a unique guide to inner and outer beauty

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Small and mighty

model CATERINA LOPEZ



photographer Mark Peterman
makeup/hair Michele Lee

The facts are in. You do not have to be 6' feet tall to kill it on camera. But being 5'10 and photogenic helps... yet not required. I'd like to take a moment and introduce model Caterina Lopez. Straight from the valley from the sun, this little lady is only 5'3 (one inch shorter than myself, even though I feel 6'0 inside) and has headed to the big apple to play in the big leagues of fashion.

Last year, I had the pleasure of working with Caterina. Watching her magic unfold on-set for a local editorial shoot. This newly signed miniature model blew the crew away with her blank stares, model stature and undeniable confidence that we all know all love. Jill Richards (photographer extraordinaire), Celine (editor queen) and I all looked at each other and went "Wohoooo". We had no idea what we were dealing with. A petite, consummate professional.

Last week I caught up with Caterina to see how New York was coming along. Here's what she had to report.
photographer Sultan Khan
Arriving in NYC March 09', Cat signed with Ikon NYC and Ikon Canada. Currently residing in a IKon model apartment with 5 other girls (yep, that's dedication right there). Caterina believes that she may be "the shortest model in the world" but proved her lanky predecessors' a tough race with her polished poise. Learning quick that beauty is one thing but personality will win a call back. Caterina's genuine thoughtfulness and a drive to succeed is setting a new track record for the model under 5'10 in New York City.

Taking this whirl wind adventure day by day, Caterina sees herself residing bi coastal between NYC and Californina. Uhhh, the life. For now, you'll be seeing her...
hitting the pages of Cosmopolitan (featured above),

flirting in an ad campaign for Patricia Field (New York stylist from Sex and the City, Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada featured above)

as well as a book called "The Little Green Dress", Korean Makeup line ISNOX and many more...Keep up the good work Kitty Cat, love Arizona!



Shown here is a collaborative Jill & I shot with Caterina here in Phoenix, AZ before her NYC departure. We were really inspired by "FlashDance". Can you dig.
photographer Jill Richards
makeup/hair Michele Lee

and then came The '66 corvette. A friend of mine is an old car buff just like my Dad. When I saw this fine ride I was mesmerized and I said "we have to shoot it, I'll get a girl you bring the car". So in January 09' I worked with the brilliant, Mark Peterman. And we rolled this beauty into his studio. Added Caterina, model Alex Cassuto and Donna on wardrobe, for a test day. It turned out beautiful and earned Mark a kudos from the PDN site under "Portfolio's of the month". Go Mark!

stylist Donna Forst