Arlenis Sosa. All photos Betty/MDC.
At the kind invitation of Arlenis Sosa, OTM flew down this weekend to the Dominican Republic for the double treat of the launch of her charitable foundation in support of pediatric diabetes as well as the launch of DominicanaModa 2009. Day 1 saw our team sitting down to dinner with the Sosa family joined by Eniko Mihalik (who flew down to support her agency mate), the Lancome PR team and Marilyn head honcho Chris Gay at the gorgeous Boca Marina restaurant in Boca Chica. Day 2 was a flurry of morning press conferences and show castings, afternoon rehearsals for the Luis Menieur show and the kick-off ceremonies for Dominicana Moda 09. By nightfall the pool area of El Embajador hotel had been transformed into a neon wonderland of tents and booths to rival 7th On Sixth’s bi-annual extravaganza where Dominican high society milled at the entrance of the Luis Menieur show. That spectacle featured descending elevators that would have made Beyonce glow with envy, an opening stomp by Arlenis followed by turns by her beau Rene Rodriguez as well as Yuri Pleskun (both Request Models), IMG’s Austria Alcantara, Eniko, One’s Elisa Sednaoui and the surprise appearance of local baseball mascots that sent the local crowd roaring. Most touching of all was witnessing the well spring of emotions Arlenis’ triumphant homecoming triggered. There was pride, joy, flowing tears and a sense of achievement and hope for forging a path for the Dominican Republic as a future fashion player. Things have happened very fast for Arlenis but for all her physical beauty, the inner beauty of her humility, spirituality and kindness is what will remain with with us as the great discovery of this trip. Now you know where that radiant smile comes from.
At the lovely Boca Marina restaurant with Lancome’s Patricia Reynoso and Alex Sanchez.
The incredible view of Boca Chica beach from the restaurant.
Eniko and Arlenis dance up a storm.
Marilyn’s Chris Gay and Moe B with the lady of the night.
Arlenis and her beautiful parents.
The next morning, getting ready for the press conference, Arlenis gets a wonderful surprise with a Lancome congratulations.
The Arlenis Sosa Foundation will focus on pediatric diabetes in the Santo Domingo area.
Local friends come and support Arlenis at the press conference announcing her foundation.
Arlenis and Patricia.
Arlenis speaks about meeting Annety ledesma a 12 year old local girl with diabetes who inspired her to start her foundation and also about the importance of giving back to the community.
Rene (center) is supported by fellow Request agency mates Hakan Norling, Edward Lemoinier, Mikus Lasmanis, Yuri Pleskun.
Arlenis gets ready for the evening’s show.
At the run through for the show, we catch Austria in a thoughtful moment.
Top Lancome makeup artist Alex Sanchez works his magic.
We too are big fans of Arlenis, Rene!
Backstage, Elisa Sednaoui hears some secrets.
The text generation.
Rene with designer Luis Menieur.
Post show, a triumphant walk with Arlenis, Rene and the mascots of the pride of DR sports: baseball.
Receiving her Dominicana Moda Award.
The proud and supportive Lancome team, Patricia and Alex
Yuri wipes off the makeup.
The fabulous grounds of the Hotel El Embajador, post show.
Arlenis ends the evening in a lovely Herve Leger dress.
This post's tags: Arlenis Sosa, Austria Alcantara, Elisa Sednaoui, Eniko Mihalik, Hakan Norling, Mikus Lasmanis, Rene Rodriguez, Yuri Pleskun
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October 23rd, 2009
at 2:48 pm
Great pictures!
October 23rd, 2009
at 4:14 pm
Amazing pictures, thanks MDC! Arlenis is such a fantastic model who encompasses such beautiful qualities which really make her stand out from the crowd!
October 23rd, 2009
at 5:10 pm
Wonderful girl. She stands out from these dead eyed skinny girls because she is glowing with health and beauty. She should book more than she does. Stunning. Just stunning.
October 23rd, 2009
at 7:08 pm
am and always will be a huge fan of arlenis..since day one. hope she continues to go far :)
October 23rd, 2009
at 8:19 pm
This girl makes me so proud! i hope she can be where Iman and Naomi are at today!
October 24th, 2009
at 3:14 am
Arlenis is incredible!!! and that id card with her picture is gorgeous!
October 24th, 2009
at 6:32 am
Arlenis is a very special girl!
:)
http://thesingular.blogspot.com
October 24th, 2009
at 6:56 am
Beautiful ,natural beautyy
October 24th, 2009
at 1:30 pm
She is absolutely gorgeous and looks so ‘humane’ and exudes health and a breathtaking smile. Congratulations your Lancome Award and the wonderful work/cause you do.
October 24th, 2009
at 5:08 pm
That rene boy is her boyfriend
October 24th, 2009
at 8:13 pm
a natural beauty
October 24th, 2009
at 11:44 pm
Who took that ID picture???
I’ts part of the campaign for dominicana moda
October 25th, 2009
at 5:26 am
BRAVA! i adore this girl. phenomenal model with a supernova future in her hands. even more impressed by the fact that she’s already doing something for others by starting her own foundation as a teen! now how many supermodels waited til their 30’s to look outside themselves? how many are in their 40’s and have nothing but covers to show off? ONE OF A KIND, ARLENIS. congratulations and all the luck in the world!
October 25th, 2009
at 7:10 am
wow!
October 25th, 2009
at 6:11 pm
arle is my all time fave!!
http://www.joandjoenyc.com {shop}
October 25th, 2009
at 6:12 pm
WOW!!!! Thanks for sharing the photos!!!! Great job Alex!!!!
October 25th, 2009
at 6:35 pm
ARLENIS….YOU ARE A NATURAL BEAUTY AND EXUDE SUCH A WONDERFUL SPIRIT. I LOVE THAT YOU SHOW US YOUR SUNSHINY SMILE AND I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS MOST OF ALL!!!
October 25th, 2009
at 9:07 pm
arlenis is one of the nicest models i have ever met. even if youve never met her before she makes you feel like youve known her all your life.
good grief though…how tall are her parents? unless they are standing on something…because arlenis is a true 5′11…
October 25th, 2009
at 10:04 pm
the pictures of the campaign were by Fernando&Victor, pretty much the only fashion photographers here
http://www.fernandoyvictor.com
October 25th, 2009
at 10:45 pm
I love that she always wears her hair back and out of her face so you can see how beautiful she is all the time. I think how far this girl has come in such a short period of time is putting her in a league of her own.
October 26th, 2009
at 5:23 pm
love her!!!!!!!
October 27th, 2009
at 10:29 am
Arlenis is fantastic, Fernando Victor are not the only fashion photographer in the Dominican Republic neither the best
they are good at copying well known photographers
October 27th, 2009
at 3:49 pm
Oooh someone’s jealous LOL
October 27th, 2009
at 3:50 pm
Who have they copied?
October 29th, 2009
at 2:20 am
All those Kids are beautiful! everybody in Dominican Republic are that beautiful???? They should be models! LOL
October 30th, 2009
at 1:21 am
Peter, who have Fernando & Victor copyed?
October 31st, 2009
at 10:49 pm
ESA ES MI MORENA ESTOY TAN ORGULLOSO DE TENER UNA MORENA TAN SENCILLA
QUE FOTO MAS BELLA CON EL VESTIDO ROJO
November 2nd, 2009
at 1:18 pm
Arlenis is such a sweetheart! I met her at Mizrahi this season and fell in love. I want to see her get more editorial/print!
November 7th, 2009
at 9:06 am
when something is fantastic - we say it is fantastic.
when something is fabulous - we say it is fabulous.
but when something is fantastic and fabulous - we say it is FANTABULOUS!
Arlenis,you are FANTABULOUS!
I pray that Olodumare continue to shower his infinite blessings on you always.Remain blessed.
Bravo dominicanos!