Diana Dondoe and Missy Raydar Rule Self Service's Winter Issue

Is there a pattern forming among the recent camapign, editorial and runway castings ? In between the Vuitton supermodels plus Claudia at Chanel, Kate at YSL, the comeback of the likes of new mom Bianca Balti, the unlikely figure of Lara Stone on the directional runways and the acceptance of Gemma's body though it is no longer a 15 year old's size zero, it really does seem that fashion has learnt a thing or two from the skinny model drama. Of course, there are always variations on a theme . One of the biggest campaigns in the world is shooting today with a decidedly young face, but this is within their tradition. But more and more , the twenty year olds are starting to hold their fair share of the market. It is very good that they are not being disposed of for daring to develop a curve or two. It is great to see a hard working, truly intelligent model like Anja Rubik finally get a second chance with the blue chip photographer of her dreams. It is interesting, for instance, as one agency owner outlined perfectly, to see clients rejecting the severely gaunt girls on the market as being "too fashion" in favor of Hilary Rhoda for that Estee Lauder contract. Hilary was up against every model you could think of in MDC's Top 10 models (and- yeah- I know it's more than 10 models) but word is Hilary won out because among the corporate ranks, it was felt her beauty read as healthy and had "reach". Even a model like Maryna at DNA who transmits a more mature and traditional kind of beauty is becoming very reguarly employed by Mr Meisel, specifically in his "testing ground" ads like Mulberry and D Squared. Not that we are saying she's doing any of those campaigns. Or Pringle for that matter.
It is a fantastic thing, in other words, to watch these girls be given a chance to grow up into being women. The Sasha who used to cower in a corner backstage sketching like a possessed figure out of a Tim Burton cartoon has relaxed a lot recently. She even smiles occasionally. Diana Dondoe who was always self-possessed and articulate, is even more so. Missy Raydar, who has quite a life story will not fade away as fad. Nor will the super-smart Elise Crombez. And did you know even Daria, who was the ultimate editorial queen of them all came THIS close to clinching a multi-million Victorias Secret deal? Believe it or not, Lancome outbid them. But don't be shocked if VS comes back on the table one day. Now with all the VS beauties descending on LA next Monday, maybe all that promised voluptuousness is warping my mind. God knows there is a stunning amount of artificially inflated voluptuousness in the City Of Lights. But Erin Wasson, Angela Lindvall, Carmen Kass, Bianca, Inguna and Mini Anden will be on that plane. God bless them for withstanding the test of time.