Yasmin Le Bon for RED Magazine, photographed by Jonty Davis.
A few years ago, my husband Joe Coffey (CEO of Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott) and I, set off for London from Sydney for our good friend Yasmin Le Bon’s surprise 56th Birthday party. The celebration was hosted by Yasmin’s husband Simon Le Bon and members of Duran Duran at One Lombard Street Restaurant in London’s EC1. The evening was a complete surprise to Yasmin, she thought she and Simon were going to dinner, just the two of them.
Approximately 150 guests awaited her arrival and five minutes beforehand we were warned she was on her way. The music was turned off, the lights dimmed and everyone was silent. All of a sudden the curtains were pulled across and there she was!!! What a surprise, there were paparazzi flashbulbs everywhere as well as hundreds of mobile phone images being shot….she couldn’t believe it and when she spotted me in the crowd, she cried. It was such an incredible moment, unbelievable in fact and definitely a night to remember. The champagne flowed and we danced until three in the morning!!
After a week of reminiscing old times and friends, I thought it would be fitting to look back on Yasmin’s career and life achievements as well as some special moments we’ve shared during our many years of friendship.
At the age of 17, Yasmin was scouted by Elliott Brown modelling agency while working at a London boutique, and in less than a decade, cemented herself as one of the highest earning models of the 1980’s. She met Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon in 1984, he saw images of her at a photographers studio and asked for her agents phone number. He called a few times and finally got to take her on a date to the premiere of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It was love at first sight and they married in 1985. He was her first boyfriend, they are still married and will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary this year in 2020. Simon and Yasmin have three beautiful daughters together, Amber, Saffron and Tallulah as well as two grandchildren.
L-R: Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran & Yasmin Parveneh 1985; Yasmin Le Bon with daughters Amber, Saffron & Talulah for RED magazine, photographed by Doug Ordway.
During her early career, Yasmin signed with mega agency Elite which led to major campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Karl Lagerfeld. During the late 80’s she also graced the cover of hundreds of fashion magazines including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan shooting with the best photographers in the industry - Patrick Demarchlier, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindberg, Arthur Elgort and Avedon.
She also walked for every designer one can think of including Valentino, Azzedine Alaia, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Claude Montana, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gautier and many more in London, Paris, Milan and New York every season for 12 years.
L-R: Yasmin Le Bon for Cosmopolitan Magazine, Italian Elle Magazine and British Elle Magazine.
Even after the age of 30 she was appearing in several high profile campaigns for Bloomingdales, Chanel, Harrods, Gianni Versace and Escada, to name a few. In September 2009, Yasmin added designer to her resume when she partnered with Wallis owner Phillip Green also the owner of Topshop to design her first women's clothing and jewellery collection ‘YLB’. Her second collection was launched in March 2010.
In 2011, Yasmin walked the runway for Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott’s Spring/Summer 11/12 collection at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. This was an especially surreal and emotional moment for both of us and we were certainly fighting back the tears on the catwalk! We both felt so proud of one another holding hands at the finale - we’d known each other and been such close friends and gone through so much together for over 30 years and here she was, walking on the catwalk in my debut fashion show!
Yasmin & I walk the runway for my Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott show in 2011.
There are so many experiences we’ve shared together - flying to exotic locations for numerous fashion shoots, her children, my wedding where she was one of my bridesmaids and all three children were my flower girls, vacations, events and have had so much fun together and we’ll always be there for one another and I feel blessed I can say this about someone.
Not only a successful supermodel and businesswoman, Yasmin is an incredibly generous and vivacious soul, loving wife and amazing mother. With a friendship spanning over 30 years, we’ve shared some of the greatest moments of our adult lives together, and while distance separates us geographically, our bond only continues to strengthen.
Love you Yasmin! Gaily xx
The first shoot for my brand Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott with Yasmin Le Bon, myself & Cindy Crawford on the island of Turks & Caicos 1995.
Yasmin & I walk the runway in the 1990's for Chanel, with baby Amber Le Bon.
Yasmin, myself & models backstage at Azzedine Alaia - 1990's.
L-R: Yasmin for a YSL Ad campaign - 1990's; Yasmin Le Bon, Christy Turlington & I for French Elle magazine when we'd all cut our hair into bobs - 1990's; Yasmin with supermodels Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell & Eva Hertzigova for a recent edition of British Harpers Bazzar.
My gorgeous bridesmaids Georgina Bartlett, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, me, my sister Dawn Elliott & Yasmin Le Bon - September 1997, Amagansett N.Y - The Hamptons.
L-R: Yasmin for Italian Vogue Magazine; Yasmin & I for Italian Marie Claire Magazine - 1990's; Yasmin for British I.D Magazine
Yasmin Le Bon, Natalia Vodinova, Elle Macpherson & I in London for a Calvin Klein event in 2012.
]]>“With weekends beginning to feel like weekends again, I wanted to share with you some of the favourite things I love to wear cook and watch.
During the week I generally cook at home and in the evenings we like to climb onto the daybed with our seven dogs and relax and read, or watch our favourite documentaries or TV shows."
Gail Elliott
Co Founder + Creative Director
Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott
“After a busy week working from home, I love nothing more than to travel around and explore beautiful Bali with my husband Joe Coffey who is the CEO of our Little Joe Woman brand.”
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“Some of you know me, my history as a fashion model in the 90s and when and why I started our Little Joe Woman fashion brand but for those of you who don’t, I wanted to share."
Gail Elliott
Co Founder + Chief Creative Operations
Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott
In the late 80s and 90s which I and many consider the best time to have been in the fashion world, I was extremely fortunate to enjoy a long and successful 24 year career as a fashion model based in New York.
For many years I worked with all the talented supermodels and designers of that time from Azzedine Alaia, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren Marc Jacobs to Karl Lagerfeld, Prada, Gianni Versace, Hermes and Chanel and every other designer you can think of, walking their runways and shooting for their campaigns and editorials.
It was they who taught me the cut of a garment and how it should look and sit on the body to make you feel confident and beautiful. From them I learned colour, print, fabric and quality.
I also worked with every fashion magazine internationally - Vogue, Bazaar, Elle, Marie-Claire, In-Style and many more as well as all the top fashion stylists and it was they who taught me how to style, showed me which pieces look good together, how to balance proportion and what shapes suit certain body types.
As well as being the designer for our brand, I love to talk to customers about all the details and discuss sizing, colour and what suits you. I can be contacted via our customer service email, online chat, our Instagram pages, Insta Direct Messages and WhatsApp!
If you ever have any questions, please simply reach out and if not, simply say hi - I look forward to hearing from you!
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T E A M W O R K
“I wanted to talk about team work as some of you aren’t aware that my husband of twenty three years, Joe Coffey, who is also the CEO of our Little Joe Woman brand, and I work closely together to produce ethically with our local Balinese factory staff, pattern makers, seamstresses, craftsmen and everyone else involved in making our brand what it is today.
Together, we oversea every detail from choosing our prints, designing of the collections and sitting through each fitting to ensure everything fits perfectly, to the concepts and fit-outs of our stores.
People often tell me they could never work with their husbands but for us it’s something we do and love. We have many exciting new plans happening in 2021 and look forward to sharing them with you.
For now, thank you all for shopping with us.”
Love, Gail + Joe xx
Gail Elliott
Co Founder + Creative Director
Joe Coffey
Co Founder + CEO
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A DAY IN THE LIFE…
Featuring our Co Founder, Gail Elliott
7.30am - Pilates Reformer
“I'm always up at 6.am everyday of the week either taking a beach walk with my husband and our five dogs, swimming in the pool or working early at the computer before breakfast. Twice a week my husband and I do a private Pilates class with just the two of us with @pilatestimewithelif our instructor. Reformer Pilates is amazing for my body type as it helps me stay long, lean and strong. "
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I was taking ballet classes and eventually grew too tall to continue, and at 14, my teacher suggested that I model. I had to wait until I was 17 to get representation as laws during that time prohibited model agents from representing children or young adults. It has since changed today as models as young as 12 or 13 are plucked from obscurity to a runway or where Kaia Gerber, 14, (Cindy Crawford’s stunning daughter) can grace the cover of French Vogue. So at 17, I got an agent and signed a contract to model in Tokyo. I wound up staying in Japan for two years. I eventually learned to speak Japanese, and also had a chance see the world and visit some of the most beautiful places in Asia such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Guam, and the Micronesian Islands. At this point, I had a full model portfolio and the next natural step was to set my sights for New York. They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere, and so armed with my portfolio and experience modeling in Japan, I hit the ground running and quickly began working with the best designers, photographers, stylists, magazines, editors and hair & make up artists. I was fortunate as I didn’t have to pound the pavement around New York and endure “go sees” and castings which was pretty standard for new models at the time. I worked very hard and, at 21, bought my first apartment.
Things started to progress for me quickly in New York, I shot my first Italian Vogue cover with Hiro and then became a "Vogue girl". Once a model lands a coveted Vogue cover, it opens her to prestigious editorial work, campaigns and cosmetics companies. Revlon took notice and I appeared in the ‘The Most Beautiful Woman In The World’ campaign shot by Avedon with Cindy Crawford and Iman.
At this point, I had reached a professional milestone and was among an elite group of models, dubbed the ‘supermodels’. Fashion had fast become a global phenomenon, CNN and MTV were covering the shows, actresses associated fashion as denigrating to their craft, so the fashion world found a substitute to fill that void. The supermodels. No longer limited to fashion magazines and runways, models were now omnipresent. Cindy was on MTV, Naomi on the cover of Time, magazines didn’t just photograph us anymore, they wanted to know everything about us. What we ate, our beauty regimens, who we were dating. Gianni Versace paid us exclusively to do his shows in Milan setting model fees to new records. Fashion lighting had struck.
The late 80s and early 90s were the best time to be a model because there were about 25 of us doing shows, covers, editorials and campaigns. Each of us were unique so we didn’t compete for jobs, there was enough work to go around, but we also had our own unique attributes that appealed to clients. Linda was the chameleon, Christy the classic beauty, Naomi had the famous walk, Cindy was smarts & sex appeal, Time tagged Elle “The Body”. And so my trademark “elegance”. I was never really a commercial Victoria’s Secret or Sports Illustrated kind of girl (though I did walk the inaugural Victoria’s Secret show at the Plaza Hotel in New York and appeared in their fashion catalog). And I wasn’t seen as super sexy like my good friend Cindy, but I was elegant in my twenty-something way that appealed to designers like Azzedine, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein. That helped distinguish me from the other models of the time along with my understanding that it was a business. I was professional, took care of myself, never missed flights, was punctual and kind to the crew. You can call it "professional elegance"! I was fortunate to have a twenty year run and been a model during the industry’s renaissance period, but I also believe my success and longevity is largely attributed to understanding a client’s individual needs at the time. This helped when I began a transition from model to designer.
My foray into design was organic. I was still modeling and one day while in New York, I wanted to wear a silk slip dress but couldn’t find one in any stores. Versace had started the trend of wearing sexy slip dresses, typically reserved for the bedroom, now out at night. In the 90s this became a big trend which was seen as very edgy and decadent at the time. I searched and bought vintage slips but didn’t love the fabrics, colours and fit. I then had an “aha” moment. I decided to make them myself! And then September 11th happened.
I lived eight blocks from Ground Zero on Reade Street in Tribeca with my husband Joe Coffey, a screen writer at the time. Like the rest of New York (and world), we were shaken by the attacks and mourned the destruction and loss to our beautiful city. We were lucky enough to have built a home in Amagansett in the Hamptons and decided to move there after Sept 11.
While I continued modeling, it was during this time I was able to develop a line of silk camisoles and slip dresses. I didn’t think much of building a brand, just a small line of luxurious items that fit great and made you feel beautiful. I had spent twenty years working with some of the best designers in the world, so I picked up a few tips. And so Little Joe Woman was began as an endeavor between myself and my husband Joe, Co-Founder and CEO, and we aptly named the company “Little Joe” as it was our ‘baby’. We initially started with six silk camisoles and slips and it organically evolved into a global brand. We eventually changed the name to Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott and moved the business to Sydney and now Bali. It’s still kind of bizarre to see my name on a label or swing tag. It’s a thrill and internally I say to myself “We Did It”!! It’s such an honour, I don’t think I’ll ever get over that thrill. Everyone has a choice of what they wear so when I see someone in something that I’ve designed, it's very exciting and humbling.
People often ask me who is the Little Joe Woman? She’s a mix of my friends and people who inspire me. She appreciates luxury, she’s chic, she’s subtly sexy, she’s a busy person, she enjoys travel, is well read and loves life…just like me. It’s funny though, sometimes I do think about my 17 year old self and what I would say to her as she begins her journey. If given the chance, I would tell her she’s very lucky, she’s going to experience a wonderful life, and so be kind, be honest, be thoughtful and enjoy every moment. And yes, you do get the cute guy and live happily ever after
XX GE
]]>Feminine and the ultimate less-is-more style is what I'm typically drawn to when designing.
My favourite silhouettes are classics like the halter-neck, slip dress, lace trimmed camisole, a well cut silk pant and an ankle boot in classic prints like leopard and solids like black or beige.
These are pieces to take you anywhere - day or night.
As you may know, I love a model-off-duty style slip dress and always have. it’s my favourite type of dress to wear as it makes me feel feminine and a little rock-chic. It looks great and can be worn in so many situations - at the office with a blazer, alone, to cocktails, on vacation or in the city.
]]>As you may know, I love a model-off-duty style slip dress and always have. it’s my favourite type of dress to wear as it makes me feel feminine and a little rock-chic. It looks great and can be worn in so many situations - at the office with a blazer, alone, to cocktails, on vacation or in the city. It’s comfortable enough to wear on the plane with an oversized sweater and the closest thing to feeling naked, which is empowering when worn out.
I live in slip dresses and ankle boots.
My favourite slip dress right now is the Heart of Gold in a stunning jaguar print. It’s cut on the bias which is the most flattering cut on any body shape, it’s knee length which right now is super on-trend and has a v-front and delicate thin straps.
Worn alone or layered with our Crazy You buttery-soft black leather jacket, Goddess gold plated bangles, Kissed Forever gold plated multi-layered choker necklace, Be With Me gold plated long chained filagree locket necklace and Low Rider black suede ankle boots it's the perfect way to looking and feeling polished in no time at all. This is definitely one of my favourite looks and always will be.
Co Founder + Creative Director - Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott
]]>On March 6, 1991, Gianni Versace forever changed the fashion world after showing his Fall Winter collection, appropriately dubbed “The Freedom Collection”. He is often credited with creating the ‘supermodel' after causing a global sensation when he sent sent four models, Cindy (Crawford), Linda (Evangelista), Christy (Turlington) and Naomi (Campbell), down the runway miming to George Michael’s song Freedom.
]]>On March 6, 1991, Gianni Versace forever changed the fashion world after showing his Fall Winter collection, appropriately dubbed “The Freedom Collection”. He is often credited with creating the ‘supermodel' after causing a global sensation when he sent sent four models, Cindy (Crawford), Linda (Evangelista), Christy (Turlington) and Naomi (Campbell), down the runway miming to George Michael’s song Freedom. Those models (along with Tatjana Patitz) had starred in a video which was on heavy rotation on MTV, so the image of them at Versace's show singing along to Freedom not only captured the imagination of the fashion industry but also came to define an era.
I first met Gianni Versace in the late 1980s in Rome when I was doing the bi-annual Valentino Haute Couture show on the Spanish Steps. He was there with his sister Donatella, herself a petite, striking blonde bombshell. They were both warm, very Italian and passionate about Gianni’s craft. Soon after that meeting, I shot a Versace campaign with then actress Talisa Soto and famed photographer Bruce Weber. Versace was passionate about quality and so he always used the industry’s best. The best photographers like Bruce, Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, the best hair and makeup like Oribe and of course the best models. Gianni is often credited as one of the architects that created the supermodel but it’s actually his sister Donatella who urged Gianni to start booking booking big print models to walk his shows. His shows were the most fun, always vibrant, energetic, and of course sexy. While Giorgio Armani wanted you to glide down the runway, Versace encouraged you to stride down like a racehorse! His clothing would fit impeccably and scoop you in all the right places. And the hair and makeup was always sexy: big hair, strong brows, eyeliner, and a nude lip was the Versace look. Gianni made you feel super glamorous as though you were the most beautiful woman in the world. Gianni wanted to see your personality come across on the runway. He encouraged it and wanted you to shine as it brought his clothes to life. I actually think the way shows look now suit the times, but back then, we smiled, turned, got the audience’s attention and had so much fun (but also worked bloody hard!).
I would be remiss if wrote about a Versace show without mentioning the other element which was the rock stars. His shows in fact were much like a rock concert. While most fashion show front rows were typically editors and buyers, Gianni’s front row was a mix of rock stars and actors. It wasn’t uncommon to walk down the runway and see Prince, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Bono, Michael Hutchence, and Eric Clapton sitting front row. Some of the models were also dating them so it was quite normal for us to get invited to rock concerts or hang out with the band. It didn’t feel particularly special or extravagant, we went to their shows and they came to ours. This was our lives at the time (however glamorous).
I was booked to do Gianni’s Fall/Winter 1991 show assuming it would another in a string of fabulous Versace shows. But this one would be different. There was already a lot of press on this show because Gianni didn’t want any of us to do any other shows that day so he paid us for the exclusivity of only doing his show. Hence the $10,000 fee the “supers" got paid that day which at the time broke modeling fee records. Soon other designers like Calvin and Ralph followed suit. (Apparently Linda stopped getting out of bed for anything less—love you Linda!). Because it was an evening show, it was all the more energetic and more sexy. You could feel the energy backstage. The world’s biggest models (many of which were just my good friends) all gathered looking more beautiful than ever; the press equally excited about the models and famous guests like George Michael in the audience. That’s probably why there were double the number of photographers and television crews from around the world covering the show.
Pre-show, champagne started to flow to celebrate and get everybody prepared for the night’s event. When the lights went down, Linda opened the show to the backdrop of Joan Jet’s “I Love Rock N' Roll” looking very much like a rock star with her platinum blonde hair. I felt equally glamorous as I walked down the runway in my patent leather knee high boots and dress that hugged every curve. As the show progressed, you could just tell something special was happening. Then George Michael’s Freedom cued on the speakers and Linda was back on the runway this time miming to the song, followed by Christy, Naomi and finally Cindy, all miming along to the track as well. After their individuals walks, they all joined together and arm in arm and walked down the runway singing along to Freedom. It was unlike any show I’ve ever done! At that moment, fashion, music and MTV had all intersected and it sent the the press and audience into a frenzy. I was standing backstage with Carla Bruni, Yasmeen Ghauri, and Karen Mulder waiting to walk the show’s finale and all of us were glued to the video monitor, witness to something spectacular that had just happened in front of us. I looked over to Gianni and Donatella, who were thrilled, hugging and crying tears of joy. I was soon back on the runway for the finale with the other models and Gianni whom the audience received with a standing ovation. It was an incredible moment in fashion history.
Gianni Versace continued a successful streak in the 90s and Versace grew to become one of the world’s biggest brands. His sister Donatella would take over when he passed and is now one of the most celebrated designers working today. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have not only worked with the Versace’s but to develop a friendship where I was able to spend personal time with them whether at their homes in the mountains or in Italy and Miami. I will forever remember Gianni as a generous man who loved dressing women beautifully and celebrating their individuality. And whenever I hear George Michael’s Freedom, I will always think of Gianni.
Today he would have celebrated his 72nd birthday.
Gail Elliott
]]>The beauty of a white shirt is that is can be worn over or under, tucked or untucked. Wrap it, tie it, play with it, but most importantly, just have fun with it. There is nothing sexier than a woman in a white shirt.
]]>Let’s take a moment to recognise the timelessness of the classic white shirt.
Every wardrobe needs at least one good white shirt. A crisp white well fitted white shirt for day will take you anywhere.
The beauty of a white shirt is that is can be worn over or under, tucked or untucked. Wrap it, tie it, play with it, but most importantly, just have fun with it. There is nothing sexier than a woman in a white shirt.
Gail Elliott in white shirt 90s Italian Marie Claire magazine
There's a time and a place for a cotton shirt, be it a white, striped or colourful variation, and these too are handy things to have in your wardrobe. But a crisp white shirt adheres to a different kind of look, and there's no denying a silk alternative is both more playful and, arguably, sexier too! Ergo, the perfect piece to wear for any occasion.
My Mars Silk Shirt in white Gardenia, True Love Skirt and Hitchhiker Boot
There is no wardrobe staple quite like the silk shirt. Completely versatile, seriously classic and never outdated. It's the one item that every woman should own in their wardrobe.
A timeless crisp white shirt may sound conservative but nothing looks more stylish in the sun. Toss it on over a bikini at the beach stress-free.
Model Raluca wears MY MARS SILK SHIRT at Mrs Sippy, Bali.
A favourite of models, stylists and editors alike, the white shirt is the perfect summer throw on and will ensure you keep your cool as the temperatures soar.
Whoever you choose to draw inspiration from when styling a silk shirt, there is one thing that is certain. Whatever you want the silk shirt to be, it will be. Whatever role you want it to play, it will play. Be it casual, effortless, stylish, smart, tailored or masculine. It's the chameleon in your wardrobe.
Another reason why we love the silk shirt is that they lend themselves very well to being layered. A silk shirt really comes into its own during the transitional period between late summer and early autumn.
Master the art of layering for both practical and stylish necessity. Your favourite silk shirt can work all year round – worn both under and over different garments – allowing for the chicest of looks. A silk shirt looks equally as fabulous peeping out from under a leather jacket as it does a lightweight trench or blazer making it the perfect trans-seasonal piece!
Gail Elliott wearing a LJW white silk shirt & blazer
via www.chicmanagement.c
Style your white shirt with a leather jacket. A buttery-soft black leather biker jacket is luxurious and always on trend. Worn simply over the shoulders it looks chic and cool and layers easily in the cooler Fall months.
While fashion editors like to talk about pieces that are versatile enough to see you through all manner of occasions, few items do so as seamlessly as a silk white shirt.
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I was fortunate to have worked with Linda Evangelista during the supermodel heyday in the 80s and 90s. We had met informally and quickly developed a close friendship as we were often booked together for shows and fashion shoots. She was among a group of models, or “supers”, that included Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Stephanie Seymour. Though these women were immensely successful in their own right, Linda to me is the ultimate fashion model. A “model’s model”, Linda didn’t just wear fashion, she was fashion.
When word had spread about Linda’s haircut, she was subsequently canceled from 16 of the 20 fashion shows she was scheduled to do that season. At the time, fashion shows and magazines typically booked models with long (and stylized) hair. But Linda’s cut immediately ushered in a new look that quickly gained a following and planted her on the covers of British, French, Italian and American Vogue (often in the same month). She became the model every designer wanted for collections and campaigns and who every major photographer wanted to photograph, including Steven Meisel. I worked with Steven Meisel a few times, but his relationship with Linda was unique. She was his muse and their creative partnership led to some of fashion photography’s most iconic images that are still revered today.
I loved when Steven made her look like Sophia Loren and she loved looking that way too. We both collect black & white fashion photography prints and books and for one of her birthdays I gifted her a collector’s edition black & white book of beautiful images of Sophia Loren which she loved. Cindy Crawford, who was one of the most commercially successful models of all time, and had also worked with Steven Meisel, has said she envied (in a good way) the beautiful images that he was able to create only with Linda. To her fellow modeling peers, Linda was just on another level.
Some models can walk well and photograph beautifully, but Linda would take on a character and inhabit a photographer or designer’s creative vision. She wouldn’t just take a photo that referenced Sophia Loren or Katherine Hepburn, she would become that person much like how an actor takes on a character role. She would do anything to capture the right photo. She was an amazing model, a chameleon who could create a myriad of images from a modern Versace glamazon to a 1950s film siren. She was passionate and hard-working and loved being a model. She would shoot in the freezing rain, hold poses for hours, and work until the early hours of the morning. Nothing was too difficult or too tiring for her. And as a result, every cover and campaign that Linda appeared in stood out. Her passion and work ethic were unrivaled. It’s no wonder why photographers the likes of Arthur Elgort, Peter Lindbergh and Steven still rave about her today.
When I think back about my time with Linda, some of my fondest memories are sitting backstage where we would do our makeup for the show. My nickname for her became Lindy-Loo. As Linda, myself, and a group of other models were frequently booked for the same editorials and shows, we soon formed a “model squad” that included Cindy, Christy, Naomi, Yasmin Le Bon, Helena Christiensen, Karen Mulder and a few other girls. But Linda was always the sensitive, generous nurturer who took care of the other girls. She would give us tutorials or do our makeup if needed. In fact, she taught me how to apply false eye lashes. She was a champion of young new designers and would waive her fee to walk in their shows. When a young new Italian design duo by the name of Dolce and Gabbana were launching their first collection, Linda advocated for them and encouraged the other girls to do their show. She did the same for Anna Sui, Herve Leger, among other designers, and is also credited for giving photographer Mario Testino his big break. She loved fashion and fashion loved her back.
You’re now probably asking the $10,000 question? In 1990, Linda was famously quoted by Vogue for declaring, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day”. Many in the fashion industry come to think that quote defined an era and is emblematic of the excesses of the 90s and supermodel era. That may be true, but I believe it was taken out of context. Linda now jokes that quote will “be engraved on my tombstone” and her comment is now one of the most quotable comments in history. Leave it to Linda to have that type of impact. And yes Lindy-Loo, you’re worth every cent and more. XX GE
Let’s talk about what you will wear on Valentine’s Day this year. No matter what you are doing, it's a great opportunity to show yourself some love. Your outfit should reflect who you are and how you feel about yourself.
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Shop The Dresses - Direct Links Below!
These nine dresses are fantastic choices for a chic Valentine's Day look. They all have a very simple look and feel.
To stay very true to our style, we usually reach for easy separates or a tailored dress. To go along with your chic style this Valentine's Day dress, add accessories like a clutch, colorful heels, or a statement necklace. The combination of neutrals and red/pink has a freshness to it. Since red and violet are adjacent on the color wheel, they work together comfortably without being too much for the eye.
Shop The Look - Direct Links Below
Hard to Shake Dress | Cowboy Kate CrossBody Bag | Hampton's Canvas Tote | Luna Leather & Pony Hair Clutch
In the Day
Be it a casual lunch date or a day full of errands, we’re loving the laid back vibes that this dress sends off. For chillier days, throw on a denim jacket or a biker jacket and you’re ready to roll. Pair the frock with our Cowboy Kate cross body bag and let your hair loose for the ultimate music festival look.
Find this cross body HERE
Beach Club
The haute-hippie feel of this dress is perfect for throwing this piece over a bandeau and head to a glamorous Beach Club - think Club 55 in St. Tropez. Pair with simple sandals (or no shoes at all!) and a pair of sunnies and you’re ready to go! Bonus? Slip flats in your purse, break out a pair of heels, and shake the sand out of your hair for an easy transition from beach to bar. Our Hamptons beach bag is perfect for all your beach essentials – large enough to fit all your reading material and towels but still glam enough to tote around town.
Find this canvas tote bag HERE
Going Out
Skip the stress of redressing for a dinner date or drinks with your friends – all you need is a pair of heels and you’re ready to party. The intricate lace detailing and delicate blouson sleeves! A casual updo like a high ponytail or a topknot will show off the stunning neckline on the frock. Grab our Luna Leather and Pony Hair clutch for all your essentials, throw some lipstick on and get out on the town!
Find this clutch HERE
How did you wear the Hard to Shake dress? Tag us on Instagram @LittleJoeWoman_ and use the #LittleJoeWoman Hashtag and show us!
]]>Last night I took the Little Joe Woman girlies to a screening of Mademoiselle C. which we all thoroughly enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed it, having shot with Carine Roitfeld for many years in Paris when I modelled in the late 1980s and 1990s. At this time Carine was a Fashion Editor for French Elle magazine, before moving across to work as Editor-in-chief of French Vogue.
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Last night I took the Little Joe Woman girlies to a screening of Mademoiselle C. which we all thoroughly enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed it, having shot with Carine Roitfeld for many years in Paris when I modelled in the late 1980s and 1990s. At this time Carine was a Fashion Editor for French Elle magazine, before moving across to work as Editor-in-chief of French Vogue.
Carine is an amazing talent, so I am not surprised to see her become such a successful Editor, Tom Ford’s muse and an inspiration to many. She’s strong, beautiful, has an incredible sense of style and is humble too.
Gail Elliott | French Elle | Creative Director: Carine Roitfeld
I was also pleasantly surprised to see the super talented hairdresser Sam Mc Knight pop up on screen throughout the documentary, working his magic backstage at fashion shows on on various shoots. Legendary photographer Bruce Weber a photographer I shot with many times, was also featured.
A particular Bruce Weber shoot I have fond memories of was a campaign for Gianni Versace. It was a crazy couple of days with then aspiring actress Talisa Soto, twelve male models and some male children models, one being the actor Balthazar Getty at age 15 years old!
There is always so much going on in a Bruce Weber shoot and this one was no exception. He had us dancing and playing electric guitars with the male models for one of the scenes and for another we shot at a fun park in San Francisco that had been closed for the season.
Bruce certainly knows how to throw an after-party. There was a sit-down dinner party for 30 which included his many assistants, and on everyone’s place setting was a small blue Tiffany box – such a special and generous thought!
Gail Elliott | Gianni Versace | Photographer Bruce Weber
Gail Elliott | Gianni Versace | Photographer Bruce Weber
Carine Roitfeld and Karl Lagerfeld in Mademoiselle C.
Little Joe Woman Team: Linda, Ally, Shannon, Tahlia, Alessandra, Ella, and Myself
Carine Roitfeld
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Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Walk. Lots of pink, lots of pups.
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