Chapter 29: Anneke
Chloe reported to the photo shoot location the next morning to meet her story's subject: Anneke Johannsen. She announced herself upon arrival and was introduced to Susan, the agency's representative. Susan led her through studio, which was alive with activity as the designers were putting the final touches on the set. Chloe was shown to the dressing room where she was introduced to Anneke. She was sitting in the make-up chair getting her hair done but when Chloe entered she immediately got up and greeted her warmly. She was tall with long blonde hair that was being swept up into an elegant up-do, and her beauty awed Chloe.
"Hello, Ms. Sullivan. I am so pleased to meet you! The agency told me about your story and I am intrigued. How did you come to want to do a story about me?"
"One of my colleagues, actually. My team's photographer is a big fan of yours and mentioned recently that you had a daughter you were raising by yourself. What drives me is as a reporter is a successful woman who has an interesting story. I want to meet the woman behind the beautiful face; find out what she's like and what really drives her. —Oh and learn about modeling too."
Anneke was intrigued. She'd never encountered an interview like this before. Ms. Sullivan was actually interested in her as a person, not a commodity with a face and legs that went to the floor. She decided she liked her. "I like you already, Ms. Sullivan."
"Please, call me Chloe."
She smiled. "Call me Anne." Anneke sat back down and let the hairdresser continue. "So, what do you know about modeling?"
"Well, I've done some research, but in a nutshell, nothing. I know it seems to be a glamorous life, but I suspect that there is more than a fare share of stress. That is why I am here. My approach to reporting is to dive in and get involved."
Anneke smiled at the younger woman. She was spunky and bright and she liked her for her honesty. Generally a reporter would never admit to doing a story with not much knowledge behind it first, wanting only to fill in details they didn't know. This reporter really wanted an education! "Yes, you are right. It looks like a bed of roses but there are thorns – no rose is truly thorn-less. The agency told me that you want to see everything and shadow me. Are you sure?"
"Oh yes! I won't bother you at all. I'll observe quietly from the sidelines and you won't even know I am here," assured Chloe.
"You won't learn anything that way!" Anne got up out of the chair and pulled Chloe to the mirror beside her. "The agency told me to run the interview any way I want. You said you prefer to dive in and get involved. What do you think, Susan, size 4?"
Chloe looked at the woman smiling at her in the mirror. Her story suddenly took a personally interesting turn. She was pretty but was never one of the glamour set, but this would be fun. "Really??!! I'd love to, but I warn you, grace is not one of my strong points."
"Don't be silly. Ask Susan. I could hardly walk when I started. We'll have you runway ready in no time!" Exclaimed Anne. She turned to Susan who nodded in agreement. She took Chloe by the hand and led her to a small room. She handed her a long robe and pointed to some lockers. "Change out of your clothes and put this on. You can safely leave all of your clothes and personal things in the locker. Come out when you are ready and we'll introduce you to Kevin."
When she came out, the chair next to Anne's had been cleared off and Chloe was deposited into it. "You'll get the full introduction to how our company trains a new model. First is makeup and hair, and then off to the designer for a wardrobe. You'll pose for pictures and make a portfolio." Anne clapped her hands like a delighted child. "It will be such fun!" She turned to the man arranging pots and tubes of makeup. "Kevin, this is Chloe. She's our newest addition I told you about. Work your usual magic." Anne finished the introductions and was whisked away to wardrobe.
Kevin gently removed all of her makeup and gave her a complete makeover, including tips and hints to make her best features, her eyes, look their best. Not only did he do her makeup, but he also showed her how to apply it. Chloe asked him if this was a normal part of the training process. "Of course, my dear. How on earth will you do your makeup when you're not with me if I don't show you? I can't move in and live with you, I have my own life to live. You'll be on your own sometimes; —NEVER at a shoot or a show, of course! I'll ALWAYS be there for you then."
Chloe liked Kevin instantly and loved the new look he gave her. He finished and turned her over to the hairdresser, Roberta, who promptly promised she'd not color or cut, only style. Chloe was relieved. NOT that she'd mind a totally new look, but she had only just gotten a haircut. The stylist did her magic and then Chloe was whisked off to the wardrobe section of the studio and put into the hands of the designer and his assistant.
Cameron was a new designer, and close friend of Anne's. She was helping him launch his design house next week and got the agency to provide the models for the show. Today and over the next several days were the photo shoots for the clothing that would be featured. "Hello Chloe. Anne has told me that you are to be a new model for the week while you do research for your story. How wonderful! I am so excited to meet you." He looked her over and pulled a few things from a rack close by.
Chloe stood still as a statue as he directed the assistant to adjust this and remove that and soon was happy with his creation. He led Chloe to a mirror to see the finished product and she gasped. She hardly recognized herself! He'd created something amazing out of several different pieces and she didn't even really understand how he did it. She wished Clark or even Lois were here to share this with her. She looked over at him and gushed "Cameron! This is so amazing. You have to tell me how you do this. I want to write about you too!"
"If I understood it myself, I could bottle it. I honestly don't know. I see something here, that would go with something there, a little snip, a little thread, and it all works. I've learned not to ask and to just be thankful. You are ready for the next step. Let's go find Susan." He told his assistant to continue dressing the other models that were ready for their fittings and led her off to find Susan, who was watching as Anne posed for some pictures. He left Chloe with Susan, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
Chloe watched as Anne posed this way and that, according to the directions of the photographer. She paid close attention to his directions, and found it very similar to a family photo shoot, except that there were people in the wings to help adjust the lay of the clothing, and her hair, and touch up the makeup if she was getting too hot under the lights. It was fascinating. Susan turned to her. "All right, Chloe. I'll teach you to walk later. All you have to do today is stand, but as you notice, even standing is different. You put your shoulders here…and your hips here…and your hands like so." As she talked, she posed Chloe much like one would pose a Barbie® doll or a mannequin. To Chloe it felt totally unnatural, but she could imagine that her posture was improved by about 100.
The photographer ended the session with Anne, who came over and cooed over how fabulous Chloe looked. "Come! It is your turn. I see Susan has been helping you learn to pose. I'll stay and help you too." She led her to the set and for the next thirty minutes, Chloe was posed this way and that and an unbelievable amount of film was shot. At first she was nervous, but the photographer was really nice and she found herself relaxing and really enjoying herself. After he was finished, she and Anne were directed back to the wardrobe department where they changed outfits and were sent back out to be photographed again. They worked all day, breaking for an hour for lunch and a set redress, and finished late in the afternoon. In between sessions, she and Chloe talked and went on as though they were schoolgirls. The friendly chemistry between them was immediate.
Anne was waiting for Chloe when she stepped out of the dressing room after changing back into her own clothes. She felt silly, but she was really tired. "Anne, why am I tired? I just stood around all day in someone else's clothes!"
Anne laughed and linked arms with her, leading her to the waiting car. "Welcome to my world, Chloe! We're going to dinner. There's someone I want you to meet. It will be love at first sight, I promise you!"
"Oh, no…please. I told you already have a boyfriend," Chloe protested.
"Oh I heard you when you told me about your boyfriend. I want you to meet the love of my life," assured Anne. Chloe smiled, embarrassed and Anne just hugged her.
The car pulled up to Anne's hotel and both women got out and went upstairs. Anne opened the door to her suite and was immediately tackled by a small figure in a tartan skirt and dark blazer with red curls all down her back. Anne immediately picked her up and tickled her and was showered with kisses, which she heartily returned. The little girl noticed Chloe, and smiled. "Mama, who is the pretty lady?"
Anne set her down and made introductions. "This is Miss Chloe. She's my new friend and she writes stories for a newspaper! Isn't that exciting?" She looked at Chloe saying, "This is who I told you about in the car. This is my daughter, Rygata."
Chloe knelt down to be eye-level with the child standing before her, who promptly extended her hand and said "How do you do? I'm pleased to meet you."
Chloe shook her hand, saying, "Charmed, I'm sure. Anne, she's gorgeous!"
Formalities out of the way, the child took Chloe by the hand and showed her around the suite, ending in her own room where she plopped them all down on the floor and started a ferocious game of Go Fish followed by Crazy Eights. "Rygata," asked Anne "would you like to join me and Miss Chloe for dinner tonight or did you already eat with Nanny?"
"I'm sorry Mummy, I already ate. May I go next time?"
"Certainly darling." Anne kissed her, saying, "Off with you then. Bath and bedtime. I'll kiss you when I get back." The child obediently rose, kissed Chloe on the cheek and ran off to find Nanny and her bath. Anne picked up the cards and they headed for the lobby. "The restaurant downstairs is wonderful. We'll eat in peace and can talk some more."
They went down to the restaurant and had a lovely dinner. The camaraderie that began during the day continued and they spent the evening sharing growing up stories. Anne had grown up on a farm in rural Denmark and had been discovered at University. She'd been getting coffee at a local coffee shop when the talent scout approached her and asked if she'd ever thought of modeling. "And that," she said, "was that." I had no idea about modeling and had never given it a thought but it is fun, and I have gotten to travel the world. I'd never have done that as a farmer's wife."
Chloe shared about having always wanting to be a reporter regaling her with tales of her tenure as Editor of the Torch. She showed her a picture of Clark, and Anne was immediately jealous of her new friend. "He's a Greek God. Does he have a brother?"
"No, sorry. He's an only child." Said Chloe. "He's one of a kind, my Clark," she said, smiling at her secret joke. "Thanks again so much for letting me play today. That was really fun. I never knew modeling could be so much fun!"
"You're not through yet, Chloe. You're a model for the rest of the time you are here. Cameron adored you and wants you in the show! You know how to pose and look beautiful. Now you have to learn how to walk and chew gum at the same time!"
"NO!" Chloe was horrified. She was all for playing at it and the day had been fun but she was not ready to go on a catwalk. No, no, no, no, no.
"Well then. I guess you don't want your story, do you?" Anneke smiled wickedly at her new friend.
Chloe sighed and knew she'd lost. "You'll teach me? I'll die of embarrassment if I trip on the catwalk."
"Of course, I'll teach you, and you'll be fine. You'll love it and get the story from an angle no other writer has gotten one. What do you say?"
Chloe smiled. "I'd say you've made me an offer I can't refuse."
