Joan Severance: the next chapter

My last conversation with Joan was about a year ago at which point we were far more focused on her past career as one of the great runway and print models of the 80s. Today we are all about the entrepreneurial and creative Joan Severance who is all at once author of a brand new book and founder of her brand new eponymous hair care collection.

I think it is safe to say that Joan has been one busy gal who is still working as a model but has authored a book which releases this month, Manifest Your Mate: A Journey for Attraction, and is launching her hair care collection both within the last 24 hours. Who says I don’t keep up with the latest and greatest? Joan, no doubt, proves that there is life after the business of fashion and she surely embodies a woman of many more talents than just “hold it” and “click.” She is every bit outspoken, inventive, tuned in and yes she is modern and informed and would surely qualify for being a cultural icon. To say that I am honored and humbled to call her a friend is an understatement.

Rather than me blather on about all that is Joan, here SHE is in her own words “speaking” about Joan Severance 2017!

 

NOW & Then.. left image by Bill Curry ...click image to enlarge

Jeffrey Felner: Can you tell the why you decided on hair care and what you hope to accomplish with your products?

Joan Severance: I decided to do a hair care line after a conversation with my longtime hairdresser (Mauro Spina) since he had seen my hair at every length and in every color. In 2012 I made the daring decision to stop coloring my hair and it was at this time that the idea of a hair care line was hatched.

Mauro (Mauro Hair Studio in Beverly Hills) is a magician when it comes to creating organic plant based remedies for hair. He whipped up some great concoctions for me during our relationship and with his “first aid” my hair survived those rigorous episodes. I kept asking him to make more of the “special stuff” and finally he urged me to make it my own. Having taken his advice, it was up to me to test it out with my own personal focus group whose feedback resulted in me jumping literally head first into the hair care arena with products that contain organic oils, fruit extracts and essential oils derived fragrances.

-take 1 / clean hair wash is the product I personally use the most. My hair is natural now and I find that this is all I need to give me super shiny soft incredible hair.

-take 2 / smooth nourishing conditioner is for those who have extremely processed or damaged hair; it polishes the hair shaft leaving it smooth and lustrous.

-take 3 / why knot no tangle therapy is a leave-in treatment. This is what all my girlfriends are addicted to; it’s a universal product but especially for those who have extremely fine hair that tends to tangle.

           

My favorite combination is  take 1  and  take 3 which is what my hair loves and needs. We are all different, with all different wants and desires when it comes to our look and our hair. I think my hair care regimen solves so many of the “ills” that hair endures.

           

My wish is that women using these products will find that they require less “hair” time and still have it look and feel irresistible; bottom line … my products  will free up “getting ready” time and allow for more family, friends, husband, careers or shopping  times.

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JF: Would you give us a brief synopsis of the how and why of your new book Manifest Your Mate: A Journey for Attraction?

JS: I started writing this book while shooting Love Boat: The Next Wave. I could say that the stories on the show inspired me to want to have a man in my life again after so many years of being single. With time on my hands due to the ensemble cast, I began creating a “wish list” of I what wanted in a mate; this became my “blueprint.”

After constructing a more than compelling list, I met a guy that on the outside met all my requirements.  After hanging out with him for a while I came to see that the inside qualities matched the “outside” qualities. I stopped jotting notes down and started a life with him that eventually led to a marriage but unfortunately ended in divorce. When there are deep seated issues within someone that they opt to conceal and not resolve, it becomes impossible to have a "real" relationship. 

A couple of years after than episode, I returned to that list but this time I assembled my “data” to take the form of a book. My life was a bit hectic and all over the place during that time so it wasn't until 2016 that I finally found the time to make this book a reality. 

           

My aim was to get the book into the hands of women seeking men. I have so many fabulous, single, smart and available women that have are all seeking their soul-mate. When speaking to most of them, they tend to speak about all the things they "don't want" in their next mate. Well, I have practiced the Laws of Attraction for quite some time and know that what one focuses on comes your way. So, the book is an exercise aimed at those who are serious about attracting the man that they "want" in their life. I say it is for those who are serious because the process of focusing on what you want will have an immediate life result. 

           

I feel it is just a shift in thinking and verbalizing that allows the opportunity of anything to become reality.

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JF: Let’s talk about brand extensions and sequels; what’s planned on the personal care front and on the literary front?

JS: I have already been approached by a few men to write the Man seeking Woman version of the book and so there’s a likelihood of a sequel. 

I am currently writing my second book about my life, loves and lessons with a condition named Vitiligo which  is a long term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. The book is filled with tons of research including, treatments, interviews and personal stories from all over the world as well as my own stories of my life  living with the condition.

Next on the literary front after that is my cookbook and a children's book based on the stories of my dog and I, but written from my dog’s point of view … plus I am helping two other authors get their books into print.

           

As for the personal care products, who knows?  I will weigh the response to this line first, but I do know an incredible woman that makes organic skin care products so there is surely a possibility on the horizon. 

           

I think I am content with this much on my plate for now, although I am being urged to do a show of sorts that focuses on politics, laws and other things about the governing of the people.

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JF: In general, what can we expect from Joan Severance… personally and professionally?

JS: Professionally there are a few acting roles that I have been looking at. It seems these days I am picky about what parts I wish to portray. I am still modeling and currently being featured in the CELINE campaign, Double Magazine in France and on April 25th,  is releasing a Beauty Secrets video and story on me. So that part of my life is still active. www.vogue.com/article/joan-severance-model-actress-beauty-secrets-vitiligo-concealer-makeup-grey-hair-haircare 

Personally, now that I have finished Manifest Your Mate: a journey for attraction, I am going to do the process and manifest my mate! I am again ready to have an incredible man in my life and share my life.

           

Currently traveling and visiting friends and just enjoying being creative in any way that I can. I think creativity spawns inspiration, so I feel I must express and motivate others. It's exhilarating to have an idea and then turn those ideas into reality.  The world needs more exhilaration in everyone’s heart.

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www.joanseverance.com

Joan Severance: living legend of fashion

How does one even begin to offer you a brief synopsis of Joan Severance’s life and times? She is and has been everything from small town girl to groundbreaking international model, to movie star, to entrepreneur and that’s just for starters. If you don’t know who she is then it would behoove you to read this and find out what great beauty, elegance, intelligence, professionalism and hard work can accomplish. And then of course there is this thing called longevity and staying relevant which are only attained when someone has the wherewithal to reinvent themselves as time dictates but constantly following their passions, no matter how diverse. Oops! Almost forgot, she just happens to be a gourmet chef as well which sort of ices the cake, pun intended.

At any rate, Joan was kind enough to speak to me and share her experiences from her past, present and future which is nothing short of admirable as well as genuine and inspiring. It would be hard to believe that anyone could forget such beauty especially when coupled with a mind that never quits. She remains a woman who has taken her experiences and evolved into so much more than just a memorable image on a page.

So now it is my pleasure to let you sit in on my chat with Joan Severance.

Jeffrey Felner: What was your most memorable moment/shoot during your prodigious modeling career and why?

Joan Severance: Of so many incredible shoots with super talented photographers, hair and make-up and stylists it is really hard to pick one that stands out and so here is one that I recall vividly; Couture Collections in Paris, shooting for Bazaar USA. If you know about collections, there is one garment that making the rounds of all photo shoots, so it’s a case of getting it first but sometimes by the time the garment is in such disarray that it can only be shot from a certain side or angle and then so many scenarios can happen like cutting it up the back so it fits a bigger model, wear and tear from working in it, stains from food and drink that have had a mishap. Well, this particular shoot was with the famed late Dick Ballarian who was a real character of a photographer. It was both of our last shoot for that day and it was scheduled at the end of the day. Meanwhile I had made arrangements to meet my dear friend George Newell (late famed make-up artist extraordinaire) at L’Orangerie on Isle St Louis...my favorite elegant place in Paris at the time.

Of course, everything went wrong, the dresses were super late, hair and make-up teams were late, the clothes were ripped and stained; I kept calling George to see how his shoot was and he had finished early and was resting up for our fun evening ahead. Meanwhile back at Dick’s I was exhausted from waiting around after an already 12 hour day and now was hungry anxious that I would not be able to get out in time for my favorite excursion but George kept the restaurant abreast of the situation and they held the table.

Finally all was being shot and as I recall 10 different layouts and now near midnight but I was finished and heading to the restaurant. My favorite place stayed open for us and we had private service at the stroke of 1 a.m. as we laughed, ate, drank and had a wonderful time catching up on the stories and such that are the Collections...

JF: Given the breadth of your career, what is your preferred medium and why: Runway? Movies?  Editorial?  TV?

JS: As a creative person at heart, any medium that allows me to express myself is my favorite. Modeling allows via a 2 dimensional format in print, acting is more of a 3 dimensional although pixelated into a 2D reality art, and design continues my expression in any manner I can think of but my meditations take this creativity out of the realm of what we all call “reality.” This is where I do my best creative work, as I see instantly how it will all manifest;  Imagination is a must to be a great model, actress and artist of any sort.

JF: Do you have any regrets from your life as a model and why?

JS: I only wish that I had the hindsight to take time out for myself when I was in some of those incredible places shooting, instead of being booked solid for a 10 year stint. I am certainly not complaining, but now I realize that the profession of modeling allows so many other opportunities that can be missed if one is working all the time. There were incredible museums, galleries, villages, people, parties, history, events that I just could not attend due to work but if I could give advice to the girls and guys today it would be get the gig, do the gig and take 2 days off and discover the place you are in. Hopefully these are faraway places that you have never seen or may never be in again.

“Joan was and I’m sure still is the consummate professional; she took her job seriously and always gave 110%” Rick Gillette of hair and make-up, editorial and photography fame who worked with the best of the best during his illustrious career

JF: I would love to know what you think of fashion as it exists today in comparison to the times where you so directly involved. Any advice, story or cautionary tale?

JS: I am sort of glad that I am not young and modeling within the fashion today. I can’t recognize what is called “fashion” and how it defines itself today. To me, it appears that fashion does repeat itself but unfortunately the conglomerate mentality of the industry has most companies going for mass appeal ( in the USA anyway). That mass appeal here doesn’t seem to remember or know what fashion use to be. Fitted clothes vs baggy (so they fit everyone), incredible fabrics vs, stretch cotton (so they fit everyone), narrow to wide vs wide shoes (so they fit everyone), sizes that reflect “0” (so one feels they are small, when in reality that zero is an 8 of yesteryear)

Personally when the size of a certain company gets down to where I am wearing a ZERO, I don’t shop there anymore because I am worth more than that. My size hasn’t really changed since I was modeling, I still get into some of my clothes from back then but the size, indicated by a number, has changed and it is confusing to me. It seems that men’s clothes sizes have stayed the same--but women are being manipulated into believing they are smaller when in fact they aren’t. This could really be dangerous for one’s health is so many ways.

JF: if you could invite any 5 people to dinner... who would they be and why? Anyone at all!

JS: First on the list is YOU so we could talk face to face about the crazy stuff we all went through. Second would be Roger Verge so we could have a fabulous meal and learn a trick or two. Third would be Salman Rushdie so we could hear great stories and have little intrigue and excitement. Fourth would be Dominic Dunne so there would be a write up of the event to appear in Vanity Fair and lastly The Virgin Mary so we could get the real low down on that pregnancy.

JF: I have been told you are in development for a new board game and several other exciting projects ... anything you would like to divulge or tell what us what we have to look forward to?

JS: I invented a communication system/conversation piece/game - called TXTYLZ. In this game you use more than letters to say more than words yet proper English, spelling and grammar are not required nor encouraged.

As texting has become our number one way of communicating these days - TXTYLZ  brings the method of texting (misspelling, using of icons, using of numbers to represent words etc.) to the table (for those who choose to interact directly with humans:)

This new method of communication allows for creative intelligence to be spawned within each who plays. It helps stitch all quadrants of the brain together and stimulates creative thinking/writing. TXTYLZ can be used as an ice breaker at parties, for brain storming at corporate meetings, for matchmaking, for therapy, for creative writing and just for fun to see how those around you think.

There is now a SXTYLZ version that incorporates sexual images, words, symbols etc. It’s fun to see how uninhibited people are when they play with these “tylz” in this manner. Texting and using devices to communicate across the waves does not allow one to hear laughter, to hear the little sighs but that can happen when one reads something or hears something but it does not allow one to feel the touch of the person they are communicating with or reaching out to. Is this what society has become?

I prefer the old fashion way of using my senses to connect as it seems to create a stimulation way before the actual sexual encounter would occur; one might say foreplay of sorts. I think that the old fashion way allows a better chance of “getting together” rather than the device method but feel free to read more at www.txtylz.com

The Silver Foxes of Fashion: Tony Spinelli

Today’s installment of the series centers on a legendary and marquee fashion icon that has evolved into a silver fox. This might be your first meeting but, for those who are short on fashion history, his name is Tony Spinelli and it is his image that is emblematic of men’s fashion via the highest echelons of international design. These images and his person have graced every form of media while being the subject of some of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century and so his resume reads like a who’s who of the world of fashion.

click image to enlarge.. art by Marc-Antoine Coulon

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He is one of the extremely rare and blessed men who achieved an international presence; his colleagues and collaborators have included Horst, Scavullo, Avedon, Newton, Bassman, Penn, van Wangenheim, Polly Mellen, Harry King, Way Bandy, Mario Valentino, Halston and Gianni Versace.  He has taken starring roles on the runways of the world and on the printed page of every leading publication for men and women including GQ, when it was the premier men’s fashion publication, UOMO Vogue, Vogue, and Esquire.

 

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If the term super model, a term that is personally loathsome, was in the fashion dictionary of the ‘70s and ‘80s, then his photo would appear to its right.   Here he is today in his own words:

 

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Jeffrey Felner: What is the most treasured possession in your wardrobe?

Tony Spinelli: My Armani tux, white tie of course, is amongst my favorites but I love to dress for any occasion. Elegance is always key and I expect that you do the same.

JF: What is your most sterling trait?

TS: If I do say so myself it is my personality; the character trait has definitely opened doors for me as well as sealed the deal more than once. Too many young people think it is only about looks but there is so much more than just a book that only shows you off in front of camera but looks don’t reveal how you interact with others.

JF: What is your guilty secret?

TS: I am absolutely never ever satisfied as I always believe there is room for improvement. There is always something more that one can give to a project, job or assignment. I believe that this part of me is why I achieved and earned my reputation and standing within the international fashion community.

 

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JF: What’s your advice to the newbie?

TS: The best advice and you best learn it quickly is how to deal with rejection. Again, you have to use your personality as a tool and it helps to win a client.  You must never give up, you must take chances and be different from the rest, in other words don’t be one of the crowd. It is just as easy to stand out as it is to blend in.

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JF: Who is your favorite designer or ideal subject?

TS: Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana & Hugo Boss are only some of the designers that I favor. Having worked for some of these guys has helped me develop my own personal style which usually involves the pleasure I get from wearing a greatly tailored jacket.

JF: In 3 words or less, describe the current state of fashion.

TS: It is not my style at all, there seems to be too much sameness and not enough of those models who stand out as individuals. This trend of the very young boys who look like they need to eat a meal or the boys with too much facial hair doesn’t sit well with me and certainly not part of how I grew up in the business.

 

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JF: If you could, would you ever approach one of your peers to employ; who would it be and why?

TS: There are so many to choose from, Halston being at the top of my list because he is one designer who demanded excellence and got it. He was a wonderful designer for the social set and a great teacher for me. Please remember that I did all the Z14 ads for the men’s cologne so I do know first-hand about his ethic

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JF: If you could invite up to 4 people for dinner, who would they be…dead or alive?

TS: Dick Avedon, Polly Mellen, Yves Saint Laurent and   Coco Chanel top off my list as they were all ahead of the game. These people didn’t wait to be told what the trend was, they invented trends, they dared to be different and they all had the skill set and passion to accomplish greatness.

JF: Whose opinion do you value most?

TS: It is so interesting to me that I love to hear the opinions of the older and wiser crowd such as my interviewer here. They’ve been there and done that and are still here to tell the tales of how it was and not how we might perceive it to have happened.

 

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JF: What store or which designer do you most like to shop in or wear?

TS: I am most at home at Barney’s New York since they have everything that anyone could possibly need, they cover a lot of looks as well as the best designers from around the world. It is interesting for me to even just look around and see what all these designers are offering.

 JF: Do you have a dream collaborator?

TS:Giorgio Armani would be the ultimate choice because I think he understands men and only pushes fashion so far without getting too crazy. When I wear his clothes I am totally comfortable, totally relaxed and if it was possible I would love to stand in front of a camera for any of his products.

 

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JF: Who is your perfect dinner companion?

TS: When Casa Spinelli is filled with friends and family which happens to be almost every Sunday. Being Italian, family is part of what makes us who we are and what we have made of ourselves. I love this family thing because it takes me back and makes me look ahead.