DAY FOURTEEN: ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Whenever I travel to Atlanta, it makes me feel a little bit like Rhett Butler from "Gone With the Wind". And, why not? This city is steeped in history, which goes back to Revolutionary times. Just look at the picture. That is the Stone Mountain, a monument chiseled in the face of a mountain...just like Mt. Rushmore. Only the sculpture here depicts the advance of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Atlanta.

The people of Atlanta, too, are like those of any other big, fashion-conscious city. We were welcomed the minute our 747 arrived at Atlanta International. But, we didn't realize just how welcomed. Undoubtedly, Ms. Versace is well-known here. As a matter of fact, her family has a store located in the ritzy downtown area.

DAY THIRTEEN: WASHINGTON, D.C.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Just a little less than 200 miles south of where we were yesterday is the city which governs our country. Washington is filled with history dating all the way back to the beginning of the United States...and the wars which our forefathers fought to gain our freedom from England and to remain free.

Of all the fashion-conscious people in our nation's capitol, there is none more so than the First Lady, Michelle Obama. She sat at the forefront of the audience as each of us walked down the runway in the 2 p.m. show, admiring each fashion that passed her very carefully. After the afternoon, Mrs. Obama came backstage and met each one of us, explaining how she admired how each of us walked up and down the runway under such stressful conditions.

To tell you the truth...I've been wondering the same exact thing ever since I started modeling when I was 15.

When it came time to go to dinner, we each asked one another the same question: How have each of us been able to work under stress? One by one, each of us answered the question truthfully. I believe the one who had the most truthful answer would have been Carmen. After all, being the oldest among us, she had been doing this kind of work non-stop since 1946...65 years---way longer than any of us kids have been around.

The main question answered, we returned to the theatre to prepare ourselves for the 8 p.m. show. By now, after almost two weeks, we had the routine down pat. And we still had two months to go. When we had finished the show...and Ms. Versace took orders for whatever designs were chosen...we returned to our suites aboard the 747 and readied ourselves for a good night's sleep. We had two more cities...maybe one or two more...before we left the United States and started our trek south into Latin America.

DAY TWELVE: NEW YORK, NEW YORK



Monday, December 12, 2011.

Here I am...back to where it all started. My life and my hopes for the future. It was in the back seat of a cab on one of these crowded streets of midtown Manhattan that my brother and I were born. And it was here, eighteen years later, that I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to start my career as an actor, singer and dancer.

But, I have to put that on hold for now. I'm here to do some high-class modeling...because that was what I was originally built for. I hadn't been back in New York since before 9/11...so a lot has changed since then.

After we did the 2 p.m. show, Evandro and I hopped into a cab and took a journey down to the former sight of the World Trade Center and found that the new WTC was already half-completed. We couldn't believe how fast builders were working...two twelve-hour shifts working seven days a week...just to get the vacant spots re-occupied.

I can tell you this...just doing one two-and-a-half hour show can take a lot out of a guy. So you can imagine how much more tired each of us are after eleven p.m. When we get back to the 747, all we can think of is getting changed into either our pajamas or nightgowns...or whatever suits us. Me? I prefer sleeping in my boxer briefs...a very fashionable pair, just in case Ms. Versace wants to have a picture taken of me while I'm asleep. But, so far...nothing of the sort.

Well...on to D.C.

DAY ELEVEN: A DAY OF REST IN MONTREAL

Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Another day of rest before we have to go back to work.

Oh, well...might as well get some shopping in while I can. I remembered from the last time I was here in Montreal about a beautiful five-story mall. I got the other guys (and gals) together and, wallets in our pockets and lists in our hands, we headed off to the mall.

Evandro went into a store to purchase a designer dress for his mother for Christmas. Where do you think he went to?

Versace!

Me? I only spent a fraction of the time in Versace, getting a beautiful evening gown and a pair of shoes for Jen. When we go to the next Academy Awards show, I have no doubt that she'll floor everybody looking on when they see her. The rest of the time was spent in stores picking up things (clothing, toys, etc.) for all the kids. When the cashier asked me whether I wanted to send them home in time for the holidays, I immediately nodded my head. My total bill for the day's shopping excursion? Fifty-seven hundred dollars! And that didn't include the gift-wrapping, shipping and handling charges!!! All in all, I was looking at a real whopping total of seventy-eight hundred dollars!

But, I didn't care...even when Evandro and the other male models stared open-mouthed as I took out my MasterCard and charged it all. On the way back to the Versace jet, Evandro asked me how I could afford all that stuff on my MasterCard. I told him that the secret to excellent credit is to pay on time and not to use your card too much. When you follow both of those steps, the credit companies give you higher and higher balances on your credit. I only use my card when I haven't got the green stuff available in the right amount.

Another good thing about the shopping excursion...I didn't have to carry anything back to the jet.

DAY TEN: MONTREAL, QUEBEC

Saturday, December 10, 2011.

Here we are...north of the border...in Montreal.

The people here are more fashion-conscious about what clothing to wear and when. So, they really appreciated it when Donatella Versace brought her spring/summer collection here. Even though the high temperature today was a blustering thirty-seven degrees (in certain spots), the buyers wanted to see what Ms. Versace and her models had to offer.

As usual, Ms. Versace asked the audience to pick out the oldest male model. The way we all looked, most of the buyers found it a trite difficult to pick me out. Only one person actually hovered over me for a few minutes...before telling Ms. Versace that he thought Evandro Soldati was the oldest. We all had our ages written on a 12"x12" card...so when Ms. Versace told us to turn the cards around, everyone was surprised when my card showed the number "40" upon it. To say the least...all the buyers were floored when the truth was revealed. I, of course, exulted in the tension when I turned my card around very slowly and revealed the dark "40".

The buyers couldn't believe that I was the oldest male model on the runway...especially when one said that I looked half my age...which I thought was the greatest compliment that I could ever receive. I've always taken pride in my body and the good fortune that I was blessed with perfect skin, teeth...and muscles. But, I also have the fact that I know just what to put inside my body to thank.

We all laughed about the day's events and the finales when we got back to the 747. I have to let Jen know about what happened...and, since tomorrow is Sunday, ask her if there's anything she wants me to pick up in some of the stores.

DAY NINE: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Friday, December 9, 2011.

The sign above really says it all about where we are today. Philadelphia...the city of brotherly love.

Just like Minneapolis-St. Paul, the people who come to the fashion shows wonder why we're all wearing light fabric clothing, shorts and swimsuits when there's snow on the ground. It's all for the same reason: to show them what's going to be in style when the temperature goes up, up, up!

DAY EIGHT: MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL, WISCONSIN

Thursday, December 8, 2011.

Here we are, in Minneapolis...or is it her twin city, St. Paul? I always get one confused with the other. I guess that's why they're always referred together as Minneapolis-St. Paul.

These cities aren't too fashion-conscious...especially when there's snow on the ground and the mercury in the thermometers show 30 degrees and we're walking down the runways wearing light cotton slacks, shirts, blouses, dresses and shorts! The people here are more interested in staying bundled up and warm. And they're wondering why models are showing off spring and summer clothing.

The answer is simple: we're interested in showing them what is going to be in when the temperature starts going up into the sixties, seventies, eighties...and nineties. That's why we're showing off these fashions.

The main question is: How many people in these cities can actually afford to purchase authenic Versace fashions?

You take one look at swimwear in winter. Who wouldn't be dreaming about summer, when they can shed the heavy stuff and show as much skin as they can? That's why I can't wait until the campaign takes us to South America in a little more than a week...where it's now late spring. And when the twenty-second comes, it'll be winter here...but summer down there.

When I told Ilya and Pooka about this, they posed a very funny question to me which I had never pondered before...does Santa Claus wear shorts when he delivers toys where Christmas is in summer? I don't know...but that's a question I've always asked myself!

Well, I'll tell them that I'll let them know the minute I find out.

DAY SEVEN: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Wednesday, December 7, 2011.

Here we are, in Chicago...Chi-town...the "Windy City". And, boy, is that last name really accurate! Just the short trips from the 747 to the stretch limo and the limo to the theatre mussed up everyone's hair that we kept the hairstylists busy backstage, delaying the start of the shows by a half-hour.

But, what a pair of shows they were!

We really gave the audiences their money's worth. We put our all into every move we made up and down the runways. Normally, when we walked down the runway, we had such blank looks on our faces...but not today. This day, we had broad smiles on our faces...even grins. All we thought about was pleasing the customers who came to view the designer line we had to offer.

That is...all but me. Today was my little baby's first birthday...and I couldn't wait to get back to the 747 and check on my laptop to see whether my presents got to Malibu in time for the big event.

As soon as the show was over...at 4:30...I rushed to the limo and waited (rather impatiently, I might add) to make the trip to the private airfield. When we finally got there, I hurried up the steps of the 747 and made my way to my suite. I sat down, turned on my laptop and got connected with Skype, turning my camera on.

At first, I was a little disappointed when the screen came back dark. Then, I checked my watch. I just remembered...if it was 4:45 here in Chicago, then it was two hours' earlier in L.A.. That meant that Jen was still at work at the dojo in Hollywood and wouldn't be home with the younger kids until another two hours. I smacked my palms down onto my thighs and mumbled. How could I be so stupid to forget the time difference?

I was just about to close my laptop when suddenly the screen came alive and beeped...a sign that someone was on the other end.

"Hey, baby", came Jen's cheery voice as her face came into view. "How's the weather in Chicago?"

"Cold", I replied, with a smile on my face. Then, glancing over my shoulder, I continued. "Wait a minute! There's somebody I want you to meet!"

I went out of view for just a moment...then returned and expanded the picture on my laptop to full screen. Jen went wide-eyed when she saw who I brought back with me.

"Sweetheart, I want you to meet..." was all I could get out.

"Carmen!" she replied.

I sat there, slack-jawed.

"You know her?" I asked.

"Anybody who reads fashion magazines like I do knows the great Carmen Dell'Orefice, Sasha!"

"Your husband's told me so much about you and your family", Ms. Dell'Orefice told Jen. "I feel as if I've known you for years. You should be pleased to know that, so far, your husband's fooled people at almost every show".

"How do you mean?"

"No one was able to guess who the oldest male model was...except at this afternoon's show. One of the spectators pointed to your husband. When Donatella asked how she knew, the spectator replied that she knows about the maturity of leg muscles...and that Sasha's seemed more mature than the others". All three of us laughed at the remark. Suddenly, Ms. Dell'Orefice looked at me. "You two seem to have something to discuss privately...so I'll be on my way to my suite. I'll see you later for tonight's show. Pleased to meet you, Jennifer".

Then, she was gone. I was still watching where she exited when Jen looked at me.

"Tati loved your present", she said.

My reverie broken, I turned to look at Jen's image.

"What?"

"The dress you bought and sent from Portland to be here this morning", Jen remarked. "I dressed her in it...and she looks beautiful! Do you know that the moment she saw the box, she said "Daddy!". She knew exactly who sent it".

"Well, I'd be a fool to forget any of my kids' birthdays! After all, I was there at every delivery...wasn't I? What about the other present? I sent a second box from Portland".

"Oh, yes...the doll. She loves it, too. She hasn't let go of it since she got it. She takes it everywhere...even daycare".

"I'm glad". I looked up at the clock which hung on the wall. "I have to take a rest, darling. I'll call you tomorrow".

Together, we kissed our hands and pressed them against the screens of our laptops. As I turned off my laptop, I smiled. And that smile was still upon my face as I stretched out on my bed and fell asleep.

At that night's show, that smile was still etched there.

DAY SIX: DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

I've been to Dallas before...but never had I seen it as colorful as I had when I took this picture.

The temperature when I woke up was...45 degrees! What was that I wrote yesterday about getting down to warmer climes? I've always seen the weather reports from my home in Malibu and noticed that Dallas was well over 100 degrees...in the summer! But, this is early December. Never had I dreamt that it would ever get this cold in the middle of Texas.

Well, at least the theatre where we performed our shows was warm...much more toasty than it was in Seattle. When we got back to the protective warmth of the 747, I bundled up and smiled contentedly that I was getting warm. During both shows, I felt I could conquer the world...even dressed as scantily as I was for the season.

DAY FIVE: WELCOME TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON!

Monday, December 5, 2011.

Our next destination: Seatlle, Washington.

I really don't mind saying this...but the farther north we go, the more I hate the temperature. I've always hated the cold. Ever since I was a boy in New York. From mid-October to mid-March, whenever I had to go to wait at the bus stop for the relatively short trip to the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts, I would sit heavily bundled against the brisk wind. But, even though I was well-protected, the wind still reached my body. When I got to the school and peeled off my heavy coat, jacket and sweater, it would still take me anywhere between ten to twenty minutes before my body would stop shivering so I could begin my studies.

Well, today is no exception. When I woke up, it was a bone-chilling 37 degrees. The sun was just skimming the top of the mountains to the east and there I was...exiting the 747, wearing my running shorts, sneakers and a sweater to run around the private airfield for my usual hour. Every time I got hit by a chilly breeze, I turned to look at the jet and glancing at my watch, wishing that the hour was already up. But, this had become a daily ritual for me...rising with or before the sun, putting on my shorts, stepping into a pair of sneakers or rollerblades and getting my daily exercise. I've never let one day go without either running, jogging or skating to keep myself in tip-top condition.

When it came time to leave for the theatre for our 2 p.m. show, the temperature rose to 52 degrees, with a north wind blowing at 20mph. Brrrrrr! And, when you're modeling shorts and swim suits, you can't wear thermal underwear...you'd have the imprint of the ribbing on your legs all day long. And there's nothing so unattractive as that.

I knew the feeling so well. Back in '97, I had contracted with the late Princess Diana to do "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for six months in London from October to March 1998. The daily highs all through the six months was 50 to 60 degrees. And at night...when I had to walk between my hotel and the theatre...it was even worse. After dark, the temperature dipped down into the 40s and, sometimes, the 30s. Still, because of my costume (which revealed my bare arms and legs), I couldn't wear thermal underwear. Not only did I have to grin and bear the short walk before and after each performance, but the temperature in the theatre was no better. I had to control my urge to shiver through all nine shows each week. That meant I had to hear my own teeth chattering nine times a week...36 times a month...216 times throughout the complete six-month run! All the time I kept asking myself..."Haven't the Brits ever heard of central heating?" Apparently not! But, I made a deal with the late Princess of Wales to make a go with it...and I wasn't one to welch on a deal.

I went through both shows today, resisting the urge to knock my knees as I walked up and down the runway in the light slacks, shorts and swim suits. All through the day, I dreamed of when we will get ourselves back to warmer climes. And all through the night, too.

DAY FOUR: SHOPPING DAY!

Sunday, December 4, 2011.

Today is Rest Day One. No self-respecting designer showcases his, or her, designs on a Sunday. So, I guess that leaves us free to do a little buying of our own.

I found this little toddler's store in downtown Portland...just a short walk from the private airport where Ms. Versace's 747 is parked. Before I left with some other models (both male and female), we were warned by Ms. Versace not to forget to be back at the airfield well before 5 p.m. You see, that's when the security closes the gates and goes home for the night.

We kept our promise to Ms. Versace. We were back onboard the jet before closing time. I immediately went straight to my suite, turned on my laptop and started coversing with my wife and kids. I picked up the two dresses and jeans which I purchased for Tatiana and showed them to Jen. I told her that I was going to package them and send them out as soon as we land in Seattle tomorrow. I sure hope they arrive in Malibu well before the 7th. Otherwise, I'll be in deep doo-doo with both Jen and Tatiana. But, heck...I'm sending it out by FedEx two-day delivery. So it  should be at the house in time for Tatiana's big day.

DAY THREE: PORTLAND, OREGON

Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Here we are. in Portland, Oregon. No matter where you are in Portland, just look in the direction of the Cascades...and you'll catch a glimpse of Mount Hood, a dormant volcano...and sister to her more eruptive relative in Washington, Mount St. Helens. At least, this mountain hasn't shown any signs of blowing her top...or her northern face.

This is also the sight to which we had woken up to from our suites onboard Ms. Versace's personal 747. Being Saturday, there will be time to visit some of the stores in the heart of Multnomah County, which, I've been told, has some of the most glamorous and fashionable stores north of Rodeo Drive. And, since the stores are opened tomorrow (and since I also have the clothing size of my wife), I shall be able to purchase a dress for her for the holidays. And since dresses are far less expensive than the present I got her last December (and which she did not accept), I know she would appreciate this gift a whole lot better. As for Tatiana...I have yet to find a place which sells suitable gifts for a one-year-old girl. I still regret that I won't be home to help her celebrate her first birthday this coming Wednesday. Of all my children, I guess I miss her most of all at a time like this.

The temperature outside is a bone-chilling 43 degrees. During the 2 p.m. show, it's expected to climb up to the mid-50s. By 8 p.m., the thermometer's expected to drop down to the upper 30s. And, before dawn tomorrow, the weatherman says the low will be 32 degrees. Boy, I can't wait to get back to where the temperature suits my clothes...meaning the mid-60s to mid-70s. But, I guess I'm just dreaming for now. The nearest I'm going to get to being in that kind of temperature will be the middle of the month, when we visit Mexico City and then South America (where summer starts on the 22nd).

I still can't get used to the fact that late fall and early winter is the time when designers show off their shorts and swim suits. I mean, I've been modeling for 25 years and I still can't over the seasonal differences. Spring and summer designs are shown when there's snow on the ground...and fall and winter designs when it's blistering outside. Oh, well...que sera!

Got to get to the theatre early today. We have to make certain that the A/C is not on and, when we have to have make-up applied (for those of us who require it), it won't run during the two-and-a-half hours we're onstage. All that quick changing and strolling up and down the runway under those hot lights can really do some damage if everything's not as it should be. Lucky me...I have the kind of complexion that doesn't require make-up. Well, maybe a little rouge to highlight my lips. Then, there's the puffing-up of my hair. Ms. Versace wants to make certain that everything looks perfect.

DAY TWO: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Friday, December 2, 2011.

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but me...I left mine back in Malibu with my wife and six kids. Next Wednesday is my youngest daughter's first birthday...and I regret that I won't be home to help her celebrate. But, I'm planning on timing everything just perfectly. I intend to have Jen bring her laptop to the party table so, when we activate both of our computers, Tatiana will be able to see and hear me. I just hope all the other models don't think I'm being sappy. With the exception of Ms. Dell'Orefice (who I know has a couple of kids), most of the other models are unattached.

I am totally exhausted. Two two-and-a-half hour shows a day. I only hope I can survive this campaign. After all, I hadn't done a campaign since before I was married...twelve-and-a-half years ago. But, tonight...when I board that private 747...I intend to sleep like a baby.

DAY ONE: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Thursday, December 1, 2011.

This is the first day of my two-and-a-half month campaign working for Donatella Versace, displaying, with nine other male models and ten female models, Ms. Versace's line for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

Two shows...one at 2 p.m. and a second at 8 p.m....at both shows wearing the same clothing over and over again.

Of all the male models working on this campaign, I am the oldest at forty. The next one nearer to my age is 30. Of all the female models, Carmen Dell'Orefice (above) is the oldest at 80. But, to tell you the truth, she doesn't look anywhere near that. Her skin is flawless and smooth, without blemishes or wrinkles. Whereas women her age have hands with protruding tendons, veins and age spots, she is perfect. She has no sign of osteoporosis...no dowager's hump or hunched lower spine. She has no sign of vericose veins. Her mind, too, is in 100% health. She is amazing! I only hope I look as good in another forty years!

During the next two-and-a-months, all twenty of us will be housed in ten two-bed suites on a totally refurbished Boeing 747. That way, we can either sleep while we fly...or fly and look out the windows.

Tonight, though, I will sleep my final night in my own bed at my own beach house. Tomorrow, Ms. Versace will be sending her private limousine to pick me up and bring me to LAX for our first leg of the journey...San Francisco.

I will be taking my laptop computer with me. Since it is equipped with both Skype and a camera, I will be able to see and speak with Jen and the kids, since I won't be with them for the holidays. I'll also be able to keep my cousin in Florida totally abreast of each day's proceedings. BTW, if the dates of the first three entries seem to match, it's because I haven't been able to send my cousin each one as quickly as I had wished. But, knowing him, I have a feeling he will get everything straightened out.