Cankles, Patricia Fields and Ugly Betty
Slept till 9am this morning and missed the DKNY show at 10am, grrr. At Bryant Park on 42nd between 6th and 7th, there are three main runway rooms behind the ropes and security; the Salon, Promenade and the Tent, the Tent being the largest, holding shows such as BCBGMAXAZRIA, Rock & Republic, Miss Sixty, Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson and the likes.
It’s always a very tight fit in the pits, housing anywhere up to 600 photographers in a very small space - once we are all in position there’s only room to zoom the lens. I squeeze myself in just off centre, near the back of the riser, an excellent position for my second season. The old boys on the international circuit love me, and make me a place each time, I’m sure it’s because I balance myself on the end of my Sony camera case, the width of both feet together, if I topple they all grab me or should I say grope me! Dirty boys!
I’m using the only Sony 700 camera in the house, I think it’s amazing and definitely does the job with its Carl Zeiss lenses, the pictures say it all and I have no need to Photoshop these babies. What’s really good about it is that it's light and takes great front row celebrity shots with its on-camera flash. One or two other photographers have stolen it to do backstage rather than lug around their oversized flash units and quantum packs. Some know me by Amanda but mostly I’m called either 'Kiwi' or 'Sony girl'.
Another long hot day of shows, my ankles have swollen into cankles! Eeeeew! Off site now, Ed, Houdini, Brigitte and I check out a show somewhere. As it turned out it was Patricia Fields, the New York stylist from Sex and the City, Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada. When we walked in, the room was in an uproar. Drag Queens holding their own WALK OFF, vogueing, which had the room in stitches, even Patricia got up but then she fell down - even funnier.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! There right in front of me were the Ugly Betty cast, knocking back the drinks and living in the moment. I just went up to them and started talking to Ana Ortiz (Hilda Suarez) she is so friendly and very touchy, also there was Vanessa Williams wearing something hideous (smoking jacket and black jeans) still, she’s beautiful, Becki Newton (Amanda Tanen) and Judith Light (Claire Meade). Got some great shots but for now here’s one.
When I do get a chance to get close to the celebrities their interest; if any, is my accent, so my homeland is a great conversation piece and I’m realising more and more they all want to come down for a visit, I now have a small bundle of celebrities contacts who want an excuse…what excuse can we give them?
Show time was FABULOUS, it made me feel fabulous, while leaving a camera crew and host shone their light on me and I was interviewed by the CW television network (host in photo). I think I usually suck at interviews but I have been reading a funny book about being fabulous so it all rather rolled off the tongue, but at the same time I know this to be true: if you dress up and look fabulous you stand out, and your life becomes more colourful and eventful.
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