The Top Model and the Photographer
Richard Callum, well-known society photographer, had an important assignment. He had to take pictures of a top model for the most widely respected fashion magazine. Winsome, the model had a reputation. He knew that he and the rest of the crew would have to tread gently. When he arrived at the studio, Winsome was already living up to her reputation. She was haranguing a make-up girl who, she said, should have known that she was allergic to a rare ingredient that might have been present in one of the eye make-up preparations she might be using.
Richard set up the lighting and threw a length of shocking pink satin material over the chaise-longue on which the model was going to pose. Winsome emerged in a trouser and top outfit, truly startling for late 1930s. She took one look at the chaise-longue with its dramatic covering. "Do you seriously think I'm going to sit on that? That shade of pink will clash with my lipstick. I won't sit on anything pink which is even a single shade darker than shrimp." Richard and his assistant scurried around trying to find covering for the chaise-longue acceptable to the model.
Winsome sat on the chaise-longue leaning forward and leaning back. She lay on it. She sat with a leg draped over the back. She sat with her arms in the air. She sat on her hands. Sometimes she had to hold uncomfortable poses. Richard mused to himself that she did have some professional standards. Perhaps he should not be too judgemental. They broke for lunch. The young assistant offered Winsome a cup of tea. Winsome screamed at her, "I'm a top model. I expect to be offered bottled French water. Do I have to teach everyone their job?" Sandwiches were handed out. Winsome complained that hers contained the wrong sort of lettuce. She accused the team of trying to give her scurvy.
During the afternoon Winsome had to pose in swimwear. She got cold and shouted out for a blanket, a cashmere blanket, to wrap herself in between shots. "Do I have to be everyone's mother?" she asked when the very willing assistant, who wanted to please, burst into tears.
"Honestly, Winsome Walker, you've changed a lot since you were just Susan Walker," said Richard Callum.
The End