My only concern would be to keep all the knots loose so that they can be taken out later. Of course, this will only work on long, not layered hair. If your hair has layers in it, the knots will not look sleek and pieces of hair will stick out. Anyway, it actually looks simple to do.

This is the 2005 Victoria Secret Fashion show with Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Izabel Goulart, Adriana Lima, Selita Ebanks and many other super models sporting giant neon wings. This is one of the few fashion shows that really has that over the top glamor of Vegas shows. It must be all the props and tiny costumes.

This video shows a lot of behind the scenes and features interviews and commentary from the models, stylists and makeup artists. Also has Russel Simmons, Usher, Nicky Hilton and many other celebrities in attendance.

It’s a great look into the back stage of runway shows. This is the Xmas show and sports tons of glimmer and the “Santa Angels” of course… Very Hot.

The cards needed to be printed up and there was always a minimum order that the aspiring model needed to purchase. Printed pieces are still a staple of modeling but online portfolios are making it much easier for models to get their images out faster and cheaper.

Models just starting out and looking for an agent or work can now easily put up a portfolio online and send the link through email, many times with very little expense for the online portfolio. Actually, many modeling sites offer models free basic portfolios and even an email address to use for agents and model castings.

Explore Talent is the largest modeling portfolio and community site on the planet offering models a website of their own. ExploreTalent.com makes it very easy for models to put up their portfolios. A model does not need any computer skills other than internet basics and the site formats and positions the uploaded photos on the page automatically.

In today’s internet age a digital modeling portfolio is a must for every model and can be setup quickly and easily.

I can’t imagine anyone looking like this in real life as it is a bit clownish, but for photos, it does bring fantasy into the image and makes the photo very colorful.

Amanda seems to be doing fitness modeling and swimsuits, of course. She talks about having a more athletic body and shows off a great bit of Red Bull.

Now, there have been other nude shoots, but in those the girls had some kind of costuming or body paint on. Anyway, this has become one of the more popular episodes of the show for obvious reasons.

Personally, I don’t get these kinds of fashion shoots. I mean, these girls want to be fashion models, as in modeling designer clothes for the designers. Posing nude has nothing to do with fashion or modeling. If the ladies wanted to pose nude and be gawked at by old men then they should have gone to Hugh Heffner and not Tyra Banks.  When was the last time you saw two lesbians on the covel of 17 Magazine? ahhh, never. I think the episode was in bad taste and unacceptable because the girls in question are teens and forced to do this to stay in the competition. If I was the parent of one of the teens and found out my daughter had to do a nude softcore lesbian porn scene in front of dozens of strange men… I would be pissed. Now add that the scene is all over the internet getting the most lewd and crude of sexual comments…. I would be livid.

this is the Youtube description

The final four models must pair up and pose nude together in one of the most erotic photo shoots in America’s Next Top Model history. Yoanna & Shandi pose together first, followed by April & Mercedes. Mercedes is uncomfortable with the nudity and lesbian theme of the shoot, so her partner April tries to help her get through it.

Lesbian photo shoots aimed at seducing men should stay where they belong, the pages of playboy, penthouse, hustler, etc. Maybe in a few more seasons and a few more nude shoots the show can change its name to America’s next Top Porn Star.

Check out how the pros do it…

Beau Nelson, Creative Director of Beauté Cosmetics, takes on Smokey Eyes and shows how easy it can be to achieve that smouldering look. Don’t be afraid to tackle this challenge. … What surprised me was learning that you don’t have to be too neat when applying the make-up.

VALENTINO’S NEW VISION After the retirement and 45 years of fashion

Now that Valentino is retired the company may turn toward another direction, a hipper, younger and yes, cheaper line. Not sure if this means more commercial and a bit less couture, I guess we shall see what the new management and design team rolls out.

They do have plans that include doubling sales, attracting many new clients and plenty of expansions.

VALENTINO is rolling with the momentum of last year’s changes - its takeover by private equity firm Permira in July, and the retirement of its founding father - to push the business onwards and upwards - and attract a younger, more trend-focused clientèle to the brand.

Sassi has announced broad-ranging expansion plans, which include doubling sales and tripling accessories sales over the next five years - but the most intriguing action point is its desire to attract a new kind of Valentino woman, under the leadership of the house’s new head of design, Alessandra Facchinetti.

“When Valentino was still around, everything was done to support the designer and his needs, and now we’re doing the same for the current design team and their new vision,” Sassi tells WWD. “The only way to woo a trendier and more price-conscious clientele is with younger looks with more accessible price points.” (May 12 2008, AM)

Leisa Barnett

If anyone missed the retirement, here is the New York Times article about the retirement of Valentino after an absolute lifetime in fashion and the tanning bed…

AS happens with most final acts, Valentino Garavani’s career was over before it (more…)