Abiosé Massaquoi

Model To Know: Alex Cunha

Cat Nip — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:20:25 +0000

24-year-old Alex Cunha might look familiar, if you’re a fan of Dolce & Gabbana. The Brazilian has been a favorite of the Italian designers for several seasons now, appearing in their runway shows and campaigns. But it’s his recent bookings that make this 6-foot 1.5-inch hunk of a man stand out from the average beefcake. Bridging the line between high fashion and commercial modeling, Cunha just landed a lucrative advertising contract with Armani Exchange for 2012; and he was also shot by fine art photographer Jack Pierson for Bottega Veneta’s new spring campaign. We met with Cunha before the fall 2012 menswear shows (in which he walked for Dolce, Cavalli, and Bottega, among others) to talk about shooting in Madonna’s old house in Miami, his passion for soccer, and more.

Tell me a bit about your childhood.
I was born and raised in an inland town in Brazil. Unfortunately, there was no ocean nearby, but we did have mountains and cool weather. I lived there until I was 18 with my sister, who is two years younger than me. I was very active as a child; I remember playing soccer a lot throughout my childhood. I’m actually still friends with most of my childhood friends.

How did you get discovered?
When I was 17, I was riding the bus in my hometown when two agents approached me, saying I should model. I was initially hesitant about modeling, but then I was scouted a second time and then I figured, “Fine. Why not?”

You’re the new face of Bottega Veneta for 2012, and you shot with Jack Pierson for the images. What was the shoot like?
Well, I shot the campaign with Liya [Kebede] who was really, really cool to work with. We shot it in Miami in Madonna’s old house. Working with Jack Pierson was great because he’s not your traditional fashion photographer; he’s an artist.

What’s the craziest thing you ever experienced while modeling?
Once, I was supposed to close a show with a 3-year-old kid and we both had matching outfits. During rehearsal, everything went as planned, but on the day of the show he started crying halfway down the runway, so in my head I thought, “What am I supposed to do?!” I ended up picking up and I carried him to the end of the runway. This was funny only after the fact.

You’re often photographed without any clothes on. Do you ever get uncomfortable?
Well, if that were to make me uncomfortable, I would have stopped doing this because they always fucking put me in underwear. It’s cool, though, I’m used to it.

What is it like working with female models on a shoot? Do you prefer to work by yourself, with a female model, or with a group of guys?
Actually, it doesn’t matter to me. I arrive to every shoot and do my job, which is to give the client what they’re looking for. I do like solo shoots, though, because you can express more of who you are. But I don’t really mind working with female models, too. [Laughs.]

Are you friendly with the other Brazilian models?
Oh, yes. Most of them, actually. I live with Andre [Ziehe].

What do you guys do for fun?
Soccer. Lots of sports. I lived in Paris for the past year so while living there we would just go to the bar, drink some wine, chill out with the guitar, and make some music. In the summertime, it’s all about making music.

Read anything good lately?
I just finished “Semeador de Idejas” by Augusto Cury. It’s a romance book, but it tells the history of the guy who was really rich but then loses everything. I also really enjoyed reading, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

What’s your diet like?
Every morning, I wake up with my girlfriend and it’s always the same: we eat cereal for breakfast with lots of almonds and bananas. I like yogurt, too. For lunch, I eat whatever I want. I do try and eat more vegetables and rice than hamburgers and fast food.

How intense is your workout routine?
I eat a lot, but I try to be really active. I play soccer at least two times a week and go to the gym three or four times a week. Actually, I recently decided that I want to gain some weight so I’m trying to go to the gym more often to train.

Guilty pleasure?
Uh … getting drunk? [Laughs.]

What is the best place you’ve traveled to while working?
Miami is always cool. The most interesting place was Beirut, as I’ve never previously been to that part of the world.

Do you ever Google yourself?
Well, my mom does and she said I should see it for myself. Apparently, people have a lot to say about me.

Lastly, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I want to run my own business in Brazil. Not exactly sure what but maybe something to do with real estate. (Source)

Solange Knowles, Pops In The Night

Cat Nip — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:35:05 +0000

Solange brightens up the night in a leopard printed coat and yellow mini dress while heading to a private party. Her outfit is very fashion fab. Not everyone can pull it off.

Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2012 Haute-Couture

Cat Nip — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:46:46 +0000

Elie Saab’s Spring/Summer 2012 Haute-Couture collection is sheer perfection. I’m in love with all the designs. The designs are very feminine with sheer layered fabric with embellishment. I see some of the pieces on Hollywood Starlets for awards season.

Dita Von Teese, Black Lace and Pearls

Cat Nip — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:27:31 +0000

Temptress, Dita doesn’t disappoint as usual in all black outfit at the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2012 Haute-Couture Show in Paris. That black fabric covered pearls are divine.

Cameron Diaz, “Spotted” In France

Cat Nip — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:38:42 +0000

Actress, Carmeron Diaz looks absolutely stunning and feminine in a polka-dot belted dress and a three quarter jacket while attending fashion week in Paris.

Sofia Vergara, Jessica Rabbit

Cat Nip — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:38:14 +0000

I’m love actress Sofia Vergara. She is beautiful but she does not take herself seriously. The stunner wowed on the red carpet of the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards in a two-toned sequined strapless knee-length dress. I think she should of wore her hair down. That would of pulled the outfit together a little better.

Kim Kardashian, Laughs At Her Pain

Cat Nip — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:57:41 +0000

Kim is in good spirits as she exits the Chanel store in LA. The bombshell looks sexy in casual garb and trendy headband. Looks like she is not bothered by reports that the Kardasian brand is sinking like the Titanic.

Model To Know: Caitlin Lomax

Cat Nip — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:14:34 +0000

If you blinked, you might have missed newcomer Caitlin Lomax on the spring 2012 runways. After she walked Chanel’s fall 2011 couture show in Paris, the 20-year-old Australian booked a tight, exclusive lineup for spring 2012, modeling for Prada, Miu Miu, Loewe, and Louis Vuitton. Judging by that impeccable track record, two things are clear: Lomax has an in with stylist Katie Grand (who styles for the latter two shows) and casting director Russell Marsh (who until recently selected the faces for the former two shows). Most recently, the 5’10” model was styled by Katie Shillingford for the current issue of Dazed & Confused. We rang up Lomax as she was getting some R&R back home in Australia to chat about her secret beauty tips, what she doesn’t like about her job, and more.

Tell us a little about your childhood.
My childhood consisted of a lot of computer games, mostly The Sims. My parents thought I had a computer addiction. I was born in Townsville, but grew up in Bunbury, which is about two hours south of Perth. I floated between groups at school, but I used to spend a lot of time in the music room during lunch hour. I have a younger [18-year-old] sister Jordan, and my parents run the family business, a multimedia production company, back in Australia.

How did you get discovered?
My granny got me into modeling. At first, I didn’t want to do it, but then I figured it was a good excuse to see the world.

You walked in Chanel’s fall 2011 couture show. How was it working with Karl?
Well, being that it was my first international show, I definitely wasn’t expecting booking it at all. It was so amazing and Karl is actually really nice. Backstage was cool, even the toilets were in theme with the set!

Did you pick up any beauty tips while backstage?
Yes, anything extremely flammable will take out hair extension glue. Also, wash your makeup off every night.

Make any new model buddies from the spring 2012 season?
Yeah, Madison Leyes, she did the Prada and Miu Miu shows with me. One time, during a late night fitting, we were talking about why Canadians and Australians get along so well [Leyes is Canadian]. We were so over being tired that she pretended to be a moose and I pretended to play a didgeridoo, and we realized they sort of sound the same, hence why we got along so well.

Do you work hard to maintain your runway physique?
Actually, I don’t like exercising so I try to do things that don’t feel like I’m exercising like, walking instead of taking the train or roller-skating.

What about your diet?
I’m vegetarian so that helps a lot. My favorite meal is the smoothie I have for breakfast. I usually mix in a heap of spinach, bananas, and strawberries.

Let’s say you have the day off tomorrow, what would you do?
I’d probably sit in bed and watch movies all day; I haven’t done that in a while.

Reading anything good lately?
I just finished reading The Basketball Diaries. It was so intense, but I liked it because I could picture some of the places they were talk about now that I’ve been to New York.

Any models you look up to?
I always wanted to meet Raquel Zimmermann because she is my idol, and then I met her during Fashion Week.

What’s the most nerve-wracking thing about being a model?
You are always in the public eye and people are always watching. (Source)

Paris Hilton’s Red Hot Accessory

Cat Nip — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:46:53 +0000

Paris is dressed pretty casual but her Ferrari is all the fashion statement that she needs. The Socialite was seen high-stepping it to the bank to get some of the millions she’s made from her perfume line. Shoot, I’m about to make some perfume too. I will call it, Sky Taffy. Sounds yummy right?!

Amber Rose, Fatigued

Cat Nip — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:59:26 +0000

Celebrity personality, Amber Rose looks like she is ready for fashion battle in an army jumpsuit, motorcycle leather vest and laced-up heels. Not loving the outfit but Amber makes it work.