Off to Congress

Word came today that Alice was cast by Antoinette Beenders for the Aveda Congress in mid-September. Here we go.

Because of the way Alice left the casting call last week, she and I talked about the reality of the hair cut issue. She said that she would cut her hair, but to shoulder length. Antoinette (previously avedawoman) suggested shorter. If Alice was going to be forced to cut her hair beyond the point or her own comfort level, I don’t want her to do it. Neither does she. But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, I recommended to Alice that we talk to my new best friend, Elijah.

Elijah was very cool. Here’s what he explained:

• Alice does not need to get her hair cut any shorter than she agreed to. If they start cutting her hair beyond what they negotiated, Alice can walk out.

• Antoinette is one of the best stylists in the world (well, the UK), so Alice can consider it like being paid big bucks to get her hair cut by one of the best

• The Aveda congress is a big deal (click the link for a blog from the last one a few years ago). They only cast three models for this particular show section.

He also explained that Antoinette thought Alice was the bees knees. She knew she was young and thought that with a couple years (and inches, Elijah added) she could really do important work. (I’m pleased by this and realize that what I’m responding to is the validation from an authority in this business. Still, I wish desperately I was hearing this about her leadership potential, contributions to the community, or writing or something).

I understand that this is a good opportunity for Alice, if she’s doing this modeling thing. We talk about the realities of the hair cut, and then she talks to Elijah. That call went well and Alice feels better about the whole thing. A little excited, even. Then she turns on me and tells me that I’m ruining her happiness because I brought up the whole haircut issue. If only I hadn’t said anything it would have been fine. (teeth firmly clenched)

Now that the event is a reality on our September calendar, it dawns on me that there’s something else for me to be concerned about. Just how provocative might this cat suit be?

Are we talking Emma Peel cat suit?            Or are they thinking Hallee Barry/Catwoman cat suit?

While I accept that my daughter’s body already is setting off fantasies, I put my foot down at condoning its use to stimulate the desire for porn. With Emma Peel I think strong, cool, assured, confident, intelligent, kick-ass. With Hallee Barry in the Catwoman get up I think bad movie, and if were a man (or a lesbian?) I’d be thinking unnatural thoughts. Nope. Alice is not going there.

So I shot off another a quick email to my new best friend Elijah.

Mothers! There’s a little Emma Peel in all of us.

~ by modelmom on July 22, 2008.