Working models
Rochester's supermodel-turned aspiring actress talks about modeling, movies, and motherhood.
By Nood Reynolds
Owner Lynn Wong comes over to greet us. “I used to work here scooping ice cream back when it was Java Coast,” the young woman tells her. On this day, Emily Sandberg is a pretty, young, expectant mother in jeans and a sweater, back in her hometown to visit her parents and some of her six siblings, sipping on a smoothie and comfortably catching up with friends and family. But a decade ago she was equally at home on the cover of Italian Vogue, catching the Concorde to work runways in both New York and Paris, as the muse of Versace, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, and Armani, and being linked romantically with guitarist James Iha, formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins, and mega movie star Bruce Willis.
I’ve known Emily’s delightful parents, Peter and Cindy, since the day the supermodel was born, have enjoyed following her spectacular career, and enjoyed sitting down to catch up. Joining us to talk about fame, modeling and motherhood was Rae (Ashley Weisz) from “America’s Next Top Model.”
Rochester Magazine: Catch me up on what’s new with you, besides your pregnancy! Congratulations by the way.
Emily Sandberg: Thanks! It’s pretty exciting. I’m due in May. Let’s see. I’m living in L.A. now, but still keep a place in New York. I got married four years ago to Gary Gold, a fabulous man. He’s a drummer and music producer, working with Smokey Robinson right now. I’m still modeling, acting, and working on a couple of new product lines.
RM: How are you feeling?
ES: Really good now. I hear you get tired again at the end. Did you [she asks Rae]?
RAE: Not at all. I was really sick at the beginning and felt great after that.
ES: Oh, that’s encouraging.
RM: Take me back to the beginning. How and when did it all start for you?
ES: I went to New York when I was 18 after modeling a little in Minneapolis. I signed with Next, was shot by Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, and Paulo Roversi, then three months later landed my first cover on Italian Vogue. It happened really fast. [Turning to Rae.] It all goes so fast. For most of us, modeling at that level is a short, fast ride—two or three years.
RM: You were everywhere! Refresh my memory on the covers, campaigns and shows you did.
ES: Okay, I’ll just send you all that.
[Edit note: She did. It’s extensive and impressive and includes being shot by Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz, among others; being on a dozen or more covers, including Italian, German, French and American Vogue, Italian Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, and Flaunt; walking runways in New York, Paris, and Milan for every major designer, among them, Dolce Gabbana, Jil Sander, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent; being the face of and/or doing campaigns for Armani Collezioni, DKNY, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Versace Atelier, Gap, and Happy by Clinique.]
RM: Must have been crazy.
ES: It was, especially during runway season. We would literally do a show in New York, get on a plane to Paris, get off and go straight to a show there, then fly back home. When the timing was really tight, they booked us on the Concorde so we could do more shows.
RM: And then what?
ES: The industry really started to change. There was a huge influx of models, first with the Brazilians, after Giselle, and then with the Eastern Europeans. It became even more competitive and the girls were getting younger and thinner. When the industry goes with a different look, it’s something you can’t control. I decided I really wanted and needed more control in life, so I moved to L.A. to act, although I’m finding there’s not a lot of control there either. [Laughs].
RM: It was so cool to see you in The Devil Wears Prada.
ES: That was fun. I had a part in a Jessica Simpson film, Employee of the Month, but they cut it, and I’m in the movie Old Dogs [a Disney film with Robin Williams, John Travolta, and Seth Green that opened Thanksgiving weekend]. I’m always auditioning, but the main thing I’m doing now is working on some joint ventures for product lines.
RM: Tell me about them.
ES: Well, I can’t say a lot because they’re still in development, but one is a green tea beverage that I’m very excited about and the other, which is equally great, is a cosmetics line that will be a whole new approach to make-up. I’m working with really knowledgeable, talented former CEOs of Paul Mitchell, Dermalogica, and Neutrogena on that.
RM: Rae wants to pursue modeling. Do you have any desire to pursue reality TV?
ES: Actually, yes! We’re developing something in that area. And I have to say that I’m a big fan of Rae’s! Did they really make you drive all over L.A.? That’s crazy!
RAE: Yep, they sure did!
RM: What about modeling?
ES: I’m with Elite in LA., just finished a big campaign for Target and have been doing work for Banana Republic. I’m doing more lifestyle shoots these days; it’s a natural progression in the industry, which is fine with me. I enjoy all aspects of the business and still do some high fashion and beauty [showing us a breathtaking two page layout in Flaunt].
RAE: That’s amazing.
ES: Thanks. See my hand there, Rae. It took me a long time to perfect relaxing my fingers but it’s so important. And toes--always, always point your toes.
RM: How did you meet Gary?
ES: We met at Donatella Versace’s home about eight years ago. I had just done her show and he was in the audience and then a guest at her party. Friends introduced us.
RM: Do you still do the VIP/Red Carpet scene?
ES: We go to the Grammy’s because of Gary’s work and we’ve been to lots of award shows, but we’re really happiest being more casual and just hanging out.
RM: Where do you see yourself in five years—other than with a four-year-old?
ES: I honestly don’t know. I feel like the whole last decade or so has just been a ride and I’m along for it. I’m remaining open to anything and trying to enjoy it all. Oops, I’m late to pick up my mom! This was fun. Good luck, Rae. Here’s my card if you need anything.
[Edit note: With that we get genuine hugs, not the Hollywood air type, and our homegrown supermodel and A-lister gets in her mom’s Suburban and heads down Elton Hills Drive.]