Models.com Model Style Interview with Fei Fei Sun

Full Interview can be seen at models.com

Jeans - Zara, Coat -Burberry, Bag – Proenza Schouler:


With her effervescent personality and one of a kind look, Fei Fei Sun has become one of the most coveted girls of the moment. Her face can be seen in the pages of fashion bibles like Vogue Italia, V and i-D, but when she isn’t bringing designer creations to life, Fei Fei is just a normal girl who loves shopping, traveling and learning more about her new hometown.

MDC: I know you’ve been in New York for 6 months, how has it been for you so far?:

Fei Fei: Amazing! New York is a very crazy city and a new home for me. This is my first time in New York, and everything for me is new. I’m still learning everything, like how to go to the subways and supermarkets, my new agency here. When I’m working, I’m meeting new friends, and learning about the new everything with New York, good shops and good restaurants, and which food is New York people’s favorite. I’m learning that the New York City feeling is a lot like Shanghai, very young.

MDC: What do you like when you’re shopping?

Fei Fei: I like simple clothes in simple colors; white, black, with just a little color here and there. I like going to Topshop, H+M, Zara because it is nice and cheap, and sometimes Barneys for really nice bags and nice shoes. I like clothes with clean shapes. It is fun going to vintage shops with my friends, but I feel like know very little, I’m still learning about fashion.

MDC: Have you had any really fun experiences modeling recently?

Fei Fei: Modeling for me is such a crazy thing. In New York, everyday I can feel new things coming into my life. I really enjoying working with many different teams, with make up and hair, stylists, and photographers. The people are always very nice and friendly and funny. They’re always full of great ideas. My favorite thing has been changing my eyebrow color and playing with different eyeshadow colors, especially greens, yellows, and other bright colors. I really like the feeling of spring.

All photos Betty and Janelle for models.com.

Close up of Fei Fei’s chic PS1 and boots by Celine:

Daniel Peddle "Backstage" opening reception March 16, 2010

Tuesday March 16
Daniel Peddle “Backstage”
Envoy Enterprises
131 Chrystie Street
Between Delancey and Broome
6-8PM

Interview with Betty Sze: from models.com:

It’s no secret we’re big fans of casting director Daniel Peddle as are some of the biggest clients in the industry. His upcoming show, “Backstage” is reviewed in the latest V Magazine and feature some familiar faces seen in a way not ordinarily viewed. We caught up with Daniel to ask him 3 questions.

MDC: What have you discovered in 8 seasons capturing backstage through this medium?
DP: I started this series in 2006. Backstage is a fascinating ritual to observe, sometimes more so than the fleeting few moments of the actual show. It has been really interesting to try and capture in a painting the role of the model, the center of this flurry of activity.

MDC: Are you ever interested in doing a different medium and if not, why do you prefer watercolors?
It is really not about the paint for me so much as the water!!! We cannot control water, we can only pretend to… I like the challenge of working in such a fluid medium as the work takes on a life of its own. Everything else can be a sticky affair but watercolor is pure to me.

MDC: What are your paints and papers of choice?
Found paper is my favorite! I also like to work off a roll rather than sheets. You have more freedom. As far as the paints go basically I like whatever is on sale in the grab bin!!! For me much of the process of creating art is about embracing accident and chance.

Planet Awesome Kid

Casting Director Julia Samersova recently launched a new blog, Planet Awesome Kid, a more personal Sartorialist for kids:



On June 2, 2009, Betty Sze at Models.com interviewed Julia Samersova:

We ask casting director Julia Samersova / Cast Inc., who just launched her website, 5 questions.

1-Why do you love casting?

The thing I adore about casting the most is finding a raw talent first and watching the model blossom into a star. It is an amazing feeling to know that you possess an eye and have your finger on the pulse of what is to come next. I love meeting all these young kids and listening to their “stories”. I also really love understanding what my clients need and providing them with the best model possible for their brand or project.

2- Name an inspirational person in fashion to you.

My mother. As a hair stylist in the 1980’s, she would always bring home magazines from the salon. Vogue, Harper’s etc. I was a very young girl at the time and fascinated with models. I went on to make HUGE collages out of cut up Vogues. They still hang in my mother’s house. Linda, Christy, Naomi, Cindy, etc. All over the walls. When I applied for an internship at Company Management in 1993, I actually knew how to answer the questions of “who is your favorite photographer and stylist” etc. I owe the worship of models and fashion to my mother and Michael Flutie for hiring a 17 year old girl from Brooklyn. He had a vision and I am eternally grateful to him for my entire career.

3- Favorite new faces of this past season.

Katie Fogarty. Her professionalism and high energy and smile. I just love her and so do all my clients. Tabea Kobach, for her otherworldly presence and eyes. Madisyn Ritland is just gorgeous. Constance Jablonski, because she is a throw back to a real SUPERMODEL. Imogen Morris-Clarke, because she is the epitome of cool to me.

4- All time favorite model.

Renee Simonsen. Because she is the 1st model I was obsessed with when I was very very young and she reminds me of Rianne Ten Haken, who is one of my all time faves. Models who actually knew how to model and gave 100% of themselves every single time. They shine! They are aspirational to women all over the world.

5- In these times of recession, why is it still so important for clients to use a casting director?
Because in the long run, a casting director, with their knowledge and expertise and relationships, can save the client a lot of money by knowing the market place and how to negotiate rates.
Saving a few thousand on a shoot and hiring the wrong model, can end up costing the client thousands in reshoots and production costs. The most important part of casting is not only to find a beautiful face, but a model that can really perform for a client. A good CD should be connected enough and experienced enough where they can recommend only those types of models.

Check out Julia’s brand new websites , Planet Awesome Kid & Castinnyc.com.

Izabel's Mission on Models.com

Betty Sze from Models.com photographed and interviewed Izabel Goulart at the The Fourth Annual D.R.E.a.M.S. in the City event to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute at Capitale at 130 Bowery on Thursday May 7, 2009:


Izabel Goulart. Pic for MDC by Betty



Izabel Goulart is on a misson. The Brazilian beauty has devoted her time and effort to charity work for diabetes and has recently been named the International Ambassador for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). Growing up with a brother who has had the disease since infancy made a strong impact on Goulart and during her speech to the DRI she was visibly moved by his struggles. Naturally, when devotion to a cause is heartfelt it makes giving back all the more meaningful. (See Betty's interview with Izabel below).


Izabel Goulart with Women Model Management agents Christiana and Ali.

Betty Sze: What is it like to have someone you love so much living with diabetes?

Izabel Goulart: Diabetes is a disease that’s had a deep impact on my family. My little brother has had type 1 diabetes since he was a baby and I have spent time learning about the disease and trying to bring attention to it so that one day soon we will reach a cure. I believe that the Diabetes Research Institute will find this cure.

Betty Sze: People have this misconception that diabetes is not as much a “fatal” condition like cancer can be. What’s the biggest hurdle people with diabetes face every day and why is it such a dangerous disease?

Izabel Goulart: Type 1 diabetes can be a very fatal disease. People with type 1 diabetes whose blood sugars are out of balance are at risk of suffering very dire consequences and even if they can avoid that they suffer from infections, loss of vision and many of the same things that plague people with type 2 diabetes which can include loss of limbs, failure of major organs. It goes on and on. What’s so sad about this disease is that it can strike seemingly healthy people, often children as was the case with my brother, and that it’s very hard to control. It’s life changing for the person who gets it and for everyone around them. That’s why I’m working with the Diabetes Research Institute to help find a cure now.

Betty Sze: How do you hope to help by being the “spokesperson” for DRI?

Izabel Goulart: I’ve seen with my own eyes how difficult it is for my brother to live with type 1 diabetes and if I can use my travels and profession to raise awareness for a cure that’s what I want to do. This gives me the opportunity to raise awareness for diabetes research and the Diabetes Research Institute. Anything I can do to spread the message about the DRI’s mission to find a cure will help them. And if I can help the DRI, I can help my brother and millions of others who are waiting for a cure for diabetes.


Introducing Izabel.

Christina Kruse:Reisebuch 1-5 on Models.Com

Janelle Okwodu of models.com covered Christina Kruse' rception at the Steven Kashner Gallery.


Christina Kruse with hairstylist Bob Recine. All photos Rebecca Richard for MDC.

Art and fashion are intrinsically linked- their shared spirit of creativity and inventiveness draws an eclectic mix of people together. Christina Kruse, one of the most legendary faces of the 90s is back in a big way. In addition to reemerging in the pages of Pop and Purple and strutting down the catwalk for Alexander Wang, Kruse has yet another project on her hands. For the past 13 years she has been actively engaged in creating art. Combining collage and photography Kruse’s unique self portraits are currently on display at the Steven Kasher gallery. Naturally some of her high fashion friends stopped by to pay homage to the artistic beauty on the night of her opening - guests at her opening included Agyness Deyn, Cameron Russell and many more. (On exhibit at the Steven Kasher gallery through March 28th)

- Betty Sze at models.com