In Bloom: Magalie Daignault

Apparently we're in for a heat wave in New York; supposedly into the 90s over the weekend. It's that kind of sticky summer reference point that leads perfectly into tonight's fresh face. Magalie from Chantale Nadeau in Canada, and now at Trump, just reads like a hot summer afternoon. The kind of afternoon where you never showered that morning, and still smell like tequila and cigarettes from the night before. Or at least that's how my Sunday afternoons feel.

I wish I could take all of the credit for this analogy, but as I was preparing to blog about Magalie, my hilarious friend (and often partner in crime) Julio had this brilliant description that had me in stiches: "I tend to like things a bit more fooked up during the summer months. Magalie fits right in. She looks like she hasn't seen a shower in a week, those acid-washed jeans have a stronger smell of cig than Miss Havisham and her walk probably sucks. I love her. Plus I'm loyal to the core when it comes to Chantale Nadeau." Well said, indeed.


(all images courtesy of Trump Models)

Brilliant and altogether aspirational during these summer months. Magalie is the kind of dark and mysterious beauty that I have always found promising (read: Florence Desmidt, Amanda Laine, Virginia Guidetti). A little bit awkward and a bit hippie in her appeal. I'm dying to see Magalie styled in a shawl and moccasins, aren't you?



This Canadian beauty stands at 5'11" and has a set of 32-23-33 measurements. According to Chantale Nadeau, Magalie has already been booked for a story with Greg Kadel in Numero, and if the other options I've heard mention of are true, much, much more. Magalie just might be your new summer sensation.

In Bloom: Mirte Maas

Did I ever explain the differentiation between "Fresh Faced" and "In Bloom?" I don't believe that I actually did. Well, basically those that are "Fresh Faced" have not been signed international, those that are "In Bloom" have. Get it? It's really just some trite way to continue the 'fresh' motif, and a wonderful homage to one of my favorite Nirvana songs of all time.

Now back in January or February of this year, before O2W was made public via MDC, I was talking with my friend Julio about Mirte Maas. There wasn't much to share about this 17 year old Dutch girl (from MTA models) at the time, but when I realized that she'd been signed with Supreme in NYC, I figured it was time to profile her. That being said, meet Mirte:


(all images courtesy of MTA for O2W)

Mirte has that rare kind of clean, strong and unusual beauty that always resonates with me (and hopefully the casting directors for CK and Jil Sander). Not to mention that she has some of the most sensational eyes I have seen in a long time. Topped off of course with those Mariya Markina-esque brows. Sure there is a slight Malin Ones comparison to be made, but Mirte succeeds in not appearing dead behind the eyes.



Honestly, how incredible is this girl? Plus with her 5'10" frame and 31.5-24-35 measurement, Mirte could be a wonderful addition to the Supreme board in time for the S/S 09 show season. I love it when the communicative aspect of fashion, which equally entices and informs, leads to such beautiful personal discoveries. Thanks to the entire team at O2W for providing me with more information on this truly sensational face.

Edited To Add: After all the craziness since profiling Mirte, it remains to be seen if she's actually signed with Supreme. That piece of information was taken off of her O2W profile an hour after this post was made. Either way, I stand behind Mirte's potential and hope that someone will sign this girl soon enough in NYC.

In Bloom: Laura de Lannoy

Here's a little story for everyone before I delve into this. Once upon a time, on the last day of 2007, I spent the morning online with Penelope from MNP, searching through the bevy of new faces presented during the reopening of the Way Model Management website. Generally, Penny tends to prefer a slightly softer face, compared to my tastes for a more intense look. However, when our tastes meet (and Way seems to have a habit of making that happen), the results are laced with enthusiasm on both parts. So imagine my excitement when I saw Brazilian Laura de Lannoy who seemingly epitomizes the convergence of our tastes as she's both youthful and intense behind her eyes, and all around stunner at 5'11" and 31-24-35.


(all images courtesy of Way Model Management)

Fast forward to this morning, almost three months afterwards and not an update to be had. I was actually planning on profiling Laura sometime this week, so imagine my surprise when I saw Laura profiled on O2W this morning! Plus, it turns out that Penelope's initial guess that Laura would end up at Marilyn was correct after all. Though I secretly loath how archaic Marylin's website is, their board is finally starting to come back together again, and Laura should make a great addition.




She's tall, youthful, and has the devious quality to her stare that I will always find incredibly alluring. It's just again reassuring to know that other people are seeing the same potential that you do. I just cannot wait to see how Laura develops under the management at Marilyn

Updated: Aneta Bielecka

First of all, I love O2W a lot. No, really a lot. They stand for new faces, and enjoy the development process as much as I do. Plus, their track record is impeccable and taste level in models is uncanny. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised when I presented my discovery of Aneta Bielecka to Julio, only to find him equally impressed.

More than anything, I'm just happy to finally have a last name for this beautiful girl. Well, that and I'm pleasantly surprised to see how motivated and tenacious Aneta was in starting her own career. Some may call it conceited when a model submits her own pictures (i.e. the start of Doutzen's career many a year ago), but I call it motivated. To know that you have that special something is not arrogant, so much as it displays a sense of confidence and an understanding of the business.

I would be lying if I claimed to not be the slightest bit satisfied that my taste passed the test at O2W. After all, its reassuring (though not necessary, of course) when your eye for talent, so to speak, is confirmed. Perhaps this is only meaningful to me after not landing the job of my dreams a week ago, but it is truly an honor to be called a "vigilant colleague" by people who share the same enthusiasm and love for this field.

Anyhow, thanks to their sensational connections at O2W, Julio was kind enough to share with everyone the background story on Aneta:

After one of our more vigilant colleagues brought Aneta Bielecka to our attention, we contacted our wonderful friend Gosia at Avant Management Warsaw for details. Now 17, this Polish girl from Wroclaw was discovered last year when she took the proverbial bull by the horns. Aneta did what any 180cm tall gorgeous girl with “big blue hypnotizing eyes” would do. She got on the internet and sent in some photos. Of course Gosia was amazed. So much so that she trekked to see Aneta in person and just knew Avant “had to have her.”

It is hard not to state the obvious. That height combined with 81cm-60cm-90cm measurements merits thick Sharpie check marks in the plus column. Oh but there’s more. Turns out she’s graceful too. And in the last few months her development has come along nicely, building on an already impressive confidence that will be “super on the runways.”

Aneta’s interests include photography and painting. She’s athletic as well and will be glad to take you on in her two favorite sports, a game of volleyball or a tennis match. Her dream? The cover of American Vogue.

Go for it, we say! Thanks so much to Gosia for her enthusiastic assistance.

The Dangerously Cute Amy Post

So, what can you say about SPS Model Management's Amy Post? She's that sweet and innocent type of cute that's laced with enough poison behind her eyes to eternally keep your attention. Generally speaking, 'cute' rarely does it for me. There has to be something extra to that aesthetic to really enrapture me, and like I said, Amy certainly possesses that. I came across her portfolio early this morning, only to realize that I had seen one her images used in a graphic on O2W (and a quick bit of appreciation for all the impeccable work that they do over there). Well apparently I was behind the times were Ms. Post is concerned as she received another mention on their page today. Take a look:


(images courtesy of O2W)

Now, as much as I would love to take credit for this description of Amy, no one other than Julio would be able to come up with such a fitting analogy: "Quite an expressive range, and she's build like a runaway teen who discovers she has mutant superpowers." Was that a Runaways reference hidden under there? Truth be told, she does have that strong and innocent combination that Joss Whedon seems to find so powerful. Anyhow, take a peak at the rest of her emotive range:


(images courtesy of SPS Model Management)

Amy just proves that when a girl just has something, you're willing to look past, and eventually evolve your own personal aesthetic preferences. I for one cannot wait to see what is in store for young Amy in the future.