Rosie Vela
Rosie Vela was born Roseanne Vela in Galveston Texas on November 11, 1954.
Vela’s family later moved to Arkansas, where she attended the University of Arkansas. Whilst studying art and music, Vela also began modeling. She married the Arkansas born musician, Jimmy Roberts, but he died of cancer shortly after. Following this, Vela moved to New York where her modeling career took off. She is inarguably one of the supermodels of all time, and graced the covers and pages of various magazines from the 1970s onwards: Vogue, New Woman, Glamour, Living Fit, Ultra, Town & Country, Woman’s Day, New York. She appeared in numerous cosmetic advertisements for Revlon, Coty, Max Factor, Elizabeth Arden, Avon; print ads for: Gianni Versace, Valentino, Gloria Vanderbilt, Napier, Halston and many television commercials.
At the height of her career she was in a relationship with the artist Peter Max. Max hand painted a hat she wore in a Vogue spread in the mid seventies for the issue.
Turning her attention to music, Vela built a home recording studio for herself and signed a recording contract with A&M Records. She released her debut album in 1986. The entire album was written or co-written by Vela, and was produced by Gary Katz.
It is also notable for the fact that it included contributions from both Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (two of Vela’s musical heroes) – five years after they had disbanded their group Steely Dan. Though the album went largely unnoticed in the U.S., it fared better in Europe and a single from the album, “Magic Smile”, was a Top 30 hit in the UK Singles Chart. The album itself peaked at #20 in the UK Albums Chart, and was certified silver by the BPI in March 1987. Further singles, “Interlude” and “Fool’s Paradise” met with less success.
Following Zazu, Vela did not release any further recordings, but has since become a backing vocalist for other musicians: including ELO on their 2001 album; Zoom. Vela also toured with the band, and was (for a time) in a relationship with ELO’s then frontman Jeff Lynne.
Vela has also appeared in several films, including Heavens Gate, The Two Jakes, and co-starred in Inside Edge opposite Michael Madsen.
kind of FABULOUS especially as i worked on most of the photographs haha
Okay, Harry, but please don’t be miffed! The images came mostly from fans-it wasn’t me taking them!
They sent me thousands, and when I said she was one of my favorites-it poured Rosie images!
xoxo
HARRY! HOW CAN I CREDIT YOU?
Is Rosie naturally curly-haired? Not that it matters, she lovely!
Yes. Her hair was often straightened for editorial, but when I worked with her for all the Bride bookings, and we did our own hair, it was always curly, and she would scrunch it to make it curlier. Believe me-she has the most gorgeous hair! Really soft and shiny. Beautiful color too. I always thought she looked like a princess.
I had just moved from London to NY, didn’t know anyone really, worked at Cinandre a top salon on 57th st. One of my first jobs editorial was for Glamour magazine and my models were Patti Hansen and Rosie Vela, one of her first jobs, I thought Wow, this girl is fabulous and if we were in London I could make her a star haha! Fast forward a month or so, I’m working for Vogue a lot now, during a lunch break at Scavullo’s Rosie shows up on a go see, I say to Francesco and Polly Mellon that she was amazing and I had just worked with her, Scavullo comes downstairs, takes Rosie on the set and takes some pics and that was that. A couple of weeks later she and I worked with Irving Penn for Vogue…….
I love that story Harry, and always loved Rosie. Your Vogue spread with the “heartbreakers” is another favorite!
I remember seeing Rosie in Glamour magazine and wondering why such a beautiful model was not in Vogue. Few months later, there she was on the August 1975 cover. To this day, that cover and her April 1976 cover are two of my all time favorite Vogue covers.
Rosie is also a favorite of mine and she was since long before I started modeling. Her look reminds me of a princess; her delicate features, dainty body and golden locks are etherial.
I love the story Harry tells about Rosie on the go see at Scavullos studio. I wonder if Waye Bandy was doing makeup that day. In 1975 when Rosie first started I was only 14 yrs old but I do remember drawing her face in the late 70s from magazine pages. Was she in the movie “The Eyes of Laura Mars” starring Faye Dunnaway? I think Sean Casey was also in that movie. I do remember when Rosi came out with her album, she has a nice voice. I also saw Janice Dickenson launch her pop single that she performed at Studio 54 in 1982, does anybody out there remember that? She forgot the words to the song! Lol
I’m pretty sure Way was a constant at Scavullo’s studio. He loved working with Way and Harry together, especially on the Cosmo covers.
Rene wasn’t in “Eyes of Laura Mars.” Maybe you’re thinking of Anna Anderson? Lisa Taylor and Darlanne Fluegel were also in it, as were John Sahag and Joey Mills.
I never heard that story about Janice; you must have a lot of stories to share too, thanks!
Oh it was hysterical! I went to Studio 54 with Julie Wolfe, I did her makeup that night, we met Sheila Johnson there. I remember seeing Christie Brinkley sitting upstairs in the theater seats. Janice came on around midnite in a hot pink spandex outfit with big hair and hot pink lipstick. I wish I could remember the song! I wonder if she even does lol. Anyway..half way through she forgets the words and just starts puckering her lips and blowing kisses out to the audience. Some drunk boooed her and she stuck her middle finger up! Very Janice right? It was so embarrassing. Interesting though because her performance and styling was very Madonna like and this was before Madonna was even out yet. Her earlier look and songs were very much like the way Janice appeared that night. I wonder if Madonna was there? You know, I bet if I really look in my old memorabilia I’d find that invitation for Janices debut at Studio 54.
I always say I think it’s great that Janice was able to market her own persona, and was quite successful at it. Her books and reality shows alone must have earned her millions-good for Janice; nothing defeats her!
Yes Eva, hats off to Janice and she has another reality show coming up. I did her makeup once for a Micheal Volbract show in 1980. Such beautiful vibrant colors hand painted on fabric. She looked breathtaking and told me no one has ever given her such amazing arches on her brows lol. It was just when bushy brows became in style. I’ve never done Rosies brows though. I used to draw her face from magazine covers, and yours as well when I was a young art student. I’ve got to look for all these keepsakes!
Oh, I didn’t know that Janice has another reality show coming out. What’s her new show about?
Do you have a website of your work? I’d love to see your make up, and I’d be happy to post your work on the fan pages if you want me to. I want to see your keepsakes too!
She has a show coming up that’s kind of like The Bacherlorette. Its these young handsome studs that all compete for Janices heart. I’m sure its goin to be very entertaining! My website is http://www.stephenkeyesnyc.com. Thank You! That would be great if you could post it, I can send you some samples from my line if you’d like… I have just the colors for you! I can also scan some of my old drawings and swipes which I treasure and send you those as well. I’m loving this site btw! I will tell friends from back in the day and I’m sure they’ll love it too. Thanks Again, Stephen
For the first time ever I find myself jealous of Janice! I posted your link yesterday, but I don’t know if you saw it-things get buried quickly.
If you send me your email through contact I can cover the rest of the things I want to tell you. Thanks Stephen!