When I found out I had a job in Paris over the same time the haute couture shows were going on, I knew I couldn't leave without at least walking for my good friend Jean Paul Gaultier. Here I am in hair and makeup. At shows we usually pose backstage for about a dozen photographers and mostly the pictures never see the light of day but it's always good practice!
Here's the only picture to be leaked to Twitter before the show! It's the lovely and ever-so-pretty
Frida Gustavsson and I in full hair and makeup. The picture was tweeted by @JPGauliter himself so no models were in trouble... this time! ;)
Here's
Joan Smalls , all dressed up and ready to go. This was her first look; for her second look she received a round of applause from the audience - that's my girl!!
And here I am in full gear. I loved this "black swan" inspired dress so much that I asked Jean Paul if I could wear it off the runway later that night to a special event, and he said yes! Only Jean Paul would say yes to such a request.
Here I am in my look. Peacock feathers down the arms and chains across the front. Special thanks to runway photographer extraordinaire Mr. Ed Kavishe and Fashion Wire Press for giving us these images.
Right after the event, all the models marched out onto the street for an outdoor red carpet runway show to hundreds of onlookers, giving many Parisians their first look at a haute couture show. And right after this I kept on walking, still in my dress, to my driver and away we went to the next event...
Here I am at my next location - the American Ambassador's residence in Paris. The Ambassador was host to a very special cocktail party to congratulate Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue for receiving France's highest honor, the Legion d'honneur. This is an elite award, almost the French equivalent of knighthood, first given out by Napoleon Bonaparte!
James and I were unfashionably early to the event and so we spent the first 15 minutes alone in this giant house, awkwardly taking cheesy photos with French antiques. Luckily one of my favorite photographers, Patrick Demarchelier, was the third arrival and together we explored the magnificent property.
By 7pm the room was full of fashion industry giants like Karl Lagerfeld and Peter Lindbergh. Here I am with the legendary Pat McGrath, one of the greatest makeup artists fashion has ever known and honorary "mother" to all of us models. As a side note, I recently helped Pat join Twitter, so be sure to follower her at @patmcgrathreal!
Here I am with my friends and two of the biggest sweethearts in fashion: Arizona Muse and
Karlie Kloss who, for some reason, is looking especially sneaky in this picture.
After congratulating Anna and enjoying a sip of champagne, Karlie and I had to make a quick run for our next event,
Natalia Vodianova 's Love Ball, which was already underway an hour outside of Paris at Valentino's stunning 17th century country chateau.
Most of the other models had already been there for a few hours but a lightning fast hair and makeup team got us caught up to speed and we were ready for the big show!
All our outfits were one-offs created by 40 of the world's greatest designers. Everyone from Armani to Dior created a Russian inspired gown to be auctioned off at the event, with all the proceeds going to Natalia's non-profit organization that provides safe outdoor parks for underprivileged children. I wore this EPIC Donatella Versace's dress, a dress so big I had to make a running start sideways to go through doorways!
Here are Karlie Kloss and
Toni Garrn hamming it up for the audience. Karlie is wearing a McQueen gown that Lee himself made two years ago, especially for this event.
I loved this beautiful ballerina gown.
Here's the thoroughbred Belarusian model Miss
Tanya D in a gorgeous gown and head piece.
After the show was over, I was back in my Gaultier couture gown for the 2nd time that day and in these pictures I'm striking scary shadow poses for some reason? Don't ask, it was late.
It's a little after midnight and Toni, Karlie, and I are finally done working. We can actually enjoy the Love Ball with the 450 other guests as Bryan Ferry performed. Here we are at the bar made completely of ice and, in case you're wondering, Karlie Kloss is indeed of legal drinking age in France! xx Coco
