My Montecristo magazine debut

I'm feeling so professional. I'm in a magazine, my favourite Canadian magazine! Montecristo. It's quite a rush. Yeah, I was in some big-name global mags (see my press), but this is a home magazine, which makes it special. Not just photos but an essay I wrote called Defying Ageist Fashion Rules: Styleactivism. It's their online version, but I don't care - this is only the first step. 

So quick, sign me up for kite-surfing, a pie-eating contest, ice-climbing, waterfall kayaking (not making that up), and wing-walking while I'm on this high. Actually, the wing-walking has always appealed to me in theory.

I owe photographer Katrin Braga, who took these photos, for this opportunity. She invited me to join her photographic project and then asked if I would contribute an essay. Of course! A native of Iceland, she excels at taking photos of women in the wind - that's just my own observation. Her IG is here.

Katrin was the first professional photographer I worked with a few years back when fashion designer Claire Cormeau asked me to model her designs. I wrote about it in a post called My Day as a 50+ Supermodel. We've been in touch with each other ever since then. She also dropped my name to talent scouts at a casting agency, which led to a few highly interesting TV commercial auditions, here, here, and here. They were all followed by some regrettable thrift shopping.

Of course I was terrified by each new adventure.

But now? Pffft. No more rigor-mortis-face if you point a camera at me. Well, unless it's the look I'm going for. I have to say that it's a bit disturbing, this new-found comfort, but it seems to be part of the natural evolution of playing in this medium. One is bound to become more at ease after years of posing.

In fact, I created two highly-sophisticated guides to posing, which I previously posted on Bag'n'B, here and here. They have definitely been instrumental in my professional career as a poser.

The awesome coat is from Shelley of Forest City Fashionista. It's in high rotation this winter. The glitter tights were retail because I love them, and the vintage over-the-knee boots are from My Sister's Closet eco-thrift boutique, which supports Battered Women's Shelter Services. O made all the rings I am wearing, and I DIY'ed the praying-mantis pendant. (Some spell it preying, which I thought was correct, but no! I was shocked!)

The light in Katrin's studio that day was amazing.

Above I'm wearing black jeans and a men's dress shirt from MSC, a thrifted men's belt, and a deluxe Maison Martin Margiela blazer that Sandra of @standard.deviations bought me at a Sally Ann. So good. The tie is a gift from a friend.

I had a great time with Katrin on this shoot in her studio. Writing the essay was a challenge because I have a bazillion things to say about style rules. If you've already seen this news on my IG, thanks for bearing with this post. And thank you for your incredible support.

Feel free to Facebook, Twitter, Honk, and Toot this article. Heck, yell it out in the supermarket too if that feels right. Hahaha. I want to do this again. I'm becoming a MONSTER!!! Hahaha.

Of course I'm going to link up with Patti at her Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, and Catherine at her #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb.

Have an amazing week, friends, full of positive surprises.

PS: Claire is now a clothing designer at MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop), which is a consumers' cooperative retail chain that sells outdoor-life clothing/sporting goods to its members (I'm a member). I'm thrilled that she is able to put her design talent to work in their line of clothing. They are so lucky to have her.