Model of the Month...October

Yes, I know October's not over yet, but I've been really impatient. Lakshmi Menon has made a big splash in the fashion industry recently due to both her ethnic beauty and unique look. Born in 1981 in Bangalore, India, Lakshmi began modeling in 2006 in her native country. Within that first year, she nabbed the cover of the premiere issue of Indian Vogue alongside Gemma Ward. A year ago this month, she walked in the spring Hermes and John Paul Gaultier shows. This year, Lakshmi replaced Daria Werbowy as the face of Hermes, signed with Ford, opened the fall Givenchy couture show, and walked for D&G, Givenchy, Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, and Stella McCartney. If this is only the beginning, we can't wait to see what happens next! That's why Lakshmi Menon is our Model of the Month. Congrats!

Put Together

Since I've (sadly) only posted 1 "Put Together" before this one, I've decided to make the first ever "Mostly Model's Guide to Model Dressing". It'll include basic tips for dressing like the high-fashion models: make-up tips, formal event dressing, incorporating model staples into everyday wear, and everything you'll need (besides buying the clothes and make-up of course) to be effortlessly cool backstage at a runway show or anytime!

Keep checking back to see more progress reports on the project and to check out our other blogs.

But while you're waiting, here's a fabulously dressed Natalia Vodianova to give you some inspiration in the meantime. 

Photo of the Week

Photo: Gemma Ward

Challenge... Male Interaction

Almost every cycle of ANTM has had some sort of challenge with guys - except ours has a lot less awkward drama in it, so it might be slightly more enjoyable!

Eliminated last post: Coco Rocha :(

Here are our models and their men (in order):

Kasia Struss - w/ Tyler Riggs, a matching pair
Iekeliene Stange - w/ ?, well suited
Irina Lazareanu - w/ Sean Lennon, children of rock
Anabela Belikova - w/ ?,? and?, muted foursome
Jourdan Dunn - w/ Peter Som, the designer and his muse

Who will be eliminated? Who will move on to the next round? Who knows! Stay tuned to see who packs their bags and goes home.

Headlines

- Male model Randy Johnston (born in 1988) passed away on October 11th. One of his last projects was a spread in the recent i-D magazine with model Lara Stone. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. 

- "Kate Moss: The Movie? A group of Hollywood producers wants to make a movie about Moss and her Primrose Hill pals Sienna Miller, Sadie Frost, Rhys Ifans and company.
Apparently the filmmakers on board for this project are the same ones who brought us Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up and Superbad. Let's take a look at the movie-friendly themes that the life of Kate Moss has to offer:

Overcoming adversity: Moss, a dwarf of a model at 5'6", is currently the second-highest paid model in the world
Becoming an icon: In the '90s, the fashion world was addicted to heroin chic, and Moss was its pale-skinned, dark-eyed, bony beauty.
Getting caught in a drug scandal: Throughout her career, Moss has faced rumors of drug. use. In 2005 London's Daily Mirror published [photos] of Moss with her nose hovering perilously close to some lines of cocaine. Controversy ensued.

Making a comeback: Somehow the whole cocaine scandal thing did eventually, um, blow over.

Dating rock stars: Moss was briefly engaged to Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty [and is currently dating Jamie Hince of The Kills]."

Photo of the Week

Photo: Christy Turlington

Challenge... Candid Humour

True, this have never really been an ANTM challenge, but we wanted to make one up of our own! We always notice these candid, off-runway shots of these models, but never thought much of it until now. So here they are; our always entertaining models, in a different element. This is also our first tandem model photo, with Kasia and Anabela. Don't forget to comment on who you think should stay and who's bringing out the crickets.

Eliminated from the last post: Crystal Renn :(

Our models (in order):

Iekeliene Stange, the cat lover 

Irina Lazareanu, the hat tipper 

Jourdan Dunn, the flying model 

Kasia Struss (left) and Anabela Belikova (right), the muching twosome 

Coco Rocha, the shocker 

Who will be eliminated? Who will move on to the next round? Who knows! Stay tuned to see who packs their bags and goes home.

Challenge... Extreme Beauty

In Cycle 10, the model hopefuls were photographed in an "extreme" beauty shoot, and today our already established models are doing the same. Don't forget to comment on who you think should stay and who's taken thing to a new extreme.

Eliminated from the last post: Lily Cole :(

Here's are our models stretched to the extreme (in order):

Jourdan Dunn - Darker Shades

Anabela Belikova - Clean Amy

Kasia Struss - Arch 'Em High

Crystal Renn - Food Fight

Irina Lazareanu - Raccoon Eyes

Iekeliene Stange - Seeing Triple

Coco Rocha - Gentleman's Quarterly

Who will be eliminated? Who will move on to the next round? Who knows! Stay tuned to see who packs their bags and goes home.

News

I decided to honour all the runway shoe-induced slip ups this season with this look back at the most memorable tumbles: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2007/08/great_moments_in_schadenfreude_1.html

Enjoy!