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Let me introduce you to…

I met ‘Clemence Biau’ on a TV commercial shoot in Milan a few years ago.

We were taught a choreography routine and were expected to dance like there was no tomorrow! We were also required to speak Italian with a perfect accent, a challenge with no coach and a team of 100 Italians looking on! With each other’s support we not only did it, but we totally rocked it, even if I do say so myself.

Clemence has been a dear friend since. She’s so classically French and beautiful though I do always tease her about her soft accent. At the same time she’s very cosmopolitan and unbelievably professional. Like me she’s been modeling 10 years and has travelled all around the world living in NYC, Paris and spending a lot of time in London, to my delight.

I’ve asked her to share her experiences and give a little ‘advice’ about the modeling world:

January 16, 2012 2 comments

Nude by Coppi Barbieri

I’ve just received this copy of a video I recently did with the amazing Coppi Barbieri for the New York Times fashion magazine, ‘T’. Ironically filmed in London!

Especially loved wearing the Cartier ring, if only the two security guards hadn’t been so bloody attentive it would be in my jewelry box now!

January 15, 2012 1 comment

My tip of the week…. Green Superfood Powder

This is my magic food supplement.

I like to add a rounded tablespoon to my green juice each morning (Liquiteria uses it as well) and I mix the same amount with a glass of water in the afternoon or evening (yes, that’s the scary looking green drink in the picture).

It is especially great after an intensive workout or run as it’s very rich in protein and minerals. It can temporarily satisfy your hunger as well and give you the ‘kick’ you need on a long shoot.

January 12, 2012 6 comments

Postcard from Fuerteventura

This trip to shoot a campaign for ‘Mint Velvet’ started very early one Sunday morning, 3am to be exact…

My driver took me to Stansted airport, the furthest of all the London airports from my apartment in South London, you kinda feel you’ve driven to Scotland.

I met Nicky, Gemma, Kolbrun, Anna, Liz and Jack (Jack was the only guy to infiltrate our women only team) at the airport and we were off on our adventure.

Ali (one of the best producers I’ve ever worked with) and her team, collected us at Fuerteventura airport, and drove us to the shoot. Neither my green juice or the two lattes on the plane were doing the trick, my body refused to believe it was daytime and that I shouldn’t still be in bed!

I have to say I tend to get weary going to the Canary Islands so often, they’re popular with European clients and I kinda understand why. Great weather is always guaranteed, (unless you’re travelling with a ‘rain God’, me!) and it’s a quick 4 hour hop from Europe. There’s no time change so you can easily start working at 4am with no jet lag excuse.

Funnily enough this was my first time on the island of Fuerteventura and I was nicely surprised. The sand is almost as white as the Caribbean and beautifully dune-like, unlike any other Canary Island I’ve visited. Most of all I was mesmerized by the landscape, it was like being back in Utah’s Monument Valley, absolutely breathtaking! And what’s up with all those goats? Goats, EVERYWHERE!

So we were all there, very tired but with a fabulous catering team, they were Austrian and the food was very similar to Czech food so I was happy (and very greedy!)

We managed to get some great shots despite the cloudy weather and me running around snapping backstage shots of the team, annoying everyone I’m sure.

I got to drive a beautiful 1960’s Mercedes, which was super cool but a bit tricky with all those goats, which scarred the hell out of the car’s owner who was watching with a terrified look in his eyes!

After a quick 2 days we were back at the airport saying goodbye, great new friends and what an adventure!

http://blog.mintvelvet.co.uk/

January 11, 2012 7 comments

NYC Vintage

Oh, vintage! Looking for that one special piece of clothing or accessory is a little bit like going to a museum, except you get to touch it and take it home. That’s what makes the whole vintage shopping experience so exciting. I love to find original pieces from previous collections and I always wonder, what’s the history behind it? Who were the women that owned it before me and is there an exciting story to be told?

Shopping for designer vintage in New York City can be especially amazing. I haven’t found any better place in the world to do it. You wouldn’t believe how many Birkins, without 3 weeks of waiting, or Chanel suits still with their tags on are out there!

Below are my favorite NYC vintage shops as of now. I’ll definitely post more soon, I find new ones all the time. My next mission is to explore the Upper East’s hidden gems.

Two tips:

1) Always ask the staff for help to find the specific piece you’re looking for, they are usually very knowledgeable and can often find what you want even if it’s on the other side of the world!

2) Most of the vintage shops in NYC open late-around 12pm. I always tend to forget this.

January 8, 2012 5 comments

The ‘IT’ sunglasses

What sunglasses could be better than those named ‘For the Sun’ in Italian? To me Persol are simply the best quality sunglasses there are.

Founded in 1917 in Italy, Persol was revolutionary to the development of sunglasses due to the UV protection offered. They were first worn by pilots and sport drivers, later tested in the most extreme temperatures and altitudes to ensure the best performance. They soon became Hollywood’s favorite accessory and were worn by the likes of Steve McQueen, Marcello Mastroianni, Ornella Muti among many others.

For Persol it’s all about the quality, which I do love, but for me it’s also about the design. I don’t wear sunglasses with huge gold, flittering brand logos all over them. It’s Persol’s minimalistic design and simple, clean logo, ‘Supreme Arrow’ that I admire. They’re basically a classic.

Steve McQueen’s pair was auctioned for $70,000 10 years after he appeared on the Persol adverts.

I’ll see if I can do the same thing with mine!

January 6, 2012 1 comment

My rules when flying…

January 4, 2012 2 comments

‘Run Adela Run’

The first run of 2012 was a bit harder than I thought, but I made it!

Half way through I felt like I might kill someone (but don’t worry, I didn’t!). It’s crazy how easily your body gets into a ‘lazy mode’, I wish it went into ‘action mode’ as quickly!

I used to hate running, I wasn’t a natural at all. I had so much trouble breathing and struggled to keep a positive mindset! I genuinely used to picture myself shooting any person who may accidentally knock into me on the street later that day!

I run almost every day now unless there is a huuuge reason not to, like Christmas or New Year’s but ironically I like to run on my birthday, go figure?

Anyways, wherever I am, if possible I run! How did I come to love it so? Practice, practice, practice. Run, run and run……

Here are my favorite places to run on my travels:

January 2, 2012 6 comments