Regarding last month’s column, I couldn’t find a salon in Dallas that could give me the decades-old lactol manicure (it involves soaking the hands in wam milk). I did lots of online searches after reading about it some time ago in a US nail magazine in Texas. I did, though, find loads of places offering it in New York City.
Talking of the States, I’m back indoors from the searing heat and a meeting at my downtown Chicago-based agent, Ford Models, where I met Emily, their PR. We chatted about my profile – portfolio, endorsing history, client list etc – so she could decide how to help further my career in the US. She’s a very interesting woman, who knows lots of fabulous people here, including the TV producer of America’s next Top Model reality series.
Chicago town
So, back to working as a session nail tech in Chicago. Earlier in the year I was here shooting for the city’s society magazine CS – The Chicago Social. It was a half-day shoot to create one image, full page, for a wedding supplement in the summer issue.
This is an editorial shoot, as opposed to an advertising shoot, because it’s for print matter. Advertising, on the other hand, is specifically for a company’s own use – be it within brochures, windows, point-of-sale, mailouts, emails, business cards or paid-for space in magazines.
The model was from my agency, and although she wasn’t a registered hand model, she had lovely hands, though no real nail length, which is where my skills came in. I extended the nails and created a very subtle French tip by mixing some soft white and clear powder for a gentle, bride-like length, then varnished them with light nail enamel by Max Factor.
Security guard
This jewellery shoot was really no different from any other that I’ve done in the UK, except for one thing – the security guard was an off-duty policeman with a sideline in private security. The law in this state – Illinois – allows an off-duty cop to carry his weapon and yep, he did – a fully loaded gun, clearly attached to his belt. Crazy!
The hero of the finished shot was the Van Cleef jewellery – price upon request, say no more! This was the focus of the shoot. Accessories included a Champagne flute – a drop in the ocean at $85 (£45) – just to accompany and complement the main item. The shot has been shaded in post production, and the re-toucher has given the whole image a veil of grey. Like it?