Top Model Succes Stories

Toccara Jones - America's Next Top Model
Toccara Jones came onto "America's Next Top Model" dreaming of becoming the world's first plus-size African American Super Model. Now, just a few years later, Toccara's dream has come true. She was handpicked by Steven Meisel for a 14 page spread-out in Vogue Italia. She has appeared on and in numerous magazines, and has modeled for numerous brands including the multi-million dollar cosmetics company Avon. She is now a Red Carpet regular, and is dating successful Atlantic Record executive Michael Kyser.

Yaya Dacosta - America's Next Top Model
West African, Irish, Brazillian, and Native American descent, Yaya Dacosta has been working constantly since she appeared on "America's Next Top Model" a few years back. Although she has graduated from Brown University studying International Relations, she continues to do what she loves which is performing. She continues to model, having appeared in many magazines, and signing contract with several cosmetic companies including Olay, and Sephora. Besides modeling, Yaya is a very successful actress and dancer. She has recently given an exceptional performance while appearing in "The First Breeze of Sumer" on Broadway.

Mollie Sue Gondi - America's Next Top Model
Although Mollie Sue Gondi did not make it very far on "America's Next Top Model", she has made it very far in the real modeling industry. Pictured above, in the center, you see Mollie Sue posing alongside friend and Haute Couture designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. She has walked in numerous fashion shows, and has shot several spreads for Vogue Nippon, Vogue Russia, and Vogue Italia.

Kim Stolz - America's Next Top Model
Kim Stolz was the first openly Lesbian female to appear on "America's Next Top Model", although she didn't win, her charming personality and baby-doll face lead Kim far through the competition. She has signed with Elite Models, and while continuing to model for publications such as Teen Vogue, and Women's Wear Daily, Kim is MTV News' main female correspondent, and even had the chance to interview presidential candidates. She has also written for The Huffington Post.

Sabina Karlsson - Sweden's Next Top Model
"Sweden's Next Top Model" finalist Sabina Karlsson has been modeling since the age of five. She is signed with both Ford and Why Not Models, and has appeared in numerous magazines, including Glamour Magazine in which she is a favorite, having appeared in editorials several times. She has walked for shows such as Betsey Johnson, and Jean-Paul Gaultier ready-to-wear.

Kat Doll - America's Next Top Model
Katarzyna Dollinska (A.K.A Kat Doll) has been becoming more and more successful. Last season, Kat walked alongside some of the industry's best models in the Issey Miyake Fall 2009 show, and has appeared in numerous magazines including L'Officiel Paris, Glamour Italia, and most notably Vogue Australia in which she had a several page spread-out. She is signed with Elite Models.

Jaslene Gonzalez - America's Next Top Model
Out of all the Top Model winners, it seams that Jaslene has used her title for the best, by letting her voice be heard and acting as a role model for not just the Latina community. She speaks regularly about her experiences in an abusive relationship, and encourages young girls to be aware, and to always have confidence in themselves. Teen Vogue named her one of the best role models in fashion, she has modeled for publications such as Women's Wear Daily, and Giorgio Armani's more affordable line, Armani Exchange. She has also appeared on the cover of Latina Magazine, and has continued to work for Covergirl, shooting successful commercials that air in Spain and other European countries.

Karen Pillet - France's Next Top Model
Karen Pillet won France's Next Top Model, and will undoubtedly continue to pursue a career in modeling for a while with that killer face. At only 18, she has modeled for Women's Wear Daily, and has appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Japan. She is signed with Major Models, and has already had the opportunity of being shot by Karl Lagerfeld.

Nicole Linkletter - America's Next Top Model
Nicole Linkletter's career after "America's Next Top Model" got off to a relatively slow start. However, recently, Nicole has gotten back in the game and has done numerous modeling jobs. Most recently she appeared on the cover of the Malaysian version of Marie Claire Magazine and has modeled the latest Burberry Prorsum Pre-fall collection.

Lena Gercke - Germany's Next Top Model
Lena Gercke won the first season of "Germany's Next Top Model" at 18 years-old, and has been working nonstop ever since. She has appeared on Cosmopolitan Germany twice, and is signed with IMG Models in Paris, Elite Models in Milan, and Elite Models in Germany. However, what she is most known for is getting the chance to be the host of "Austria's Next Top Model". She is one of Austria's biggest celebrities, and even has her own doll on Stardoll!

Elyse Sewell - America's Next Top Model
Elyse Sewell was a finalist in the first cycle in America's Next Top Model, and since has become one of China's biggest models. According to fashion blogger Bryanboy, she is "such a big hit in Asia". She has been in and on numerous magazines, including the cover of Harper's Bazaar China. She has also walked in many shows in Asia, including John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld's Asian presentations of their collections for Dior and Chanel, and many more. Above, you see her walking for Chanel Spring 2009 in Asia. She has also appeared in ads for Chanel in Asia, as also shown above.

Ksenia Kahnovich - Russia's Next Top Model
Alongside Alice Burdeu, Ksenia Kahnovich is the most successful Top Model winner. Above you see her in Christian Dior Fall 2009, and Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2009. She is a runway queen, having walked for Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, and many more. She's also a favorite of John Galliano. Ksenia has been on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Amica and many more including Velvet Magazine which is featured above. She has also appeared in campaigns for Gucci.

Levi Strauss ( Levi's ) Succes Story

Levis Blue Jeans founder and creator, Levi Strauss was born on February 26, 1829. From Wrangler to Lee and from Calvin Klein to Diesel or True Religion, it all got started with Levis 501 blue denim jeans.

Levi Strauss was a German-Jewish immigrant to the United States. In case you've been living under a rock, Levi Strauss founded the first company to manufacture denim blue jeans. Levi Strauss & Co., got started in 1853 in San Francisco, California.

I want to take a look at the history of Mr. Strauss and get a little deeper into his life.

Levis jeans are as American as mom and apple pie, baseball and hot dogs. What's even more important now is to understand exactly what Levi Strauss did. His story is a lesson to be learned by many and should be something to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit in us all.

The Story


Levi Strauss immigrated to the United States from Bavaria, Germany in 1847. He was 18 years old.

By 1853, the Strauss family had a dry goods business in New York ran by Levi's brothers. With the California Gold Rush in full swing, it made since to send Levi west to San Francisco to develop a West Coast branch of J. Strauss Brother & Co. This was Levi's brother Jonas.

Levi set sail for San Francisco in January 1853. I'm sure he could have gone by wagon train, but ironically, it looks like it was actually safer to sail around South America then cross the U.S. by wagon.

By March of 1853, Levi Strauss & Co. was importing fine dry goods like clothing, bedding, combs, purses, and handkerchiefs from his brothers Jonas and Louis in New York. Let's not forget canvas for wagon covers and tents either. Levi would then sell the goods to the small general stores and mercantiles of California and the West.

This is where I must give credit to Levi and his brothers. How the jeans fall into place is something of a happy accident which I'll get to shortly, but what's important here is that Levi Strauss had enough business since to not play the lottery that was the California Gold Rush, but instead chose to supply all of those who were. This one move put Levi Strauss in the right place and the right time to strike it rich in a way most, if not all, failed 49ers dreamed of every night. Looking for the easy way out and the get rich quick fix is never a substitute for hard work and spirit. When you play these odds, the house almost surely wins.

So, as the story goes, Levi was told by a miner that he should sell pants because it was hard to find durable pants, so he started making pants out of canvas. It worked well except it caused chaffing, so Levi decided to substitute a twilled cotton cloth from France that was then called "serge de Nimes." The fabric later became known as, that's right, "denim" and the pants were eventually nicknamed "blue jeans."

And there begins an American Success story. The rest as you know is history... but I'll tell it anyway!

By late 1872 the business was in full swing. In Reno, Nevada a tailor named Jacob Davis was making work pants for men that had metal points of strain for a stronger pair of waist overalls. That was what they were called back in the day before they were known as "jeans." Davis wanted to get a patent for the process but needed a the help of a business partner. Enter Levi Strauss. Levi was the man Davis purchased fabric from. So in May of 1873, Strauss and Davis got themselves a United States patent for using of all things, copper rivets to strengthen the pockets of denim work pants.

The actual date of the patent and subsequent birthday of blue jeans is May 20, 1873.

In 1886 Levi started to use The Two Horse brand leather patch on the waist overalls. The main purpose of this patch was to show the world and more importantly the consumer, just how strong these pants are and then to reinforce the Levi status as the originator of patent riveted clothing. Levi knew that the patent was set to go into the public domain sometime around 1890 so he wanted to drive how the message that Levis are the original jean and the strongest jean to boot.

As foreseen, the patent enters the public domain in 1890 and now Levi Strauss & Co is no longer the only guy on the block to manufacture jeans with rivets. A lot number was assigned to the jeans and low and behold the birth of the 501.

And behold the birth of the working man's pants and of cool, comfortable, durable waist overalls. Now honestly, would James Dean be James Dean without a worn pair of Levis? I doubt it.

Conclusion

Levi Strauss died in 1902. September 22, 1902 marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. Levi Strauss & Co. now has an obligation to assure a long and fruitful legacy for the man who developed and build his own gold mine.

If alchemy exists, it is from the hard work and entrepreneurial spirits of men like Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis who paned their fortunes in the streams of men looking to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush.

Calvin Klein Succese Story

Calvin Klein is an American fashion brand founded in 1968 by the designer Calvin Klein. The story of the brand starts from the first coat store opened in 1968 in York Hotel in New York City. A success history started from 1969 when Klein shown his collections to the Bonwit Teller staff and gained a contract for the creation for men’s and women’s coats collection. Bonwit Teller was a well-known department store, renown for the high quality clothing and accessories range. In the same year Calvin Klein appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine. Lately, the same magazine named him “the supreme master of minimalism”. This main distinctive feature of the designer’s signature collections along with high quality brought him a great popularity among American consumers. The brand started to develop enormously, and by 1971 its range was expanded by sportswear, classic blazers, lingerie. In the following years the company licensed the production of scarves, shoes, belts, furs, sunglasses, and sheets, etc. Calvin Klein received honorable Coty American Fashion Critics’ Awards for womenswear collection during three consecutive years starting from 1973. By 1977, annual revenues of the company had achieved $30 million. Another important clothing line extension became the introduction of jeans wear in 1978. Calvin Klein claims that all the 200 000 pairs of jeans the company provided for retail were sold in the first week. With the introduction of cosmetic line and fragrances in the late 1970s company started to experience big financial loses, and the products were withdrawn from the market. However, the revenues of the company continued to rise. Another good marketing strategy was to introduce underwear and to make a special ads campaign featuring pop singer Marky Mark (lately known as a popular actor Mark Wahlberg). Eventually this new introduction led to a new stage of company performance. The new line of boxer shorts raised the sales of the company by $70 million in a single year. However, the company met new financial complications in the mid 1990s and there appeared the rumors that it’s up for sale. With the introduction of new fragrances, which become very popular the company eventually avoided bankruptcy, but in 2002 it was finally sold to Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation which also owns other fashion brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Max Azria.
The true lovers of the minimalistic elegant design would appreciate the designer’s collections of Calvin Klein, even though nowadays they are already made by other designers. Worth noting, that these designers were approved by Klein.

How to Dress Like a Model

Do you daydream about dressing like some of those people you see on the catwalk and in magazines? Well, you can dress like them, and add your own touch of style, too.



You don't want to be exactly like one certain model, but you can use him or her as an inspiration and style plate for your own wardrobe. It can be tricky to find just one model to follow; you may love the things he or she wears in her first spread, but hate the stuff she wears in the second. If that is the case, you can adopt several similar-style role models, and borrow your favorite fashion statements from each. In addition, you NEVER want to copy EVERYTHING a certain model does. He or she is simply there for inspiration, though I find it more inspiring to look through fashion magazines, or surf the web for whatever I like. Being a model isn't always about following the trends, it's about showing off what YOU think looks good, and hopefully inspiring others- making you the trend setter

How to Dress for the Job You Want

The shoot vs. The boot
DOS:
Short shorts are hot, micro miniskirts are hoochie
Dress super-simply but spend on fabulous designer heels (clients will assume you're getting a lot of bookings!)
Invest in a classic fitted leather jacket—with AC, you can wear it even in summer

DON'TS:
Baggy tops and tent dresses—clients need to be able to see your body
Worrying about having the right bag—no one pays attention
Expensive, flashy jewelry—simple stuff keeps the focus on you!

NOVICE MODEL: Nataniele Ribeiro, 17, student and model in Brazil

EXPERT: May Andersen, former Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, now designs denim line Chick With Guns

FORMALITY FACTOR: (1/10) "For go-sees with potential clients, less is more: Wear a fitted T-shirt or tank with skinny jeans or shorts."

THE GOAL: "You have to look confident at all costs. The nature of modeling is to be judged on your looks; you can't take it personally."

THE MUST-HAVES: "Fabulous jeans that you can dress up or down. A skinny pair will make your legs look longer—especially with classic, sexy Manolos. Flats are fine, but heels give you better posture and show your client that you know how to walk in them. Avoid wearing white; it can make anyone look bigger. I favor all-black outfits, since they're slimming and work well for day or night. In this business, bras are optional."

THE FASHION DISASTER: "I've seen young models show up for go-sees looking like something out of America's Next Top Model—totally over the top in some crazy punk outfit. Clients only want to see you as a blank canvas so they can picture you in their clothes."

DRESS FOR SUCCESS: "Since you have to be prepared to try on all types of clothes—even bathing suits—always wear a Calvin Klein nude G-string, the industry staple given to the models at most major fashion shows."

FINISH THE LOOK: "Pull your hair back so they can see your face. Generally no makeup for high-fashion jobs, like runway and couture, though you might wear concealer and mascara for commercial clients like a cosmetics company. And thanks to Photoshop, you don't have to worry about your tattoos!"

On May Andersen, left: Plaid shirt, $14.99, Charlotte Russe; shorts, $200, May Andersen for Chick With Guns; shoes, $550, Sergio Rossi; tights, $42, Wolford; Andersen's own bracelet, rings, Calvin Klein tank, and WFR necklace. On Nataniele Ribeiro, right: Top, $48, Michael Stars; jeans, $200, May Andersen for Chick With Guns; shoes, $660, Christian Louboutin; necklace (worn as bracelet), $575, Iosselliani; ring, $760, Chanel; Ribeiro's own Elise Overland jacket.

Read more: How to Dress Like a Model - Fashion for Work - Marie Claire

Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is a product of the modern age. Prior to the mid-19th century, most clothing was custom made. It was handmade for individuals, either as home production or on order from dressmakers and tailors. By the beginning of the 20th century—with the rise of new technologies such as the sewing machine, the rise of global capitalism and the development of the factory system of production, and the proliferation of retail outlets such as department stores—clothing had increasingly come to be mass-produced in standard sizes and sold at fixed prices. Although the fashion industry developed first in Europe and America, today it is an international and highly globalized industry, with clothing often designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold world-wide. For example, an American fashion company might source fabric in China and have the clothes manufactured in Vietnam, finished in Italy, and shipped to a warehouse in the United States for distribution to retail outlets internationally. The fashion industry has long been one of the largest employers in the United States, and it remains so in the 21st century. However, employment declined considerably as production increasingly moved overseas, especially to China. Because data on the fashion industry typically are reported for national economies and expressed in terms of the industry’s many separate sectors, aggregate figures for world production of textiles and clothing are difficult to obtain. However, by any measure, the industry accounts for a significant share of world economic output.

The fashion industry consists of four levels: the production of raw materials, principally fibres and textiles but also leather and fur; the production of fashion goods by designers, manufacturers, contractors, and others; retail sales; and various forms of advertising and promotion. These levels consist of many separate but interdependent sectors, all of which are devoted to the goal of satisfying consumer demand for apparel under conditions that enable participants in the industry to operate at a profit.

fashion

Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person. The more technical term, costume, has become so linked in the public eye with the term "fashion" that the more general term "costume" has in popular use mostly been relegated to special senses like fancy dress or masquerade wear, while the term "fashion" means clothing generally, and the study of it. For a broad cross-cultural look at clothing and its place in society, refer to the entries for clothing, costume and fabrics. The remainder of this article deals with clothing fashions in the Western world