Cha-Cha's Bag #2
Beauty, Boys, & Books
by Charlotte Smith

After your overwhelming response to Cha Cha's Bag, I decided to continue my thoughts on fashion.  It seems that fashion itself, along with its clique of designers and models (as well, as men who only want to date models) have taken over the planet.  Don't get me wrong, I'm also a participant to the whole conspiracy & am trying to figure out when it all started.

Many of the e-mail I receive from my devoted fans all have questions on fashion.  The most popular question is how can I be down, meaning ..."Cha Cha, I really want to be a model. Can you help?"

I actually do reply to many of my readers.  For some, I feel that a book is the best way to answer the questions many of you have about the exciting world of modeling.  I too, have a friend who desperately wants to be a model and let me tell you first hand, breaking into the business is HARD.  I spend hours counseling my homegirl on how she needs to get a job.  It's not just about getting that big break, that exclusive contract or campaign.  You can't just be beautiful.  Not everyone will make it just because you are pretty, tall and skinny.  Ladies and gents, please stop starving yourselves.  There is only one Kate, Christy and Naomi.  

The books that I recommend to you 'would-be' models to help with your dreams and goals can be purchased right here!

Now on to other questions and thoughts.  One of my readers had a question about tanning.  Honey, tanning is so OUT!  There are so many self tanning lotions on the market, why in the world would you want to bake yourself anyways.   Unless, of course, if you are on vacation at some tropical retreat.  I personally would never lie down in one of those tanning beds.  Some of my friends would go to these tanning salons and frankly, I never saw them get tanned, only as red as the proverbial lobster.

Hon, let's talk about fashion and forget abut our bodies for once.   The Spring collections seemed to be pretty fierce coming out of Europe this year. Chanel has definitely blown my mind.  I'm always a fan of Chanel because of my grandmother.  She showed up at my college graduation in a pink vintage Chanel suit complete with ballet slipper.  It was classic Chanel mind you, that is the main reason I thought I would never wear Chanel until I was quite older.   Yet, Karl Lagerfeld seems to be more hip than many of these young cats out there today.  He made Chanel accessible and wearable.  The newly launched Beige line makes you just want to get "jiggy".  Orange leather jacket's (oooh), silver flight pants (aaahhh), as well as warm up suits with the double C emblem (Get outta my way L'll Kim!!).  Watch out Tommy.   It's seems as if fashion is finally going toward a more accessible market.  It's just how you wear it and what you do with it that will make it so YOU.

In the meantime don't forget to check out our 50 Top Models Countdown by my homeboy Wayne Sterling who seems to know everything about every model in creation.
Next time, I think we'll need to discuss why good girls like bad boys, or basically what is the appeal of the Sexy Thug (DMX, Noreiga, Nas). Speaking of Thugs can you accept that "Belly" is already out on bootleg video, (sorry Hype Williams).  It is really messed up when a hip-hop video director's first film is out on bootleg before the premier. Anyway, until next time kiddies.  Reach out and touch me (charlotte@models.com).

Salute !

Cha-Cha's Bag #1

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