I’m Going to be in a Vogue Ad for QVC Modeling Dennis Basso’s New RTW Line!

Part Three of My QVC/Vogue Adventure – The Photo Shoot for the April Issue of Vogue Magazine

If you missed Part 1, read it here.

If you missed Part 2, read it here.

After a day of fittings, lunch at Vogue, and video interviews, the other women chosen to be in the Vogue/QVC ad, Mary Martha, Christine, Rocio and I are ready to relax with a drink and some good food. The NYC weather is beyond horrible but QVC has hired a car to take us from place to place. Our next destination: Lidia Bastianich’s restaurant, Felidia. (Lidia is one of the most beloved chefs on television, author of bestselling cookbooks and a popular QVC personality.) The video crew meets us at Felidia as we toast to one another and to QVC and Vogue. They then take their leave as dinner is served. The conversation is a revelation. I get to know the other women and our wonderful QVC hosts, Joanne Lockard, Emily Delvecchio and Amy McManus. I am elated that I had chosen to do this. Earlier, Jamie Falkowski, QVC Director of Media Relations, had invited us to QVC/Vogue’s Fashion Week party and we excitedly talk about that, ourselves, QVC and the photo shoot tomorrow. Oh, you want to know about the food? We’re in a private room. Lidia Bastianich is not there but had prepared a special menu for us, not the least of which are wines made from grapes from her personal vineyard. The food is delicious and beautifully presented. I could make a meal of the pear and fresh pecorino-filled ravioli – divine little dumplings that melt in my mouth – but I control myself.

The table is beautifully set. The flowers are colorful and exotic and remind us of a place where there is no snow lightning.  Yes, as we ate, snow blanketed the city and lightning lit the sky. Felidia’s dessert is sublime.

We are each served sampler plates  filled with a beautiful assortment of pastries – and I just taste it all.  Photo shoot tomorrow!  Are you kidding me?  I return home, opting to stay in my apartment versus the W Hotel with the QVC staff.  I’m on puppy detail and always sleep better in my own bed anyway.  Except for that night.

I wake up – ah, hell, I never really went to sleep – to 15 or so inches of snow on the ground. No high heels today. I’m wearing snow boots and no longer feel the need to make an impression.  But I’m also filling in my brows and wearing a coat of mascara.  Never know when a video camera might be lurking. I’m happy to see the other women, the QVC staff, the video crew.

I’m excited about the shoot and looking forward to meeting Suze Orman, renowned personal finance expert, Emmy award winner, book author, and QVC personality, who is going to be in the photo with us. Turns out, the ad is a vignette, a slice of QVC life. It’s being shot by Art Streiber.  You’ve seen his work in countless magazines. He is the master of the group shot. I am happy that I’m in the shot with the QVC talent I’ve mentioned.  Yesterday, Dennis Basso told me I was going to be standing next to him in the ad. I’m jazzed.

Marnee, my makeup artist is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.  She is an Angelina Jolie lookalike. I am completely at ease as she applies my makeup. I welcome the video cameras and even forget they’re there a few times.  Josie Maran comes by to chat as Marnee applies Josie’s amazing makeup to my face. I’m now a confirmed fan ofher line that’s also sold on QVC. Makeup done, it’s time for hair and clothing. The set, while active, is controlled and professional. Suze Orman enters the building and I, a fan, am eager to meet her. The crew sets up a “living room” for us to have an “informal chat.” While I, an extremely private person, don’t discuss my financial situation with even my closest friends, this is Suze Orman, people. She asks me a question and I’m going to answer it. Well, up to a point at any rate. Suze Orman turns her fabulous smile to the camera. Her eyes sparkle as she kind of disses me for being a blogger and, before she can flash her bluest of blue eyes at the camera one more time, we’re called on set.

Oh Dennis Basso, I love you. Thank you for putting me in such a pretty outfit. I feel classy and feminine. Thank you for holding my hand, I mean arm throughout the shoot. For the ad, the slice of QVC life scene, I am placed at the center back of the set with Dennis and Shoshanna Gruss. For the shot, Dennis “styles” my outfit while Shoshanna holds up a choice of the beautiful jewelry she sells on QVC. Thank you Shoshanna.  I love you too. You are wonderful and helped me calm down.

I don’t want to give any more details.  You’ll have to see the ad for yourselves in the April issue of Vogue Magazine.

As I’ve said, I’ve been on countless shoots but from the other side of the camera. The tech crew still holds my fascination. The beauty team is asked, several times, to fix my hair. I am probably red faced, and feeling a bit awkward – not knowing where to look, whether or not to smile.  The photographer gives me an “eyeline,” a techie to focus on.  He proceeds to pose and tease, making me laugh. Everyone off set comments on the images they see on the monitor. I don’t look.  At some point, Dennis invites us to his Fashion Week fashion show. I die. (Thank you Rachel Zoe for that locution. It perfectly captures how I feel.) When the photographer is happy with the shot, we are all called back in our groups for a few more photos. I wonder how Shoshanna does her makeup. It looks great. Her eyes are amazing.  She’s standing thisclose to me and I get a good look but forget to ask her. Dennis is holding fast to my extended arm. He knows his angles and poses.  He is the consummate pro.  I am still trying to figure out where to look. The shoot over, people begin to depart.  My three new friends and I sit together. We compare notes, experiences. We don’t want the day to end. The fantasy is over too soon.  I’m exhausted. The excitement, strain and lack of sleep and proper food  wear on me.  We take pictures, exchange business cards.  (Mary Martha, our incredible student has a business card. She is savvy enough to know that you can never be too young to network.)  Jamie, perhaps sensing our reluctance to part ways, perhaps wanting to prolong our adventure, invites us to lunch at Pastis.  (These people know how to entertain!)

We take our leave, vowing to stay connected.  We have Dennis Basso’s Fashion Show, the QVC/Vogue party and an appearance on a live QVC show on April 22 to look forward to.  The adventure is just beginning …

There are many more pictures from the shoot. To see them, please go to EverBeautiful’s Facebook fan page and click “Like”.