September Re-membering you!

September Re-membering you!

 September Re-membering you!   Believe it or not but Southern California does have seasons! I feel the changes in the wind, the sea, and in my thoughts. Of course, our seasonal changes here are not as dramatic as they are in the mid-west, east coast or southern states. Perhaps California…

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Skin on Skin A Fashion Film – Delivering a Dream

Skin on Skin A Fashion Film – Delivering a Dream

"Skin on Skin" A Fashion Film

“Skin on Skin” A Fashion Film

My Dear Angels, Supporters of this wild and fantastic ride to make “Skin on Skin” A Fashion Film… I salute you!

You are probably wondering where I have been after ten months of postings and blogging about the making of this short film! You may think, “Lorelei is MIA” – but in fact, I was not- I was just working away so I could deliver the dream.

Because you have been such a great support, not only financially, but by encouraging me, sharing my posts and holding a loving space for the success of this film, I feel I owe it to you to let you in on the things I’ve experienced while forging ahead with this project to make a fashion film.

Fashion Film Carla Sims doing Kaitlyn Browns hair for the Red Carpet scene.

Carla Sims doing Kaitlyn Browns hair for the Red Carpet scene.

When I accepted a film directors offer and set out to make a little 4-minute fashion film, I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I have always believed in the saying, “when opportunity knocks, don’t complain about the noise,” so I said “yes” to producing this film.

Unbeknownst to me were the challenges that would arise and the unbelievable amount of working hours it would take to actually produce it. However, because it is always my intention to put out content that has depth and meaning, I knew that I wasn’t here to just make a fashion film. My mission would be to create a film that would serve to inspire people like you and me to follow our dreams, no matter what curveballs life throws at us. Of course, the universe put me to the test bringing up hidden opportunities for me to grow, disguised as challenges, problems, and road blocks.

My first challenge was to overcome the shame and fear of asking for your help to help fund the making of Skin on Skin A Fashion Film – delivering a dream. My next challenge was to learn to receive your help without feeling guilty or obligated.

Fashion Film Jonathan Shrader & Major Latimer w/ Renee Knorr on set!

Jonathan Shrader & Major Latimer w/ Renee Knorr on set!

Then I witnessed your support and this kept me moving forward. I learned to “own it.” Your confidence and willingness to believe in the project and in me gave me the strength I needed to carry on.  I realized that I must support you and your dreams too. Many of you shared your dreams with me and I was able to do just that.

After that came all the challenges that go with the process…. pre-production – production and then post-production of the film. Starting with the idea and mustering up the courage it would take to follow through and tackle the logistics. Casting the right actors, crew, locations, admin and promotion team, in order to bring the dream to the screen was a feat in itself. Because dreams are for everyone, we cast a diverse talent pool employing three deaf actors, ASL interpreters, multi-ethnicities, and models of all shapes and sizes. Then came the actual shooting of the film, and my learning to deal with personalities that would test my ability to communicate with people who had issues and needs of their own. I realized I needed to support those people in their lives and fears too.

My personal life brought in its struggles as well. My friends and family got the least amount

Fashion Film Brandon White, me & Igor Dejenge goofing BTS

James Mc Gowan, Brandon White, me & Igor Dejenge goofing BTS

of my time while I juggled my volunteer work with the At-Risk teens, the women in prison and the students I assisted at my alma mater- USM. When my big sister Corinne went in for a liver transplant… I knew I had to be there for her and for her family. Waiting for weeks on end for my sister to recover, all the while worrying that perhaps we had lost her forever. The film took a back seat. I am happy to say I was there when she did finally “come to” and say her first sardonic words, “Well, I never thought I would be glad to see you!” I laughed and said, “you’re back!” Heaven smiling down on all of us, especially Corinne, giving her a second chance to wake up from a dark and faraway dream.

Skin on Skin A Fashion Film – Delivering a Dream

Heaven sent angels like you to join our team, sharing this vision with grace and ease and only one team member would prove to be more difficult to handle than I could have ever known. The most important player on the team would test my growing edge by threatening to walk away from the film at every turn. I had no idea that he would not stay to see the vision through. But I could not give up, knowing that you had all put your money on the table and your faith in me to get it done. I had to deliver, so, I forged on, even when that person walked away just weeks before the festival submission deadline! We had yet to shoot the final scene, the b-roll inserts, the music, narration, and finally to edit the film. Now I knew what the job of a producer really entailed. It was up to me to finish the project with the bare bones of what I was left with. I was scared, worried, and shocked that the one who brought this idea to me would walk away from his own creation and I wasn’t sure what to do next. Even though I had run out of the funds I needed to complete the film, I was determined to deliver what I had promised to all of you and so I held for a miracle.

Fashion Film Ashton Clay having her all her hairs done by Edith Beltran

Ashton Clay having her all her hairs done by Edith Beltran

As fortune would have it more earth angels stepped in. People who believed in the vision and shared the deeper meaning behind what I was trying to do. People whose own dreams were aligning with mine. Together we would support each other’s dreams as a team. After all, that is what this project was all about- supporting each other in our dreams and modeling how to do that in spite of every challenge and pitfall one could imagine. Enter the talented and tireless editor Chris Randour, the amazing composer Peitor Angell, the gifted photographer Jeff Fasano, and the scoring engineers Peter Mullen and Barry Weir Jr. to save the day. It is a universal law that art takes on a life of its own and I felt this story wanted to be told. Knowing that everything happens for a reason and that these challenges were part of a divine design for the highest good of all concerned.

Barry Weil Jr. sound master and me!

Barry Weil Jr. sound master and me!

Fashion Film Peitor Angell with Barry Weil Jr. at the controls!

Peitor Angell with Barry Weil Jr. at the controls!

I wasn’t sure how to continue to tell the story without our director onboard, so I gave creative license to my new team players, allowing them to express their authentic gifts and talents in their own way. It was truly a team effort and the magic they brought to the telling of this story was quite different than what had been written in the original script. After I gathered the missing pieces it would take to fill in the blanks…the story revealed itself in the final mix and I was extremely relieved and happy that we were able to deliver the film by the midnight deadline on Memorial Day weekend.

Angels, it has been an extraordinary, nail biting, wild ride, and I could not have done it without any of you. As a result, what was intended to be a four-minute fashion film showed up in the version of a “short film!” With a little over nine minutes of film, my final concerns were how it would be received by the festival jurors. Would it get in? Would it stand on its own? Would they feel inspired to follow their dreams too? That is all that mattered to me. Skin on Skin is really about what happens underneath your skin when you follow your dreams. It was time to walk my talk and to prize myself for being “fully engaged while letting go of the outcome.” I did my part, we all did, and now Skin on Skin was out of my hands taking on a life of its own. Much to my surprise, “Skin on Skin ~ A Fashion Film” has been nominated in four categories at the La Jolla Fashion Film Festival 2016!

Skin on Skin A Fashion Film – Delivering a Dream

Fashion Film Best Documentary Skin on Skin

Best Documentary
Skin on Skin

Fashion Film Skin on Skin Best Editing

Skin on Skin Best Editing

Thank you all for your undying support, your kindness, your love, and your light. Thank you for joining this remarkable field of dreams. Thank you for never giving up on me and for staying on course with your own dreams too. I will never forget you and the lessons and the learnings from the world of dreams. These nominations are for you!

Fashion Film Best Narration Skin on Skin

Best Narration
Skin on Skin

Fashion Film Best Music Skin on Skin

Best Music
Skin on Skin

Love Always,

Lorelei

the

Siren Star Angel Dream Team!

 

Retracing the cobblestone steps of my ingénue dreams.

I’m running away to Europe my friends, retracing the cobblestone steps of my ingénue dreams.

Only this time in John Fluevog ruby red slippers!

What is she up to now you may ask? In my recent blog posts I’ve been sketching my past and sharing the process I went through as I followed my dreams to become a model and travel the world. I spent ten of those years living out of a suitcase, chasing the runway collections around the globe and gaining the utmost stylish inspiration from the geniuses – those designers’ I had the fortune to amuse. Those icons who have set the bar each designer must follow in the world today. And I have been forever touched and motivated by their dedication to the craft of creating beauty and gifting fashion to the world. I had no idea those curious and innocent experiences would lead me to where I am today – with a fashion apparel line of my own on the horizon. With my Runway RunAway Collection® line of samples nearly complete and ready to be delivered this Thanksgiving weekend – I am feeling simply marvelous- retracing the cobblestone steps of my ingénue dreams, blessed and grateful for this miraculous life I am leading.

If anyone would have told me that the result of my book Runway RunAway A Backstage Pass to Fashion, Romance and Rock ‘n Roll, (my second year project in the Master’s program in Spiritual Psychology at University of Santa Monica) would be an entire brand- that would turn into a collection, and lead me to producing a fashion film, that would be viewed worldwide- I would have said, “yeah right!” But guess what? Here it is and here I go…

Now don’t get me wrong – I am not naive…just because one designs a collection and produces as film doesn’t mean it will be and easy road ahead. In fact, this dream I have been working on has been a challenge over the past seven years since I graduated. When I say I am following my dreams – you better be sure that my dreams are sometimes “18 hour a-day-dreams” and that includes weekends too!

The reason is because dreams evolve. They have lives of their own and that is why they are not for the faint of heart. Whatever you do while following the road to your dreams, just know there will be detours, ditches, confusion, a sense of feeling lost, lonely and sometimes even at a dead end. But if you just keep on going along the curvy road – you’ll find a beautiful, magnificent field of flowers; otherwise known as “Rumi’s field” where everything is exactly as it should be… in full bloom. You see Spirit doesn’t care if I become a fashion designer or make a fashion film – Spirit just cares that I did it – how I did it – and how I treated myself and others on the way.

Dreams have timelines of their own too…so you won’t be seeing my collection until the summer of 2016 – but, in the meantime I will be producing this fashion film “Peau sur Peau ~ Skin on Skin,” with the award winning director, Robert E. Ball Jr. In fact, thanks to our sponsor’s: YBF Beauty CEO Stacey Schieffelin, Betty Badd Couture JewelryFelice Art Couture & Luxury Lingerie, Diamond earrings by Jewelry by Rosalina and executive producer Mr. Kent Cooper- we have already begun shooting the teaser!!!

Peace in Paris

Peace in Paris forever!

This weekend we will fly to Paris where Mr. Ball’s recent fashion film will be screened at the fashion film festival – A Shaded View of Fashion Film – ASVOFF-8. I will be reconnecting with the festival’s producer Diane Pernet, whom I haven’t seen in over 25 years. I modeled for Pernet’s couture collections in New York in the late 80’s and now her own “designer dream” has led her towards creating an international venue for fashion films at the Pompidou Center in La Marais. I can’t wait to see her again, and to connect with these talented filmmakers from all around the globe. And while we are in Paris we’ll continue shooting our fashion film –Skin on Skin where I’ll be following my own footsteps back in time… wearing a beautiful pair of ruby red slippers supplied by another one of our film sponsor’s – John Fluevog Shoes. Americans- shooting a fashion film in Paris…Another dream coming true!

I hope you will join me as I continue my journey back to the United Kingdom too. As many of you know I spent those whimsical younger years, living in Chelsea with my long lost love Steve Clark. Steve came from Yorkshire and so I will make the trip to the north and visit his grave at The Wisewood Cemetery. It’s been nearly 25 years since our beloved Steve passed over – so it will be my tribute to him. Maybe some of you will meet me there and we’ll raise a pint at the Admiral Rodney Pub where we used to go with Steve’s family at Christmas.

So here is what lies ahead on my Red Slipper cobblestone footstep return to Europe:

December 1-10th Paris, France attending ASVOFF and filming the fashion film “Peau sur Peau – Skin On Skin.” 

 December 11, 2015 | BBC Radio Interview 2:00 pm GMT –  Radio Show interview for BBC in Leeds, UK with British Journalist Martin Kelner. Stayed tuned!!!   http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p037yb55

 December 12th, 2015- at 12:PM: Sheffield England –Community gathering at Wisewood Cemetery. Come raise a pint for Steve at the Admiral Rodney Pub to follow: 592 Loxley Rd, Sheffield S6 6RU, United Kingdom

In Memory of Steve "Maynard" Clark

In Memory of Steve “Maynard” Clark

December 13, 2015 | MY BIRTHDAY! Runway RunAway Author & Book Reception 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Mercure Nottingham City Centre Hotel in Nottingham, UK.Runway Runaway Book Signing

I hope you will join me over the next couple of weeks as I am retracing the cobblestone steps of my ingénue dreams, remembering from where I came and observing where I am today as a result of my dedication to the dream.

I encourage you to follow your dreams! I support you in cherishing and beholding the qualities of love, perseverance, strength of heart and courage to never give up – because you never know where the yellow brick road will lead you.

Remember…Spirit doesn’t care whether you reach your goals or not…just that you had the gumption to try. To give yourself the permission to go for it and express yourself. To live your life beyond your wildest dreams.

Happy Holidays ~ Love Always,

Lorelei

“Don’t let your dreams runaway from you!”

 

Runway Runaway Fashion: The Journey of a Muse

Runway Runaway Fashion: The Journey of a Muse by Lorelei Shellist

In my last blog I gave you a synopsis of my book Runway Runaway and how it was about following my dreams to travel the world and become a runway model. My book tells the gritty side of a glamorous life. Not to put you off – but to let you know that even when heartfelt dreams come true- there are always challenges along the way. The only reason I was able to write that book was because I survived those challenges and lived to tell the tale. But what I didn’t tell you was how long it took to write-edit- and self publish that book. Remember it wasn’t my idea to write it in the first place. It was the idea of a few tenacious Def Leppard fans who wanted to know the answer to the question of why Steve Clark who seemingly had everything, would take his own life. When I finally wrapped my head around writing a book to satisfy Steve’s fans it was intended to be a book about Steve. Not me.

I finally mustered up the courage to go to NYC to meet with the big literary agents who had replied to my letters. However, the response I got was- “Sorry Lorelei, Steve’s not here to go on Oprah and sell the book- besides we want to hear your story. How did you experience all of that? Go back to Nashville – (where I was living at the time) and write your story.” Well I resisted that idea with all of my might. Who would want to hear my story? I’m not exactly Cindy Crawford. And besides I wouldn’t know how to begin. Then once again the muse began to tug at my sleeve. Everyone I knew argued that I should write the book – of course they would want to read about my life… It was so glamorous and different from theirs. They encouraged me and challenged me until I said ok, I’ll give it a try, and the muse took over.

Book cover - Runway Runaway by Lorelei Shellist fashion model - Lorelei wearing zebra print outfit on turquoise and pink background

Runway Runaway A Backstage pass to Fashion, Romance and Rock ‘N Roll

Runway Runaway Fashion: The Journey of a Muse

Every morning at 6AM I would arrive in front of my computer with a hot cup of PG Tips tea and let my fingers go tapping away on the keyboard. My intention was to write for one hour a day. But each day three hours would pass by without notice and I couldn’t believe what was going down on that screen. It just flowed. Still it took two years from start to finish. Then everything changed – the World Trade Center went down and I put down the book to join the Red Cross clean up the mess where the Twin Towers had once stood high in the sky. A month later I went back to my NY literary agent who told me he was sorry- the publishers weren’t interested in that kind of story now- but if I had a book on terrorism – to bring it on.

Was I disappointed? You bet. I’d just spent two years and a lot of money writing that book. But the world changed on that September day and it was time for everyone, including myself to reassess their lives. I left New York and drove across country to Nashville where I packed up my belongings and headed home to California where it all began. I put my manuscript on the shelf and went back to work as a life-style model in Hollywood. I was forty years old and it was time to pass the “glam-girl” baton to the new faces. The jobs I did now were on cruise ships and cereal boxes and I missed the fashion.
black and white wings with purple heart - I am dreams with wings teen esteem program

Wanting to do something more, I began giving workshops teaching life skills to at-risk -runaway teens. I felt this was my calling and so I went about getting more credentials so I could validate myself as a legitimate counselor. I applied and was accepted into the two year Masters program in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. I dove into those classes like a pelican at feeding time, swallowing every morsel of intelligence available to me.

In the second year of the program we were asked to create and produce something that had heartfelt meaning to us. Something we always wanted to do – but never did, or something we started but never finished.  The muse showed up again and told me to dust off the manuscript that had been shelved for seven years. It was time to finish what I’d started and get that book out into the world. Runway RunAway would become my calling card, opening doors to all the ways I could be of service in the world by sharing my own life experiences and empowering others. My education at USM taught me how to counsel not only myself, but others whose lives had been affected by other people’s addictions. After traveling the country promoting my book, I returned to LA and became a full time volunteer coaching at-risk teens and women living in a maximum security- lock-down prison.

Freedom to Choose

Freedom To Choose Foundation Education for a Second Chance

From behind the gates at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla I’ve sat for hours talking with women dressed in blue whose lives had led them to this cold grey gymnasium looking for someone who will listen to them and treat them like human beings again. I began looking around the room at the unique beauty inherent in each one of them – women from the ages of 18 to 85 who didn’t have the means to shop for chic brands labels. They didn’t have the benefit of a hair colorist or even a manicure. But they all looked amazing to me. I learned that women’s hair starts to go grey at a very young age…and in CCWF they let it grow and flow, because in prison that is the norm. I found their individuality and style inspiring based on the fact that they had such little means to make themselves beautiful by way of consumer products and fashions – but they found a way to express themselves none the less.

I was moved and challenged to understand how and why. I discovered that my lifelong experience in the fashion world was now colliding with my education in spiritual psychology. I began delving deeper into the world beneath that which meets the eye and wrote about it until the muse revealed her message to me again.

Lorelei Shellist Empowerment Speaker conducting seminar

Fashion Icon Archetype Personality Programs® by Lorelei Shellist

In 2014 I founded the Fashion Icon ArchetypesPersonality Programs. A series of inner-style workshops educating people on how to dress from a place inside themselves that is confident, conscious and comfortable. This is not about what your colors are, or what labels you wear…this is about connecting with your “inner- stylist” so you decide what to wear from a place of self-knowing. When you know which archetype personalities are running the show you learn to dress to express who you are – instead of dressing to impress others.

 It was from that mindset that I began to value the opportunities I’d had that put me front row center in those couture houses so I could observe just how fashion was made. My curiosity of the history and meaning of fashion has always moved me. I never really cared to know the answer to the question of what other people were wearing – I am always more interested in why people wear what they wear. Meanwhile, the feedback from my universe tells me that I too have a certain sense of style that stands out amongst the crowd. I wasn’t truly aware I had that gift until others pointed it out. And the muse said, “pay attention to yourself too – what are your gifts?” Another seven years had passed – time to reassess, again!

As I counted the blessings I’d received from these extraordinary life experiences I had chosen to have – the ego aspect of my nature – the part that kept me small – began to shrivel and melt away. And what came forward were new ideas- new dreams – new horizons ahead.

Where was I going with all of this? I didn’t even know myself…But I knew what I wanted. A brand that would inspire people to follow their dreams wherever they would take them. And if their lives consisted of travel- whether for business or pleasure- I wanted to make that easier – more comfortable for them. I wanted to help people feel comfortable inside of their skin – no matter what the situation. At work, at, play, on stage, or on the red carpets and runways of the world.

But the muse is always in charge and no one does all of these things alone, and one never knows where an idea will come from. As a matter of fact, it was my assistant, Cindy Gloeckler, who suggested quite strongly and repeatedly, that I start a fashion apparel line of my own! She said, “Lorelei you are a brand. I want you to start a line of your own and I want to help you do it. ”Every hair on my arm stood up and right there in a beer and burger joint in downtown Cleveland, I said “Are you serious? Be careful what you wish for Cindy because I’ve got an idea.”

The next thing I knew I was sketching my first fashion design on a small piece of notebook paper – “Spinal Tap” style.

The Runway Runaway Collection®

The Runway Runaway Collection®

My own muse appeared once again and The Dream Dress® came through as the signature item for what would become the Runway Runaway Collection® for the woman on the run who thrives in her skin.

Something told me exactly what this dress should be and before I could think about it the words fell out of my mouth. The Dream Dress® takes you from day to dinner, from dawn to dusk, from dining to dancing, to your wildest heartfelt dreams. It’s a dress that every woman will be able to wear in comfort, in class, in colors, to work to play to wherever her heart leads her.” Many times, over the course of three years, I nearly gave up – spending my own money, working long hours, spinning my wheels and trying to hold on. Cindy never wavered…she’s optimistic to a fault. “You can do this Lorelei I’ve got your back.”

Your Best Friend Beauty

Stacey Schieffelin & Lorelei Shellist

Then out of the blue I received an email from a gal I used to model with on the runways of the world. We were friends in our 20’s but hadn’t seen one another in forever. Stacey Schieffelin. Stacey, and her husband David, built her cosmetic line YBF Beauty line – (which stands for Your Best Friend) into a multimillion dollar company. Stacey sells her products on the Home Shopping Network so she knows the ins and outs of  the network trade. I asked her if she would mentor me and she asked me for my pitch.

I took a breath and gave her my elevator speech on The Dream Dress® will take you from day to dinner, from dawn to dusk, from dining to dancing, to your wildest heartfelt dreams.”  Stacey laughed and said, “Lorelei, I hear pitches everyday and that’s the best one yet!” Send me your NDA and anything else you want to share with me and let’s see where this goes. She then introduced me to the woman in Montreal who had helped her put out her own apparel line and we hit it off right away. Cydney Mar is a fantastic designer in her own right, she knows merchandising, manufacturing, and fashion inside out. She “gets me,” and she “gets my line.”

Your New best Friend! is Your Old Best Friend! Stacey Schieffelin & Lorelei Shellist

Your New best Friend! is Your Old Best Friend! Stacey Schieffelin & Lorelei Shellist

After a couple of months of communicating back and forth between Stacey,David, and Cydney Mar about my brand, it became evident that we were all aligned to develop my Runway Runaway Collection.®  Thankfully my dream team, with Cindy Gloeckler as my right hand, and Shelly E. my social network manager as my left, all my lovely ducklings are falling in line. I have never been more excited in my life and I have done some exciting things in my time. I am grateful, enthused and amused by the journey I am on. I hope you’ll come along too as the Runway Runaway Collection® evolves and launches in 2018 because I guarantee there will be The Dream Dress® just for you!

 Stay tuned for more Runway Runaway Fashion: The Journey of a Muse

Lorelei Shellist

“Don’t let your dreams runaway from you!”