110 QUEST
CO U RTE S Y O F S H AU N C A S E Y
AS THE MOTHER OF one of the most successful models of her time, I have come to understand the modeling industry as few have—from the inside. My daughter, Lisa Crosby—known to the world simply as “Crosby”—was only six when she proclaimed that she would travel the world and be rich, and only 17 when she was signed by Ford Models and sent to Paris. Since those early days, I have spent many hours listening to and sometimes counseling other models, and, just as they have come to regard me as a second mother, so do I count them as my dearest friends. It’s always a joy for me to relish their successes and happiness—and to think back to when it all began. Remember the rip-roaring late Seventies and Eighties? Free-wheeling, out-of-control bankers, lawyers, and just about everyone else. A time that marked the beginning of AIDS, the widespread use of drugs like cocaine, and the ever-present denials and rhetoric of politicians. Gorgeous blondes, brunettes, and redheads with long legs, elongated torsos, and flowing hair were lured to New York, Milan, London, and Paris to launch the era of the supermodel. Some were stunningly beautiful, others not so much so, but with that special “something.” Some were sophisticated and already tough as shoe leather, others were
wide-eyed innocents soft as kittens, waiting to be toughened and molded. Only years later did the general public learn about some of the “happenings,” like illicit all-night parties in stretch limos to the Hamptons. Countless beauties should have had contracts with major clients but didn’t because the agencies kept the girls doing catalog work, which brought in more money. Some just wouldn’t play the games of the powerful. There were three models in particular whom everyone in the business recognizes: my daughter Crosby, from Florida; Suzan Wyatt, a Loretta Young look-alike from Virginia; and Shaun Casey, from Connecticut. They started their careers at about the same time, meeting each other for the first time on airplanes—usually the Concorde—or on the job. Shaun became the face of Estée Lauder, and grew to be a wonderful representative for the company. Reflecting on her career, she says: “My mother was a John Robert Powers model and one of her artist friends asked me to pose for a book cover when I was 16. After high school, I was signed to Wilhelmina Models. One of the most memorable times was getting my hair dyed platinum so Helmut Newton could photograph me for the cover of French Vogue, which became the cover of the year. I had great fun going to all the best restaurants and nightspots in Paris and New York. I loved every minute and would do it all over again if I could. I now live in California with my husband, Bill, where we raised two daughters.” Crosby, looking back on her career, remembers: “I did beauty campaigns for Chanel, Max Factor, and Revlon, as well as TV commercials for Kodak, Arrow, Revlon, Hanes, Midol, Clairol, Old Spice, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s. After my career ended, I began photographing models and actors myself, and, most recently, began shooting wildlife and horses in particular. Carpe Diem restaurant in New Canaan, Connecticut, decorated their walls with my horse photographs, and I am represented by Lars Bolander Gallery in West Palm Beach, Florida. I like to flyfish and spend time with my husband, Chuck, at our ranch in Montana, where Shaun and Suzan visit us often.”