Linda Rodin; Poster Woman On Graceful Aging & Living Many Lives

Linda Rodin for The Raw Book
A Sailor Dress, Knee Socks, and The Muse Photo Instax90 

A Sailor Dress, Knee Socks, and The Muse Photo Instax90 

Re|Create Her Look 

Sunglasses Miu Miu, J.Crew Sailor Top, Y.S.L Lip in Bright Cajun Coral 

Sunglasses Miu Miu, J.Crew Sailor Top, Y.S.L Lip in Bright Cajun Coral 

The Air 

The first time I passed Linda Rodin on 18th and 7th Ave still remains so vivid in my memory. She was wearing a Canadian tuxedo, walking her grey standard poodle I know now as Winky, and wearing round Miu Miu sunglasses. We both were wearing the same shades, and I remember us both stopping for a second to look at each other. It was a strange moment because I had no idea who she was, but her energy and outfit were so strong, that I knew she must have an interesting story. We smiled at each other, and kept walking. The Commons in Chelsea was across the street from my studio apartment, so I would go there before meetings to grab coffee, and chat with the owners. Linda and I would frequently pass each other on the street. I remember thinking that she was such a soul, her beauty and grace were undeniable, and without knowing much about her, she became an unknown muse, looking forward to the next time we would pass each other, and exchange the knowing fashion smiles.  In recent months Linda Rodin has become the It woman on graceful aging and beauty, as the founder of Rodin Cosmetics, (sold on Net-a-porter.com and at other luxury retailers). Wanting to know more and more about her, I began researching her back story, to find that she has lived many lives as a past magazine editor, stylist, model, and store owner to name a few. This Air speaks to inspiration on so many levels. I see myself in Linda, having a similar past in fashion, and continuing to grow myself on so many different fronts of the industry. She is a true inspiration of style and age, and will continue to be someone that I look to for inspiration for life in this moment and the future.xxxC 

 

Body Sentiments

-Monday Aug 4 2014 

* Body Latte * 

Models Screaming for Beauty Secret Bliss!!! ^ (or just backstage at the Chanel show where my invitation was clearly lost in the mail.) 

Models Screaming for Beauty Secret Bliss!!! ^ (or just backstage at the Chanel show where my invitation was clearly lost in the mail.) 

The Beauty Secret :Franks Body Scrub

It was weirder for my boyfriend when he came home off a long night of DJing, to see what looked like a Law and Order SVU coffee murder scene. My muddy feet prints were all over the white tile floor, the bathtub was completely soiled, and I, was covered head to toe, in coffee grounds. Waiting for them to dye their way to my skins perfection was the most time consuming part of the whole process, but theres something a little fun about getting dirty, and waiting for the results. Franks promises to "scrub away dry and flaky skin," as well as help reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. Now these are huge promises, so naturally I HAD TO KNOW. I work out almost daily and eat right, but lets face it, I have booty, and with booty comes other stuff, (EW), so I strongly believe in preventative action. 10 minutes went by and it was time to rinse. I had coffee in places I never thought coffee would see, but as I toweled off, my skin was noticeably smoother, tighter, and moisturized. For this product to fully show you results, and fight the harder issues, add it to you're weekly routine. Sundays are my designated in home spa night. I Shave my legs, do my facials, paint my nails, fix my hair, etc. It's so important to go the extra mile for you're body, if you wanna look amazing you have to take the time, so ladies, start scrubbing, GET DIRTY & Buy Franks HERE

xxx

Episode 1: Boys

-Weds May 28th,2014 

The Start of our web series:

You Think It;We Say It 

A little humor for those who can appreciate real recognize real, and moreover recognize the ridiculous. It's important to be able to make fun of yourself, laugh at the world, and keep it silly with a BFF. We are smart gals, nice & responsible, loving life, with an affinity for dry humor... oOppssss; sorry not sorry. We are joking, always looking for a laugh, and don't mean to offend anyone! 

xxx

Episode 1: Boys 


You Think It We Say It

Beauty in 2014 May Mean Looking to the Past for Inspiration

Beauty In 2014 May Mean Looking to the Past for Inspiration

Transgender Supermodel
Transgender Supermodel

Beauty by definition.

1:The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit: loveliness

2:A beautiful person or thing; especially: a beautiful woman

3: A particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality

4: A brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance

-Merrian-Webster

The concept of beauty is something that is truly fascinating and a relevant and recurring topic in my life. My chosen path is one where on a daily basis others decided if I had whatever beautiful traits they desire  for their specific purpose. After years of this you begin, (or you should), to question who decides, and what makes these traits admirable? Not to mention , why should I listen to them. These are questions I plan on spending a lot longer thinking about as I see my opinions evolve. However, in the process of learning, I recommend a very relevant book by Ashley Mears, a model turned sociologist. In Pricing Beauty, Mears asks  pertinent questions and  dissects the business of literally “pricing beauty. In the spirit of exploring those ideas I wanted to look back and remember just a few moments in fashion that pushed the status quo and made me double take and love it just a little more! Xxx

Andrej Pejic

Andrej Pejic
Andrej Pejic

How can one forget Andrej Pejic, the Bosnian transgender model that has been crushing boundaries since his entry into the fashion world. In 2014, I want to revisit this epic face for more than just his beauty. Andrej is a statement, a beacon of hope for many, and overall fierce as f*@k, walking runways in both men’s and women’s collections over the seasons, and even starring in the Dutch chain store Hema’s lingerie campaign. It’s almost impossible for the blond stunner not to have made it to overnight stardom and for that I love this industry. It sometimes truly creates worthy stars that bring to light more relevant questions, man or woman, who even cares anymore? 

The Black Allure Italian Vogue
The Black Allure Italian Vogue

The BlackAllure 

Next I remember “The Black Allure,” the Italian Vogue spread from July of 2008, which featured the “models of color” of the moment. Stars such as Joan Smalls, Jordan Dunn, Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa, and Ajak Deng, to name a few, stunned us in a beautiful vintage inspired spread that was reminiscent of the 20’s, with an almost infused Caribbean feel. For models of color, this was a huge statement. On the one hand it was amazing to see such diversity in one place, at one time, but it was also sad to think that it was such a shocker to the public for the same reason. This will always remain one of my favorite Vogue editorials, and also an eternal reminder that race is still such a prominent issue politically and in fashion, but lets look to a grander time when models of color will be booked just as frequently. 

Belle Vere Italian Vogue plus size editorial
Belle Vere Italian Vogue plus size editorial

Belle Vere

I remember seeing the plus size Italian Vogue editorial Belle Vere, and my boyfriend saying, “anytime you want to cause a ruckus just put someone not emaciated on a cover.” I thought about that for a second, and realized I hadn’t seen in my lifetime, on the cover of a major fashion magazine such as Vogue, so many plus size models featured. Upon further thought, I couldn’t remember seeing any plus size models at all! These woman were so sexy, so chic, and almost two of the models we would normally see featured! As the average weight of the American woman has significantly grown over the past decade, I wonder why we don’t see more full-figured models on the scene? Maybe the whole heroin-chic emaciated look that fashion loves so much, plays to the exclusivity of luxury, the unattainable perfection that models in this day and age portray making it almost to common to be a bit bigger? Is it just not exclusive enough?  However, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing what Vogue considers plus size girls pose over plates of spaghetti scantily clad. I’m not the biggest Kate Upton fan, but I would love to see more full figured woman come make their marks on the pages of my fave monthly reads. Bound to steal envious glares from the hungry models, and sneaking sexy peeks from men everywhere.

Read of the moment Pricing Beauty by Ashley Mears
Read of the moment Pricing Beauty by Ashley Mears

A transgender stunner, The BlackAllure, and plus size beauties stomping through barriers. Restrictions and societal norms only exist because we comply. Let us rethink beauty in 2014, looking first to our past, and now to a future that can expunge mental blocks stopping us from being a little more open minded. XXX

Skin

When We Two Parted by Lord Byron

When we two parted
In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted,
To sever for years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold
Sorrow to this.

The dew of the morning
Sank chill on my brow— 
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,
And light is thy fame:
I hear thy name spoken,
And share in its shame.

They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me— 
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew thee,
Who knew thee too well:— 
Long, long shall I rue thee
Too deeply to tell.

In secret we met— 
In silence I grieve
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee
After long years,
How should I greet thee?— 
With silence and tears.

Me shot by Anouk Morgan 

-Monday April 21st, 2014 


Clenched Soul by Pablo Neruda

We have lost even this twilight.
No one saw us this evening hand in hand
while the blue night dropped on the world.

I have seen from my window
the fiesta of sunset in the distant mountain tops.

Sometimes a piece of sun
burned like a coin in my hand.

I remembered you with my soul clenched
in that sadness of mine that you know.

Where were you then?
Who else was there?
Saying what?
Why will the whole of love come on me suddenly
when I am sad and feel you are far away?

The book fell that always closed at twilight
and my blue sweater rolled like a hurt dog at my feet.

Always, always you recede through the evenings
toward the twilight erasing statues.

"Take Me To Jesus In Tulle...Please?"

Today was a day of firsts for me. It was my first time in the McQueen thigh-high leather bondage boots. Needless to say, it was epic. They were everything I had expected and more. I believe my exact words to Emily, The Wild Magazine's fashion editor, were that I wanted to “meet Jesus totally covered in tulle, sporting these crotch-high iconic boots." I figure its only fitting to show him who I truly am. I could have toned down my “take me to Jesus” chant every time I caught a glimpse of my reflection, but it just felt so right. It was also one of my first times having to articulate my fashion views on camera as I hosted The Wild Magazine beauty report at Mahna Mahna Showroom in Soho (the pressure was on). Here is a sneak peek! 


© 2006 WMG Like A Prayer