Please fasten your seat belts and let us do what we want

The shit about traveling is well, traveling. I went to Madrid this weekend and had to relive the hell that is airport and airline security. There are a bunch of migraine inducing aspects of traveling but these are my top three.

Issue number one: no liquids. Seriously, if someone wanted to arm a bomb on a plane they wouldn't put their explosives in the form of liquids in 3 ounce containers in a clear zip lock bag that measures EXACTLY 7.5 by 8 inches. What if they team up with other passengers? What if 20 people are in on it? Exactly how much liquid explosive must one have to be considered a threat?

While waiting in line to pass through security you are often harassed by the power-tripped fat airport security guards in a loud annoying voice: "Any liquids, gels or creams?". They sound like they're asking if you have crack. I had lip gloss in my pocket and a tube of mascara in my bag and didn't say anything and passed through clear and free. I know what you're thinking... rebel.

And come on, why sell water at the airport that you can't bring on board? I remember reading an article a million years ago where Cindy Crawford advised drinking lots of water on board to maintain fresh, hydrated skin. Then she went on to describe her favorite lip balms and hand creams she used while in the air. No wonder everyone looks like shit when they travel now, especially on long trips. Not only can you not bring your own water, but the steward snares at you if you ask for a refill on your already tiny (and ironically) 3 ounce cup. 

Issue number two: removing your shoes. I understand the logistics of this, I really do, but I think its a bit over the top. It all started about 6 years ago when this guy tried to detonate a bomb aboard an American Airlines flight where the explosives were stuffed in his shoes. So if the purpose of scanning shoes is to detect hidden material, then why am I asked to take my shoes off when I am wearing flip flops? And what's to prevent anyone from stuffing said explosive material anywhere else other than a shoe? 

I think there should be one big x-ray machine that's like a big screen you have to walk behind and it shows only guns, explosives and human bones. Oh, and the damn zip-locked liquids. It would make traffic go smoothly and you don't get airport goo on your socks while people pass one by one in a sometimes dubious metal detector. I once witnessed about 20 people go through a detector that wasn't even turned on.

And last but definitely not least in my list of top annoyances of traveling: lost luggage. How does luggage get lost? You check it at the counter and they put it in with all the others that magically make it to the final destination. I am not talking about connecting flights... I mean good ol' straight forward one way deals. I have a theory: I think airlines get paid to charter stuff so they sacrifice people's luggage in order to get the goods that the other client is paying for on time. So you, the official client who paid a ridiculous amount of money to travel, can't even brush your teeth when you get to wherever you're going. 

I think we, the frustrated travelers of the world, should unite in a protest against the abusive airlines that keep treating us all like shit and losing our stuff... ooooooor we can continue to be lazy and just deal with it when we travel. I know I'm not getting off my ass, but at least I'll write about it!

 

Sweet Baby James

My friend Alex Alfaro is an up and coming photographer that is taking the London scene by storm. His typical phrases include "Damn Gina!" and "Sweet Baby James!". Needless to say this guy cracks me up all the time. He's got a funky mohawk, awesome kicks and he's half Peruvian and half Los Angelean (not to be confused with American - its a whole other country out in La la land).

Here is a snippet of his work and you can see the rest of it on his web site.

The Devil went Commercial

Have you guys gotten a peek at the new show "Stylista" yet? If you have then you know it sucks, if you haven't then you should know it sucks.

Seriously I thought it was a joke. I thought Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out at any second and tell the poor souls competing on the show that they'd been punked.

The show is about fashionistas who compete for a job to become assistant to Anne Slowey, the fashion news editor for "Elle". Anne plays the part of Anna Wintour - badly. I think Anne is super cool and she does a great job with "Elle" but what is this prima-donna-throwing-my-coat-to-my-assistants-like-I'm-Meryl-Streep thing she's got going on? 

Its a Tyra produced show, obviously, with all the drama drama drama. In this first look at the show Anne is an uber bitch who criticizes each individual contestant. It makes me wonder... are these shows about making one person's dream come true... or are they about embarrassing and destroying the hopes of about 10 others? I guess public humiliation is the new sex - it sells like hot bread!

Model of the Week: Pedro Bissi

I was perusing through JD's blog and saw his post on Pedro Bissi. It just made me think of what a cutie he is. I shot Pedro in Miami at the Vagabond Motel, a really cool torn down and deserted motel on Biscayne Boulevard. It was so much fun shooting him and he is the biggest sweetheart, which is why he is the model of the week.

He was such a sport during the shoot doing everything I asked for, including "dying" on a wheel cart, climbing high roofs and faking fight scenes.

We communicated in Portoñol (a mix of Portuguese and Spanish) and talked about Brazil and Guns n' Roses. He's really cool and definitely someone I'd like to see (and shoot!) again. 

All photos by me.

wwkd?

I was stoked to read on Models.com that Karl is on Time's 100 most influential people's list, which also contains the likes of Oprah and the Dalai Lama. It also says there however that Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks are numbers 4 and 5 respectively on the reader's poll. WHAT?! Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks are the 4th and 5th most influential people in the world? No wayyyyy! At least they're not on the official list, but come on, the reader's still voted!

It makes me wonder though... the fashion business has two completely different sides to it. There's the side that everyone who isn't into fashion knows who have a pretty cheezy idea of what fashion is (hence Heidi and Tyra's ranking) and then there's the real connoisseur side: the people who make it all happen and the ones that eat it up. I am both. I fucking love this shit.

I walked down Avenue Montaigne today and couldn't help but go into Chanel. A-Mazing. I love Karl. I love love LOVE Karl. He makes my head spin in a great way. If you haven't already you should check out his site www.karllagerfeld.com  and loot at his pics. I am absolutely floored by them.

These are some of the pics he did of Andre a couple of weeks ago. Andre showed me the actual prints Karl gave him and they were so dope. They were printed on a sort of linen/watercolor paper with a thick white border. Incredible!

Karl is the most kickass 69 year old on the planet. He has impeccable taste and is a real badass. Definitely a role model. My friend Stephanie said she saw him last week at a sushi bar in Saint Germain with two boy models. That's exactly where I want to be on a random Tuesday. Livin' large. When in doubt, just ask yourself: What would Karl do?

Photo of Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano by me.

Model of the Week: Tom Wade

When I met Tom Wade he was sitting in the lobby of his hotel in Milan sipping a coke chatting away on his laptop. He was surrounded by his manager Sean Read and by Public Image's Chris Forberg and Sarah Flaherty. I went to their hotel to meet Chris and Sarah for a drink since I used to work with them back when it was still IMG men.

Tom looked super cute wearing a white hoodie and torn jeans. His hair was fucking cool: bright yellow and choppy. We hung out a lot since then and he was even my first test shoot.

He is absolutely great. He's only 17 and he's a pro golfer and booked the Burberry Campaign last season. He's one of Marc Jacob's faves and has been seen cruising the runways of Lanvin, YSL and Prada.

He recently traded his edgy hairdo for a more sophisticated cut and color. Whether he's blonde, brunette or whatever he will always look gorgeous. He's just cute as hell.

All photos by me.