By Josie Goldberg
Orange County, California (The Hollywood Times) 01/02/2024 – My favorite quote from Roberto Racanelli – “My dresses are custom made to the client and they are for all the women. I love to make women feel gorgeous and glamourous and to empower woman. The moment I love the most of couture, is seeing a woman looking at herself in the mirror wearing a creation I made and suddenly has that look on her face, like the glistening stare of little girl feeling like a princess, glowing with beauty and happiness. It’s a very special moment.”
I have always been told that I am “Nosie Josie” because I have always liked to get personal with people I know and worked with which is not acceptable in the American work force. Even with friends they say never talk about sex, politics, religion and money unless you want to lose them. Well I sometimes can’t help myself and get curious when I meet fascinating people especially with my job as an entertainment reporter.
I recently met Vince Spinnato CEO of Turnkey Beauty and during my interview his husband happened to call and then I could not help myself and asked about Vince’s Personal life. As a reporter one can’t get fired for that lol. Vince told me his husband is a French/Canadian fashion couture designer The Corset King of Orange County. I asked him if I could see a picture of him and his corsets and pieces. I said OMG he is young Gianne Versace. Not to mention that he is a very handsome man! Tall, sexy and striking looking! My type, but he is not straight so I was safe in relaying my opinion to Vince. Mr. Spinnato said why don’t you come to our home, and I will introduce you and you can see his pieces. So what do you know I went and really got inspired. I’m not going to lie. I have expensive taste there is a reason Dr. Phil called me spoiled and entitled and was featured on his show for many seasons. I like the best of the best even when I can’t afford it, deserve it and or can’t fit in it! So far I just can afford costume jewelry/accessories and purses. Never owned or bought couture clothing! I always say one day my time will come.
I love European Couture examples (Chanel, Dior, Versace, Gucci) which is the style of Roberto Racanelli which is inspired by “House of Racanelli.” I jokingly said after our champagne holidays toast “can I try on some of your pieces”? Which is also too direct. Usually designers/artist offer those things to their friends but I was feeling what do I have to loose. I told Roberto that every costume designer on set on photo shoots has a very tough job with me! Even at Playboy when I shot my pictorial finding pieces for me was difficult because I have a large bosom and big bones at 5’10”. My momma fed me well growing up in the OC! Forget designer couture I will never fit into the sample’s sizes. I even told him that I’m getting nervous because I never needed a bra but I’m aging a little and don’t believe in plastic surgery and want them to stand like they did when I posed for Playboy at 25. He smiled and said you don’t need plastic surgery I have a Corset that I made that you can wear that will make you feel 25.
So what do you know I striped down and we did it. Thank you to Vince our camera man. Well I’m a gambler and I have gotten ahead in life because I pressed the envelop and sometimes It works for me and sometimes I shoot myself in the foot. But this time I was lucky and even asked to try on the accessories pieces and you have the see all the videos. It was magic. While Roberto was lacing up the Corset I felt like Rose on Titanic, but it was not her mom lacing up the Corset but (Jack) Leonardo DiCaprio was my lacing me up. Then when the Necklace was put on me a similar one that Rose (Kate Winslet) wore (pearls & diamonds) I felt I was in the movie and the love between Rose and Jack was me & Roberto, of course (fantasy land for any woman wearing such glamour). I said gosh we must take some pictures from this once in a lifetime experience. I remembered Carrie Bradshaw on Sex in the City when she did the wedding dress photo shoot for her story on Women Marrying over 40 for Vogue Magazine I said inside my head, just like Carrie Bradshaw went from having her column by sex enhancement pills and sex toys to Vogue.
Here is the video of the corset fitting:
Maybe my days are over from background acting, trashy reality tv and Playboy modeling.
I put in my time and maybe in my 40’s I’ll get the good modeling jobs, union network acting jobs and the good stuff! We all know what those jobs are in the business and it’s a miracle to break into them but I felt that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My manifestation for 2024! Roberto Racanelli and his Couture brought back my confidence and honestly I realized at 41 that I look good at that I can’t believe what society says about getting older and aging. I’m like a fine wine and I only get better with age. That’s when you know the designer has that magic touch. You just have to be lucky to find talented artist to make you shine. Even my mom said stop comparing Roberto to Versace or even in my video I told Vince Spinnato he reminds me of George Michael or myself to Anna Nicole it’s time to create new phenomenons and be our own phenomenon. I truly believe “House of Racanelli” one day will be a number one household.
Here are some photos from the fitting of myself:
House of Racanelli was created in California, November 2021. Roberto Racanelli is of Italian descent. He was born in Montreal, Canada. When his family came from Italy both his grandmothers were stream stresses which he attributes his skill and knowledge. He also has an aunt who is a prominent designer and has he own boutique in Montreal her name is Juliette Trolio who inspired him. We had a connection. My distant relatives Benny and Sally Goodman who emigrated from former Soviet Union to Montreal were also in the garment business (very successful) in Montreal and what do you know Roberto knew and worked with them.
