Meet the Cover Models

Monday, 10 May 2010 12:53

Do you want get to know our May cover model finalists a little bit better? Find out more about their fashion sense and also what they love about their classic Gainesville photoshoot locations.

By Stephanie Granada

Rachel

Rachel Calderon is a Gator gal through and through. She showed up to the shoot with Gator blue toenails and a personality for miles. Her sunny disposition was the perfect match for a day at the McKethan Stadium at Perry Field.

"Sitting in the dugout and posing on the field was a dream come true," she says. This graduating University of Florida anthropology student found herself quickly at ease, handling the equipment and the field like a pro. With Rachel's megawatt smile and all-American charm, we scoured local shops to create a look that was equal parts Farrah Fawcett and Rosie the Riveter.

Rachel shows off feminine, breezy shapes in soft colors, perfect for Gainesville's hot summer. To spice up any outfit, Rachel likes to throw on a "bangin' pair of heels" and a smile. She pushed her boundaries by wearing a romper as one of her looks. "I might be a new lover of rompers now," she says. Go online to see behind-the-scenes videos and pics from the shoot!

Chris

Chris Coleman, 21, comes from a long line of Gator graduates. "UF was really the natural and only choice for me," he says. A telecom production student, he splits his days between school and his job as music director at ROCK 104. With his involvement in the Gator lifestyle, Chris knows a thing or two about having fun in Gainesville. "Lake Wauburg is an excellent location for people to have a good time," he says. Between the canoeing, man-made beach and open space, the lake offers plenty of opportunities for diverse fun, he promises.

Chris jokes that his favorite part of the shoot was the weather. His shoot at Lake Wauburg coincided with one of the biggest storms we've seen this summer. But his laid-bak, adventurous attitude made the experience unmatchable. "The shoot was carefree, but put together," he says. "The feel was accentuated by the rain," he says.

Chris describes his personal style as casual and slightly schizophrenic. "I'll go from preppy to punk to just whatever is comfortable and everything in between," he says. We highlighted Chris' rockin' body with tailored shapes, and unbuttoned and unzipped tops. "Many of the looks had me thinking about buying the clothes once the shoot was over," he says. Never one to pass up a shirtless day in the sun, this summer you can find Chris lounging at Gainesville pool parties.

Alex

Alexandra Girardot gets her exotic looks from her mixed heritage of Colombian and French roots. This 19-year-old brainy beauty is a biology student at the University of Florida, working on a pre-med track. She is surprised by how much support and feedback her friends gave her for the contest. "I even had a friend write a song about me for the contest," she says. "How cool is that?"

As for her favorite part of the experience? She points to the shoot location. "People are so used to doing the ordinary here in town, go out, lay out, study, repeat," she says. "I feel like the garden is something that's cheap but also really unique."

With Alex's natural beauty, we wanted to create an ethereal and whimsical look for her. We pulled looks that were breezy and sexy and completely summer. Her favorite look was the one-shoulder mini she wore in the garden, while playing with the butterflies. She describes her style as colorful and flirty, and says that bargain shopping is the only way to go. "Nothing is more rewarding that finding BCBG dresses and Bebe tops at discount stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx for half the price," she says.

See all the pictures from their beautiful photoshoots at historical Gainesville hot spots, and discover where other fellow Gainesville-ers are going this summer on our poll.