Sunset is fast approaching on the southwestern shoot and although it has been a long day no one seems eager to pack up and go home. There's even talk of staying after twilight and capturing a few night shots to try and capture a different mood.This is the environment I finally catch up with fashion's rising star Rhiannon, a remarkably sensual woman with a brogue that somehow makes her exotic and grounded all at the same time. Despite having been in the media's eye for most of the past year there is surprisingly little known of Rhiannon and I think it was only by luck I caught her in a mood to finally reveal some of the enigma surrounding her. So as the photographers and designers, models and make-up artists mill about us we sit down with the setting sun as our backdrop.
Runway - So, first interview! Nervous?
Rhiannon - *laughing* Not really. The spotlight's been one of those things in life I've always craved.
Runway - Really?
Rhiannon - Yep. The past year's a rare moment for me. I made the choice early on though that I would devote my time to Mythic and my marriage; and once the girls came along I had to devote even more energy to them. I promised myself I'd reward me for all the hard work with interviews after I was sure things wouldn't go up in smoke.
Runway - Well congratulations then! Mythic's hitting it's tenth issue *she nods here* and from the outings it looks like everything's smooth sailing on the marriage front -- *Rhiannon laughs*
Rhiannon - Nothing is smooth sailing with Anann but I enjoy that. I enjoy the challenge of married life. It's not like with a lover, you know? When you fight, or when you're having the worst day of your life and you feel like you're scummier than dirt you can't just call them up and say you don't want to meet up that day. Instead, you're right next to them and they're looking just as miserable as you and you've got to suck it up and face the day together because that's the promise you made. I love it.
Runway - So the mystery woman does have a name! And the rumors are true? You're married?
Rhiannon - First anniversary coming up this May.
Runway - Any plans that our readers would love to catch a peek of?
Rhiannon - I think we agreed to a week or two out in the Bahamas? Then again, Anann prefers to surprise me so we may wind up somewhere else entirely. One year it was Tibet, another it was a small town on the coast of California.
Runway - You said that 'when the girls came along'. Does that mean children?
Rhiannon - They're my darlings.
Runway - Where are they now?
Rhiannon - At home with Anann. Once they're a little older though, Anann hopes they'll be proper little gypsy babies and we'll be able to take them wherever we're working. *at my confusion she explains* That's Anann's terms for being able to sleep and make a home anywhere you set down. It would be a blessing.
Runway - Speaking of where you're working; it's rare for an editor to actually be at the photoshoots! Not to mention taking her own shots.
Rhiannon - Well, you're seeing the majority of my staff. *At my look she just laughs* It's true! I prefer quality over quantity and the shoots we do require certain demands that I can't just ask of anyone. This keeps costs down on the personnel front so we can put more into the spreads. Also, I love being out here and seeing the magic happen. I'd wilt away being cooped up in the office and only able to see the finished spread.
Runway - Marriage, the magazine, children, and the charity events that you and your wife are constantly at. How do you maintain the energy for everything? Any secrets to overcoming jetlag?
Rhiannon - Clones. Lots and lots of clones.
Runway - *laughing* Well, if you're willing to share that secret, please give me a call.
Rhiannon - *she winks at me before answering my earlier question* In all seriousness, I couldn't do much of anything without Anann helping me out. I'm this flighty little hummingbird of energy and ideas and it's through her patience and willpower that she actually gets me to focus on anything.
Runway - She's featured in every issue, hasn't she?
Rhiannon - She's my muse. On set, off set, she's very photogenic. Even in the ones she doesn't want me to take. *whispered* But I think those are my favorites.
Runway - Any other constants in your life?
Rhiannon - My friends. They're always busy and it feels like we all have the weight of the world on our shoulders but when push comes to shove they're always right there in the trenches with me. I'm blessed that they can put up with me even on the days Anann threatens to lock me in a closet.
Runway - Are they featured in Mythic? Do we know them?
Rhiannon - Oh, I've had a few of them pose but the rest are shy and not as needy for the limelight like I am. I'm hoping in a month or so I'll be able to just gather them all up and offer them a thank-you article. I wouldn't have got here without them.
Runway - Looking forward to it.
It's about this time that Rhiannon's attention is fully taken away from me as Anann herself strolls onto the shoot and literally claims the room for herself. Even I found myself wrapped up in this woman's aura and didn't leave the shoot until late in the night when the last rolls of film were spent and everything was deemed acceptable by the photographer's standards.
With a final goodbye, I leave Rhiannon and her wife underneath the Arizona night and find myself on a trip down into Mexico for a week-long venture that I'll showcase in the next article alongside the Fall fashion teasers.
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