AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: Ciotti Models

Ciotti Models is a full service boutique agency operating out of Toronto, Canada. It offers its models image and career development, management and international placement. Founded in 2014, the agency launched in October and within 6 months has grown to become home to over 30 models.

Founder Jarrett Plyley began his career in the fashion industry at the age of 16 as a model. While modelling he also worked as an assistant and scout for his mother agency. After a successful career modelling in New York, Europe and Tokyo with clients such as Vogue, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, he realized his passions remained behind the scenes and moved to Toronto at the age of 21 to become a full time agent. Over the span of the next 10 years he worked for 3 Toronto agencies including scouting for Ford Models Toronto and has managed notable names such as Elyse Saunders, Kate Somers, Dauphine McKee, Taryn Davidson, Amanda Laine, Britt Bergmeister and Grace Mahary. He departed from his last agency in August of 2014 to pursue his dream of opening his own agency.

The roster currently includes top models such as Casey Taylor and rising new faces such as Dylan Bell, Nathan Charron, Eugenia Kuleshoff, Chantal Habscheid, Kiana Klassen and Tillie Medland.

Website: www.ciottimodels.com

Phone: 416-456-8849

Email: info@ciottimodels.com

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Meet Our Featured Members of the Month

We may have been suffering heat stroke in August, but are back with some great new featured members for September! Pumpkin spice everything is in the air, and we can't wait to see what the autumn ahead holds for fashion and our members. If you're interested in collaborating with any of this month's featured members, use your MWN messaging feature to reach out. Profiles for each are below!


MODEL OF THE MONTH: ELIJAH HAYES

Elijah is represented by CLICK Models ATL and currently lives in Brooklyn. 

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: GEOFFREY BADNER

Geoffrey Badner learned to print negatives and process his own film when he was 10. In high school he bought his first Nikon SLR and three lenses. He shot rolls and rolls of film and spent hours in the darkroom his dad built in the family home. In college, he bailed on photography all together.

Geoffrey worked in photo labs processing and printing other people's work for three years to help pay for school but rarely picked up a camera to shoot. He studied graphic design and became an advertising creative director and digital designer.

Over the years, he returned to photography, starting with simple street and documentary-style work that captured what was going on around him. He is now moving on from that and working to actively capture original moments that he creates.

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: KARIN PRICE

Karin Price, born and raised in south Florida, learned at the young age of 12 that her true passion was makeup. When she was growing up, she collected dozens of fashion magazines and would look at them for inspiration. She took that inspiration and would practice her skills on anyone that would let her. After getting an Associates Degree, she pursued her esthetician license and the production makeup artistry program at Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Once this passion was fueled by education and years of freelance work in editorial, fashion, runway, and special FX, Karin became determined to make her way out to Los Angeles. That dream came true this summer when she took her chances and moved to LA at the end of July.

Why makeup artistry?

I decided to become a makeup artist because I struggled with severe acne growing up. When I started to play around with makeup and experimenting with different products on myself and friends, it made me feel confident. The bullying I had endured no longer affected how I felt about myself. I felt empowered. Although makeup is only superficial, I know firsthand what it can do for other people who are internally struggling with the same issues.

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

Ve Neill is my favorite makeup artist because she is such an inspiration to makeup artists everywhere and to women in general. Not only has she received the most Academy Awards by any woman in the past for makeup, she has also worked on some of my favorite movies such as Beetlejuice, The Hunger Games, and all of Tim Burton's movies. She has an amazing ability to combine the real with the surreal and make it seamless.

What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration is people in general. I love hearing people's stories about where they come from and what inspires them to keep going. This is one of the primary reasons why I love film. In my opinion, it is the most raw form of visual artistry where you are able to perceive the complete story of a character from beginning to end.

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

To this day, working as the Movie Makeup Director at a summer camp in San Bernadino has been my favorite project I've been involved with. I built the program from the bottom up and was able to provide the students with a mini makeup school that was themed depending on the day. We had Lady Gaga Thursday, Wound Wednesday, and foundation and color theory Mondays! The kids not only loved it, but have expressed to me their budding passion for makeup artistry and their desires to perhaps pursue it as their careers. Knowing that I somehow have influenced these kids' lives positively has meant the world to me.

What genre does your work focus on?

I have mostly worked in glam/beauty, which I love, but my dream is to get more into Special FX. It is so fascinating to me, the actual realism in Special FX, and the research involved in making that vision come to life!

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: LEANNE HARE

Leanne Hare has been a licensed cosmetologist in Arizona and California for more than 20 years. She has always had a passion for hair styling. Her first client was, of course, Barbie (until Leanne realized her would never grow back)! Then she started styling her friends.

After graduating high school, she went straight into the cosmetology profession of hair and began working in salons doing color, cuts, weaves, perms, and up-dos. She was able to build her skills and speed while learning to communicate with her clients in a professional way (to hear what they were saying and envisioning in her head). Leanne moved back to California and worked with the Disney Corp as a hair stylist and then worked for operas, photo shoots, runways, red carpet events, and music videos.

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: COUTUREZEN (MELYNDA)

Melynda is originally from the Bay Area and got her official start in fashion styling at the age of 15 while living in San Diego, CA. As a child, she would sit for hours sketching outfits and making cartoon drawings of women in different designs. In high school she joined a (now defunct) youth internship program called "The Retail Project" where she was able to dress fashion shows for Nikita, Doc Martens, Quicksilver, and many other early streetwear brands of the time.

Since then, Melynda has managed (and bought for) multiple resale retail stores, worked and traveled as a sales rep in fashion wholesale and even became a store owner/operator herself.

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Meet Our Featured Members of the Month

Apologies for the slight delay this month in our Featured Member post! We hope everyone is enjoying the summer and looking forward to all of the great fall fashion headed our way.

As always, if you would like to be considered as a future Featured Member of the Month, please email featured@modelwirenetwork.com to be considered. You can also send us a message via your MWN account.

MODEL OF THE MONTH: HANNAH

Raised in Madison, WI, Hannah moved to Los Angeles after high school to pursue a career in modeling. Since moving to California, Hannah has enjoyed shooting for clients like Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine, Disney, Masai Payan, Imposter Magazine, Sony, Scala, and Time Out. She has also walked in LA Fashion Week and has been featured in TV shows, music videos, film, and various awards shows.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: ALVIN CABAN

Alvin Caban is a portrait and fashion photographer from Brooklyn, NY, where he began his career as a staff photographer for a commercial studio at age 19. His work has been featured in countless catalogs, brochures, and retail packaging in many countries.

Why photography?

I love the visceral reaction that a photo creates long after you make it.

Who is your favorite photographer of all time?

Peter Lindbergh

What inspires you?

Enthusiasm inspires me, which is why collaborating with other passionate artists is so important.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

That really depends on the assignment but generally I'm looking for something unique and genuine.

What kind of camera/equipment do you use?

Currently Canon, but I've worked with all the major brands throughout my career.

What genre does your work focus on?

Portrait and Fashion

What is your favorite artist/band or song of all time?

My favorite band is MUSE.

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMANDA FORSYTH

Amanda Forsyth has spent numerous years developing and crafting her freelance skills for advertising and fashion all around the world. Working with a variety of clients, her work has been used worldwide for various advertising campaigns.

Beginning her career in fashion design, Amanda has a strong understanding of color and form. Her work has since been marked by a sense of beauty and freedom that is only matched by her attention to detail.

Amanda's goal is always to magnify the natural beauty of the model or celebrity who is momentarily the focus of her attention and world.

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

My favorite makeup artist would be golden Hollywood's leading makeup artist, Max Factor.

What inspires you?

Working with creative people. Art and culture is a big influence in my life.

What product can you not live without?

There are so many, but my all time favorite (and not just because I am Australian) would be Lucas Pawpaw ointment.

What genre does your work focus on?

Freelancing means I can work in any genre, but I concentrate on Advertising and Fashion. I love that editorial allows me to create amazing things.

What is your most embarrassing moment professionally?

When assistants ask my celebrity clients for a picture.

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: SYLVIA J. STANKOWSKI

Sylvia J. Stankowski started her career in the Upper Midwest. Her love of art has cast her on a journey beginning as a small girl, always with a pencil and a pad of paper at her side, to where she has landed today, freelancing as a Hair Designer in Las Vegas. She has traveled a road of fashion shows in Minneapolis, events and photoshoots all over Wisconsin and Chicago, lookbook shoots, photo and film projects in Vegas, and more. 

With a true love for shape and form, Sylvia's focus is in the Beauty and Fashion Industry, where she meticulously creates her signature design styles for models and performers, as well as creating the perfect hairstyles for special events. She specializes in classic Hollywood glam styles, as well as stylized editorial and high fashion looks. Her utter joy in her work is apparent in the experience you have with her, not only because she is creating, but because of her love of meeting and working with new people.

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: ANDREA IGREJA

Andrea Igreja is a freelance fashion/wardrobe stylist in San Francisco. She has experience fitting and styling models for photo shoots, agency portfolios, and producing fashion shows.

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Meet Our Featured Members Of The Month

We're serving up another batch of super talented members for our June feature. Full bios for each member are available on our homepage. If you would like to be considered for an upcoming month, please email featured@modelwirenetwork.com with your ModelWire Network username.


MODEL OF THE MONTH: HILARY ANDERSON

Hilary Anderson grew up in the Chicagoland area where she started her modeling career. She started as a freelance model but was discovered by Elle Chicago (now Factor Women) after a few months. Through Factor she started modeling for many of the major catalogue/e-commerce companies in the area, including Kohl's, Sears, and Meijer to name a few. Over the decade, Hilary has been lucky to work with designers and publications of all sizes, including Zac Posen, GQ Australia, and Vogue Singapore.

Why modeling?

Travel, constantly meeting and working with new people, and artistic expression.

What inspires you?

Lots of things. Nature. Books. Music. Music can change your whole mood and perception in an instant. [I'm also inspired by] people who are completely, unapologetically comfortable being themselves. Probably because I almost never feel that way. 

What is your personal style?

I'm traveling around the UK right now, so I pretty much live in my high-waisted Levi jeans and either a tucked in tee or long-sleeved blouse. I pair it with my husband's belt and black boots I found a a flea market or Converse.

What is your favorite band or song of all time?

That's a really tough question! I don't really have just one favorite, so I'll have to go with the first band that really made an impact on me - Jefferson Airplane. My sister was named after Grace Slick.

What do you look for when selecting a photographer to work with?

I look first and foremost for someone who is willing to collaborate. I'm always up to shoot, but I've found that the shoots that turn out best for everyone involved and are the most fun are the ones that have at least a little spontaneity to them. I also look for diversity in a photographer's work. I like people who have tried many different concepts, even if they haven't succeeded at all of them. It's only when you're willing to fail that you're able to grow.

What product can you not live without?

Vitamin C. I've been taking it supplementally since I was like 10. I swear it's the reason I've always had such great skin. 

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: TJ MANOU

Fashion photographer TJ Manou was born in Armenia, moved to London for 12 years, and now resides in Los Angeles. His work has been featured in more than 40 magazines across the globe, including GQ Mexico and Vogue Italia.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

Story, character, uniqueness, quirkiness, energy, drama. I don't care how beautiful the model is or how good they are at posing if the substance is not there, I cannot do too much. That's one thing I cannot add in post.

What kind of camera/equipment do you use?

I get this question a lot. I'll say Canon, but I couldn't care less. Give me any pro or semi-pro camera and light, I'm happy. I stopped paying attention to gear a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, I love all of that, but it's not the first thing on my mind when I'm working. As long as the gear is not demanding, I'm happy.

What is your personal style?

Vintage. I absolutely love vintage. There is so much history there and there is a lot you can do with it - all of the patterns, colors, textures. I just love it.

What genre does your work focus on?

I would say fashion, editorial, and commercial.

What is your favorite band or song of all time?

Has to be Radiohead. Fantastic melodies and mood.

What is your most embarrassing moment professionally?

Oh man, when I was new to LA, I used to shoot a lot of models that didn't have representation. I would just check their online portfolio out and book a team based on that. I was talking to this Russian model who submitted her portfolio for consideration. Great looks, about 23-25 years old. I didn't see quality photos on her page, but loved her look. I got a great team together for the shoot and everybody was excited to work with her. On the day of the shoot, she turns up and she is 45 years old. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy to shoot anyone at any age. I'm not an ageist and it has never been an issue, but I felt so awkward and stupid. Talk about misrepresentation! Of course her explanation was, "My online portfolio? Oh yeah, I did those photos years ago." Needless to say, it was not a good experience. Luckily now the modeling agencies do the filtering for me! 

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: GUERLINE FEQUIERE

Guerline Fequiere has more than 11 years experience in makeup artistry. She has worked with professional companies, agencies, organizations, and individuals. Guerline has achieved all of her certifications by working for and training with one of the world's most renowned make-up companies. Throughout her career she has had the pleasure of working with some of the top names in fashion, modeling, photography, music, and entertainment.

Why makeup artistry?

I never saw myself becoming a makeup artist, although I have always been into art. I was asked to become a makeup artist by someone in the makeup field. I'm grateful they saw something in me that I never knew I had, and since then I've been building my skills and taking my career further than I ever thought it would go.

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

That would have to be Pat McGrath. Her work is so divine. So creative and so diverse. I love that you can look through her portfolio and see all genres of makeup styles. The opportunity to work alongside her would be a dream come true.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

Since I've started producing my own shoots and booking the talent, selecting models has been more particular. It's never really about the work they already have in their portfolios because sometimes it's the work of the photographers/editors that end up not complimenting the models. What I look for is a variety or combination of facial expressions, poses, eye contact...things of that nature. If I see that "quality" in a model, I usually book them for one of my shoots.

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

One of my favorite projects was one of my first shoots. It was a Marilyn Monroe re-create (pictured above). I had to strip down a model's face to au natural that came in 2 hours late to our shoot and looked like she partied all night and never made it home. From there, I transformed her to the legendary icon. The whole time the photographer (who I'd never worked with or met until that day) was standing over my worried that I wouldn't be able to pull off the look. The looks on both the model and the photographer's faces were priceless when I was done and so self-gratifying. The images came out beautifully and the photographer even booked me for a few more shoots. 

What genre does your work focus on?

Currently I'm focused on fashion, editorial makeup, and male grooming, but I've done everything from beauty to Avant Garde. I like to switch things up to keep from getting bored. I even body paint from time to time. 

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: RACHAEL BEAUTY

Rachael Beauty is a licensed Cosmetologist, hair stylist, and makeup artist from Beverly Hills, CA. She studied at the Aveda Institute in LA. Her eye for detail brings out the ultimate finished look for photo shoots, runway modeling, editorial portraits, weddings, theater, screen actors, and everyday life. 

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: SHAWNTE HERNTON

Shawnté Hernton has been a wardrobe stylist for about 3 years, but has always been helping people put together outfits and providing fashion tips her whole life. She started creating outfits on Polyvore and used the app to help further her career. Shawnté used the outfits she created to launch Facebook and Instagram pages, which helped her land an internship at a local boutique. During her internship, she styled mannequins, styled for fashion shows, TV appearances, magazines ads, and a cover.

Since her internship ended, Shawnté's main focus has been on photoshoots. She has used the knowledge she gained to take more of a visionary and creative director role. She likes to be in control of all aspects of her team and have everyone come together to deliver her mission and bring it to life.

Why wardrobe stylist?

I love using clothing to paint a picture and complete a vision.

What inspires you?

My love of fashion.

Who is your favorite stylist of all time?

Rachel Zoe.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

[I like working with models that are] fun, outgoing, and versatile. 

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

Styling a 6 page spread and cover for a local magazine! 

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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: 19:30 Model Management

19:30 Model Management is a mother agency located in Chicago providing a unique boutique approach to managing talent for editorial and commercial print, runway, advertising campaigns, television commercials, and film opportunities. Founded by professionals in the industry, the key to our success lies within the fresh, edgy, and diverse talent we continue to represent in an industry with such a high demand for change. We focus on branding models for careers in the fashion industry throughout all major fashion markets, successfully transforming them into ambassadors for a wide range of clients. With proper planning and a solid understanding of the business, 19:30 Model Management offers personal guidance enabling talent to have enduring and lucrative careers, placing them with boutique and top modeling agencies throughout the world.

Website: www.1930modelmanagement.com

Phone: 312-244-3750

Email: info@1930modelmanagement.com

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Meet Our Featured Members of the Month

We've got a lot of amazing talent on ModelWire Network, so take a little time and get to know our Featured Members of the Month for May. We're showcasing some of the best from both coasts! As always, if you would like to be considered as an upcoming featured talent, please feel free to email us at featured@modelwirenetwork.com or send a message to the MWN account via your ModelWire Network profile.

MODEL OF THE MONTH: MOIRA TUMAS

Moira Tumas is a full time model and actress living in New York City. She was born and raised in New Jersey.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: MARY MEYSKA

Mary Meyska is a Beauty, Fashion, Editorial, Commercial, and Bridal print photographer from the Ukraine. She currently lives and works in Los Angeles.


MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: CHRISTINA DELFINO

Christina Delfino is a freelance makeup artist based out of Los Angeles and New York. Educated at Quinnipiac University in Public Relations, Christina transitioned to the beauty industry to merge her love of artistry and collaboration.

Her work has been published in Locale Magazine, Beautiful Savage, Afrolle Magazine, and Fangoria. Upcoming publications include ALPHA/OMEGA and RUNWAY.

Why makeup artistry?

I grew up with an extremely traditional family. I was an uber-creative child, but was eventually urged by my parents to pursue a more "conventional" and "logical" career for both financial reasons and job security. I graduated with a degree in Public Relations and began my professional career at a wonderful agency in Los Angeles. It was a great job, but I felt unfulfilled. I struggled without being able to flex my creative muscles, so I picked up makeup as a hobby and an outlet. Over time, that hobby became a true passion and, with the support of my incredible husband, I left my full-time job to pursue makeup artistry. I took every job I possibly could, paid or otherwise, and practices on my friends and family consistently. I'm still pretty new to the game, but I'm excited to see what the future has in store.

Who's your favorite makeup artist of all time?

 What a weighty question! There are so many incredible artists in the industry, and so many more who have helped to shape the landscape we see today. That being said, one of my absolute favorites in James Vincent. Aside from being completely infatuated with James' work and tremendous talent, I consistently find myself inspired by his work ethic and humility. Being an artist is about so much more than just having the talent. I think he's got the full package. Plus he's got great taste in music! I hope he doesn't see how hard I'm fangirling right now!

What inspires you?

The universe! The unbelievable series of events that it took for us to be where we are today. Seems like a pretty big pool of inspiration to draw from as a makeup artist, but when I see a face, I try to think about where that face has been and how I can best represent it. I love natural looks. Nature worked hard to create something beautiful, and I do the best I can to highlight those features.

What is your personal style?

If it's black, I'm good to go. I like to be comfortable with an edge. I really dig being able to change up my hair often, much to my mother's dismay.

What's your favorite band or song of all time?

Tough call. It's probably Led Zeppelin. 

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: DAWN MATTOCKS

Dawn Mattocks is an accomplished makeup artist and hair stylist who grew up in Detroit. She attended Otis Parson's School of Design in Los Angeles and found her calling early on in the fashion industry. Her latest hair styling and makeup credits for film and television include: A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas 3D, Scream 4, NBC's The Biggest Loser, NFL Fox Sports, and Jim Jeffries Live.

Dawn is represented by Artists by Sherrie Long and works in Northern California, Los Angeles, and Detroit in TV, Print, and video.

Who is your favorite hair stylist of all time?

Vivian Mackinder.

What inspires you?

Masterpiece Theater, Period pieces, fashion, nature, and costume.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

I look for inner beauty, flawless skin, healthy glow, and healthy, long, wavy hair.

What product can you not live without out?

Moroccan oil (light.)

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

Annie Liebovitz: Vanity Fair/Rapunzel for Disney. 

What is your personal style?

My style could be described as boho/romantic. 

What genre does your work focus on?

I work mostly on Commercial, Editorial, and Beauty.

What is your favorite band or song of all time?

"Brand New Day" by Sting. 

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: JOEY THAO

Joey Thao is originally from Sacramento and now lives in Los Angeles. His work has been featured in Design Scene, Licked, Male Model Scene, Trendhunter, Cinder, and Agenda Magazine. Joey's eclectic style is a mixture of edgy details with high fashion elements; he loves mixing street fashion with high fashion glamour.

Living in Los Angeles has taught him about being truly innovative and learning to take risks when needed. He lives for fashion, loves dressing up, and truly enjoys all aspects of being a stylist.

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Meet Our Featured Members Of The Month

Our April Featured Members include some of our all-time favorites, as well as some ModelWire Network newcomers. If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, email us at featured@modelwirenetwork.com!


MODEL OF THE MONTH: ASHLEY PARCHMENT

Our April featured model, Ashley Parchment, is based in Los Angeles. She has been featured in campaigns for LRG Clothing, Bealls, and appeared in a segment called Fringe Benefits on The Real.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: LUIS ARAGON

Luis Aragon is a published fashion and beauty photographer based in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in publications like Washington Life, Nouveau Magazine, Vonmode, and Vampd Magazine, among others.

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: ALEX ROSAS

With more than twenty years of experience over three continents, Alex Rosas has had his work featured in GQ UK, Vogue Australia, Cleo Magazine, Emporium Magazine, Kaltblut Magazine, En Vie Magazine, Elegant Magazine, and Paper Cut Magazine, among others. He has also worked runway shows for Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Sydney, David Jones S/S Fashion Launch, and Myer A/W Fashion Launch. Additionally, Alex has worked extensively with global cosmetics brands Shu Uemura and M.A.C.

Aside from makeup artistry, Alex's other passions include lying on tropical beaches, dressing age inappropriately, and small hairless dogs!

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

Kevyn Aucoin for being one of the true trailblazers of modern makeup artistry. Roshar for his creativity and vision, and Stephen Dimmick for his support of me and the sharing of his knowledge.

What inspires you?

Historical figures. I'm obsessed with Lola Montes and Marie Antoinette. Pedro Almodovar movies for their riot of color, and Gyaru makeup from Asia.

What is your personal style?

I love color, animal print, Disney references, Jeremy Scott, Discount Universe and Rubén Galarreta.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

Great skin, expressive eyes, and charisma.

What genre does your work focus on?

Beauty, as it gives me the opportunity to really showcase my work and technique.  

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: ANITA ARSOVA

For Anita, hair and makeup has always served as a creative outlet for her thoughts, emotions and imagination.  Her diverse portfolio is steeped in the philosophy that hair and makeup is an art form.  Versatile and detail-driven, Anita's work seeks to find harmony between the beautiful and the surreal.  As a fully certified cosmetologist and makeup artist based in Chicago, Anita's clients are as diverse and unique as her work.  Among her specialties, some highlights include fashion shows, photography, television, film, weddings and other special occasions.  Anita also provides lessons on proper makeup application.

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: WILFORD LENOV

Wilford Lenov was born and raised in one of the fashion capitals of the world - Los Angeles.  However, his personal sense of style reaches beyond his immediate locale, as well as our current time period.  His inspiration is a potpurri consisting of sources such as Japan, classic styles, west coast fashion and music that makes you feel fun and flirty.  His aesthetic is best described as "clean, classic chic but conceptual."

Wilford also loves soft, feminine looks as portrayed by designers such as Lanvin, Chanel and Roberto Cavali.  When working, he takes direction well in order to achieve the goal of the project while putting his own touch when necessary.

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Meet Our Featured Members of the Month

Get to know a little more about our featured members for February! As always, if you are interested in collaborating with any of our featured members, you can reach out to them via the MWN messaging system. If you DO work on a MWN collaboration, make sure to send us photos from your shoot for a chance to be featured on our homepage banner slides!


MODEL OF THE MONTH: MEGAN M.

Our gorgeous model of the month for February, Megan, lives and works in Los Angeles. In addition to modeling, she also works as an actress.



PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: LARRY HAMILTON

Larry Hamilton is an actor, singer, and photographer currently living and working in NYC. He is a native of Greenbelt, MD.

Larry works with a few agencies in both New York and Boston, and always welcomes the opportunity to work with others.

Why photography?

I wanted something where I could escape the craziness of theatre and acting. Something where I could say or create anything I wanted without having to be faced with outside opinion during the process. So, I bought a camera. Sure, everyone has thoughts about the images...but by the time they see them, I've already finished my statement. Any interpretation has less to do with me and more to do with the viewer's own experiences.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

Life. I go straight to the eyes. I look for movement and how comfortable a model is with his/her body. I typically request a candid, non-retouched photo to get a better idea. Why? Because it's difficult to see who a model is when I'm only seeing them through the eyes of fancy photographers. I'd rather see that silly selfie or that random day on vacation that you snapped a shot. It shows me much more about who the model actually is...that's important to me.

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

I'm currently working on a series called BARE. I'm calling it a nude editorial that explores men when the walls are stripped away. There is so much pressure to live up to certain gender expectations. I started this series for two reasons...1) I wanted to work on artistic nudes. Too often I see male nude work that is more about the model's...we'll call it "junk"...and not enough about the rest of what's in the shot. I wanted to find ways to include a nude man and have the STORY in the image be the main character. 2) I work with a lot of male models with gorgeous bodies. People expect them to act a certain way, but the truth is, many of them are so much deeper and have much more to say about life than they'd ever get credit for. In many ways, the male model of 2015 has started to learn how many female models have felt for years. They are much more than just pretty faces and hot bodies. I felt the need to share what's underneath the hood of the car a bit more...and being nude naturally reveals a sort of vulnerability that's just beautiful.

What inspires you?

Truth. Nothing draws me in as quickly as honesty. It's in the eyes. It's in the movement. It's in a song. It's sexy. It's intriguing. You name it. That's why the BARE series is personal to me right now.

What is your most embarrassing moment professionally?

I've got a bunch of moments as an actor, but from the photography side of things...a little over a year ago, I wanted to start working with agency models an didn't know how to be SEEN. So, I drafted up an email that mentioned liking the talent I'd noticed on social media and how unique the looks were, etc. It was a personal email, but I'd intended on blind copying a list of agencies. I got it all written and added my website links and everything. I felt so productive! I hit send. Then I realized I'd cc'd the entire list. "Oh my God, they're going to think I'm an idiot." Luckily, I've since started working with some of them. Not because of that email though! I was mortified, but I guess in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't so bad. 

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: SONAM CHANDNA

Sonam was born and raised in a colorful country - India. From an early age, she displayed a strong creative flair for art and self expression. Upon completing an education in special effects supervision, she worked on a number of cutting edge projects. Breaking away from compositing and editing after a few years, Sonam moved into what she considers her true calling. The background in editing gave her a strong base in her journey with makeup and the need for perfection remains strong to this day. Since then, combining her love for makeup and traveling, Sonam has worked in various cities around the world, including New York and London.

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

My favorite makeup artist of all time has to be Charlotte Tilbury.

What inspires you?

The lyrics from the Massive Attack song Psyche that say, "show without showing what you know without knowing." I even have it tattooed!

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

I have a weakness for women of color. A combination of deep skin and light eyes gets me very excited!

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

A TV commercial for a luxury skincare brand, "Forrest Essentials" would top my list. The concept was Indian warrior princess; a perfect balance of dewy makeup going into strong, graphic eyes. It had beautiful extremes.

What is your personal style?

My personal style is biker dolce vita!

What genre does your work focus on?

My work most prominently focuses on beauty. 

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: JENNIFER ZIEGELMEIER

Jennifer Ziegelmeier started in the business of hair artistry more than 25 years ago. She has worked under noted stylists and colorists such as Frederic Fekkai and Louis Licari in NYC.

In 2002, Jennifer became an American Board Certified Master Hair Colorist. By passing a series of stringent exams, she was awarded the honor of becoming 1 of only 610 AMBCH in the USA. Having achieved this credential, Jennifer is considered to be amongst the most talented Colorists in the country.

Throughout her freelancing career, she has collaborated with several highly acclaimed and sought after photographers, including Patrick Demarchelier and Albert Giordan. She has styled celebrities on and off set for TV/FIlm, Editorial/Commercial Print, music videos, awards shows & events. Her ability to master styling has also earned her credits in such magazines as Harpers Bazaar, Redbook, and Marie Claire, to name a few.

For Jennifer's complete bio, visit our Featured Hair Stylist gallery via the MWN homepage.



WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: ENVIEUX STYLE

As a freelance wardrobe stylist, Christianne Lefebvre (Envieux Style), is looking to network with models, photographers and other stylists to do photoshoots and update her portfolio. She feels that clothing is one of the best forms of expression, and she has a great eye for mixing patterns, colors, textures and accessories to complete a look.

She works with models for fashion shows and photoshoots to perfect their looks in front of the camera, as well as with clients who need the perfect outfit for a special event.

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