for my own good. 

And I am feeling fantastic, grounded and balanced and more consistently focused than, well, ever. And whether its this profound New Years Theme which is infiltrating my new energy, or my trip to LA or my recent advisement to overdose on B12 Vitamin supplements (which is most likely the case. Seriously. Its like being on a stimulant medication or two cups of coffee without the jitters. If any of you feel like you are going A.D.D. crazy take them!)

 Or maybe its my 30 day eating habits consisting of no cheese, alcohol, bread, sugar, dairy, processed foods, or fruit. Don't be jealous!! Ok its not too bad. You know, I like rice. I eat a lot of almonds. And Thai food.  I'm getting really, really sick of having eggs or plain oatmeal in the morning. I'm not going to lie. And I cheat a lot. I just can't give up chocolate. Hey, you know, its that time of month, my body isn't getting what it really needs so I have to make sacrifices... ladies you understand. 

Ok. Anyway. Seeing as this is NOT a blog about medical advisement or natural path remedies, I will now talk about something more profound like... MY HAIR.

So here I am at yet another show with L'Oreal- a local show in New York. And here is my stylist Kristjan, who I also worked with in San Fransicso and Seattle .  

  

And then, remember that fight video I did way back when? Well, I got back together with Andrew Dasz to shoot some still photos with lifestyle photographer Jeremy Harris . Here are my two favorite shots:

The rest of the month I have been fortunate to be going on about two castings a day on average. I was feeling good about this until the other day when I went on one high end casting and all the models who looked about 17 years old were talking about how they went on 10-15 castings that day. (And the jealously and insecurity rises....) But WHATEVER. I've booked a few things for the upcoming Fashion Week and hopefully more in the next several days.   

And as far as acting goes, I got contacted from a producer I did a three week casting director workshop with 2 years ago while I was still living in LA (So these things do work sometimes!) So it looks as if I may be getting to audition for an action film. 

And I started class at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Yay!! Gonna get my funny on... 

I've had too much coffee today. I think it may be kind of obvious in my written words.... Anyway. B12 supplements. Take them.

A New Year, A New Reel

Shortly after my previous, "I'm depressed. I need sun. Get me the hell out of the freezing cold" post, I ended up getting a ticket home on the morning of New Year's Eve. It couldn't have been a more stereotypical Southern California winter; a consistent sunny 70 degrees the entire two weeks I was visiting. Ah bliss! Thank you God. Its exactly what I needed.

And while I was in town I put this together:

Shooting my new reel, auditioning for The Struggling Actress  for her awesome upcoming webseries, and spending time with the people of my LA talent agency Synergy Talent,  made me take a step back and reflect upon why I wasn't giving acting 100%. I've spent so much of my focus on my modeling career and other things that I'm sure are not that important in the long run, that what I truly am passionate about took the back burner this past year.  Surrounding myself with people on this trip who are actively pursuing the entertainment business has given me  a new perspective on how I want to focus my energy for 2010.

My trip was also filled with many good friends (I couldn't even fit everyone I wanted to see in my schedule!) , a sunset on the beach,wine tasting in Malibu, a few fight classes in the park and a lot of driving! Its safe to assume that I am feeling more than refreshed!

I hope you all are having a wonderful New Year!!!

Dreaming Of LA And Rainbows

I missed the rainbow that stretched across the sky in Hollywood several weeks ago.

Gorgeous.

 And when I think of my home in Los Angeles, this photo, captured by my friend Chip Latshaw, perfectly illustrates the romanticized vision of LA that I have frozen in my mind for the time being.

Now when I think of downtown LA and Skid Row in particular, I don't generally equate that part of town as being beautiful. In fact- rundown, dirty, sketchy- are a few words that cross my mind.  Yet, this photo is so beautiful and inspiring to me.  Thank you Chip for enlightening my mind to a whole new perspective! I think many true Californians can appreciate this photographed moment.

I am feeling sentimental, yes, as I miss my home in California more than anything.  I am disappointed that I did not move back as I had planned. What I really need is a change of environment and to escape the winter season for a bit. I lack a tremendous amount of inspiration which has been holding me back for the time being and keeping me from really "putting myself out there."

This blog entry is really just a way for me to kick myself in the ass and say, "Kristin! Get a Vitamin D tablet already and eat an orange!! Get over yourself and go play in the snow!" Yes, this season always proves every year to slow down work-wise no matter if I'm on the West Coast or the East Coast.  And every year I have to remind myself that I can't measure my self worth on how much or how little money I make.

And as I worry of missed opportunities in Los Angeles, I realize my reasons for staying in New York far outweigh the reasons for  going back to LA. I got a good start in New York this past year and worked more than I ever did in LA . I figure it can only get better from this point on. And like they say, "Tis greener on the other side." No matter where you are.

So here's a toast  (me holding up my imaginary champagne glass to all those reading this holding up imaginary champagne glasses) for those who feel similar this Holiday season, who wish it could just be over, or feel lonely, or missing someone, etc, or all of the above, to encourage us to embrace the season with Joy and the New Year with hopeful expectations and blessings.

And I am praying that Somewhere Over the Rainbow that "the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."

Or if I can just find a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow, perhaps behind the Hollywood sign, that would work too.

Thurgood Marshall Front Row Fashion Show

Is this dress not GORGEOUS?!  Seriously. I was contemplating walking off the runway and slipping out the back door. Do you think anyone would have noticed? ;)

I recently walked for designer Angela Dean of DeanZign in the 4th Annual Thurgood Marshall Front Row Fashion Show.  This event has become one of the largest fashion shows in New York City that not only showcases the talents of emerging and established designers of color, but also celebrates icons who have influenced the fashion world with their style and commitment to their art.  With Sherri Shepherd hosting, honoree celebrities such as  Naomi Campbell in attendance, and a tribute to Michael Jackson, it was exciting to await backstage ready to walk down the runway.

Its also nice to run into a familiar face when working on jobs. I met model Jacob Thomas working my first NYC fashion show during Couture Fashion Week. I am wearing an outfit for Walmart, which got absolutely no media attention whatsoever. Why is that? Don't I make Walmart style look fashionable? :)

On the contrary, it was easy to find photos of myself online with DeanZign. When I walked onto the stage with this gorgeous creation, the audience applauded. And that felt wonderful!

And here I am WORKING it.