VERONICA WEBB
Host

COCO ROCHA
Host

SUMMER
RAYNE OAKES
Correspondent

ERICA DOMESEK and
CRYSTAL RENN
Correspondents

KELLY
CHOI
Correspondent

In 1983 Veronica Webb left her hometown of Detroit and headed for New York City. She had plans to work in the fashion world, but not as a model. However, while studying at Parsons New School for Design, a makeup artist discovered Veronica and, later that year, photographs taken by Bruce Weber launched her career.

In true supermodel style, Veronica quickly started showing up in top magazines like American, Italian, and British Vogue and American and French ELLE. She also walked the runway, strutting for such names as Chanel, Azzedine Alaia (who taught her French while they lived together in Paris), Commes des Garcon, Calvin Klein, and Victoria's Secret.  The natural beauty inked deals with Nike and Isaac Mizrahi, but Veronica's biggest coup came in 1992,  when she became the first African-American model to sign a cosmetic contract with Revlon.

In 2008, Veronica was photographed by Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue’s “All Black” issue.  Although Veronica has accomplished a lot in the fashion world, her talents extend well beyond modeling. She has made a name for herself as a journalist, writer, and TV personality, working as an editor-at-large at Interview and a monthly columnist for Paper, and writing for Details, Esquire, ELLE, The London Sunday Times, and The New York Times syndicate. The talented essayist shared her personal experiences in her book, Veronica Webb Sight: Adventures in the Big City. She also penned a screenplay, "Ghetto Fabulous," which is in development with producer Lynda Obst.

Veronica's seemingly never-ending skills have taken her on-screen as well. Her major credits include "Jungle Fever," "Malcolm X," "In Too Deep," and "The Big Tease." Her on-camera ease translates to her work as a reporter and host on Fox's "Front Page," Vogue's "Trend Watch," HBO's "Entertainment News," and "Good Morning America.” Most recently, Veronica teamed up with Tim Gunn for the first season of "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style."

Veronica lends her time and celebrity to many causes, including LIFEbeat, one of the music industry's leading organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In recognition for her work with LIFEbeat, she received the Stanley Leadership Award from the Minority Task Force on AIDS. Veronica's commitment to the National Breast Cancer Coalition helped the group acquire the 2 million signatures necessary for getting breast cancer declared a national health epidemic. The model also gives her time to RPM Nautical Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the latest technology to explore the ocean and nautical archaeology.

When Veronica's not posing, writing, or reporting, she's in Florida playing the role of wife and mother. In 2002, she married George E. Robb Jr., the father of their two daughters, Leila and Molly.

As a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Coco Rocha never expected to become one of modeling’s brightest stars. Her career began when she was spotted by a modeling scout at an Irish dancing competition. Soon after, a meeting with world-renowned photographer Steven Meisel would lead to the cover of the March 2006 issue of Vogue Italia, and there began her meteoric rise into fashion.  She quickly began appearing on the runways for Marc Jacobs, Versace, Prada, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Anna Sui, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Balenciaga and countless others and ignited a firestorm in the fashion industry when she opened and closed the Fall 2007 Jean Paul Gaultier show by performing an Irish dance down the runway.

Fashion editors and photographers were immediately impressed by her instinctive ability to capture the essence of the editorial stories she was shooting, a talent that can be attributed to her background as a dancer.

In her short career, she has worked with leading photographers in the industry including Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Arthur Elgort, Nathaniel Goldberg, Mikael Jansson, Greg Kadel, Steven Klein, Annie Leibowitz, Peter Lindbergh, Craig McDean, Nick Night, David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, Solve Sundsbo, Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Her advertising campaigns include Christian Dior, Chanel, YSL Beaute, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, The Gap, PHI, and Nicole Farhi. Coco was also very proud to represent YSL as the face of their fragrance ELLE.

In addition to her advertising and runway work, Coco is frequently featured in the pages of top fashion magazines around the world including the many editions of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Numero and V and has graced the covers of: Vogue (US, Italia, Nippon, Korea, Spanish, Mexico, Latin America and Brazil), Numero (Paris, Korea), ID, Dazed & Confused (British, Japan), Elle (Canada), French, Muse and Time Style & Design. She was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier for the exclusive 2008 Pirelli calendar and participated in the Visionaire 54 Sport project, where her portrait, painted by Richard Philips, was recreated into a “wearable art” polo shirt. In December 2008, Rootstein unveiled a “Coco” mannequin that will be used in various exhibits in Europe and Asia to promote the launch of the book. In October 2009, Coco signed on as the spokesperson for Rimmel and will be appearing in the 2010 ad campaigns.

A resident of New York City, Coco spends her free time with her family, volunteering for charities such as the Children’s Aid Society and Irish dancing.

Summer Rayne Oakes has bugs in her bedroom. And she likes it.

The environmental-activist is not your typical model, and having raised over two hundred exotic insects in her home is just the start of her efforts to save the ecosystem.

Summer Rayne is a graduate of Cornell University with degrees in sewage sludge and bugs (also known as Environmental Science and Entomology) and is the author of bestselling style guide Style, Naturally (Chronicle, 2009). She is credited with trailblazing a new paradigm in the fashion world as “The World’s First Eco-Model,” aligning her environmental background with the fashion industry. While working exclusively with environmentally-conscious companies, projects and programs, her values-based modeling for which she is largely recognized is what makes her unlike any of her model counterparts.

Oakes stays busy on and off set, working as both a spokesperson and sustainability strategist for companies which include the Discovery Network, Payless ShoeSource’s zoe&zac line, and Portico Home. In March 2010 she launches her own company called S4 Style, a business to business online marketplace that allows fashion and interior designers to search, compare, and purchase more sustainable materials from around the world.

Summer Rayne is also involved in a number of charitable organizations from Rainforest Conservation to the Youth Climate Change Movement. She helps run nearly two dozen reforestation and sustainable development initiatives in Mozambique through the Mezimbite Forest Centre. Oakes has spoken across the world on issues ranging from sustainable development and fair trade to green jobs and youth action.

Oakes has modeled for fashion brands Levi Strauss & Co., Tommy Hilfiger, REPLAY and Nicole Miller and appeared in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour and Allure. Vanity Fair has named Oakes a "Global Citizen," Outside called her one of the "Top Environmental Activists," and Glamour anointed her one of "70 Women of Green.”

Summer Rayne Oakes currently resides in Brooklyn and can likely be found in the local park walking one of her millipedes.

On PS I Made This, lifestyle expert Erica Domesek and model Crystal Renn show viewers how to make thier own garments and accessories at home.  Keep reading for a little more about each host.

Erica Domesek
Erica Domesek is a distinguished lifestyle, design and style expert, living and
creating in New York City.  As the founder of the innovative Designer DIY brand “ PS-I Made This…”,

As the founder of the innovative Designer DIY brand “ PS-I Made This…”, Erica’s creative motto: “I see it, I like it, I make it" reflects the belief that one can find inspiration anywhere and transform what one sees into something fabulous to wear, use, or admire.  Erica's work has been featured in publications such as Teen Vogue, Glamour,Vogue Nippon, Domino, GQ, Cosmopolitan among others.

She has styled and designed campaigns and store front windows for International brands such as Kate Spade, Tumi, Anthropologie, Madewell,Roxy, Quiksilver, Sigerson Morrison, and True Religion.

Erica is the host for Alloy Entertainment's Teen.com TV Craft Club and was recently the spokesperson for Sharpie during NY Fashion Week.

Crystal Renn
Crystal Renn began her pursuit of modeling as a young and impressionable teen.  After consulting with a modeling scout, she was advised that she must lose 10-inches from her hips.  Filled with determination to succeed, Renn embarked on a weight loss regime that nearly cost her life.  Throughout the next three years, Renn dropped nearly 90 pounds and despite her dwindling health, was often praised by her agency for her waif-like frame.  Despite the positive attention from her peers, Renn wasn’t satisfied with her body or the state of her career.  Fueled by an epiphany in the summer of 2003, Renn decided to make a dramatic change and regain control of her life.  For the first time in years, Renn allowed herself to eat.

Shortly thereafter in July 2003, Renn met with Gary Dakin of Ford Models to learn more about plus-size modeling.  Finally prepared to leave behind fasting and excessive exercise, Renn signed with Ford Models and began work in the 12+ division.  Her success came almost immediately, and soon Renn was working with the industry’s top photographers, including Steven Meisel, Ellen Von Unwerth and Patrick Demarchelier.  Throughout 2004 and 2005, Renn appeared in Italian, American, and French Vogue, as well as Above Magazine, iD, and Elle.  She gave heartfelt interviews to Teen Vogue and Glamour (amongst others) detailing her struggles and ultimate successes in the industry. 

In September 2005, Renn extended her career to the runway, as she was personally requested by Jean Paul Gaultier to close his Spring/Summer runway show in Paris.  To date, Renn has appeared in more than seven international issues of Vogue, as well as starring in a two-page campaign for Dolce & Gabbana.  Additionally, she has appeared as the face of Mango alongside Penolope Cruz, shot with Ruven Afanador for the Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and most recently, been featured on the covers of Italian Elle, Russsian Harpers Bazaar, French, and Sleek.  Her upcoming editorial includes American Glamour, Sleek Magazine, Italian Vanity Fair and Canadian Elle.

Renn currently resides in Brooklyn, New. As well as her ongoing presence in the top-rated fashion magazines, Renn has also conducted on-air interviews on The Today Show, The View, and Oprah.  Eager to continue to tell the world her story, Renn has penned a book with Simon & Schuster appropriately titled ‘Hungry’ that was released in September 2009.

Kelly Choi is an acclaimed food journalist and creator, producer and host of NYC life's weekly restaurant show Eat Out NY. A former model, Choi recently finished her first book The 20 Most Delicious Dishes in New York, which is set to hit stores in spring of 2009.

As producer and host of Eat Out NY, Choi chooses every restaurant featured on the program, then ventures to the back of the house – the kitchen – to prepare a dish with the chef. She is also host of the nationally syndicated and Emmy award-winning Secrets of New York, a weekly show that reveals little-known facts and mysteries about Manhattan. Topics include secrets of the city's subway system, skyscrapers, sewers, and even jails.  Choi has been a judge on Iron Chef America, and has received multiple Emmy nominations from the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her work on NYC life.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Choi won the Elite Modeling Agency’s “Look of the Year” contest, and has been voted as "One of the Sexiest New Yorkers" by the New York Post. She has a Masters degree in magazine writing from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.