Where have your January goals landed you so far?

One of my goals for this year was to read a book (or more - ha very optimistic) a month. I also said that they would have to be something different to the normal fashion books I usually read. One of the goals I have achieved (HURRAH!) - I've managed to finish the book I started on the 1st of January, BUT it was a fashion book! (boohoo!). However, the reason I let this one book pass, (I know there shouldn't be any excuses) was because it was a memoirs book. To be exact Grace Coddington's Memoirs. This book has been sitting on my shelf for the better part of two years now, if not longer and my aim was to get through it bit by bit. As it happens it turned out to be a book I just couldn't put down. Some of you will already know who she is, and if you do, then this book is super fascinating. For those of you who don't, its someone you just have to get to know by reading her book. Ill be the first to admit that I only started recognising her ever since she GRACED (haha! get it?!) our screens for the September Issue documentary. I was intrigued by her influence and passion for her job and how this connected to avid Vogue readers like me. I had no idea that she had so much authority over the main photo diary spread in each months installment of Vogue and this book pretty much covers every one of her favourite memories (and not so favourite) shooting with some of the top fashion photographers around, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel - you name it she's shot with them. I guess for me it was an insiders view of a job that was very much tailored to her but for every one else looking in a job that only she could do because of her eye for clothing and curating. I totally got lost in the pages for hours on end, when I really should have been sleeping but I think it was totally worth it! Definitely worth a read and if not for the reading then for the cute illustrations by Grace that are dotted through out the book.

Now, there was an endless list of goals that I wanted to achieve, daily, monthly and for the whole year, they all had different time frames on them - but its always good to look over the goals list regularly to get you in line for the next few days or months ahead! - you never know where they may land you!

BAHAMAS

Last week was eventful to say the least, I had castings up to my eyeballs on Monday and the rest of the week was filled with making clutch bags and a blogger event on the Thursday. The best bit of news last week was being selected to model for a fashion show that will be taking place in the Bahamas this Thursday (eeeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!) Understandably I was stoked! Since the show seems like no expenses have been spared I decided to purchase the shoes that the designers requested, since I didn't already have them. Luckily it was Black Friday and I managed to find everything I needed for a good budget. The key was finding what they requested over what I liked (naturally my eyes wondered to what I would have preferred buying) which seemed more of a challenge - I figured even though they are going to be cheap and cheerful they should at least be something that I didn't feel embarrassed wearing. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean tacky, as you know I love promoting brands that do a fantastic job of selling fashion forward shoes on a shoe string budget (ha excuse the pun). The designers had requested gold strappy sandals and plain black court shoes. I ended up purchasing three pairs of shoes (I couldn't decide which ones I preferred) and have decided to take them all with me along with an extra two pairs, brown platforms from Zara and a pair of flat espadrilles that I up cycled a couple months back from Asos.  

Heres what shoes I'm taking!

NEW! Simmi - £27 'Sienna barely there scrappy sandals' 

Zara - £55

NEW! Boohoo £16

NEW! Simms - £25 'Strappy Gold Heels'

Asos - £12 (up cycled by me@!)

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes....

Ginellè Wilson

How did you get into Modelling?

Well I use to model as a child and as I was getting older I kept getting scouted in lots of different places like the post office, walking down the street any where really than I was scouted in Mc Donald's by IMG models who I signed too.

The best thing about being model? 

The best thing about being a model is traveling to different places and meeting new people all the time. 

The worst thing about being a model?

The long hours and early call times and sometimes not being fed on jobs.

You're a model which means you have great fashion sense but can you think of any footwear crimes you have committed in the past? 

Yes at shoots and shows wearing shoes that are too small or to big.

Describe your footwear style in 1 sentence?

My style is unique, fashionable, contemporary and Modern.

What’s the most memorable pair of shoes you can remember shooting in?

I say Dsquared shoes the one's with the pad locks on them. I love their style and their run way shows are always fun, I would love to walk on their run way one day.

Sneakers or ballet pumps when you’re not on model duties?

Definitely sneakers; easy to get around London when running around especially fashion week.

Plain or pattern?

It depends on what style mood I'm in but I would say plain just to be safe.

Stone wash or tie-dye?

Stone wash; it's easy to go with other things.

The most expensive pair of shoes you own?

It's my Roccobarocco pair I bought in Italy.

Sneakers or heels?

I like heels and would like to wear them all the time if I was lucky enough to be driven everywhere so it has to be sneakers as I walk everywhere.

Stileto or Wedge?

Definitely stilettos for me not a big fan of wedges.

Lipstick or lip-gloss? 

Lipstick 

Cats or dogs?

Cats I have two and a snake.

You’re on a day of castings - what shoes do you travel in and what heels do you change into?

I travel in flats if the weather is bad then boots and summer any kind of flats sandals, sneakers etc. Then at the casting I would change into my highest high heels which is normally a stiletto heel.

What's the one pair of shoes you can't live without? 

Right now it's my sneakers from Adidas there for running but I wear them all the time and there so comfy 

What's on your iPod right now? 

A mixture of house music and hip hop but my favourite playlist that I'm listening to right now is I love house by ministry of sound.

What makes you go to sleep? 

I like listening to mediation music to fall asleep.

 If you could time warp yourself to any point in history when would it be and who would you hang out with?

It would be the ancient Egyptians times, when they built the pyramids and had queens and pharaohs

 What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe? 

I would have to say all my clothes lol but there a lot of things I like, like my Zara real leather jacket I got in the sale for really cheap.

If Ryan Gosling came over to you right now, what would you say to him?

Hey how about we talk about me having a show like the Kim K one lol joking. Hmm I dunno probably just hi and then walk off 

Your best friends plan a last minute night out - what pair of shoes do you grab first?

What ever pair of heels stand out to me at the time, but I have so many shoes right now it's really just what ever I see first Lol.

It's your birthday - do you plan your shoes around your outfit? or your outfit around your shoes?

I'd say if I bought a really nice new pair of shoes then I would plan my outfit around my shoes but if I bought my outfit first then I would find shoes to match them.

Suede or patent?

Suede

Favourite place to shoe shop?

I like to shop in different countries to get my clothes and shoes as I feel I get the best deals.

Best shoe bargains?

I have a lot as I like a bargain. So nearly all my shoes and clothes are a bargain because I know where to shop lol.

Your favourite footwear designer of the moment?

Dsquared and Giuseppe Zanotti

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

Haha I walked around with a slip in my trousers right at the bottom part. Embarrassing! 

What's the biggest shopping mistake you've ever made?

Buying small clothes hoping to fit into them at some point 

What's your biggest inspiration?

I like the old super models like tyra and Naomi and Iman but I also like anyone that's doing well in what they want to achieve, it's inspiration for me to do what I want and reach the top. I aspire to be a super model like Iman, Tyra and the Victoria Secret angel Jasmine Tookes maybe I'll be an angel soon too haha 

I - Ginellè Wilson

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes...


Shivani Persad

How did you get into Modelling?

People had always asked me if I did it, and I was brought up to think it wasn’t a real career, so I never looked into it. I then got scouted while on a trip to Canadian Idol with my dance team, and once I realized someone in the entertainment industry thought I could do it, then I started to believe in myself. Then I started meeting with agencies and the rest is history. 

The best thing about being model?

Hands down the best thing about modelling is travelling and getting to work with different people everyday. Not many jobs can offer you that. 

The worst thing about being a model?

Instability. I never know where I’m going to be next week or even tomorrow. One call from my mother agency and I gotta hop on a plane somewhere. It causes a lot of anxiety, and it’s hard because you can’t really make any concrete plans.

You're a model which means you have great fashion sense but can you think of any footwear crimes you have committed in the past? 

I used to to buy really colorful shoes and end up making my outfits look off. Now I realize neutral is way more my style and looks more put together.

Describe your footwear style in 1 sentence?

Comfortable but also chic. 

What’s the most memorable pair of shoes you can remember shooting in?

My first big shoot I got to wear the classic spikey Louboutins. They were super uncomfortable, but it was the first time I'd ever worn designer shoes. 

Sneakers or ballet pumps when you’re not on model duties?

Sneakers 100%

Plain or pattern?

Always plain!

Stone wash or tie-dye?

Neither.

The most expensive pair of shoes you own?

I don't own a pair over $120. But I did win a pair once that was $300 something.

Sneakers or heels?

Sneakers all day err day.

Stileto or Wedge?

Stileto, wedges scream resort wear to me.

Lipstick or lip-gloss? 

Lipstick = Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Bansar is my fave

Cats or dogs?

Dogs, but I do love me a cute kitty

You’re on a day of castings - what shoes do you travel in and what heels do you change into?

Always my nikes and I'd cange into my Schutz heels.

What's the one pair of shoes you can't live without? 

My Nikes 

What's on your iPod right now? 

I love all music, I have soca, country, hip hop, r&b, pop, old school

What makes you go to sleep? 

- A long day's work

If you could time warp yourself to any point in history when would it be, who would you hang out with?

Hmmm, that’s a good one. I’m not sure. I wouldn’t mind chilling with the Dalai Lama though. Or Nelson Mandela. Maybe India in the 1930s.

What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe? 

My Oasis skinny jeans.

If Ryan Gosling came over to you right now, what would you say to him?

Why did you have a baby with Eva Mendez and not me? No, I’m totally kidding. How do you keep your life so private?

Your best friends plan a last minute night out - what pair of shoes do you grab first?

Probably my Schutz or a pair of pleather Washingtons I have.

Its your birthday - do you plan your shoes around your outfit? or your outfit around your shoes?

Outfit around shoes.

Suede or patent?

Suede

Favourite place to shoe shop?

Online or Aldo.

Best shoe bargains?

ONLINE!!

Your favourite footwear designer of the moment?

Schutz 

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?

So much. All the time. I just did a presentation for Vogue Fashion Fund and tripped on a clothing rack in front of everyone RIGHT BEFORE I walked out to see Anna Wintour and Diane Von Furstenburg. I was limping the rest of the show. LOL!

What's the biggest shopping mistake you've ever made?

I always forget to buy basics!

What's your biggest inspiration?

My parents.



I - @liveshiv
T - @liveshiv