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Posted by on May 10, 2011 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

RIP Model Mia Amber Davis

With profound sorrow, at my sister Ida’s request, I am letting all of her friends know that her BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER MIA AMBER DAVIS passed away a short while ago!!! I know it’s unbelievable!!! We are all in shock!! Please keep my sister and our family in your prayer. ~ Carolyn Bishop Moore

Considered a favorite plus size model to many because of her stunning looks and genuine personality,  Mia Amber Davis’s death was announced today via the above message on her personal Facebook page.  Her birthday is listed as July 25, 1990 (but this cannot be correct).  No cause has yet been revealed. ***UPDATE: The cause is now thought to be related to knee surgery the model had the day before.  This was a common procedure and she was dealing with an old basketball injury from high school.  Mia experienced dizzyness and was taken to the hospital in Los Angeles by her cousin, where she died.  More updates as they happen.

Mia rose to fame as a 6′ tall plus size model, TV producer (Ricki Lake, The Next Food Network Star, Divorce Court), actress and editor for Plus Model Magazine, and often spoke to the “curvy” community on having positive self-esteem.  She was in Wisconsin last year in support of Strut Your Stuff.  She is survived by her husband.

Fans of Mia can leave a message on her Facebook Fan page

From Mia’s page:

Plus Model, Actor, Producer, Creative Editor for Plus Model Magazine.

Begining her career as an intern then production assistant for several television shows, such as “Ricki Lake”, “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Def Comedy Jam”, ” VH-1 Hard Rock Live” and many others, Mia soon became a producer at the nationally syndicated “Ricki Lake Show”. Mia also went on to produce several pilots and produce a dating show, “Change of Heart.” Most recently, Mia was the Senior Booking Producer for the Star Jones Show on Court TV.

While producing, an acting opportunity presented itself and Mia Amber burst onto the silver screen as “Rhonda” the full figured co-ed in the DreamWorks feature film “Road Trip”.

With the success of “Road Trip” Mia landed her first magazine cover (“Belle”) and Mia Amber realized that she wanted a coveted place in the world of plus sized modeling. Mia did her research, reinvented herself by losing 90 lbs. and was blessed with the opportunity to represent Ashley Stewart as a “Great Woman of Style.”

As a model Mia Amber has also worked with Richard Metzger, Monif C., Queen Latifah for Curvation, Abby Z., Lane Bryant and many many others. Mia has graced the covers and pages of numerous magazines and has appeared on countless television shows.

This past spring Mia was tapped to be the new Creative Editor-At-Large for Plus model magazine. Her first duty in her new role was to go toe to toe with the infamous Janice Dickinson on Oxygen’s, “Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency.” Mia held her own knowing that she was standing up for the 62% of plus size women in the U.S.

Mia believes in stepping out on faith to realize her dreams and travels the country as a speaker at seminars for aspiring models.

 Mia Amber is represented by the Goddess Division of Model Service Agency as well as the commercial division of Innovative Artists in New York.

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Posted by on Sep 1, 2010 in Uncategorized | 33 comments

Editorial Shoot: Fall Fashion for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to work as the manicurist on the Fall Fashion shoot for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Editorial is what I love, and it was a blast to be a part of this. I felt very lucky – I had full creative license. Even so, my goal was to highlight nail trends without going too wild – I really wanted to focus on what women would wear day to evening. Big love to essie for previously sending me their limited edition Fall into Fashion collection. I knew the moment I saw the gorgeous, muted jewel tones that they had to be featured! What a way to swatch the essie colors – onto models 🙂

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First up is Amber, who wore essie Sew Psyched, a green gray blend that perfectly complimented her skin tone.  I have not been a fan of the green nail polish trend, but this color turned it around.  When we got to Cuvee, the location for the shoot, everyone was asking about “that pretty green”.  It is fall without being too dark, and is totally fresh.

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essie’s Velvet Voyeur looked smashing on model Tiffany.  It enhanced her beautiful pale complexion, dark hair and eyes, and the metallic brocade dress.

That’s Kristin Lindemann, esthetician and makeup artist, creating an evening look.

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Location: Cuvee, Milwaukee

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Amy Haubrich, hair stylist, working the locks on the sole male model, Alan Charles.

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Ugh. Bad lighting.  Wish you could see better how Heather rocked a fabulous mane of red hair, and essie’s neutral taupe Merino Cool.

Her nail polish was a perfect tie-in with the outfit and shoes.  Also? I want that bracelet.

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I didn’t get a chance to photograph Anne, the model wearing CND Shellac (just named a top 5 fall trend by People Magazine!).  She wore Negligee.

Thanks to everyone that made this happen.  Look for the full layout and clothing/jewelry/credits in the September 26th issue of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

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Posted by on Nov 20, 2009 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Suicide Blonde? The Loss of Korean Model Daul Kim, age 20

Daul KimKorean supermodel Daul Kim was found dead yesterday, hanged in her Paris apartment.  At this time police believe it was a suicide.

This is the second high profile model suicide in a relatively short time.  Last June, Kazakh model Ruslana Korshunova was reported as jumping to her death from her high-rise apartment.  She was also 20 years old.

Ruslana Korshunova

Do you remember 20? The crazy/beautiful time when you and the world before you was just starting to bloom? Maybe for these girls life had fast forwarded too far due to rich and possibly rewarding experiences they were having. You can’t fast forward biology, self-esteem, wisdom and everything else that carries you through as you advance in age. At 20 years old, your mettle is still being tested, and you barely know what you are made of. There are seemingly insurmountable insecurities to overcome.  Without the ability to handle pressures and lacking a good support system, depression can make suicide seem like a reasonable option.

Daul Kim blondThe loss of Daul Kim is not only tragic for her family, but to anyone that enjoyed her work as a photogenic face and an interesting blog writer. Few Asians are prominent faces in modeling, with much in the past reserved for “quirky” and “weird”.  Kim fit a standard beauty while remaining exotic. She seemed to be a positive role model.

It would almost be easier to process if she was murdered.  The modeling industry can be especially brutal to those they use the most.  Her blog clearly stated some dissatisfaction.  Comments to catch are those where people thought she must be happy because she had it “all”.  What is your all? You need to define it to get it, and rarely do material possessions make the most critical on a list.  Most humans value true connections.

If this is ruled a suicide, how can agencies better protect the mental health of their clients?  First models are dying on the runway from eating disorders, and now suicide is en vogue? We need to start looking for ways to kill with kindness.  These are children.

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Posted by on Oct 6, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Eyes Lips Face Makeup Searches for Beauty of All Ages

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Think you’ve got what it takes to represent your generation? e.l.f. makeup is looking for the Face of e.l.f. for 2010.

Women ages 15 – 40+ – fill out this entry form and upload your photo. Friends and family can vote, increasing your chances of winning.

From e.l.f. :
The model with the most votes as of December 31, 2009 will receive a 4 day/ 3 night Luxury Included® Family Vacation for two adults and two children* to a Beaches Resorts destination in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica.

In January, e.l.f. Cosmetics and a panel of judges from the modeling industry, including Cristina DeHart (founder of ExploreModeling.com) and Tammy Green (co-founder of The Green Agency), will select four females (one in each of the following age ranges)- one teen, one in her 20’s, one in her 30’s and one 40 plus. Those chosen will participate in a photo shoot in NYC and be featured on the EyesLipsFace.com website. At this point the public will vote for their favorite of four models to represent e.l.f. cosmetics in 2010. The “Face of e.l.f. 2010” will receive $1,000.00 in cash plus a “Make-up for Life” package from e.l.f. Cosmetics.

“We are really excited to be working with ExploreModeling.com for our Face of e.l.f. initiative,” stated Ted Rubin, Chief Marketing Officer of e.l.f. Cosmetics. “ExploreModeling.com inspired us to come up with the idea of Beauty at All Ages, which is perfect because e.l.f. Cosmetics is all about allowing women of all ages to spoil themselves without going broke.”

Casting runs from Sept 14, 2009 until December 31, 2009.

Click here for more information

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