Paulina Porizkova

Modeling Appreciation

I must have been 11 or 12-years old when I learned about Paulina Porizkova. My older "brothers" talked about her and I remember watching her in the 1987 film, Anna. Of course, my little self fell in love. 

Born on April 9, 1965 in Czechoslovakia, the 5'10" model and actress Paulina Porizkova is best known for her iconic modeling career, and contributions to the fashion industry. In 1984, she became the first Central European woman, and youngest, to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. 

Her interest in modeling started at age 13 after her friend, who wanted to be a makeup artist, sent photographs to modeling agencies in Paris. Paulina was invited to Copenhagen to meet American modeling agent, John Casablancas. In an Instagram post, she recalled him asking her, "want to go to Paris?" And to Paris she did go.

Her first cover was for French magazine 20 Ans at the age of 15. She would then appear in Vogue [Germany] [UK] and other fashion publications before posing for Sports Illustrated in 1984. 

She then appeared in The Cars music video for Drive, a year later. There she met Ric Ocasek, the lead singer, and both were married on August 23, 1989. 

During the 1980s and 1990s, she has been featured in advertising campaigns for Chanel, Versace, Hermes, Christian Dior, Oscar De La Renta, Mikimoto, Perry Ellis, Laura Biagiotti, Anne Klein, Ellen Tracy, Barneys New York, Ann Taylor, Guerlain, and Revlon and appeared on the runway for Calvin Klein. She graced the covers of numerous publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, Self, and Glamour. 

In 1988, at the age of 22, Paulina was awarded the highest-paying modeling contract with Estée Lauder. After her contract ended in 1995, she received another multimillion-dollar contract with Escada. 

In addition to her successful modeling career, Paulina also made her mark in the world of entertainment. She appeared in several films, including Her Alibi and Anna, and was a judge on America’s Next Top Model for several seasons.

She remains a legendary figure in the fashion world, inspiring future generations with her talent, dedication, and advocacy for women’s rights and body positivity, as expressed in a recent Los Angeles Magazine issue where she bares it all.

by Jill Greenberg for Los Angeles Magazine (September 2021)

by Walter Iooss, Jr. for Sports Illustrated (c. 1982)

by Petra Hult (c.1978)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEXpsAjwaI/

https://people.com/style/paulina-porizkova-poses-nude-calls-out-objectification-of-women/

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/04/14/paulina-porizkova-young/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/15/style/paulina-porizkova.html

https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/paulina-porizkova-throwback-thursday-si-swimsuit

whf c. ai (35%)

Cosplay is an Art: Emerald City Comic Con 2023

via Justin Cosplay

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Versace Fall Winter 2023

Creative Director: Donatella Versace

 

via Versace

Phil Leeds

Acting Appreciation

Born on April 6, 1916, in New York City, Phil Leeds was an American actor best known for his work in film and TV. Raised in the Bronx, he was a peanut vendor near Yankee Stadium and Manhattan's Polo Grounds. After serving in the military during WWII, he began his career as a stand-up comedian. 

Leeds transitioned to acting in the 1950s and appeared in several sitcoms such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Car 54, Where Are You?, The Patty Duke Show, Three's Company, Night Court, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Ally McBeal. He also appeared in several films in memorable roles such as the emergency room ghost in Ghost (1990).

Interestingly, Leeds was blacklisted during the McCarthy era -- a period where left-wing individuals were politically repressed and persecuted. When he appeared and questioned by the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee, Leeds pleaded the fifth.  

He passed away on August 16, 1998 at the age of 82. He was such a beloved character actor that an episode of Ally McBeal featured footage of Leeds prior appearances on the show. 

Friends (1996)

Suddenly Susan (1998)

Source:

Wikipedia 

Jules Louis Dupré

Art Appreciation

Jules Louis Dupré was a French painter known for his significant contributions to the Barbizon school, a naturalist art movement. His landscaping paintings are recognized for its vibrant and realistic depictions.  

Born on April 5, 1811 in Nantes, France, Dupré showed an interest in painting at a young age. He spent his childhood in L'Isle-Adam, a small town beside the river Oise, near Paris. He started as an apprentice decorator of porcelain in his father's china works. He would then work in a porcelain factory with his uncle, Arsène Gillet. 

With no formal training, Dupré started his artistic career, which led him to the countryside around Limoges, in west-central France, in 1827. A couple of years later, he settled in Paris. 

His first exhibition was at the Salon in 1831, and three years later was awarded a second-class medal. From then on he would gain recognition and acknowledgements for his contributions to the arts. 

The Old Oak (1870)

Barks Fleeing Before the Storm (1875)

The Windmill (c. late 1850s)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/barks-fleeing-before-the-storm-digital-remastered-edition-jules-louis-dupre.html

https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-windmill-jules-dupr%C3%A9-french-1811-1889/IgFek8rMh26Qrw

https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1253.html

Travel + Leisure: Marina & Alberto

This is a magnificent photo of Ronda in Spain by photo travelers Marina and Alberto (@viajaentusofa).

 

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Body Paint: Zap

Model: Zap

Painters: Julia Vlascova (movies), Kristian Elizarova (photos)

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