Modeling Ethical Dilemma: To Pose in Fur or Not

jill — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:43:44 +0000

Modeling Fur at Fashion Week

Fur, fur, fur—it was everywhere at Fashion Week. Is the dream of a fur-free Fashion Week an impossible one?

Fashion Week Fur Frenzy, Fall 2014

The Pros & Cons of Posing in Fur

Models have always been on both sides of the fur debate. There are those who pose in fur and walk the runways donning dead (often tortured) animals—either because they don’t have an issue with it or they need the money (or will take any modeling gig they can get). Then there are the model activists who have refused to wear fur and campaigned for organizations like PETA. Their ubiquitous ads of supermodels, like Naomi Campbell and Tatjana Patitz, modeling in the buff, declaring “I’d rather go naked than wear fur,” certainly made an impact. But it’s still not enough.

Supermodels pose in the buff for PETA

PETA and International Animal Rescue

There’s been a lot of press about abuse of young models lately, but animals are the most helpless fashion victims of all. As PETA describes in their ads: “Animals killed for their fur are electrocuted, drowned, beaten, and often skinned alive.” My close friend, former model Sophie Patitz (Tatjana’s sister), now works for International Animal Rescue and confirms that this is not sensationalism. There is nothing humane about the way animals are turned into fur coats.

Think twice about modeling fur and buying fur.

Comment and let us know what you think about this issue.

My son just recorded a re-mix of “Funky Town” (oh the roller skating memories!). Stayed tuned for recording studio tips for singers and voice-over actors!

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Modeling Tip: Be Nice to the New Face

jill — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:05:32 +0000

Lauren Hutton recently revealed in a Net-a-Porter.com interview that the 90s supermodel divas used to make fun of Kate Moss, when she was the new kid on the block. I’m sure they looked down on short-but-hot stuff Kate and didn’t see it coming when she snuck by them on the supermodel fast track. On the Millennium Vogue cover, Kate sat front and center on newsstands and big timers like Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, and Christy Turlington were only visible on a cover fold-out page. Hutton claims this caused some catty comments at the shoot, which Lauren deflected by “using my mouth like a bull whip.” (Don’t you love Lauren Hutton? She rocks.)

I ran into very few bitchy models during my decade on the international circuit, but certainly they are out there—just in much fewer numbers than people would imagine and condensed at the top of the food chain. Bottom feeders are just trying to earn enough to feed themselves; there isn’t much room for attitude!

While I didn’t have many nasty girl run-ins, I met a show-off or two. They inspired this “Dear Jill” column, which reveals what’s beneath the bragging.

One more week until I pick May’s Model of the Month. Enter NOW!