January 2013
Dear Eva, I was wondering what your opinion on men in the fashion editing business was? I am aware of that their a number of male editors out there but I still wonder whether or not their is room for a man to be successful. My mother and school guidance counselor insist there is no future for me in fashion due to my being a man. Fashion is my life and working for a fashion magazine is my dream but I wanted to get your opinion on the matter since you always give such wonderful advice.
Stefano Tonchi! Hamish Bowles! Mark Holgate! Andre Leon Talley! Eric Wilson! Ariel Foxman! Derek Blasberg! Andrew Bevan! Hal Rubenstein! Joe Zee! (the list goes on.) listen, anytime someone tells you something that you know in your gut is simply not true (which must be the case, otherwise you wouldn’t be asking me for validation, no?), just tune it out. the world is full of naysayers—people LOVE telling other people what they can’t do. prove them wrong…
Hi Eva. I love your Tumblr; your personality and aesthetic really brighten my day. So my question is really thorough. I have always treated my skin quite terribly - I don't take my makeup off at night, I don't ever use any treatments or masks, and I pretty much just use an acne cleanser and maybe Dove moisturizing cream. It was all OK until I turned the big 30. Now, I feel like my skin is parched and sad looking. Could you recommend a routine and products to help me. I know I have sinned deeply.
someone call me a cardiologist because your question just gave me heart palpitations. well, first of all, I’m glad you’re acknowledging your skin sins. although, first of all, there’s probably nothing wrong with the acne cleanser you’re using or the Dove cream you’re slathering on your sad, parched face. what is a major problem, though, or as Julia Roberts would say in Pretty Woman: “Big mistake. Big. Huge”, is that you aren’t removing makeup at night. that is not good. I’m picturing it seeping into your pores right now. seeping into your eyelash follicles, making your lashes sad and puny. okay, enough lecturing! here’s a basic skincare routine I recommend: *remove your makeup every night (even if it’s Yes to Carrots makeup removers. which I like a lot, by the way) *wash your face every night (it can be with something as simple as Cetaphil) *use a serum for your skin type (since you said “parched”, I’m going to recommend this one—it’s a splurge, but it’s worth it. I think serums are worth their weight in gold) and *night cream (this one is good for sad-looking skin). use an SPF during the day. this alone will make your skin happier and less arid. and, when you see a difference in a few weeks and want to graduate to masks and treatments, drop me another line ^_^
“I see beauty everywhere”
—the late, great Kevyn Aucoin. I never got to meet him, in all my years as a beauty editor, but he seemed like such a beacon of positivity and light—rarities in the fashion industry, to be honest! anyway, lately I’ve been obsessed with his eyelash curler. love that it’s red, so you can see every.single.lash.
Dear Eva, I am planning on majoring in median and communications at one of SUNY universities in New York. I am torn between going to university or going to pursue my passion for modeling. I feel like I have what it takes and can manage it but either way what are my chances if growing up and sustaining a family's yet on? I don't want to be only a housewife and I want to be a good contribution. What do I do?!
if you’re lucky enough to get in and afford it, go to university, please. modeling is an amazing career—but, in my opinion, it’s not really a career path you can choose as readily as, say, medicine, banking, or, um, lawyering. there is no core curriculum, no majors, no minors. someone has to “tap” you, effectively choose you, to be a model. and that could ostensibly happen while you’re in school, interning in NYC or Paris over the summer at a swishy fashion PR firm. there’s the distinct possibility, also, that you’ll find something you want to do in school that opens your eyes to the possibilities of fashion/glamour/travel (I imagine all the appealing things about being a model) but—as you point out—with a longer lifespan. I think people should follow their dreams, but do research and homework to prepare for them. I applaud you for having big dreams—and asking the right questions before. but definitely, definitely, definitely go to college. it’s a foundation and base for the rest of your life.
ps: if you’re not following Kelly Mittendorf on Tumblr, you should. great, smart advice from a great, smart, successful model
“you have to be tougher. you have to learn the way to beat your path through, to make yourself felt, and make yourself necessary”
—very true words spoken by Grace Coddington in The September Issue. I wish I had learned this lesson in my teens and in college instead of being a wee shy lass. girls (and guys), never be afraid to speak your mind. you have nothing to lose
