I am 25 years old. I am a graduate student studying toward a Master’s degree in Psychology. I was born & raised in Philadelphia, Pa. I have an amazing husband, Jim & a beautiful 2 year old daughter, Audrey. I am a huge fan of the silent film era, so I draw a lot of inspiration from many of the older art deco buildings in Center City Philadelphia. I have used many of them as backdrops in some of my photo shoots.
I try to set my wardrobe for shoots to either correspond with the time period of the buildings, or to contrast by wearing newer, modern fashions.
What is fashion to you?
Through the years I have learned that fashion is a form of self expression; it’s really an art. It’s a way for an individual to outwardly express themselves without saying a word. It should not matter how others feel about what you’re wearing. If YOU like a particular outfit & if it makes YOU feel amazing then wear it. Fashion isn’t supposed to be 100% clean cut & make sense-that’s what I love about it.
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as classic & feminine. I am the type of
MsGlam710 Ruffles
person that loves to mix expensive items with non expensive ones. I tend to spend lots on my handbags and yet I will pair it with a top that I got from a consignment store. It just seems to work for me. I gain inspiration from Old Hollywood & lately I find myself wearing solid colored tops with statement pieces such as a bold necklace or cocktail jewelry. When I first started to experiment with vintage items, I used to feel embarrassed because I thought everyone would laugh at me. As my obsession with vintage grew so did myself self confidence in what I wore so now I like to rock my cloche hats, ruffles & bows!
Describe your current favorite outfit.
Wow! This is a tough one. I don’t really have a favorite outfit in particular however; I do have a favorite combination. Being a mom of a two year old, I am always on my feet so I try to aim for comfort most times when choosing an outfit. With the winter season upon us, I find myself wearing skinny jeans, knee high boots & form fitting top. It’s rather plain so I like to jazz it up with necklaces, oversized stud earrings, anything to make the outfit pop!
Name your favorite and least favorite past or present fashion trend/fad.
This is actually interesting because I used to HATE the bootie stiletto! I thought they were awkward looking but one day I was window shopping at the mall and found a pair I actually liked. They were gray Victorian inspired booties and I just HAD to get them. I guess I had to find a pair that fit my personal style! Something that I would like to see completely phased out of the fashion industry is fur. I am an animal lover-faux fur can be just as fabulous.
Tell us about your career as a model. When did you decide you wanted to become a model? What was the process you went through to get to where you are now?
When I was a little girl, I remember overly posing-I loved to get my picture taken but I was extremely shy so I never thought I could ever try to get into modeling. But an acquaintance of mine who is a photographer was looking to build up his portfolio. He approached me and asked me if I would like to participate in a photo shoot. That’s pretty much how it began. I was very shy & nervous but when I saw the finished product, some of the photos were pretty good. I started to gain a little self confidence in my abilities as a model. My photographer friend pointed me in the direction of some great social networking sites for models, I signed up and started to branch out & build up my portfolio.
Any advice for others interested in pursuing a career in modeling?
Never do anything you are not 100% comfortable with on a shoot-no matter what the photographer says. Not everyone is comfortable with showing a little skin, and that’s ok. If a photographer refuses to work with you because of you don’t feel comfortable with a certain project, than you’re better off. A professional photographer will never bully you into/ force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Get the facts up front-communicate with the photographer just to make sure that the both of you are on the same page. Get familiar with the types of compensation (like TFCD, TFP). Contrary to popular belief, all models do not need to pay a photographer to take their photos-I never have. If you are looking to build up your portfolio then perhaps you can look for a photographer who may be looking to build their portfolio up as well. Together the two of you can both get something out of it.
You can’t go into the modeling industry a naive person and think people have your best interest at heart; sadly that is not the case. While I have worked with some amazing people, I quickly learned that there are photographers & “men with cameras”. You have to be able to differentiate between the two. My most important tip- ALWAYS BRING AN ESCORT WITH YOU!
The fashbo’s you have posted to the site are among the most visited. Are these photos taken by a professional photographer? If so, what is it like to work with a professional photographer? Yes these photos are from my portfolio. A few of my recent fashbos were taken at a photo shoot I had this past September. Being a model, I have had the opportunity to meet some interesting & creative people. I have collaborated with many cool people-including a photographer who is a vintage lover like myself.
jna photography
Fashion is art and along the way I have learned that photography is an art as well. Many people may not be aware but there is a big difference between a picture and a photo. My husband, Jim started out doing photography ( www.jnaphoto.com ) as a hobby but has gotten more serious with it this past year. On a combined photo shoot I had, Jim snapped my “City Girl” fashbo. It’s one of my favorite shots thus far.
What is your favorite fashbo you posted? Do you have a favorite fashbo that someone else posted? Out of all my uploaded fashbos-my favorite is my “City Girl” photo because it really defines who I am. Quite
MsGlam710 City Girl Look
honestly, you could find me wearing a similar outfit as the one in that picture, any day of the week. During the week, I’m a stay at home mom but it’s always been majorly important for me to never lose sight of other things that are important to me too-like my love of fashion.
There are so many fashbos that I enjoy to look at. I’m thinking off the top of my head and a few of my favorites have come from Laurie630-her Jackie-O look is fabulous! Also Allsmiles27 has some awesome fashbo’s -her and I seem to have similar tastes in fashion!
Who is/are your favorite designer or designers?
I adore Chanel. The tweed blazer is iconic & yet so versatile. What I love most about Chanel is the femininity of the designs. When I look at their pieces, I see a vintage inspiration-everything from Moulin Rouge, Roaring 20’s to Jackie-O.
Little Edie Beale. Although she is not a designer, she has been the inspiration behind many designers. Edie’s style was definitely distinctive. She was an eccentric yet creative person & that’s what I absolutely love about her. Edie had a condition which caused her to lose her hair but she still managed to create unique headpieces from anything you could think of-table clothes, sweaters, towels and so on…she always wore a beautiful brooch on her head piece which completed the look. When I say Grey Gardens she looked so confident & in an interesting way, she looks glamorous in her unique outfits. She didn’t have much money yet she always made sure
Do you have a favorite model from whom you draw inspiration?
Yes, I love Dita Von Teese; she is gorgeous and she is really one of the people I look up to in getting vintage inspiration in such a modern & contemporary world. Another person I have gained a ton of inspiration from is Audrey Hepburn-she defines sophistication & grace. She was not just a pretty face; she helped children in need with her work in UNICEF. I find that admirable & selfless.
What is your favorite retail place to shop? Online place to shop?
One of my favorite stores to shop at is Forever 21 because they have cheaper alternatives. I also enjoy shopping at Nordstroms & Bloomingdales- if there is a particular piece that I want to invest in, than sometimes I think it’s best to splurge on an item!
Louis Vuitton is another favorite of mine, I especially love their handbags. The quality of their bags id phenomenal- that’s why I keep coming back!
One of my favorite online places to shop is eBay. I have found many great vintage inspired pieces on that site.
What is your dream job?
My dream job would most definitely be working for a website or magazine that is fashion & beauty oriented.
You own and maintain a fashion website, http://www.nancyvalentino.com. How are you finding the process of maintaining a website? Any advice for others thinking about starting a site of their own?
Nancy Valentino Blog
In the beginning it was rough because I didn’t know how to draw attention my site. I was not really getting any support from anyone other than my husband. The website has continuously evolved since I started it in December 2008. It turned from a model’s blog about photo shoots to what I as a model enjoy – fashion & beauty.
My advice to others to those who are looking to start a site of their own would be: it’s ok to be frustrated but never get to discouraged that you give up. I found myself just wanting to close down the site, but I now realize that my persistence is finally starting to pay off. Also, it’s important to update regularly. Try to keep a notebook of ideas. I also have “an inspiration board” that I have next to my vanity in my bedroom. It consists of anything & everything that gives me inspiration.
We recently posted a fashbo “virtual interview” with fashbo member Ambika, one of the designers who frequents fashbo. http://www.fashbo.com/blog/2009/10/29/ambika-more-than-just-a-draping-expert/ Any part of this interview that you found particularly interesting?
Yes, I think it’s pretty cool that Ambika and I had some similar answers to some of the questions! I think it’s awesome that she is following her dreams-she is a talented person. Her fashbos are amazing-my favorites are the draping design & the floral dress.
What do you like most about Fashbo.com?
What I really like about Fashbo.com is it’s a place where I can go and interact with people like me. I don’t really know anyone who is passionate about beauty & fashion like I am so Fashbo gives me an opportunity to express myself. I have found inspiration through other people’s fashbo’s as well.
Site conceived and designed by the Fashbo Crew.