…………………….To produce these “Look Books” it takes a group of very talented people…..each an expert in their own fields. Before this trip even takes place there is a lot of planning to be done. A mock up of “the book” is worked on with me, the art director, Marc Balet, and the copy writer, Connie Francis, who just happened to be my public relations person. Connie, myself, and Joe Stafiniak [the Anne Klein sales manager], decided which outfits we wanted in the book, and Connie would take polaroids of each outfit, [remember polaroids?]. Then we called Marc in, and decided the layout of the book placing the polaroids on each page so we would know basically how the book would look. Then we would put the models name on each of the outfits they would wear, and all the information about what accessories and shoes would be needed for each outfit was listed on each page. We always sent extras just in case of a mishap! When the layout was done we had a meeting with the photographer, Torkil Gunnason, and showed him the book. Marc would discuss with him where he envisioned each picture taken. Some would be double page spreads and some single page shots. They discussed the layout and which pages Marc planned would be across from each other. When everyone was in agreement plans were made for the shoot. The outfits and all accessories had to be packed, the models had to be booked for the certain days they would be needed, and rooms had to be booked for everyone to stay in. We also had to make sure all props, like white beach chairs, would be avail.Transportation had to be arranged for this caravan! We usually rented a trailer that could take the team from location to location. It had make up tables and hanging bars for the clothes…..steamers and irons, and everything else that could possibly be needed including a bathroom.. Then the happy group went off to East Hampton, and Montauk Point. It was usually, if memory serves a week or a week and a half long shoot depending on the weather!. Sometimes an extension was needed. The models would come and go depending when they were booked and needed for the shoots. Connie had it worked out down to a science. She was also in charge of budgets!! I only remember two of the models names, and surprisingly they were not given name credit in the book? I would have changed that today. It always surprised me how short the blond model was, and how TALL she looked in the pictures. Famke was about 5’11”. Standing next to Famke the blond model must have been at least 3 to 4 inches shorter. In photographs, if you are well proportioned, it doesn’t matter, and she had super long legs!!…..The team from left to right front row: Stephen Knoll/Stephen Knoll Inc, did all the hair. He was a sweetheart and always funny….You can tell just by looking at him how mischievous he could be, but he was a genius with hair…..Lydia Snyder for Pierre Michel did all of the makeup. She was one of the top makeup artists at the time and was in high demand…another sweetheart….She had a light touch, which was perfect for out door sunny shoots…..It’s important on trips like these to have a group of people who are all sympatico…..The blond model [sorry don’t recall her name]….Famke Jansen, model/actress….Marc Balet, art director. Marc was the art director for all of the “Look Books” we produced, and was the art director for our national ad campaigns. We would choose the models and photographer for each campaign…….we did some incredible work together……happy to say he’s still going strong!…….Ida Pedrotti, was an Anne Klein salesperson, and worked with some of our major clients. She was HAPPY to volunteer to come on the trip, and to be responsible for the maintenance of the clothes and getting the models dressed……..Connie Francis, was my right arm. She was responsible for everything!!!!!and very capable she was. She came off as somewhat shy and quiet…..but look out….do the job right or you would hear it from Connie. I adored her!…………..SECOND ROW: Torkil Gunnason was the photographer. I will let the photos speak for themselves….I think he did a fantastic job!…He was a very soft quiet man, and never got flustered…..totally professional. It was a lot of work and a lot of photos to get done in a short period of time. He, and Marc would decide which outfits they wanted to shoot in the morning, afternoon and twilight….according to the right light they wanted. Thank goodness they had beautiful sunny weather, and all worked out as planned………Joe Stafiniak was the sales manager of Anne Klein….no small job. He had to oversee the sales staff of 5, and work with all of the major stores and boutiques on buys, ads, special projects like trunk shows and outside shows for charities etc……and so much more…Joe along with Ida, also helped getting the models ready for each shot, and kept things organized and moving. When an outfit was shot it was packed up and gotten out of the way. Joe, Jac and I became good friends, and we are face book pals……Brunette model [don’t remember her name]……a smiling “me”………the last gentlemen to the right looks surprisingly like Torkil. He was Torkil’s assistant, but wasn’t given name credit which I think anyone in the picture should have gotten…..I’ll have to speak to Connie about that….LOL……I went out to the Hamptons for the last two days of the shoot to have my picture taken by Torkil for the book. Everyone was tired by this time….it’s hard work!….but I heard everyone was having a great time. When these kinds of shoots go well, and the weather couldn’t have been better, everyone knows it was a successful trip…..spirits are high no matter how tired you may be…….and after all you got to spend a week or so, out of the summer heat of NYC, in the Hamptons!!…………….This ends my tale of the AK Resort Look Book shoot of 1991.
Bravo, Louis! That was a wonderful tale of the 1991 AK Resort lookbook. I enjoyed every page.
It does take a team…and a mighty good man to run the team, as I found out after fishing around for news on Anne Klein during the nineties. And there, in February
1990 VOGUE was a cover article titled, The Man Behind Anne Klein.” Inside there was a very cool shot of Louis Dell Olio and a beautiful model walking side by side with him dressed
in a fabulous Anne Klein peach suede jacket and dress, with the headline , “LOUIS THE FIRST.” The caption said the model was named Jac but the last name was different. The article went on to say, “Louis Dell Olio
dresses working women from Deborah Norville to ABC’s Oprah qWinfrey and he’s turned it into a multimillion-dollar empire.” Julia Reed talks to the man
Behind Anne Klein. Looks like a fabulously nostalgic article, but my eyes weren’t good enough to read the small print. LOL The photo was Louis walking along with Jac , hands in his pockets and very dashing looking, wearing his shades, deliberately walking ahead, Jac peeping around him and looking straight into the camera , somewhere like a street in NYC?
Dear Cela….if memory serves Jac was wearing an alabaster suede topper/kimono type short coat over either an alabaster lace dress or the matching suede sheath.
The minute I wrote “peach” I knew you would correct me if I was wrong. I was wrong and right at the same time LOL.
Louis, thanks for the education on how this fabulousness was all accomplished!
What a wonderful way to end your Look book! I, completely, enjoyed each and every page with all the details included especially the fabrics but the icing on the cake was this final picture of your crew with names and their contributions to the look book. I loved when you went into detail all that was required even before the physical shoot took place. I believe people are not aware of how much work goes into a shoot and how time consuming it is. Your photoshoots prepared you very well for your presentations on QVC……………..all the details needed to be in place and in the car before you even got to QVC, let alone on air! Depending on the shows and the number of days, each outfit complete with jewelry, gloves, hats, belts and at one time you supplied the shoes and then a completed sketch of the model wearing the outfit with her name and then the drive! Amazing!
I lived in East Hampton for many years, left New York in 1996. Lovely small town at that time, had Mom & Pop stores along Main Street but the change was starting and it was not for the better. All the Mom & Pop stores are long gone, Sam’s Restaurant is one of the few left. A fabulous Italian Deli, Villa, right across from the railroad station, everything homemade. She was the one who taught me how to make tiramisu……….she wouldn’t give me the recipe but told me to come in at 5:00AM and watch & help her make it!
You are a wonderful teacher. I feel as if I am attending a Master Class, you impart your knowledge with such ease and educate us as to the real world of fashion and design. We get to see the end result but most have no idea of all that is involved in creating a beautiful and successful season. Thank you!