In Bloom: Allyson Ertel

Behold the lovely and effortless Allyson Ertel; one of the newest additions to Elite's development board in New York. A month ago, I thought that Charlotte O'Donnell was one of the only truly promising new faces for Elite, but Allyson has certainly changed my mind. There's a very particular grace and serenity in Allyon's face that seems to be piercing through each photo.



(all images courtesy of Elite Model Management)

That level of effortless, and almost Edwardian, beauty is just uncanny nowadays. Not to mention that Allyon's profile is just as intoxicating as her face is from the front. With those timeless features and her gorgeous bow-shaped lips, I for one will be watching to see Allyson's development in the months before the S/S 09 shows in September. Because in addition to have a stellar face, this kid also has a body that does not quit.



Allyson stands tall at 5'11" and boasts an impeccable set of 32-23-35 measurements (though her hips look smaller than a 35" to me). I know this is a brief profile, but sometimes the pictures can more appropriately speak for themselves without my textual support. Enjoy!

In Bloom: Mirte Maas

Did I ever explain the differentiation between "Fresh Faced" and "In Bloom?" I don't believe that I actually did. Well, basically those that are "Fresh Faced" have not been signed international, those that are "In Bloom" have. Get it? It's really just some trite way to continue the 'fresh' motif, and a wonderful homage to one of my favorite Nirvana songs of all time.

Now back in January or February of this year, before O2W was made public via MDC, I was talking with my friend Julio about Mirte Maas. There wasn't much to share about this 17 year old Dutch girl (from MTA models) at the time, but when I realized that she'd been signed with Supreme in NYC, I figured it was time to profile her. That being said, meet Mirte:


(all images courtesy of MTA for O2W)

Mirte has that rare kind of clean, strong and unusual beauty that always resonates with me (and hopefully the casting directors for CK and Jil Sander). Not to mention that she has some of the most sensational eyes I have seen in a long time. Topped off of course with those Mariya Markina-esque brows. Sure there is a slight Malin Ones comparison to be made, but Mirte succeeds in not appearing dead behind the eyes.



Honestly, how incredible is this girl? Plus with her 5'10" frame and 31.5-24-35 measurement, Mirte could be a wonderful addition to the Supreme board in time for the S/S 09 show season. I love it when the communicative aspect of fashion, which equally entices and informs, leads to such beautiful personal discoveries. Thanks to the entire team at O2W for providing me with more information on this truly sensational face.

Edited To Add: After all the craziness since profiling Mirte, it remains to be seen if she's actually signed with Supreme. That piece of information was taken off of her O2W profile an hour after this post was made. Either way, I stand behind Mirte's potential and hope that someone will sign this girl soon enough in NYC.

In Bloom: Sana Belal

When your very projected image is meticulously managed and promoted and sold on a daily basis, sometimes its hard to remember what a model might look like her natural habitat. Take for example my surprise when I discovered that Kamila Filipcikova was sporting a serious eyebrow piercing, or Abbey Lee Kershaw's adorable nose ring. Those little personal touches seems incredibly special when you consider that the modeling machine seems to want an increasingly blank, depersonalized slate with each passing girl.

Where is this all going? Well, I've been watching Sana Belal at 1st Option in Denmark for a few weeks now, but only after her debut on Next's PhotoASP account did I look back and realize that she was also sporting a facial piercing in her stunning digitals. I love the very idea that beyond that sweet, alien-esque face might lie a rebel without a cause somewhere in Sana!



(all photos courtesy of 1st Option)

What a subtle, yet unique, personal touch for a model. Combine that with the continued need for more diverse races on the runways (though I would like to come to place where racial diverse models don't even need that preface), and Sana certainly could be a girl to watch. With those beautiful, deep, wide-set eyes and that gorgeous skin tone, Sana appears to be a girl unlike any other this moment. Not to mention with her runway ready 5'10" and 30-24-32 frame, I cannot help but think that Sana would look right at home on a MxMJ runway come September. Of course, that is assuming that Next continues to successful promote their new faces (read: Karmen Pedaru for Chloé!).


(photos courtesy of Next's PhotoASP account)

So lets review here: Beautiful, unique alien-esque face? Check. Incredible runway body? Check. A much needed boost of diversity (other than Chanel and Jourdan)? Check! I think Next might very well have a great new talent on their hands, and I for one could not be happier to see Sana Belal already signed.

In Bloom: Holynde

It's certainly been awhile since I updated my little dog and pony show that I call a blog. Miss me? Well I was busy jetting back and forth between home and New York for a hugely important interview, for a position that I would lucky to land. I won't say much more because this never was intended to be about me, but I'm quite excited.

However, in the world of new faces it is certainly an exciting time. Agencies are starting to rearrange their boards after last season's shows and campaign bookings, and new faces are being signed and prepped for their runway debuts in September. One of my favorite new signings as of late is certainly Holynde from Richard's Models in Vancouver, who was recently placed with Ford in New York. Holynde is strong and angular with those very poignant Amanda Laine-esque eyebrows, and has a body that just does not seem to quit (read: check out her abs!).



(all images courtesy of Richard's Models)

Oh man, there is just such an incredible and yet quite intensity in Holynde's face that I find really resonates with me. This contrast between natural charm and stoic features should certainly serve Holynde well, especially since Ford seems to be on the rise again. I have no idea how she'll do come September, but at 5'11" and with 32-25-34.5 measurements, I would certainly book her for quite a few directional shows if I was in the position. And considering that she's Canadian, I'm sure Holynde would look right at home on a Rad Hourani runway in the future.

Anyhow, I'm glad to be back and once again fixating on my favorite hobbie (besides chain-smoking).

In Bloom: Charlotte O'Donnell

Elite certainly seems to be getting their footing back. After years of riding the success of Coco Rocha on the runways they delivered Karlie Kloss and Ali Stephens two seasons ago, and finally broke the Top Model curse with Alice Burdeu last season. Oops, are we still not supposed to mention that? Anyhow, it should come as no surprise that I'm always interested to see what kind of new girls they're signing to their expansive board. Well, it appears as if Elite is keeping their talent in the family and relocating the incredible Charlotte O'Donnell from Elite Toronto down to the development board in NYC (yet another wonderful offering from Canada!).



(all images courtesy of Elite Models)

There's a very expensive looking serenity to Charlotte's appeal, especially in those sparkling blue eyes, that reminds me of Giedre Dukauskaite to certain degree. More over, I love the way her wavy hair perfectly frames her long, structured, and yes slightly freckled, face. Charlotte definitely has a very particular aesthetic that I could see looking right at home on a Marc by Marc runway, or Teen Vogue editorial in the future.



Standing tall at 5'11", Charlotte is all the more bookable with her ridiculous set of 32-24-33 measurements that should make her a great runway girl in the future. Some girls can make even the most calm and peaceful features appear new and interesting again; Charlotte is definitely a part of that elite (I'm really sorry, but the play on words was just too tempting) group. I for one am eagerly anticipating her development!

In Bloom: Laura de Lannoy

Here's a little story for everyone before I delve into this. Once upon a time, on the last day of 2007, I spent the morning online with Penelope from MNP, searching through the bevy of new faces presented during the reopening of the Way Model Management website. Generally, Penny tends to prefer a slightly softer face, compared to my tastes for a more intense look. However, when our tastes meet (and Way seems to have a habit of making that happen), the results are laced with enthusiasm on both parts. So imagine my excitement when I saw Brazilian Laura de Lannoy who seemingly epitomizes the convergence of our tastes as she's both youthful and intense behind her eyes, and all around stunner at 5'11" and 31-24-35.


(all images courtesy of Way Model Management)

Fast forward to this morning, almost three months afterwards and not an update to be had. I was actually planning on profiling Laura sometime this week, so imagine my surprise when I saw Laura profiled on O2W this morning! Plus, it turns out that Penelope's initial guess that Laura would end up at Marilyn was correct after all. Though I secretly loath how archaic Marylin's website is, their board is finally starting to come back together again, and Laura should make a great addition.




She's tall, youthful, and has the devious quality to her stare that I will always find incredibly alluring. It's just again reassuring to know that other people are seeing the same potential that you do. I just cannot wait to see how Laura develops under the management at Marilyn

In Bloom: Ryan

By far, one of my favorite features in a model is androgyny. Generally I prefer that those features show in their face, but I suppose I'm still gullible enough to fall for a girl with a boy's name. So it goes without saying that I would feature a girl named Ryan from Folio in Montreal. Not only that, but this latest Canadian import just debuted on the DNA website today. Given my new fascination with wider faces on models, Ryan is coming across very bookable to me. Those wide cheekbones perfectly offset her luminous blue eyes, and intense stare.



(all images courtesy of Folio and DNA)

What impresses me thus far about Ryan, is her ability to give a varied and yet suitable range of expressions in her face, so early in her career. Her above photos are strong and crisp enough to make her future on the runways look quite promising, well that and her 5'10" frame and 34-24.5-35 measurements. Speaking of which, was that Ryan who shot the Rad Hourani Look Book? I mean clearly that's a Rad Hourani look in the third image above. If anyone knows, I would love confirmation.

Anyhow, her softer shots demonstrate Ryan's porcelain skin and bright eyes, making her a strong candidate for beauty editorials in the future.



The question is now, whether DNA can keep her career focused on the luxury, editorial markets because some of her more commercial shots (while nice to building a portfolio) seem to be selling Ryan a little short of her potential. I strongly believe that DNA will be coming back into their own next season, and hopefully Ryan will be at the head of the class. Well, either her or Lizelot Rippen if the partnership between Viva and DNA remains as strong as it has been.

In Bloom: Aneta

I'm coming to the realization that part of the beauty of this 'blogging' experience, is that I can hype (in my own amateur ways) whomever I want, without waiting for someone else to mention a particular model. Sure, that should be fairly obvious, but it's none the less empowering in some twisted way.

Can you remember the last time a new face just stopped you dead in your tracks? The last time you were really enraptured by a new girl? Personally, its been awhile since I've seen anyone nearly as unique at Aneta from Avant Models in Warsaw. Honestly, I have no preexisting reference points for how to best describe Aneta, other than captivating and commanding.



(all images courtesy of Avant Models)

Aneta is one of those rare cases where my eyes cannot decide what to look first. Should I stare into those big doe-like eyes, with that sullen 'Corpse Bride' glaze over them? Perhaps I should fixate on that incredible face shape, or the smallness of her mouth? Regardless of where you look first, I have a feeling that you might have trouble turning away.




Plus, with the success that Women and Supreme have had signing from Avant (think Kasia Struss, Kasia Zych, and Yulia Kharlapanova), you cannot help but think bigger and better things might be in store for Aneta in the future.

The Dangerously Cute Amy Post

So, what can you say about SPS Model Management's Amy Post? She's that sweet and innocent type of cute that's laced with enough poison behind her eyes to eternally keep your attention. Generally speaking, 'cute' rarely does it for me. There has to be something extra to that aesthetic to really enrapture me, and like I said, Amy certainly possesses that. I came across her portfolio early this morning, only to realize that I had seen one her images used in a graphic on O2W (and a quick bit of appreciation for all the impeccable work that they do over there). Well apparently I was behind the times were Ms. Post is concerned as she received another mention on their page today. Take a look:


(images courtesy of O2W)

Now, as much as I would love to take credit for this description of Amy, no one other than Julio would be able to come up with such a fitting analogy: "Quite an expressive range, and she's build like a runaway teen who discovers she has mutant superpowers." Was that a Runaways reference hidden under there? Truth be told, she does have that strong and innocent combination that Joss Whedon seems to find so powerful. Anyhow, take a peak at the rest of her emotive range:


(images courtesy of SPS Model Management)

Amy just proves that when a girl just has something, you're willing to look past, and eventually evolve your own personal aesthetic preferences. I for one cannot wait to see what is in store for young Amy in the future.

In Bloom: Florence Desmidt

I suppose there really is no sense in trying to be diplomatic about this, as I think I've said on numerous occasions that the casting at Jil Sander is usually my favorite each season. More over, its most closely in tune with my own aesthetic, or preferred aesthetic I should say. There is something about the seamless combination of clean features, with just enough quirkiness to keep your interest, that has always appealed to me.

Where is this all going you ask? Well, that juxtaposition between the clean and the unusual is what I'm getting from Dominique's new discovery Florence Desmidt at the moment. This Belgian girl has one of those classically poised face shapes, but the tint of her skin and those eyes make her quite unique.




(images courtesy of Dominique Models)

Given the recent success of my other favorite Belgian, Jill Bauwens, perhaps there are agencies currently looking for their own Belgian bombshell. Hell, any agency just looking for another strong face, with a great 6'0" tall runway-ready frame I should add, would certainly have to consider Florence.

The Incomparable Dominika Zieba

I have to preface this post, and give credit where its due, as the wonderfully keen eye of Bianca at tFS first introduced me to Dominika (or Dodo, depending on which moniker sticks) at PMST. After awhile, you run the risk of new faces blending together, but nothing could be further from the truth where this girl is concerned. See for yourself:


(all images courtesy of PMST)

Amazing, no? Honestly, it has been awhile since a face this fresh and undeveloped has had this much of a long lasting impression on me. Hopefully the bidding war has commenced for who will represent Dominika, because I honestly feel as if she is one of the best faces of 2008. Hands down.



Someone sign her please (and yes, Women Group I'm looking in your direction for this one), because Dominika's haunting mix of directional, quirky features and those expressive eyes, is a truly a force with which to be reckoned.