FACing The Weather

On Friday, March 26, we had the chance to check out the Gainesville chapter of FACES modeling troupe put on its annual spring fashion show at the Reitz Union. Hundreds gathered to see the show whose theme, Weather Unmastered, was a huge success in both creativity and execution, with each scene being dedicated to a different season. The models were hot, but the outfits and distinctive strides were even hotter.

Jerrelle Williams, the President of the Gainesville chapter, could not have said it any better when he stated, “ Style is from within”. The show featured clothing sponsored by Bebe, Henri Girl Boutique, Cache, Metro PCS, and Wolfgang. The fashion show kicked off with a bang as the first scene was devoted to winter and the models performed a lingerie scene with the title “When Hell Freezes Over." The show continued with bright colors, pumping music, amazing outfits, and even some cowboy boots in the other scenes like “The Gardeners,” “Tropical Storm F,” and “Harvest Hoedown.”

The host, Reginald Wilson, kept the show moving and lively as he played trivia games and had dance competitions with members from the crowd during the intermission and in between each scene. During the finale, the models surprised the crowd with a spring scene where they all came out color-coordinated with yellow, blue, and orange outfits.

The FACES modeling troupe has been in Gainesville since 2002, after it was founded at FAMU in 1997. The modeling troupe has grown to over five chapters in the state of Florida, making it one of the largest modeling troupes on the east coast of the United States. If Gainesville Fashion Week is leaving you wanting more opportunities to work in the Gainesville fashion world, FACES is a great organization to pair up with.

- Photos and story by Maria V. Capellan

Wasson Style

Julie Long, 22, UF architecture student

Julie was spotted outside the Florida Gym on campus in this look inspired by model and designer, Erin Wasson. Wasson’s status as a fashion icon is built on her unique sense of style, which has been called everything from “seventies rocker” to “nineties grunge.” To achieve a similar look, Julie tops long layers in light fabrics with a fitted-leather jacket that lets them stand out. Black leggings make the outfit comfortable for class, and lend attention to her strapped footwear- a refreshing alternative to the plethora of flip-flops seen on campus. Julie’s look is accessorized with over-sized vintage eye-wear from American Apparel, who collects the dead stock glasses from a variety of sources.

Leggings, American Apparel, $26
Shirt, H&M, $15
Cardigan, J. Crew, $48
Jacket, Friend’s closet, $0
Shoes, Forever 21, $23
Glasses, American Apparel, $60

- Hallie Wunsch

GFW Poolside Shoot

Spring was definitely in full force Sunday (3/15) at University House - 13th Street, where Gainesville Fashion Week held its first official photo shoot. Girls came out in bikinis to enjoy the sun, food and DJs at the pool, while models mingled inside. The models, clad in all black, received hair touch-ups by Bryan Sepp from Avant Garde Salon and posed for portfolio shots, one of the perks the models receive.

We recognized a few faces, including a couple previous INsite cover models, and we met a bunch of new models. GFW Producer Tiffany Williams says this year had the largest turn-out for models and GFW is using a lot of new faces. There are 36 women and 15 men walking in the shows this year.

This shoot was one of the first events in preparation for Gainesville Fashion Week, which will kick off with an invitation-only Red Carpet Event and public Art Opening on April 7. The runway shows run from April 8 through April 10, and they will feature local boutiques and designers, such as Dahlia and Bobby K, as well as national independent designers.

Tiffany says GFW had two independent designers in the fall, and they will feature four this season. This spring’s GFW will also bring back the art show aspect and will feature something different each night to bring in the creative element, Tiffany says. INsite will be at the Red Carpet Event doing a meet and greet with our cover model finalists, so don’t forget to submit your application. See you on the red carpet!

--Lane Nieset; Photos by Alexis Patterson

Gainesville Fashion Week: Model Callbacks

Last night, we were lucky enough to be invited to be a guest judge for Gainesville Fashion Week's Model Callbacks. Almost 100 models lined up out the door and up the stairs to Sharab Lounge before they were outfitted with numbers and got ready to walk the makeshift "catwalk."

We enjoyed chatting with fellow judges Kara Winslow (from the Hippodrome), designer Bobby K and Wolfgang owner Matt Turner (among others) before the judging began. But when the music was turned up (waaaay up) it was all about business. The beautiful men and women had two chances to walk before the judges to decide who would and would not appear in April's Fashion Week—a hard task by any standards.

We were blown away by the options, and recognized both some past INsite models and some fresh faces. The final model lineup will be announced next week, and you can expect to see the fruits of their labor starting April 7. Here are some of our favorite moments from the night.

Interested in being a model? INsite is looking for candidates to be our next cover model. Winners and runners-up will represent the magazine at GFW and will receive a professional photo shoot and the chance to appear in the magazine. The winner will appear on the cover of a future issue of the magazine. For details and to apply, click here.

—MM, Photos by Sean Kelly

Behind the Scenes: February Fashion Shoot

Here are some great shots from the set of our February cover shoot.

—Photos by Sarah Hsu

Runway Beauty: Behind the Scenes with Sephora

At Wednesday night’s Gainesville Fashion Week, Sephora makeup artists Mandi and Ellie went with a retro ’50s look to accompany Natalie Kim’s game-day dress collection, focusing on two favorite beauty trends—cat eyes and bright red lips. We crashed a pre-show makeup session with model Meghan van Joosten to break down the look step-by-step.

1. A few minutes of prep.

Mandi starts with the model’s eyes to avoid eye shadow debris on the foundation. She begins by applying Too Faced Shadow Insurance eye shadow primer all over the lid. This helps retain color and prevents the shadow from creasing. Next, it’s time for Urban Decay’s matte eye shadow. A nude shadow, like Foxy, blends well with the model’s fair complexion and evens out the skin tone. The nude color is applied on the lid up to the brow bone with a medium shadow brush. She then contours with Shakedown, a darker color, which she uses creating circles in the crease to add definition to the eye.

2. Cat eyes are a great look for small or close-set eyes.

“To create a cat eye, you want to go straight instead of following the natural line,” Mandi says. She uses a bent eyeliner brush and Smashbox’s Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner. To perfect the eye, start at the middle and take small baby strokes out to the corner. You can clean up the look by going over it with a felt tip liquid liner, like the Kat Von D tattoo liner in Trooper. Now, the tricky part. For a winged eye, Mandi says it’s best to follow the natural line of the bottom of the eye instead of the top. You can follow the line up and then just bring out and connect the top line with the bottom line. Finish with a volumizing mascara like Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara.

3. A flawless natural finish.

Next, it’s off to Ellie to complete Meghan’s look. They used Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation for an airbrushed complexion. When finding the right shade, it’s best to apply the foundation to the side of the cheek and bring it down to the neck. If it blends well, it’s a color match success. After applying primer, Ellie likes to apply the foundation at the nose and work her way out. Pull the foundation downward to match the direction of the hair on the face.

4. Sculpting and contouring.

Ellie uses a Make Up For Ever sculpting kit and NARS blush in Orgasm to add definition and shape the cheekbones. For blush, she says the biggest mistake is using too much or going too far. Apply from the middle of the cheekbone outward—you can use the iris of your eye as a marker point. Apply a little bit to the apples of the cheek. Next, she uses the darker color in the sculpting kit and applies it below the blush. By pushing the blush down and the darker color up, she reshapes the model’s cheekbones. Add a hint of the dark color along the sides of the nose to make it appear longer and thinner.

5. All about the eyes.

To define eyebrows, use LORAC's Take a Brow to fill in any gaps. Ellie applies the lighter shadow in the fuller part of the eyebrow and the darker shadow in the thinner part. If your eyebrows are short, drag the shadow out past the brow to lengthen the curve. Finally, shape the brows with a brow brush and set with a clear brow gel.

6. Red lips look good on everyone.

“You just have to find a shade you’re comfortable with,” Ellie says. Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Barcelona completes Meghan’s look. The lipstick comes in the shape of a pencil and is soft and moisturizing on the lips.

—Lauren Peterson

Photos: Sarah Hsu

GFW Fall '09: Etc. Boutique + Natalie Kim Runway Review

Last night's Gainesville Fashion Week show was all about celebrating the college lifestyle. From the high-end, stylish basics presented by Etc. Boutique to the array of inventive orange and blue dresses presented by Natalie Kim at Allure Boutique, the evening was a call to arms for the revival of street-wear on the runway. The two collections showed us that practical doesn't have to mean boring.

Straight Up With a Twist

Round two of Gainesville Fashion Week was opened by Etc. Boutique, which showed us how to do basics with style. The store featured an assortment of designer jeans—Hudson, Joe's and True Religion to name a few—paired with flowing tanks, summer scarves and a few embellished tops.


The show also highlighted our favorite frugalista trick of transforming "going out" pieces into daywear when it showed us a shiny legging paired with a Bohemian top.


We loved the opening look—a seemingly simple black dress with geometric designs that remind us that the best aspects of fashion are in the details. For the most part Etc. kept it's show casual and reflected a realistic aesthetic for the on-the-go college girl who wants to look good without the fuss.

It's Great to Be a Cute Florida Gator

Natalie Kim was unapologetic in flaunting cutesy game-day dresses, as girls were accessorized with embellished wine glasses, footballs, pearls and Tebow-cutouts.


The collection exceeded expectations as models strutted styles ranging from a Carolina Herrera-esque wrap-dress to a chic, evening gown version of Gator mascot Alberta, which Natalie presented as her final look.

In between, the designer delighted us with punky tulle accents and flattering pleating.

If there was ever a way to converge fashion and sports, Natalie found it. She provides girls an opportunity to revel in their feminine charms, while cheering on their favorite team. Needless to say she made a believer out of an unenthusiastic sports fan.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu and Sean Kelly

Model Diary: A Day in the Life of a Gainesville Fashion Week Model

Last night, local model Meghan van Joosten let us tag along to give us a glimpse into the world of the models of the Gainesville Fashion Week runway. (Keep an eye out for some insider beauty tips!)


First, the stats: Age: 22 Height: 5’8”
Hometown: Gainesville
Day job: UF public relations senior
Number of years modeling: 9
Best gig yet: Photoshoot for hair stylist Mario Tricoci
Favorite Designer: Michael Kors
Personal Style: I like really hot dresses with a kick-ass shoe.

4:41pm Meghan arrives at Sixth Street Station for hair and makeup. The waiting room is relaxed, and the models talk quietly about everything from how to avoid split ends at the end of the night to the latest TV shows. Meghan passes time with a book, Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz. And yes, the girls do eat!

5:35pm Time for hair. Hair stylist Christina goes with an avante garde look that involves a lot of teasing and volumizing to offset Meghan’s small frame. Christina’s weapons of choice: a teasing comb, bobby pins and Big Sexy Hair hairspray.

5:51pm Hair finished. Back to the waiting room before makeup with Sephora.

6:07pm Makeup artist Olga uses Make Up For Ever HD on Meghan. It caters to an on-camera look but is perfect for everyday wear. For fuller lashes, she advises coating the lashes on both sides from top down and bottom up.

6:29pm Voila! Meghan’s look is complete, but there’s still a lot of work ahead until showtime …

6:36pm Meghan heads to Calzatura to meet with owner Robert Betancourt to discuss last-minute accessory choices and outfit changes. While there, Meghan spots a new dress, and it’s love at first sight. After spending a half hour parading in it, the finale piece is set.

7:14pm Time to grab dinner before the show. Meghan likes to eat a light protein or pasta beforehand. She avoids fatty foods, which she says can cause oily skin and too much water retention.

8:45pm When Meghan makes it backstage, she’s plays the role of model and stylist. She decides the final order of looks for the Calzatura show and completes a quick run-through with the models.

11:04pm The Calzatura show begins. “The one blonde girl worked it out,” attendee Kelly Liepshutz says.

11:28pm It’s hectic again backstage as everyone hurries to get ready for the Wolfgang show. Some fresh makeup and an outfit change, and Meghan’s ready to walk again.

After the show, before Meghan raced home to get to bed before an early morning class, we asked her how she thought it went. "It went really well," she said. "The Wolfgang
show was a lot of fun." And it’s only Day 1 of Fashion Week!

—Lauren Peterson
Photos: Sarah Hsu and Lauren Peterson

GFW Fall '09: Calzatura + Wolfgang Runway Review

If you haven’t been shopping lately, Gainesville Fashion Week should inspire you. The week debuted at Sharab Lounge with two shows that featured looks from local boutiques Wolfgang and Calzatura. The audience was an eclectic mix of college students and young professionals. Lifestyle Editor Stephanie Granada reviews.

Mini Madness

Calzatura bid farewell to summer by paying tribute to our favorite warm weather indulgence—the ultra mini. From casual frocks that looked like skirt-and-tank duos to steal-the-night jeweled, skintight getups, Calzatura gave us a show with lots of leg and fun.

Owner Robert Betancourt's Miami roots came through in his choice of shiny accents and patterned pieces, like our new must-have, the peacock-printed jumpsuit.

This fall we'll be pairing Calzatura's minis with thigh-high, over-the-knee boots and shrunken jackets.

It All Depends on Your Situation

The Wolfgang show took us through an adventure through time and social cliques that were combined into one collection in this 40-look runway show. Store owner Matthew Turner gave us everything from the sweet swing of the 20s and 30s with the lacy Charlotte Ronson looks to the collegiate androgynous nerd with a combination of button downs, suspenders, bow ties and thick-rimmed glasses.

We are loving the edgy accents that adorned the model's wrists, necks and waistbands and the ease at which we feel we could easily wear even the edgiest of looks shown—yes look 40, we mean you. We were very excited to see the guys weren't left out and we got loud and clear that the look for guys this fall is plaid.

Though each look was completely different from the rest, the show still held the cohesive spirit that lets us know it was created by someone with a knack for style. Last night, the runway delivered the message that Wolfgang has something for the free-spirited fashion glutton in all of us.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu

Gainesville Fashion Week Faux-test

Fashion victims beware!

Last Friday (9/4) we spotted the crew from Gainesville Fashion Week picketing at the corner of University Ave and 13th Street as they held their “Faux-test” against bad fashion.

Their signs bore slogans like “HELL NO CAMEL TOE” and “NO MAS FAUX PAS.” It was a peaceful protest, and no arrests by the fashion police were made.

The demonstrators were promoting the opening of Gainesville Fashion Week, which starts tonight (Tuesday, 9/8) at 8:30 at Sharab Lounge at 8:30pm and runs until Saturday. GFW will showcase local and national designers and artists and will feature local boutiques and businesses. For more info and to purchase event passes, check out their Web site.

Follow us on Twitter to find out about instant GFW ticket giveaways!

Photos by Sean Kelly

Gainesville Fashion Week Casting Call

At last Saturday's Gainesville Fashion Week casting call, models trickled in to Sharab Lounge throughout the day, mostly in pairs, to be measured and photographed. Check out our Facebook album for our pics from the first Gainesville Fashion Week last spring.

Today (Wednesday, July 29) at 5pm is the deadline for models to apply for Gainesville Fashion Week in September. Call 352.376.4221 for details. (P.S. We hear they're looking for more guys.)

Want to apply?
www.gainesvillefashionweek.com/images/stories/modapp.pdf

Photos by Sean Kelly

INsite Retro Barbecue Photo Shoot

One hot summer Friday last month, we threw a retro barbecue for some local models and caught the whole thing on camera. But it wasn't all fun and games -- the whole shoot had to go down in about two hours!

"It was just so crazy," says stylist Stephanie Granada, who had to somehow keep track of all the samples and accessories on the way from Scissors Salon to Cabana Beach (while the sun was going down fast!). Thankfully, she says, the models were really patient.

Stephanie and Sean collaborated on ways to approach a retro vibe that would still be appropriate for readers. "Shooting with modern clothes, models and technology and still trying to
keep the retro look we were trying for was constantly on my mind," Sean say. "I wanted
to do the best job possible because everyone's efforts were riding on my pictures."

Intrepid INsite intern Alex Martin gamely volunteered to pose with his friend, teammate Clark Burckle, with the models for our July shoot. Luckily, they were used to walking around in their suits -- they're both on the UF swim team and had just left practice to come to the shoot.

But shooting this many people makes things interesting. "Making this size of a group look good was one of the hardest parts," says photographer Sean Kelly. "One and two
people are relatively easy to shoot, but lighting, directing and positioning seven models was a first for me."

Photographer Sean Kelly got real friendly with the sand to get the best shot as the sun set on our July retro barbecue shoot.

"It was about 159 degrees that day, and I had wet sand on my hands, in my pockets, all over my cameras, and generally in places not appropriate to mention," Sean says. "After it was all over, we jumped into the pool and packed up and went home and drank a lot (of water)."

See the full spread in July, page 24.

Photos by Sean Kelly