Child Model Winner

Congrats, Lucy!

Lucy Roth strutting the runway, in clothes she designed, at Ellen Gang Design Studio

Height: 55″    Age: 9   Size: 8

Based in CT
Photo by Kerry Long

I saw Lucy in a fashion show recently, and her fierce strut worked like a jolt of caffeine on an audience placidly enjoying a parade of children modeling clothes they had sewn themselves. Lucy was a supermodel among amateurs. The graphic designer friend by my side leaned in and said, “I’d like to do a shoot with that girl.” My friend was not privy to the fact that Lucy normally sports a bald head, as a result of her struggle with Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. I knew this; I’d seen her bravely displaying her naked head on Facebook and thought she was an amazing, inspiring little girl. But on that runway, I caught a glimpse of something more, as did my friend: a model powerhouse of the Linda Evangelista variety with the entrancing glare of Stella Tennant and speedy gait of Tatjana Patitz. She bowled me over and I had to share her with all of you.

Lucy Roth modeling the jacket she made at Ellen Gang Design Studio and channeling Stella Tennant

In the show, for Ellen Gang Design Studio, Lucy wore a wig made by Children With Hair Loss, an organization located in Michigan that provides free human hair wigs for kids struggling with hair loss. Unlike other programs like Locks of Love, when people donate hair to Children with Hair Loss, it goes directly to kids who need it–with no thousand-dollar price tag.

Alopecia Areata is very unpredictable. Hair can fall out or regrow at any time. There is currently no cure for this condition, though about 1-2% of the population suffers from it at some point. Lucy had no hair during third grade but she powered through radiantly. She doesn’t normally wear the wig but rather opts for just a thin hat and sometimes nothing at all. I asked Lucy how she stays strong and confident. She replied, “I just put myself out there and take the risk.” She says she is thankful for her friends, who have been so supportive and kind to her.

There is much beauty in this story. Thank you, Lucy.

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Lucy Roth, an alopecia areata sufferer, celebrates her unique beauty. Photo by Kerry Long.

Lucy Roth looking askance in mirrors. Photo by Kerry Long.

The Donald’s Model History

This is not going to be a political post, but let me just say that I’m not using “model,” as in ideal, and I can’t bring myself to title this “My Modeling World Encounter With President Donald Trump.” Enough said.

My first encounter with Donald Trump was in 1988. It was not the real Donald but it was real life (as opposed to not-the-real-Donald in the Twitter imposter sense). Two college friends in Boulder had dressed up as NYC’s flashy new couple about town: Donald and Ivana Trump. It was some approximation of this look (below), with some fur thrown in (to be fair here, we must remember that 80s fashion wasn’t kind to anyone). At the time, my roommate and I were dressed as static and cling. I had no idea who the Trumps were. Nor that I would hanging with the Donald a few years later.

Donald Trump, with his first wife, Ivana, circa 1988

Ivana probably had no idea her husband would soon have an affair with Marla Maples and trade her in for a newer model. Ivana had been a fashion model and Marla was an actress and occasional model. (We’re seeing a trend here.) Donald’s obsession with models became even clearer when he transported busloads of them up to his little place in Palm Beach, Mar-A-Lago (see photo), for an Ocean Drive Magazine party. It was 1993. I was young and had nothing else to do that night. The sleaze factor was mitigated by the fact that male models were invited as well. This, in my experience, was also the difference between free model dinners in Madrid (both genders invited) and Milan (only women, more often mere girls). It’s the difference between feeling like you are at a fun party and feeling like you are being pimped out.

Mar-a-Lago, the Trump estate in Palm Beach

The Mar-A-Lago arrangement pretty much worked for everyone: the men looking for hot arm candy, the models looking for sugar daddies, and those of us who just wanted a peek into the lifestyles of the rich and famous and some free drinks.

Jill Johnson, Donald Trump, and model Jeff Bowman at Mar-A-Lago

Not surprisingly, Trump was a jovial, charming host. I mostly hung out with my longtime model pal Jeff Bowman. I chatted with Donald and we discussed my plans to move to New York, the big daddy of all modeling markets, the following spring. “If I can ever help you in New York, just let me know,” he said. He seemed genuine, no wink, but I’m sure it’s an offer he made to many models.

I never took him up on it. I’m not sure how I would have…just strut into the Trump Building (which one?) and demand the Big D fulfill his promise? Ask if he could arrange a spread in Harper’s Bazaar perhaps, or a billboard in Times Square (clothed, please)? Oh well, alas, it did not come to pass.

Within a few years, a budding model named Ivanka Trump modeled in the big Versace show in Bal Harbour. She had a decent career (possibly with the help of rhinoplasty). Her dad started a modeling agency, Trump Model Management. He snagged some of the industry’s best bookers. His agency represents many modeling legends: Ali McGraw, Carol Alt, Kim Alexis, Tatjana Patitz. His agency became a loyal advertising client of my magazine, Tear Sheet. Not everyone took a chance on us 20-something publishers, so for that I’m grateful.

My friends and I used to see Donald out on the club scene. We witnessed the courting of Melania. We thought, He’s too old for her! She saw green. Or maybe even red, white, and blue… The rest of us never saw it coming.

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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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