Posted May 2nd, 2008
How did 15-year-old Miley Cyrus, formerly Destiny Hope Cyrus, come to pose semi-nude for Vanity Fair and
LeBron James find himself growling from the cover of Vogue clutching Fay Wray? Oh, Gisele Bundchen, I mean.
LeBron says he’s fine with his fashion shoot. Many fans, we now know, are not. Miley, according to news reports, said, “I apologize.”
Well, it’s no surprise to fashion insiders that someone would cooperate with what many view as a damaging picture.
It comes down to the photographer, in this case Leibowitz, a fashion and celebrity expert, who often produces glamorous shockers. She’s equal opportunity. Remember Demi Moore’s nude, painted body for Tina Brown’s Vanity Fair? That was Leibovitz. Louis Vuitton’s sardonic new ads featuring Keith Richards were shot by the lens woman. I’ve seen Richards in person, supporting his model daughter Theodora at a fashion show. I saw him dining at Greenwich Village hideaway Il Cantinori. Yes, he looks like a grizzled refugee from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” but he doesn’t look touched and in need of a shower as depicted in the LV ads.
The other part of the equation is what goes on behind-the-scenes at photo sessions. If you think gas prices are pumped up, check the ego inflation at shoots – photo, video or TV.
It’s all about the strokes to get the picture you want. I’ve been on both sides. As a fashion editor at shoots, I buckle shoes, moisturize skin, undo necklaces, ask assistants to fetch water for our subjects.
“Are you comfortable?” I ask. “Do you need anything?”
To be ready for the camera you’re given underwear, someone fastens your bra, shaves your legs –or your beard, if you’re a man - orders coffee, applies make up, does your nails.
And all the while you’re being told: “You’re beautiful. You’re hot. Perfect! Oooh, planet earth isn’t ready for you.”
It’s a short ride from here to “I am King Kong. I rule the world” or “I am princess Miley, fair maiden, artistic muse.”
Being the subject of a top-flight shoot is a bit like being the center of attention at a really great party. Having too much to drink is the least of your problems. There’s the music…pumping, perfume wafting, temperature’s rising, fabulous guests swirling around you. Someone offers you your favorite drink, another pillow, attractive people want to talk to you.
What human could keep their lid on through this? And which dad, mum, grandma or paid attaché, wouldn’t innocently encourage it? You, see my point?
It’s only when you emerge from the party, suck up some cold air and bad fluorescent light that reality strikes. Hard. The party wasn’t all about you, after all.
So believe Miley when she says, she didn’t get it. And forgive LeBron for seemingly allowing himself to be manipulated. It doesn’t feel that way when you’re on the set. You just feel nervous and fabulous. Pictures do sometimes lie, about the whole person, but not the moment in time. Models are professionals because they know this.
The controversies and Leibovitz’s reputation for capturing fashion and celebrity moments make these two mags collector’s items. Both are already up for sale on eBay.
*Photo licensed to: Photorazzi.com
Tagged: gisele bundchen, lebron james, miley cyrus, vanity fair
Nicole E. Johnson May 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Ms. White,
Just wanted to drop you a line to say that it was a pleasure meeting you at the Ebony Magazine Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communication s Luncheon in NY last week. It was truly inspiring to attend such and event and it was great meeting you. I am the Media Planner for TV One and spoke with you briefly after the luncheon about how much I appreciated your book “Style Noir” and how you really gave props to our Black designers and their contributions to couture and the fashion industry as a whole. I hope to have my own line of accessories myself someday. I would love to talk fashion with you one day. You mentioned we should keep in touch. If you are ever in the DC area, please let me know. I would love to talk fashion with you! Thank you again.
Errika May 8th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Hello,I would like to comment on the whole thing.I believe America has a very weird sense of puritism,widely felt in Europe.I am fron Greece,I live in London and I really don’t get the whole thing.They’ve made such a big deal out of it!First of all,I just see a beautiful artistic photo,it’s not sexualy suggestive ,and in a country where 3 year olds are wearing make up and pose sexualy in pagents I find this very ironic .Also,the whole mechanism behind teen and pre-teen Holywood is entirely based on similar images.America just wants to feel comfortable on a skin-deep level while the Preident bombs the rest of the world.I get so ungry when I watch ‘girls next door’ where the superficiallity and stupidity of the worst kind of the ‘free world ideals’ is promoted in a ‘friendly’ way ,encouraging women to find a rich old guy,and travel ‘wild on’ style the world,understanding nothing as far as culture and history is concerned.
I don’t want to sound like a bigot ,I just can’t stand all these fake puritans that can’t see the big picture and just condemn anyone around them but themselves.
P.S. I watch you on E and always like your style and comments!
Thank you for giving me the op to contact you .
Errika.
Michael Perez May 8th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Mrs. White,
I really love your feedback to the fashion world. There isnt one blog, article, or word that comes from you that isnt informative and positive.
I represent a designer by the name of Tuesday Knight. She runs the high fashion jewelry company “Tuesdays Hip Vintage”. Her clients include: Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Madonna, Cher, Jessica Alba and that is to name a few.
She just got done doing interviews with VH1 and E! and she asked me if you could have one person interview me who would it be… and the person I thought of was you.
I have followed your advise and your articles since I first saw you on the 1st season of “America’s Next Top Model”.
Tuesday has been featured in: Elle, In Touch, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmo, Ladies Home Journal, Rolling Stone, Interview, Vanity Fair, and Q and that is to name a few.
I would love to send you some pictures of Tuesday’s Jewelry and have you do a blog about it. I am sure that she would love it as well.
She is right now being featured on “Sonoran Spotlight Magazine” cover story.
You might know Tuesday from her acting days as well starring in (A Nightmare on Elm St/ Mistress / The Babysitter / The Fan / Telling Lies In America / The Perfect Mother) and so many more.
Please contact me when you can michaelperez_53@hotmail.com
And again I dont think there is anyone who can give such great feedback in the fashion world.
All I can say is GIRL YOU GOT IT GOING ON!!!!!
Juliene July 4th, 2008 at 12:07 am
You are a great writer, much better than the calibre expected from a eBay sponsored blog. Also appreciate the range of subjects within the fashion spectre. My local group (eBay powersellers) recommended taking a look at these blogs. Will be back.
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