March 16, 2010
Role models
I grew up in the era of the supertopmodels of the world, and I suspect that's why at some point I became fed up with them and grew to dislike the modeling profession a bit. Then the anonymous models from the East invaded everything, and I fell into the mistaken belief that the photographer is everything and the model is merely a tool, like styling or set design. Time has proven me wrong, showing me firsthand that, while it's true that to look good in a photo, the most important thing is a good photographer to guide you, a good model is everything. In a photoshoot, she will give you play and help your story shine, or she will ruin it if she can't go beyond her pretty face. In a fashion show, she will make the clothes stand out and bring them to life, or she will carry them down the runway as if they were too big for her. It depends on her, on whether she believes in what she's doing or if it's clear she doesn't enjoy it.
At Cibeles, the organization itself is responsible for recruiting the group of models who will walk in each edition of the catwalk. From this group, each designer then chooses those who best fit the vision they have in mind. More curvaceous or more androgynous, all with Mediterranean features or all with Nordic features, all of the same height or it doesn't matter because they are all dressed in costumes... it depends on what each designer is looking for.
Among all the beautiful faces, in each edition of Cibeles, there are usually a couple of star signings that stand out from the rest.
This year, model Iris Strubegger particularly shone for me. She has graced the covers of Vogue Paris, Vogue Spain, and has starred in countless campaigns and editorials, including the controversial one about the public nudity in the city of Barcelona organized by V Magazine. She didn't quite win me over until I saw her in person; she's stunning, with a strong body and features, sculpted on elf-like skin, and when she locks eyes, I can only nod from the stands.
Godeliv is always one of my favorites; I love how she walks, how she sways, those hips moving from side to side with elegance but marking the pace well, she has a legion of admirers among photographers. I don't understand why she wasn't in more shows.
Arantxa Santamaría is the Greek goddess gracing this month's cover of Vogue Greece and the queen of runway acting, with her expressions and gestures; she doesn't hold back, she gives it her all, and I think if she were given free rein, she could even recite while walking.
Sheila Márquez, I have the feeling that her face has features from various cultures. Another great penetrating gaze.
I really liked the model casting done by Hannibal Laguna, but I believe the fabric selection wasn't as successful; there was something odd about the shimmers.
I really like Clara Alonso. I first photographed her in the summer and was captivated by her. Basically, she's good, really good, incredibly good, and since the photo I took of her at María Barrós's show isn't very flattering, I'm stealing one from Fernando Mañas where she looks more like herself.
Marina Pérez, this woman whose trademark is deep dark circles proudly displayed (she is my role model, making peace with my dark circles) surprises me because she has a great capacity for transformation. If she has to look bad, she is terrible, and if she has to look delicate, she is extremely delicate. A true professional.
Ana Locking's fashion show
Teresa Helbig's fashion show
But without a doubt, the one who stands out as my current favorite (after Mayte de la Iglesia, who has a permanent plot in my heart) is Marina Jamieson. What an incredibly, incredibly friendly woman! She seems unreal; it can't be that she laughs so much, that she's so pleasant, and above all, that she loves military jackets. That's right, she stopped Xavi and me backstage because she loved our jackets. A while later, we loved her and her friend Rocío Mena, of whom I don't have photos but whom I can tell you is the partner with whom Marina has embarked on a new digital magazine venture, Moose Magazine.
Photo by XaviWorld. La Condesa's Beatle Military Jacket
Marina and Rocío's approach in founding the magazine was to convey the message that "fashion and art are within you. And only an opportunity is needed to express it, that opportunity is in MOOSE".
Don't miss the magazine because it features exceptional contributors:
Clara Alonso on the cover
Marina Jamieson, editor and model
Godeliv, protagonist of one of the editorials
And Arantxa Santamaría as a photographer in this one
And Arantxa Santamaría as a photographer in this one
It's clear, the gods create them and MOOSE brings them together.