Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Polo Ralph Lauren


As I mentioned earlier, I had put off writing about this experience until I could include pictures. Well it turns out I could have just googled myself and found plenty of pictures already on the web! A quick search produced stories on nydailynews.com and the Daily Herald, among a plethora of other news sites and blogs. But because I’m sure you’d rather hear the rundown from my perspective, complete with a few of my “behind the scenes” photos, I will give it to you now.

Polo Ralph Lauren was chosen as the designer responsible for outfitting all of the Olympians this summer in Beijing. This includes both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as 22 days of lounge wear to relax in around the village. In order to reveal these designs to the public and the media, Ralph Lauren chose a few Olympic hopefuls as their models. Well I just happened to be one of those athletes. In all, there were four of us. U.S. Olympic team boxer Deontay Wilder, Giuseppe Lanzone, a member of the U.S. Rowing Team, archery athlete Joy Farhenkrog, and myself. Word on the street was that we were hand chosen by Ralph himself, but of course that could just be a big, fat rumor. The only reason I even get slightly excited about the thought of Mr. Lauren giving my picture a big thumbs up is because the photographer told us that Ralphie called him personally the night before to ask him to be the man behind the lens. He almost thought it was a prank and was a bit surprised himself. So I figured if the man handpicks his photographer, perhaps he picked us as well. I’m honored either way.

The shoot took place in New York at the Ralph Lauren studio. It was an all day affair as these things usually are. They wanted to get a bunch of different combinations of athletes as well as all the different looks they have created. The clothes are great…definitely preppy, as you would guess anything Ralph Lauren to be. I saw myself heading out to play cricket or having afternoon tea. Lots of white…lots of crispness, just a very refined look. Even my hair and make-up was very subdued. I came to the shoot with just mascara on and the makeup artist informed me I was wearing too much of it. Definitely my most understated look that I've ever done. I guess "fabulousness" is not the look they were going for. I figured I would include this picture of Giuseppe just to show you that sometimes what you see in magazines is not always the perfection you think it is. I guess our "athlete" bodies might have been a little larger than the sample sizes they brought? I'm not sure...either way I thought this picture of the back of his shirt was hilarious.




The pictures will be used in press kits and press releases as well as the cover of Hamptons Magazine. It will be the August issue I believe. Of course I will tell all my friends and family members who have subscriptions to the mag to definitely save me a copy. I probably won’t make it out to the Hamptons this summer, since I plan on being busy in China and all. In all seriousness though, it really was a great opportunity and a tremendous honor. I've done my fair share of being an athlete posing as a model this year and these are experiences that don't arise that often for most people. Imagine the difficulty I'd have trying to book a print ad for Ralph Lauren on my own? They'd be like, come back when you grow 5 inches and lose 20 pounds. And it's not like I'm a superstar in my sport, I'm just a girl with a goal trying to make it a reality. And to be honest, taking pictures has made it that much easier to obtain my goal from a monetary standpoint and I am extremely grateful for that as well.

14 comments:

ktizzle said...

well i can't seem myself wearing any of Ralphies tighty whitey gear but you look exceptional as usual. with or without the "fabulousness" mascara.

Anonymous said...

look! someone even darker than you! haha
by the way...I still haven't received my care package of clothes. I'll wait a few more days.

Anonymous said...

LOL @ the back of dudes shirt.

Why was I all fixated on the brush the makeup artist was using? I'm a makeup queen these days, I swear!

Nice pics.

Don said...

Brianna,

I don't even know you. This is only my second time even clicking onto your link. But just from my reading this particular post I feel to need to say one thing: you give me the impression that you are realizing and living a dream.

That alone, is an amazing reality.

Brianna said...

@brit...they currently don't have any stock of post-baby sizes but as soon as they do...I'm on it!

@don...thank you...i believe i am.

anonymousnupe said...

Hey, I know (well, not really know, but you know what I mean) this gorgeous gal (page 31). I rode in on the (D.C.) Metro with her this morning.

Brianna said...

HUH? I've never been on the d.c. metro.

t.v. said...

Mr. Lauren took one look at your SI Budweiser spread and decided he wanted you to model his Olympic line.:)

Can't I blame the guy. lol. Nice pics. It's like the line was made especially for you.
Your portfolio is growing.

anonymousnupe said...

No, no, silly. The link, the link! In this morning's edition you were prominently featured in the article in the free newspaper (distributed by the Washington Post)they give out on the subway here. I opened it up and was all on the train like, "Uh-huh, yeah, I know huh, yeah, that's right!"

Jameil said...

you look fab, girl! congrats!!

Jasmine said...

one word: FIERCE! :)

oh, and i think you'd like to know i'm using your bikini bottoms while here in Mexico. please be happy knowing my golden tan lines are with many thanks to you! ;)
xoxo...

Anonymous said...

Brianna, big congrats on working with Ralph Lauren. I will stay tuned to your blog to find out when the mag drops so that I can go and get a copy.

Peaze out!

:::Marcus Langford:::

CSmhacky said...

Hi!

Ralph Lauren clothes looks really great on you. Congrats for being a part of Ralph Lauren

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