The Victoria’s Secret fashion show was a whirlwind of excitement but what was it like for the girls behind the scenes? MDC heads backstage and catches up with the VS beauties to find what it is like to work for the iconic brand and to wear those signature over the top VS costumes!

Doutzen Kroes says hello to Models.com, Special thanks to Fred at DNA models.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

» Click here to continue reading Angel Secrets

As one of the premiere stylists in the industry, Marie Chaix brings fashion fantasies to life. Though her eclectic styling has been featured everywhere from i-D to Self Service and Vogue Paris, Chaix keeps a low profile. The enigmatic stylist sits down with Christopher Michael to discuss her rapid rise, the competitive nature of the business and what it is like to be a part of the new generation of power players.

ONE INTERVIEW // STYLIST MARIE CHAIX //
Guest interview by 1 Mgmt’s Christopher Michael

Cover photo: Vogue Paris / Ph: Alasdair McLellan / Model: Claudia Schiffer

Christopher Michael: I’m not sure if I’m wrong in this fact find but it seems as though you finished up at St Martins and went straight into working at Self Service, how does one lock down such a stellar start in the business?
Marie Chaix: I was looking for an internship after school, I always loved the magazine. I think that was the first place I called and they told me to come in….a week after I was there working and I didn’t leave..

CM: Off to a nice start you were..… After 5 years at the magazine you seemed to have undergone a sort of Big Bang theory and your works were suddenly amongst the pages of numerous publications from i-D, Another Magazine to Russian Vogue Covers, Vogue Paris stories etc…what brought on the sudden expansion?
MC: I think it happend sort of naturally in a way. I mean, I became freelance and I worked for Mixte for about 6 months, and then I started working for English magazines like i-D and Another, while still working for Self Service, as well as various Vogue publications. The more you do it, the more you learn, and sort of experiment in different areas, doing something that is more independent and more free creatively and more polished. To do different magazines like this helps you also to explore different sides of what you do.

Acne Paper / Ph: Miguel Reveriego / Models: Bridget Hall, Camille Mervin Leroy

CM: Definitely. As you know, the Modeling world can be a fierce jungle and in some cases even, girls decide that the fame and glory is not worth the gruesome travel schedule and endless competition the business brings forth…how would you explain it from the stylist side? Is the world equally ferocious amongst the climb that occurs in the career of an editor as well?
MC: It’s competitive, and I guess the more you do it maybe the more competitive it gets, but every industry is competitive in a way. Especially now with the economy I hear it has become more competitive, but I don’t know. I just try, like everyone else, to do the best you can and to have fun with it as well. That’s why you did it in the first place, but the more you do it the more you sometimes forget why you do it in the first place, so I think it’s important to remind yourself of why you started doing it to begin with and not be too completely serious. Of course, you want to try and always push things, to bring out a certain quality in your work, pay attention to detail, but there are always going to be things you can’t control! And that’s what makes a great picture too, that special moment.

CM: Right now there is an incredibly unprecedented moment occurring in our business where the range of generations all working in tandem is far more diverse than before, and the new up & comers are getting the chance to share the platform with their idols who are now considered living legends… what do you think made this new found era come about?
MC: It’s true actually. I didn’t think about it before, but now that you mention it, it’s true…. I think maybe it is because the industry grew and it’s much bigger than it was before. There are many more magazines than there were before, so there are more pages as well. I guess it opens people’s minds a little bit. I think after awhile you want to try something new and work with someone new because I guess they can bring something, and they (the idols and living legends) also bring you something very valuable–experience. When you are new, you maybe have some kind of fearlessness in your creative decisions. I think that perhaps it seems fresh for those who’ve been around longer to work with, and they bring you their experience, with the incredible body of work they produced… it is interesting…

CM: I personally love it, it’s not just a range that is happening with the photographers and editors but also with the Models as well which has been great. Up until now the 2000’s seem to remain unbranded by any particular fashion revolution, what has the first 10 years of the new millennium represented in fashion for you?
MC: I was in high school and the beginning of college during the 90’s and I was always wondering what that decade would be remembered by, and now it’s 2010 and you look at something and say ‘oh well that’s so 2000, you sort of picture the excess or the logos or all these kind of things, but there were great moments and amazing pictures. It’s maybe a bit too soon to look back on?

i-D magazine / Ph: Daniel Jackson / Models: Ana Claudia, Ana M, Linda V, Melody Woodin

CM: Excess, that works… The Tale on how Anna Wintour met the boys of Proenza is a funny one, what is the story behind your collaboration with them and how that whole thing come to be?
MC: I think we just met and it kind of clicked really well, which is interesting because they are American and I’m French, but they do work with quite a lot of French people. I think it’s a good mix and feels quite organic in the way that it works, the dialogue and the dynamic… you have to get to know each other’s taste and interests. Working with designers involves everything. It’s not only research, its conversations and bouncing ideas. I don’t know if the right word is organic, but that’s how I feel like explaining it… and we are also from the same generation, which is great.

Another Magazine / Ph: Solve Sundsbo / Models: Anja Rubik, Jourdan Dunn

CM: Speaking of Generations, you yourself are a part of a generation fast in the coming, in a few short years at this rate Marie Chaix will be a staple name in the world of fashion, seeming as though you were always a part of it. However, with you being you I think that its rather difficult to see the picture the same as it is from the outside..What does it look like from your standpoint being inside the picture?
MC: It’s very different. You don’t really realize these things because you’re just in your mind and you just continue working, preparing the next shoot so you sort of lose track of actually where you stand. It’s only when other people tell you but you’re always the last one to know…you know what i mean?

CM: Indeed, however I think that your standpoint is an admirable one, not being too quick to look back on your accomplishments…You mentioned earlier that there are a lot of magazines right now and that there has been this kind of major growth in the business, the points of view on this matter vary.. where do you stand? Do you think it’s a good thing or no…
MC: I think it’s a good thing that people want to do things and have the energy to start something. I always kind of admire people who just get on and do something and they believe in it. I think if that portrays a certain kind of positivity then it’s a good thing when the magazine has a different point of view, a strong identity, which is very important. People always talk about saturation of images and it is true but I think that somehow the internet adding on to it accentuates that even more. If people want to do a magazine it’s great–it’s a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, and I think that if people want to do that, yeah, it’s a positive thing. We also need the magazines for new generations to express themselves, you need a voice and a magazine provides a voice. I love Acne paper, for example you know Matthias, and also Thomas, whom I know from St Martins, so they’re people who share this kind of aesthetic and sensibility, and we can have a conversation on the same level as well, which is always good when you want to do something creative like that–it feels like we are part of the same generation which is nice.

Daul Kim at Dave’s in Paris 2008. PH. Stephan Moskovic

We were very saddened today in the office to hear about the tragic death of Daul Kim. Apart from being stunned at the news there’s also a devastating sense that a bright, vivid and intriguing young girl has left us. I’m not even thinking about issues of her being a model or a chic young fashionista who might have grown up to be a great editor or stylist or actress.  I’m thinking about the specialness of this girl as a human being… the inspiring quality of her mind… her ambition… her joy when she went to work.  I’m saddened that her world as a human being became so despairing for her even as we assumed that life must have been magical and glamorous.  I’ve only really had two extended conversations with Daul but I remember very vividly the life-force and passion in her eyes when she talked about clothes and travel and art and the irony of her being famous. Our deepest sympathy to her family and  friends. And I truly wish that her spirit will find peace.

Tron-like dancers…wraparound projections of trains and ocean liners…a pink wonderland of cotton candy and candy cane and an enchanted forest featuring slow motion leaves falling..The VS 2009 extravaganza did not stint on spectacle and that was before the first model even hit the runway. Of course MDC’s Betty Sze was in the midst of the backstage frenzy capturing those close-up moments with all your favorite beauties. Feast your eye on this cornucopia.

Pictures by Betty Sze for MDC

Abbey Lee Kershaw

» Click here to continue reading VS 2009: Extravganza And Beyond.

Hailing from Flensburg,Germany -MODELWERK‘s Anne Sophie Monrad is the latest newcomer to nab MOTW. See details here..

Sedene. Pols courtesy of New York Model Management.

True elegance is serene. Contained but all the more compelling for it. That is a quality New York Model’s latest find Sedene boasts. Hailing from Jamaica this  sleek girl is being glossed and groomed for her Fall 2010 unveiling. OTM looks forward to that debut!

Tim Gunn. Ph: Betty for MDC.
There’s is nothing we like more than a great cause mixed with beautiful models. Monday night’s Fashion Forward event and fashion show hosted by GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), Saks Fifth Avenue and Bank of America had it all: fabulous clothes straight from the resort collections at Saks, amazing auction items like a Paris vacation package with 2 tickets to Karl Lagerfeld’s Fall 2010 show, many of our favorite models and as master of ceremonies, Tim Gunn (our fashion crush) all to benefit the fight against AIDS. (See videos and pictures below).

Get the Flash Player to see this player.
One of Givenchy’s F/W 09 faces, Manuel Ramos is a sweetheart.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Lee Kholafai gets oiled up.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Dorian gives great hair
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Parker (new face with Red) may look tough but has the soul of an artist.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.
The darkened backstage doesn’t dampen the compelling message of Mr. Gunn.

Givenchy face Manuel Ramos

Jimmy Paul works his magic on Kim Mccullough’s hair.

Michael Whittaker and Sharan Bala pose

Bryce Draper is channeling a young Tom Cruise here.

Travone Hill and Salieu Jalloh, 2 beauties.

The enterprising Niels Raabe just set up his own website.

Augustine, Request’s new face from Uruguay gives us a mischievous smile.

Dorian Cobb’s crowning glory.

DNA’s 2 new faces, Grayson and…

Simon Tham, Steven Didas, Creing (all up and coming faces with Major).

Augustine, channeling young Clive Owen here.

Parker’s colorful and symbolic tattoos.

Sporting a Diesel swim suit.

Industry veteran Andre Brown.

One of F.I.T’s students’ quick sketches of the crowd, on sale to benefit the cause.

Mr. Gunn gets ready.

One of our favorite sketches…

Calvin Klein S/S 2010. Ph Greg Kessler, courtesy of Calvin Klein.

The Spring/Summer look of Calvin Klein is simple, wearable and chic. At Tuesday’s seasonal presentation, creative director Kevin Carrigan, presented a series of uncomplicated pieces for men and women. Within each of the brand’s lines - Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, accessories, eyewear, swim and underwear - Carrigan crafted a cohesive representation of the Calvin aesthetic. Effortless ensembles, styled by Jay Massacret, were the focus - from an unexpectedly elegant denim shift to a lighter than air linen suit.

Clothing aside, one of the most interesting things about the presentation was the model selection by Mark Foltz. From chiseled stars like Danny Schwarz and Ryan Koning showing off CK’s underwear line, to fresh faces like Debora Muller and Kate Kosushkina looking sweet in the spring separates, each model added something special. All together the group provided the perfect compliment to Carrigan’s cool vision for the new season.

Ph: Greg Kessler, courtesy of Calvin Klein

Ph: Greg Kessler, courtesy of Calvin Klein

The wonderful palette of colors for spring. Ph: Greg Kessler, courtesy of Calvin Klein

Some of our favorite looks on the models below. (All pictures below, Betty for MODELS.com)

Ryan Koning, Martin, Andreea Diaconu, Jamie Jewitt, Danny Schwarz in the bold new Calvin underwear line.

Ryan Koning

Calvin favorite Danny Schwarz

New face Josefin Hedstrom from Marilyn

wears the must have pant for spring.

Patrick Kafka effortlessy chic.

Mark Cox

Lucas Mascarini

New face with Next

Debora Muller in a timeless piece.

New face Kristina Boyko with VNY

Kate Kosushkina

Paolo Anchisi

New face

The muted palette on the models.

New face Whitney Coble

AJ Abualrub embodies sexy and tough.

Brightening up our spring

Classic and wearable.

Global creative director Kevin Carrigan, the man behind it all.

Reina/Supreme Management PH Paul Rowland

Reina in English translates to “queen” which makes it a note perfect name for Supreme’s latest entrant in the new model sweepstakes. Hailing from the Dominican Republic , Reina was glimpsed by OTM making the rounds at Dominicana Moda 2009. It’s going to be very exciting watching that presence on the FW 10 runways!

Anja Rubik chats with MDC.

Anja Rubik is one of fashion’s multi-faceted beauties. As a model she embodies the kind of easy going and elegant beauty clients like Gucci, Chloe and Armani adore but there is more to Ms. Rubik than just a pretty face. For the past few years she has also been an avid yoga practitioner, an interest that has lead to both inner calm and an intriguing new partnership. Following in the footsteps of high fashion yoga enthusiasts like Christy Turlington, Anja is now the face of the Nintendo’s Yoga for Wii game. The game provides an experience that allows users the chance to experience the benefits of a yoga studio right in their own home, an ideal invention for models on the go or for anyone else seeking the serenity and flexibility provided by yoga.

Given her personal experience with yoga - she calls it an “obsession” and her natural charm in front of the camera Anja was the perfect person to represent an art that is both timeless and modern. When asked about why she chose to be the face of this product at this moment her answer was simple “I can feel good promoting yoga because its something I’m passionate about and truly believe in.”

The lovely Anja. Ph: Betty/MDC.

Image from the Wii Yoga website.