Paulina Remembers Her Glory Days

Filed Under: Fashion Smashion Models Fashion Week

Despite recently being let go from America's Next Top Model, Paulina Porizkova has not thrown in the towel on being a career woman. The ex-model and self-professed book nerd now writes for The Huffington Post, and in her most recent article, she remembers her days on the runway. She recalls the nervousness she felt in her first show and then, years later, the comradery between the models backstage at Donna Karan:

"Naomi, tall and gangly, is so fawning and friendly I feel I ought to know who she is. Were we best friends and it just slipped my mind? Cindy and her best friend Gail are giggling in a corner with half of their makeup on, and I try to pretend I don't mind being alone and aloof. …When we are all in line for the stage, the obligatory glances and sighs begin: 'Oh, you got such a great outfit! You got four outfits? I only got two!' With the exception of these verbal little jabs, the competition between the girls–despite wishful reports to the contrary–is minimal."

This is in stark contrast with what the scene is like backstage these days:

"Celebrities sit on the sidelines, dressed to the nines. Being seen at the right show, being interviewed at the right show becomes all the rage. Every model backstage has a film crew following her and documenting the fun. I hear there is champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries."

She also notes that her importance in the industry is not what it once was:

"Despite my former glory, this season, when asked to blog about the shows–and hence deciding I must watch some–I can't get myself invited to anything. Someone offers me a ticket for the Ralph Lauren show. The hitch? It's in someone else's name, and so I have to go and pretend I am that person. How's that for a fall from grace?"

She doesn't mind, though. The mother and avid reader is happy to write and live the good life, away of the flashing lights. Check out her writing at HuffingtonPost.com.

[Image via AP Images.]

Posted: October 6, 2009 at 5:00 pm