Triumphant Discovery of the Week: GRAND OPENING, LA Style House. 10.23.11.

[LOS ANGELES]: RSVP now! Clean out your closet for a good cause!

RSVP@thelaststylehouse.com

When: Sunday, 10.23.11

Where: LA Style House Boutique. 1010 Wilshire Blvd, #114. Los Angeles, CA, 90017.

Time: 6pm-10pm.

LA Fashion House and 1010 Wilshire LLC are hosting their first annual Fashion Soiree to benefit the following non-profit organizations: Women Alive Coalition INC., New Heritage INC., & Helen Agnes all of which aide women and children who are affected by HIV/AIDS. This event will consist of a clothing drive, silent auction, $5 red ribbon/wristband donations, complimentary food and drinks, live entertainment, a photobooth, free styling consultations, and gift cards from participating salons. All while soaking in panoramic views of Downtown LA and giving back!

Guest check-in will take place at LA Style House(1010 Wilshire Blvd, #114. Los Angeles, CA, 90017). The main event will take place on their award winning rooftop at 1010 Wilshire.

*All clothes will be donated to Women Alive Coalition Inc. (Non Profit Organization who help Women and Children affected by HIV/AIDS)

The Scoop: Nineteen74.com, Globalize Fashion.

Enticingly creative, climatic, and culturally attractive, Nineteen74.com indubitably feed my mind the identical retrospect to that of an artisans paradise. You know, those collective hardware shops with rows and rows of artistic tools that enforce our right for some good ole' creative expression. Inspirational escapes that are merely in place to seal in all the individualism and creative juice required for us to justify our art forms. Nineteen74.com ultimately boils to life that illustrious pot you've always wanted, every artist just as innovative as can be and unknowingly bridging the gap between global arena and local spectrum. Those of us that sign-up are granted the opportunity to stay afloat with international users and benefit from the reality that we're all just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from Vogue-worthy collaboration.

 Above: A sample of my personalized Nineteen74.com homepage.

Nineteen74.com influences what I call 'The Advancement Obsessed Go-getters of Fashion'(AOGF) that long awaited opportunity to roll over in a reign of new repertoire. Fundamental, underground, and non-nuisanced, they are a new fashion media platform covertly being utilized for networking, partnerships, launching projects, and a host of other things absolutely for FREE.

With our industry, idea's and creative influences continuing to broaden, I've realized that so must my accessibility to other worldly regions. Especially when the new regions I anticipate on successfully infiltrating don't always move and groove with whats popular in the America's. Nineteen74's systematic approach to such a complex blueprint makes way for users to mingle with just the right amount of professional profiles that they need to. Thusfar I've connected with a glorious amount of movers and shakers within these globalized grounds. Including, but not limited to one of our fabulous and uber skilled contributors Ms. Lily Tan Niu of London, England. Many industry people have frowned in disapproval and even blacklisted some professionals when they make it clear that they utilize these websites. Yet let me make myself clear, if it weren't for these websites and their endorsements of brand development, productivity, and the importance of network based opportunity's then I would have never learned the cycle of career building. The transparent downside to these skill-filled havens are their obvious lack of concern over whom they allow membership, though Nineteen74 tends to hold a natural hierarchy via their obvious appeal to some very established and high-quality participants. This lead by example strategy discourages any 'Mayhem' that attempts to spill over from other websites and also protects the globalized initiative of Nineteen74 from becoming downplayed by mediocrity. Yet smack in the middle of this high-fructose corn-syrup of an artist's tool, Nineteen74.com is also backed by an unconventionally easy-going format as well as their very own international publication! Created by the eclectic energy of Nineteen74.com, Schon Magazine is the voluptuous mountain top of inspiration that your career is just itching to discover.


For your very own Scoop of Schon! Magazine and Nineteen74, step into their vision here: Nineteen74.com.

ROBBED: London model firm Premier Models Management gets raided!

Wow, and to think I was just sitting in the office of these fierce folks about a month ago in regards to representation interest. As of now, it might not be such a bad idea that I didn't end up signing a contract with them :/. Check it out what I read in the London Evening Standard yesterday:

"Celebrities may have had their persona details stolen by thieves who broke into the London offices of a modeling agency. The gang raided Premier Model Management in Covent Garden which represents Myleene Klass, Nadine Coyle, Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowden and Holly Valance.

There are fears that stolen documents could reveal home addresses, bank details and phone numbers. Thousands of pounds' of jewelry and valuables were also taken on February 16th. A spokesman for the firm said: "Four masked men battered their way into the safe, which contained some highly confidential documents and a quantity of valuables."
         A company insider told the Daily Mirror: "We don't know exactly how much information the thieves got hold of yet but we're worried it could include really personal details about our biggest clients. Some of the information we store can be very sensitive and concerns some very well known fashion and modeling personalities, so the most confidential documents are always kep under lock and key in a safe at the office. "Somehow the thieves managed to force their way into our safe so everyone here is now on maximum alert about what we keep hold of and shredding anything that isn't needed." A police spokesman said: "There was a burglary at 2:49am on February 16 at the premises on Parker Street. Camden burglary squad is investigating and there have been no arrests." -Peter Dominiczak


Interesting story yet it definitely has my eyebrows raised higher then a horses hamstring. I mean think about it,who the hell just robs a modeling agency? Sounds like the Premier Models office will be rather tense for a few weeks. Aspiring models, don't even bother hitting their open call for quite a while.

...and so much for our friend Naomi Campbell collecting all that un-paid royalty's she was supposedly suing them for. 


Holla,
Triumph

The Scoop: Zoli Models, The Click you never knew.

Sheww, bare with me ya'll. My initial plan for February was to do a black history posting once a day, yet as I live the life of the traveling model and blogger my time just does not allow. Meetings, events, long-lost friend reunions, etc- just not enough time in the day! Not to mention an article of such depth requires lots of research. However, today I finally bring you the story about a powerhouse modeling agency in the 70's & 80's that has truly inspired me, Zoli Models.

Owned and directed by former male model  Zoltan "Zoli" Rendessy(pictured left), Zoli Models was a small but powerful agency in the 1970's which lasted throughout the 80's and into the early 90's. Zoli himself was a kind, ethnic loving Hungarian man. Was he a black man? No, but clearly a man that had a great love for showcasing the beauty of blacks. Hence the editorial "tearsheet" below, Zoli represented the best models of the 70's and 80's including Pat Cleveland, Mounia, and Alva Chinn, all notable muses of design legend Yves Saint Laurent. Mounia being Ysl's first black model ever.

Nonetheless, Zoli's male model board stood out as elitist as it's female's with the impeccably suave gentlemen of Rashid Silvera, Ben Lawson, and Renauld White. Zoli obviously being responsible for Renaulds timeless GQ shoot which honed him the first black male model to grace it's cover in 1979. Though swiss-born actor Urs Althaus was the actual first black man to appear on GQ's cover in 1977, it was Renaulds cover to become widely recognized as that barrier breaking boost that all the black male models needed. Also opening the door for agency mate Rashid Silvera's GQ cover for it's April 1983 issue. By 1975, the Budapest-born Zoltan Rendessy was raking in an estimated $1.5 million a year from supplying fashion photographers and casting directors with 'Vogue-approved' fresh faces. A skill that would be priceless today thanks be to what the industry standards have depleted to. Back in the day, Zoli models was especially responsible for supplying the freaky, funky, and far-out varieties. They even represented the famed artist Andy Warhol and actress Apollonia Von Ravenstein as "Special Booking's" throughout the 80's.

Left, Right On! teen magazine features some of Zoli's superstar models. (Clockwise) Angelita, Pat Cleveland, Yvette Flowers, Renauld White, Ben Lawson, Robert Chace.
 Right-on!, is an African-American teen magazine which has since drastically changed to a more colorful, teeny bopped format post 90's. Color-crazed and celebrity enthused, even I collected Right-on! as a kid which has ultimately caused this article to drill me with awe. The magnitude of this article's timeless logic wouldn't dare flow with the highly glossed and glamorized pages of their current day issues.

Above,  Zoltan(middle) amongst other models in his Midtown East headquarters. Pat Cleveland(bottom center) was one of his top earning models.

'Zoli' and his relentless hawking of his models knew no business hours. His headquarters and home was a five-story brownstone in Manhattan's East 60s, which also served as a bunkhouse for models when they first landed in New York. There were no weird sex parties or messing around, though it was the setting for some of Manhattan's trendiest parties with a VIP mixture of models were anyone from Woody Allen, Bianca Jagger, Robert Altman, Faye Dunaway, and Sue Mengers showed face. Zoli's home was the epitome of today's modern model flat mixed with a little 'Studio 54' flavoring.

Then sadly in 1982, the founder and President of Zoli models, Mr. Zoltan Rendessy himself passed away from Lymphoma. At the time of his death, Zoltan's multi-million dollar agency was split between his top six employees including his senior booking agents Barbara Lantz, Victoria Pribble, and Tom Laspina. Barbara Lantz took over as President only to eventually sued by Tom Laspina for 27 million dollars over share disputes.

Zoli Models today: The Zoli Models legacy and historic foundation now quietly resides within one of today's most beloved top agency's, Click Model Management. Through the successful merging of these two agency's in 2001, Click retained it's catchy name but adopted Zoli's full service Hair/Makeup and Styling division entitled 'Illusions'.

With offices worldwide and a board of over 1000 models, Click stays true to it's own high-end Americanized standard. A more far-fetched "safe" zone from the original Zoli Models vision.  Click Model Management focuses primarily on Women, Men, Plus Size, Runway, Showroom and FIT models as well as Television Commercials. Barbara Lantz and Victoria Pribble the successors of Zoli Models are now successful entrepreneurs. Memorable muses Alva Chinn and Pat Cleveland have continued to work with Supermodel Iman and legendary agent Bethann Hardison as apart of the 'Black Girls Coalition' which positions industry insiders to change racial status quota's in the fashion industry.

Click Model Management continues to represent a plethora of African and Caribbean descent models today, yet not nearly as many as the renowned Zoli Models.



*Shout-outs to www.modelscomposites.com for the old school comp cards as well as Panchereport for the back-in-the-day industry scoop. *Duplication or re-publication of this story without The Triumphant Scoops consent is prohibited.



Historically,

Tony Triumph

Introducing: Ken Kamara

Boy have the British embraced me quite admirably. About two weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot with a pretty dope editorial photographer by the name of Ken Kamara. With barely a stylist and no makeup artist, we simply "made it work". One thing I love about this place is that everyone, no matter what level of experience, is structured and maintains professional demeanor's when conducting business. "No ego's here", said the industry professionals. Folks that knuckle-up and handle their business never fail.

Check us out below! Cheers!

Photographer: Ken Kamara
Website: www.kenkamara.com
Contact: info@kenkamara.com

Peace,

TRIUMPH!

Famewhoring: A new Aphrodisiac....

....and the death of a legitimate celebrity.

His name, those ego's, her indescribable desire for that trendsetting glam shot on a mainstream blog. The anxiety of becoming a celebrity has consumed society like spoiled milk.

Please, give my kindest regards to your infatuations while they support our desires for the smoothest ride to a legendary status. How the hell are 'celebrity's' being born a mile a minute? The pot's a simmering and Mrs. Narcissism has a fresh batch of her 'self-righteous soup' boiling over. Ragged reality show stars run the town now, and the real VIP's know it. But hopefully the self-righteous soup sippers don't get too excited, because if nobody watches the sex tape that they're hoping, praying will turn them famous then bye-bye to all of those next-top-Kardasians. And now that there are more then enough of them for us to pick and choose whose reality show we wish to watch, whose album we wanna buy, and whose twitter rants we wish to follow, the real stars are going broke quicker then they dare to know whats really good. Talk about a shift in power! You've gotta' be kidding me. And don't forget about the mirages of D-list celebrity's from these numerous reality shows that have inspired regular folks to perform endless publicity stunts. Things that deliberately screw-up their perfectly moral lives in efforts to make a name for themselves, just like their new idols.

Well, self exaltation lives on in 2010(and beyond) like never before. Day and night, night and day, the fame obsessed don't seem to be resting their wanders. Headlined by fabulosity, red carpet photos and those obnoxious, ego-centric status updates splash society's interest like a stampede. Andy Warhol couldn't be more of a prophetic genius as we all sit and watch his catchy terminology stampede into a modern prophecy.  Transitions into celeb living looks as if it's so seamless. With society like a fuel guzzling SUV, there's plenty of gas to go around via the media giving us plethora's of ways to 'fill-up' and support the cause. Twitter heads and Facebook junky's aren't always the common contenders though, glamorous club kids make statements all on their own. I attest, I was once one. Aspiring models, movie stars and and America's next-top-whatever's appreciate the artistry of this vain movement. Clueless to the misdemeanor crimes that they're committing on the mentality of society, these idiotic hordes are using what they 'think' they've got to get what they 'wish' they had. Clearly, were going after more then just our piece of the pie. There's a new orgasm running this town with hardly any of us getting turned down. Mrs. Narcissism flips us upside down, burns ours morals to the ground and then lays us out to drown. All of this, just to be the talk of the town.

Well, to each it's own.

Triumph

Fashion Week, smashes the week!

September 9th-17th, 2010. Welcome to an awe-inspiring world where name-brand emblems standout more then magazine editors and dozens of stylish fashionista's sash-shay all around New York City to attend various runway shows, exhibitions and fashions presentations. International models invade and strut the city with their portfolio books, only to tower over pedestrians and win over the admiration of clueless tourist. Fashion Week- The bible of business to fashion folk, most scurry around tirelessly in regards to cartel matters.  Additional day players chalk-up on the opportunity for a new experience, while locals merely engulf the city into a spectator's arena of medium sized crowds and mobs. Most participants deeply moved by the possibility of landing on a fabulous fashion blog such as "The Fashion Bomb Daily", =D. All while chilling outside of New York Fashion weeks latest venue, The Lincoln Center.

My Editor's pick's from the runway arena(thus-far)...=D. Christian Siriano and Tommy Hilfiger rocked it out as my fav's!

World famous designer pocketbooks and pumps disguise celebrity's and fashion icons like Milla Jovovich, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blidge, Naomi Campbell, The Olsen Twins and countless others from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet. Trendy namedropping and catchy terminology for some of us that's just as new and 'boujey' sounding as a french cigar. Fashion Week, a place for event crashers and club kids to finally laugh at the pompous and the proud. We also share this week with subconscious memory's that stir emotions, none that go hand-in-hand with the festiveness of NYFW. In the midst of the 9 year anniversary to jackasses who high-jacked four airliners and slammed them into various US landmarks, we most importantly show our patronage to this country but also, to our love for fashion. An unpredictable 7 day parade of theatrics and themes that sometimes tell a deep story, this time of year pretty much sums it up as the 'final examination' for designers. If these multitudes of million dollar fashion presentations get noticed, it is then that the mass production begins and you and your girlfriends get to play dress-up in Macy's.

Be on the look-out for spontaneous updates throughout my week within the mayhem. I'll be running all over the city. ;-)


Fashionably late,(as always)

Tony Triumph

Kanye's Shower of 'Power'.

Power- it is energy, authority, force, and momentum. Divinity. For musician Kanye West, "Power", the latest installation to his growing movement of controversy, possesses every element of a dominating capacity. This video, or should I say painting is becoming a movement, the talk of the town. Quite indifferent, the properties within this artistic piece barely holds any actual "movement" to begin with. Visitors of NYC's 'Boom Boom Room' probably found the Power video to speak quite a similar volume to the enchanting 'Civilization' painting which rests abode the posh elevator inside of The Standard Hotel. 'Civilization' is an eye-catching, theatrical painting which cast a dreamy effect of heaven and hell upon it's viewers. It was ultimately created by Marco Brambilla, the same visual artist and director behind 'Power'.

We spent hours in hair and makeup and then all of sudden at 5 o'clock Kanye decided to change the whole direction and make the painting resemble Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

 Flocks of people support 'Power' while plenty hate it, and some even curse it stating that Kanye West has completely lost his mind through this peculiar portrayal of  his "demonic supremacy". 'Power' reminds me of one of those magical, mystical paintings that rest above a fireplace in someones million dollar home with a huge set of eyes that follow you around the room no matter which way you go. Full of mystery, this 'Power' piece could without a doubt live inside of the Clash of the Titans movie or a Harry Potter epic.

 If you haven't seen the video you can peep it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L53gjP-TtGE

Truly, this video is symbolic and controversial and for those of you who have studied ancient and Greek mythology, it is subliminally devoted to a strange celestial influence. My sentiment of "Power" was that it is timeless and visually enchanting but as a whole, spooky as all hell. His lyrics never got much attention from me so I would've never thought to prepare myself for a presentation of this nature for this song. Yet in terms of this song and related performances, I knew exactly what the video would give in observation to that semi-diabolic opening performance of his at this years BET awards. You can view my story on that here: http://www.triumphantdiscovery.com/2010/06/2010-bet-awards-spectacular.html

Well by the time Friday evening scurried along I was helping host a trendy little loft party in Soho. It was only a few hours after I had seen 'Power' for the first time and began writing the above segment. That night I ran into fashion model and friend, Mari Malek who eventually declared to me that she took part in the actual video production two months ago. She was more then happy to share with me her first hand insight of the video production, what it was like working with Kanye and her views on the 'Power' music video. Wine in hand, we projected our conversation atop of the 'Power'-ful house party jams.

Triumph: You guys saw the 'Power' video, right? Please tell me that you saw it.
Mari: Yea, lol. I was actually in the video. I was one of the flying goddesses.

Triumph: Oh wow, really? When did you shoot that?
Mari: Yea we shot it about two months ago. It was crazy.

Triumph: Did you cast for it?
Mari: Yea. Kanye pretty much booked us all based upon our own individual looks and uniqueness. It was nine models total. Including myself, Diandra Forrest and Jessica White.

Triumph: Oh wow, I would've never guessed that you and Jessica were in the video. I couldn't recognize any of the featured models. The only one I was able to recognize was the albino young lady, Diandra. How was it working with him? Was he cautious as to not allow any of you all outshine him?
Mari: No, not at all. He was so on-point and professional with everything. He was actually walking around pre-approving everything and everybody before we shot. He's a perfectionist, I had no problem working with him.

Triumph: Now in the midst of all of this controversy surrounding the video, are you happy you aren't one of the more 'recognizable' creatures?
Mari: Well, no not really because their were a lot of us- like I said nine total, and we had no idea how the final outcome would be. Nobody had no idea what was going on. When they booked us we were told that we would be portraying Egyptian goddesses. We spent hours in hair and makeup and then all of sudden at 5 o'clock Kanye decided to change the whole direction and make the painting resemble Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. And Kanye actually liked Diandra's hair the way it was when she came to set so he had her playing Hathor, she had on those horns as you can see. When the 5 O'clock switch came Jessica and I became the flying, possessed models but they still made Diandra keep on her horns.The other models were the goddesses of love or assassins.


Triumph: How do you feel about the way that you were portrayed? You know, with the implied nudity and all?
Mari: Well I am a model and at the end of the day we were meant to look however the client choose for us to look based upon whatever the concept was.

Triumph: How was it shot? You worked off of a green screen right?
Mari: Yea, we each shot our parts individually. Kanye was the creator, he represented power and so did the women. He was immortal, then he became mortal. That's why the man and the woman at the end were trying to kill him.

After a decent 20 minute conversation I decided I'd had enough information for a good story and tried changing the subject.
Triumph: So, how was you all's day? What did you do earlier?
Mari: *Laughs* Talked about this damn video, all day!
*Group laugh*

Peace, Power and Positivity!

Triumph

Special Feature: The FIMM pt 1.

Writing is my piece- my true release of visions, views and truest formulation of my logic. 8-) All in all, this writing is merely a collaboration of my own opinions and feelings and is in no way, shape or form intended to offend or upset anyone. It is an informative article generated to spark interest and discussion. Enjoy. ;-)"
-Tony T.

The Fashion Industry's Modeling Mystery

,
The fashion industry's model mystery is becoming absolutely HISTORY. Adios to the pro's and hola' to the aspires. Every moment I focus my eyes, loosen my ears and zippen' my lips- I recognize the flood of anxious races, eager to pierce this industry and become the next top fiercest, this person, that persons biggest, baddest, yes- you've guessed it- MODEL.

The overpopulation of models in our first decade of the 21st century is merely unimaginable. Back during the 60's, 70's, 80's and even the 90's--there was such a shortage of models, especially models of color. Now their are an overflow of second Naomi Campbell's, Kate Moss' and Eva the Diva's with EVERYBODY motivated by nobody other then Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model. With Top Model adding the most fuel to the fire, with its primary audience geared at girls between the ages of 13-21, Tyra Banks is one of the many people that has this industry barfing with bitterness and placed it with an excess of anxious hopefuls. But what our beloved young lady's and gentlemen haven't taught themselves is that it is far more to becoming a reputable model then being the flyest in your school, hiring a photographer to take photos of you and participating in amateur fashion shows. Nonetheless, these aren't even close to the basics. Modeling is an Art, a craft. Not what our, "snap your fingers" fierce readers want to hear, no. Yet a model is comparable to pure clay or even children's "Play-doe". Clay that is more about being molded, conforming, adaptation, preservation, quality and developing inner beauty while showcasing your natural attributes in collaboration with another artist- rather then forcing yourself to strut harder then Naomi Campbell.

None the less, there are over all an entire increase to the industry with shows like "Bravo's, Project Runway" inspiring every needle and threading knitter to be the next Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen. Thank the Lord! This means an increase in runway jobs, look books and advertisements, Hallelujah! But is it enough to sustain and bring a balance to our industry? Not to mention that reality shows actually promote the illusion of glamor, fame and fortune right along with our media which is after all, the biggest bad ass of this whole situation. And you would think, wouldn't our world want more models of color and distinctive races piercing the industry? Yes, I do- but if their aren't an equivalent amount of "professional" outlets for us to succeed, it simply compares to an unemployment rate. I asked a friend, Jalika Gaskin signed with Q models in New York and Elite models in Miami, also recently featured on the cover of CLAM magazine and The Italian Vogue's All black issue, her views of my epic:

"Frankly, I don't think reality TV brought any of the girls who 'have it' inspiration, only those who never did and suddenly think 'cute mall girls' can do it too. I think this whole overflow is best explained in two ways. There is a shortage of funds and secrecy in the fashion industry. The lack of those two--once integral-- components of the fashion industry is hurting its value. We're part of a disillusioned generation run by another generation that no longer believes in anything." I must say, Jalika's response was genius. I value an intelligent model. Press, Media and Television endeavors are overly publicizing the secrets that built this fashion industry, thus allowing "modeling" to graduate on from an actual career option to merely just a trend. Ultimately, it is allowing this industry to crash and loose its value.

Next I asked a hometown friend, Kyla Taylor her views when this article was still in its draft stages. Her response was a tad bit different:

"Ok, so I'm going be really honest. Reading some parts of this you do come off a little cocky, and the tone kinda' gives off a 'I'm better than you are' attitude. Though I agreed with a lot of things that you said. I remember when I was really young and still in Trinidad, there was a model that I used to imitate, I thought of her as this 'amazing' being. And I knew that at this young age that I wanted to be a model. But now as you know I have almost lost my aspiration to become a model, and that's because being a model isn't looked upon as 'amazing' or selective anymore."


Lavishing upon quotes, next comes the beloved, legendary booking agent, Bethann Hardison when she stood strong with her disinterest in many of the new faces from the 21st century overflow, including then newcomer Chanel Iman. Her statement followed suit of The New York Observer's questioning of Chanel being the only black model to land the cover of 2007's new faces issue of vogue. "I don't think she's exciting!" Said Bethann. "Get me as controversial as you want, because that's who I am! I think she's very childlike. I like her—I think she's a very wonderful little girl—but there's no one exciting out there right now." I respectively love Bethann for her contributions to this industry therefore I believe her words have formulated with a highly respectable regard to the inappropriate validation of several newcomers and the lack of intrigue within their overall "look". It all follows suit to the mutating pathways that lead to our fashion industry's standard. I personally assert that her quote meant nothing more then, "find me somebody just as strong or stronger in presence and uniqueness as Tyson and Naomi, then I'll endorse them- and get excited." Not to mention, "when the industry regains its exclusivity and high standard- then let me know."

When I was a child I drew to modeling so much because I adored being distinct, praised, eccentricity and seeing the beauty of a completed project where I had put my best art skills to work. In modeling, this comparison is given to the outcome of a photo shoot or such. I started professional modeling in 2006, the year before the overflow began(in my opinion), which gave me a good year to roar ahead of the soar of newcomers that would flock to major city's in 2007. Not to say that I'm stuck in a rut, but it has been a challenge to remain stable and keep it trucking up my career ladder with so many new faces and races pushing for the #1 spot and still living my everyday life. Just imagine if Naomi would have made her debut in 2006 as opposed to 1986, when she graced the covers of Elle and Vogue magazines. Her household name would be un-heard of and the beauty and talents that highlighted her rise to the top, well- would clearly be over-looked.


This is only pt 1.- Stay tuned,

Once again: this writing is merely just a collaboration of my own opinions and feelings and is in no way, shape or form intended to offend or upset anyone. It is an informative article generated to spark interest and discussion. Please, feel free to email me or post your opinions accordingly.

Sincerely concerned,

Tony Triumph ;)

Sex, money, drugs, alcohol, Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, lights, camera, action......

......but what about, JESUS!?
The Difficulties of being a Christian in the Fashion world.


Sex, money, drugs, alcohol, Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, lights, camera, action,.......Isn't something missing?


It seems like religion is for the poor and unfortunate, the weak and the wretched. Who needs the word of God when your young, stunning and fabulous. You're on a high. You're tall, beautiful, thin and popular. You're at the hottest clubs, hottest events- everyone envies you. You have the worlds stamp of approval for "Physical Perfection". You're forced to put on this constant front when you know deep down inside you're just as vulnerable and human as that homeless man you just walked past while exiting the subway. You don't think twice about him 'cause you're dressed from head to toe in "Forever 21" holding your knock off Louie' clutch on your way to "Tenjune". Your head is so far up your own ass that you can't even smell how full of shit you and everyone around you really are. In actuality, you need God more than that homeless man. He's in the mits of his reality check and you've yet to get yours.


Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with partying and looking amazing but its when you get so caught up in thinking designer labels is all you need to survive- that's when the problem begins. It's when you become completely oblivious to the world around you and you think you have on some, "I'm fabulous- fuck everybody" shield- that's where the issue is. The fashion world is filled with unconscious excitement. There is no "excuse me", "I'm sorry". You just push past the crowd like a Diva, they should feel fortunate to get stepped on by your YSL heels. It's not until the night is over and you get home, lay in your bed and your mind starts to wander. The emptiness hits you like a ton of bricks. You're wondering why you're feeling so alone all of a sudden. Shit, you should be on cloud 9- you just partied with Diddy and Britney. Free drinks, VIP, cameras flashing, total excitement. Yet you can't escape that feeling of something is missing. You can't talk to your "friends" about it, they are all in the same denial you're in. So every night you continue to bury your problems and insecurities in endless glasses of cheap vodka and concentrated cranberry juice. The fashion world has become an escape for young people. Those who couldn't fit in during high school or have problems at home, or just plain hate them selves can parade around in a world where being your self and being real doesn't matter. Just look the part. No one cares about your feelings, your life or your problems. Let's just be emotionless zombies- the pain and suffering of the real world can't penetrate us 'cause we are Fierce!

I guess it would be kind of hard to be a Christian with nothing but superficial fun all around you. It's hard to be vulnerable in a world like this where love and compassion doesn't seem to exist. We all want the same things but instead of coping with life, facing our problems head on and helping one another, we'd rather tear each other down to get to the "top". Being a Christian is about coping with life in a healthy way. Living life with balance. The Bible teaches you how to handle those unforeseen circumstances that make

you want to give up. It teaches you how to respect yourself and treat thy friends and family with respect also. How to have peace of mind and keep pushing forward when things go wrong. It's ok to be in the fashion world but stay in touch with the inner you. Be humble, be human- 'cause once the invites stop and the champagne don't pop, what will you do? God will always be there to listen and his word is there to walk you through.

-Thoughts by Liz Coicou