Featured Fashionista: Carmen Powers

Visit Carmen's site It is with great joy that we introduce you to Carmen Powers, the "legs" that you see modeling our leg wear on our website and in our catalog. She has been our model for the past 8 years, and we are so lucky to have her as part of the Foot Traffic brand. She is as gracious and talented as she is beautiful. Carmen's modeling career has taken her all over the world and although she resides in Houston, she is always on the go, traveling for both work and pleasure. We were able to catch her between photo shoots and an upcoming trip to London to ask her a few questions about her modeling career. We hope you enjoy learning more about Carmen and "behind the scenes" at Foot Traffic. How long have you been modeling? In the beginning I started doing this job, (including being developed for a short time), during summer vacations and over holidays to work around school. As a full-time career, I've been in this industry for 10 years. How did you get started in this business? A photographer approached me at a camera store where I was with a friend getting some film developed, and he asked me if I'd ever considered being a model. After showing me his book (portfolio), he made a call to an agency he shot for and sent me over to see them that day. Within two days I was in Chicago shooting with a great photographer to create my book! Where are the most interesting places you have traveled for a photo shoot? I've been to so many amazing places, but two of them were quite memorable: Madrid, Spain to shoot a campaign for a handbag company and the islands of Turks and Caicos for a swimwear & vacation-inspired clothing line. What is the most unique photo shoot you have done? A bridal editorial in a Masonic Temple with me sitting on a throne that was six feet off of the ground and on wheels. What advice do you have for models trying to break into this business? I would say a lot of patience and perseverance! Finding a good, reputable agent for representation in the beginning is key to getting developed and marketed properly, and in turn, getting put in front of the right clients for your specific look. Describe your personal style I would say my personal style is a lot of my own creations, but usually modern and always with a bit of an edge; sometimes with a rocker vibe. I love mixing and matching items and adding accessories of all kinds. I usually won't be seen in something straight off of a mannequin, unless it's an evening gown, or couture, of course!! Do you style your own hair and makeup? Yes and no, it just depends on the job and the client preferences. Thanks to all of the talented artists that have worked on me over the years, I've picked up a few tricks :) I'm quite proficient at creating a few different looks and often help other models as well. For a smaller designer runway show during mid-day, for instance, I would likely do my own hair and makeup. For the majority of the time, just as there are stylists involved with most of the jobs, there are also MUAH. You have the perfect legs and we love the work you do for us at FOOT TRAFFIC. Do you wear a lot of fashion leg wear? Thank you!! I do, and in fact, I think it's the one accessory that is often the glue in making the entire look (outfit) work. I love accessories and clothing in general, but there are so many options when it comes to including fashion leg wear in an outfit. Since you are in the fashion industry, what trends do you see for the summer? Definitely the color trend continuing, especially with pastels... from skinny jeans to nail polish and everything in-between, including fashion leg wear. Foot Traffic has done a stellar job of offering a wide variety of beautiful hues for everyone's taste in the S/S 2012 collection. I love it! What is your favorite aspect of your work? The travel opportunities and the unbelievably talented people I get to work with for my job! I get excited about never knowing what I might be doing for my next project or where it might take me. I've been fortunate to be able to visit and live in different cities as well as countries and experience cultures and places I never thought I would.