We're 18 and the Sky's the Limit! Take a look at how we're celebrating our memorable milestone! DECEMBER 2009 After a lot of growing up and with an unlimited future ahead, Today’s Woman celebrates its 18th year. Filled with excitement, coming into our own, pushing a few limits and looking ahead…this is where Today’s Woman finds herself. To celebrate, we had a 18 Design Contest and here are our winners. Styling by Wendy Anguiano Photography by Nelson Auge Makeup by Isidro Valencia Hair by Lori Terbeek and Jo Bennie, Z’s Salon & Spa Location: Waterfront Park Place DECEMBER 2009 Model: Brittany McWhorter, 18, student at University of Louisville One of the dancing Louisville Lady Birds, Brittany enjoys travel, friends, shopping and music. She aspires to become a pediatrician someday and own her own office. “I enjoy the freedom that came from turning 18.” Brittany is wearing: David Meister fuchsia dress, $408, from Rodeo Drive. About the Artist Carissa Christian What is your art? I do all kinds of art, including watercolor, but this is my most recent attempt at something new, and I love it!  I create art using the human body as my canvas.  I transform children and adults into amazing works of art using safe cosmetic paints.  When did you start? I started doing professional face painting and prenatal belly painting in July 2008. I typically paint faces at birthday parties for children, and so it is really fun to do something different.  How did you learn it? I’ve always been “artsy” and creative. New crayons were my favorite toy as a kid!  I trained professionally for a year learning the basics of face painting and started Carissa Christian Face Painting in September 2009.  I continue to take classes whenever possible to improve my skills and learn new techniques. Full-time or part-time? I work full-time as an office manager for a commercial appraisal company, and so this is a part-time, weekend job at this point. In addition to the full-time job, I’m also a wife and mom of two children.  That’s the toughest and most important job, but it’s also the most rewarding. Where did your inspiration come from for 18? I was inspired by all kinds of women: women I’ve read about, women I know personally.  My most recent inspirations would be my husband’s grandmother, who recently lost her battle with breast cancer; my always inspiring friend Linda, who has gone through a lot but always manages to come out shining; and my amazing friend Nancy, who just completed the New York Marathon and is training for the 2010 Ironman. Model: Jessica Hall, 18, senior at Floyd Central High School A member of the swim team and National Honor Society, Jessica loves to hang out with friends, work out at the YMCA, read, and shop. “I felt  scared, but excited at the same time when I turned 18.” jessica is wearing: Prairie one shoulder dress, $298, from Blink; silver twisted necklace, $88 and vintage cross necklace, $86, from Summer Eliason; Miss Juli lace leggings, $13, from Body Shop; studded cuff, $50, from Rodeo Drive; Gianni Bini black pumps, $89, from Dillard’s St. Matthews Mall. About the Artist Sissy Watson What is your art? Handcrafted jewelry. When did you start? Started my business, White Tulip Studio, about two years ago. How did you learn it? Mostly self-taught; currently learning metalsmithing to broaden the scope of my work. Full-time or part-time? Retired last year (worked 24 years as a Corporate Controller for a consulting firm) and now designing and making jewelry full-time. My jewelry is sold in various boutiques and galleries in Louisville, Nashville, and Seaside, Fla. Where did your inspiration come from for 18? I was practicing metal sawing and soldering, and I had an idea for mixing circular shapes with straight lines. Then I saw the announcement for the contest, so I put the two together and came up with 18 Earrings.   Model: Aneisha Horne, 18, senior at Louisville Male High School Active in Future Business Leaders of America and Black Achievers organizations, Aneisha enjoys what every teenage girl enjoys: movies, music, friends, and shopping. She is an achiever who at the age of 13 started her own childcare service. She was excited about turning 18 because she could vote. aneisha is wearing: DKNY fur vest, $98, black bead necklace, $28, pewter necklace, $30, square necklace, $35, silver and black necklace, $28, and bow necklace, $30, all from Macy’s; Mossimo long sleeve t-shirt, $9, and black tights, $5, from Target; Coach boots, $348, and Preston & York leather gloves, $90, from Dillard’s St. Matthews Mall. About the Artist Nina Chermak Rosenberg What is your art? I am a fashion designer and fiber artist. I love designing whimsical clothing for kids as well as unique special occasion dresses and accessories for women. I often let the fabric lead the way to the design. When did you start? I’ve had a passion for art from the age of 3 when I began to draw. I designed clothes for my Barbie and baby dolls beginning at age 5 and learned how to sew on a machine at age 10 when I began to fashion my own wardrobe. How did you start? I began my formal art education in college and received my BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design in New York City where I lived and worked in a menswear design studio for the next eight years. Full-time or part-time? I am a freelance fashion/home furnishings designer and work in my home studio. I designed and produced three wedding dresses this past summer. I have spent several seasons at Actors Theatre of Louisville in the costume shop and especially loved working in the crafts department with Shari Cochran on hats and fabulous accessories for several productions. Where did you get your inspiration from for 18? I got my inspiration for my 18 Skirt from a fun holiday handbook called Merry Kitschmas — a great friend of mine presented the book to me when she came across the page called ‘Why do you think they call it a TREE skirt?’— it basically tells us, with tongue in cheek, that there’s no reason the tree should look better than YOU. My friend Kathy knew that I would not only appreciate the humor but would actually want to make the tree skirt to wear! (she was actually a bit afraid I would take the idea literally but at the same time, hoped that I would.) This contest allowed me the opportunity to pull out all the stops and finally try one on for size. I’m all about lush fabrics, sparkle and fine details so it was fun to cut out the giant #18s in pale aqua ultra suede, apply them to the rich charcoal polar fleece (comfier than wool flannel) and outline them in Swarovski crystals and sequins. I saw the button trim at Hancock Fabrics a few weeks ago and was inspired to add an under layer to set it off nicely. The soft cotton flannel pockets finish the piece off in total comfort. I love the idea of twirling in celebration to raise a toast to 18 and beyond (and if you want, outfit your tree for years to come). Model: Kadie Hays, 18, freshman at University of Louisville Staying active in any athletic sport is what Kadie loves to do. She aspires to become a dermatologist and remembers being excited about turning 18 because she became an adult and could do more. Kadie is wearing: INC silver dress, $99, beaded silver bracelet, $32,  from Macy’s; MLLP black cardigan, $88, Jessica Simpson boots, $198, from Dillard’s St. Matthews Mall; black tights, $5, from Target; silver cuff, $60, silver bangles, $35, from Rodeo Drive. About the Artist Mark Needham What is your art? Jewelry, primarily, but in my graphic design business I do illustration, photography, video, and web design. Also some woodworking on occasion. I am an architect, but no longer practice. When did you start? Jewelry, about eight years. The graphic design things, over 25 years. Photography, over 50 years. Woodworking, over 45 years. How did you learn? Jewelry, photography, video, web design: self-taught. Woodworking: junior-high and college. Architecture, illustration, and graphic design: college. Full-time or part-time? I wear many hats, as you can see. I have a graphic design company, GOOD IDEA!, but made jewelry for my wife, Nancy, and was encouraged by many to expand production and exhibit at national art fairs. I’ve been honored to have work at the Smithsonian, Renwick Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Milwaukee Art Museum, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville Science Center, Artisan Center at Berea, and at retailers across the country.  Recent awards include The Cutting Edge Award at the AFB Woodland Park Fair in Lexington and an Award of Excellence at Hot Works in Charlotte. Where did you get your inspiration from for 18? A birthday cake, which I disassembled into its components then put back together from different perspectives similar to a cubist painting. The candle & flame, cake layers and plate are all there making a literal 18. Model: Ellie Mann, 18, senior at Christian Academy of Louisville Not only is Ellie Mann a member of the National Honor Society, but she is also a member of the National Spanish Honor Society. She loves to sing and act. She has been in the movie Clancy and each year acts in the Southeast Christian passion play. She was both excited and sad when turning 18. “Excited because it is a new adventure, sad because a chapter in my life is over and it was a good one!” Ellie is wearing: Request jeans, $59, Love Rocks plaid purple top, $20, Preston & York knit hat, $24, all from Dillard’s St. Matthews Mall; Body Central black jacket, $30, peace ring, $5, guitar ring, $5, skull ring, $5, black stud ring, $5, long pendant necklace $6, pewter earrings, $6, black and silver bracelet, $6, studded bracelet, $6, and zebra bracelet, $6, all from Body Shop, Mall St. Matthews. About the Artist Tina Mackin What is your art? Illustrations and lettering as well as mixed media and watercolor paintings. When did you start? I’ve been creating since childhood; doing cartoons/illustrations in elementary school; mixed media and watercolor for about seven years; illustrations, digital and lettering for about two years. How did you learn? I’m self taught. Full-time or part-time? I’m always creating; I opened SmackinArt Studio on Barret Avenue last November. Where did you get your inspiration from for 18? I researched the meaning of the numbers 1, 8, and 9.