7x7 Partner Spotlight: JRP Model Talent

7x7 Partners Share The Secrets of their Success

Serving as the Executive Director for John Robert Powers’ Central Coast region has afforded accomplished model, Natasha Chalenko, the unique opportunity to inspire and educate local industry hopefuls. Born in Siberia and raised in the Ukraine, Chalenko traveled the world before settling down in San Francisco and finding a home at John Robert Powers. Read on to find out what the modeling maven has to say about this season’s must-haves, and the city’s best shopping spots. What made you settle in San Francisco after years of traveling the world as a model? San Francisco combines a little bit of everything that I love in the world: the climate of Northern Italy, the neighborhood feeling of old European cities, the beautiful and unpretentious energy of people in Tokyo and, of course, the food from around the world – all of it in one compact, walkable city.

How is San Francisco’s fashion sense unique?
San Francisco has seasons that, in essence, blend together, and this “never cold/never hot,” well-conditioned weather is the best type for looking full-speed fashionable all year around! This means you can wear beautiful, layered pieces, heels, and accessories and always look like you stepped off the runway. Also, San Franciscans are very relaxed and unpretentious, and this really allows you to express yourself. When you plan your wardrobe or a look of the day, you think of what would make you look good and feel good and not what you’re “expected” to wear.

Who are your favorite designers?
This season I love the Junya Watanabe collection. It’s one of those once-in-three years timeless collections that I absolutely have to stock up on: all-black, beautiful, head-turning down jackets and gorgeous flowing skirts that will be conversation pieces for many years to come.

Always on my shopping list are Bottega Veneta for extremely well crafted, understated luxury, Rick Owens for beautiful, monochromatic draped pieces, and Prada for great everyday pieces.

For accessories, Bottega Veneta tops my list. Each season I go there for the oversized men’s bags and runway heels that you can actually wear all day long.   

What are your top San Francisco shopping spots?
Bottega Veneta on Geary Street, Susan on Sacramento Street for Junya Watanabe, The Grocery Store on Sacramento for Kristensen T-shirts, and Barney’s on O’Farrell for Rick Owens.

Which runway trends are you loving this season?
This season, I’m particularly in love with Roland Mouret’s TTD (Top Tunic Dress) – a very modern, fresh and versatile take on the LBD (Little Black Dress). You can pick and choose the way you want to wear it – as a top, tunic or dress – and it combines other great seasonal trends like minimalist shape and beautiful drapes. I can see myself wearing it as a tunic with leggings and jeans and as a dress with gravity-defining heels.

What advice do you have for hopeful San Francisco models?
Get training. Show up. Never give up.

Natasha Chalenko, CEO
JRP Model Talent
Northern & Central California
(888) 586-6335
www.jrpmodeltalent.com