This portfolio series was developed to quench and nourish my deep devotion and love of the “mannequin”. Called “dummies” in the past, these incredible instruments of life, although inanimate, have personas of their own. I own two, one that is truly gorgeous and needs no adjustment, and one that is a blank slate! This series focuses on each being selected to be on the cover of a fashion magazine “Le Femme." Portraying the development of each persona by creating a specific look using found materials sets the scene for each imaginary life. Although whimsical, fun, and playful, there is a message. Find it.

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Risa

A life coach, lives in Berlin. Originally from Boston she moved to Berlin 5 years ago following her quest for adventure and the love of her life. The love departed after one year and she decided to remain in the city that she had grown to love. Interestingly all of her clients are in the United States so she communicates via Face Time. “Life happens so learn to cope” seemed to be her life lesson.

 

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Sabine

I met Sabine in the South of France, in a small town called Auriel. She was studying to be a midwife and lived alone in the country. Sabine supports herself by creating and selling essential oils and teaching yoga. Her mantra: “Everything happens because we make it happen".”

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Jonna

Film and poetry are the passions of Jonna. She works as a court reporter, but her passion is to act. Attending NYU acting school, she was the best, a true natural. Longing to fulfill her acting dreams she moved to Los Angeles. She made a great impact, but it was difficult to make a living. She returned to school, this time for court reporting. “If you can’t do what you love, find something else to love!”

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Pirant

Heady with success and triumphant with life. Pirant grabbed life by the tail. Her career in fashion design has blossomed. She began by creating artisinal clothing out of paper and slowly evolved into working with cloth. She moved from Paris to Miami. Penniless and knowing no one, she worked as a waitress hoping to find connections. A day to remember was when John-Paul Gaultier happened into her cafe. A conversation ensued and she presented her work. Life changed. “Never stop trying, never, because if you are truly passionate and good at your talent, it will happen, “ Pirant

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Amelie

Writer and journalist, Amelie, appears regularly on cable news to analyze and discuss the current politial times. She often teaches classes at Harvard and Berkeley as an adjunct professor. When asked to be a part of this series, she was hesitant but agreed. Recently she realized that she was in the wrong field, she decided to follow her dreams and train for the Olympics as a javelin thrower. Her motto: “Throw caution to the wind.”

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Modrine

Living in New York and dancing for the NYC Ballet Company was always her dream. Having danced for years with the top companies, she finally got her chance. She is shy but expressive when she dances like a voodoo princess. Alive and full of spontaneity she prefers to be viewed from the back where her expression remains a mystery. “Movement transforms the soul.” Modrine

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Carina

Remodeling old houses left for ruin in Southern Italy became Carina’s passion. Living in Calabria she learned quickly that there was the quick and the dead. She learned to scrap for things and that everything did not have to be new to function. Learning from her father, a carpenter, she began to create a melange of small village homes, suitable for one or two people. Designing stunning interiors and sustainable exteriors, she soon became known for her work in sustainable housing. Forward thinking and extreme in her liberalism, she was perfect for our March cover. “ I have sometimes wondered what if? And I answered my own question.” Carina

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Lizza

What the f____? Is Lizz’a first comment when she understands that she will be on the cover of “Le Femme".” Why? Flowers are her thing. She grows, sells, and photographs them. They become muses to her and she incorporates their life cycles into her own. She challenges the way that people view plants and flowers by her unique interpretations. Fat blooms and dead seed pods fire her imagination the way that the double dark chocolate stirs the imagination of a foodie. “Fat and Dead are ok.” Lizza

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Shelby

Shelby loves concrete and all that can be made from it. It is a material which in her words, “has enormous possibility” from the everyday counter top to chairs. She doesn’t work with concrete though, she simply thinks about it, daily. working as a physician in sports medicine she sees all the injuries that come from falling on concrete and is helping to develop a medium which looks and functions like concrete but is softer and more pliable. her philosophy: “Don’t fall on concrete, instead mix it and create a chair.”

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Tanni

I wanted a small traveling shop which would move from town to town offering those items which were indigenous but hard to find. Soaps, made from local artisans, essential oils, special food items, homemade scones and breads and cheese and an occasional bouquet of flowers. All pine and sweet smelling I traveled the back road of Italy and France serving locals who love the wares. In the tiny traveling shop there was a full bath with a wood burning store and a bed to sleep.. “I love the life I live.” Tanni

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Chante

A yogi who loved to do only three poses, decided to develop a way to practice yoga without doing too much. As she likes to say, “It’s a way of life, not limb.” Out of reverence for the practice, she decided to create Pirina yoga which can be practiced in any space by anyone……for example, on a bus, on a bench, in Trader Joe’s, you get the picture. The poses are three, and she has taught them regularly all over the world. For more information leave a note on this website.

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Fleur

Flowers were always a part of Fleur’s life. She grew up in rural Pennsylvania where she assisted her family with their mushroom farm. She learned to love the smell of manure and to handle the tough tasks of farming. Allowed to have a small plot of her own she grew amazing flowers during the spring and summer months, spending the winter planning for the next season’s bounty. Many years later, drawn to the idea that flowers can become an accessory such as a handbag or shoes. She developed a way to turn her floral arrangements into millinery triumphs. After being featured in the Style Section of the New York Times, Fleur’s professional life took off. She now travels all over the world to create millinery fashion. Recently we caught her in between gigs and she confessed that she is ready to retire and go back to her roots of simply growing for beauty and fun. Fleur’s message: “Back to the basics, the only way to live.”