Latest news with #EliteModel
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Forgotten' original supermodel from George Michael's iconic Freedom video's heartbreaking death
She was one of the most relevant supermodels of all time, but went on to live a quiet life before passing away Fans of George Michael's unforgettable Freedom! '90 video will remember the moment a group of impossibly glamorous supermodels lip-synced his lyrics in peak 90s style. Among them was Tatjana Patitz - perhaps the most mysterious face of them all, and certainly the one who stepped furthest from the spotlight once the supermodel era began to fade. Patitz, born in Hamburg to an Estonian mother and German father, was a horse-loving teenager growing up on the Swedish coast when she first tried her luck in modeling. She placed third in an Elite Model contest in Stockholm at just 17, earning a ticket to Paris. But there was no instant stardom: Patitz spent a year with no bookings before a turning point came from photographer Peter Lindbergh, whose preference for natural, unretouched beauty transformed her image. His lens captured a self-assured confidence and mature elegance that set Patitz apart from the other beauties of that era. Patitz herself reflected in Vogue in 2020, 'I never sold my soul,' describing how she resisted the superficial side of the fashion world even as her star rose. That integrity and quiet strength showed through Lindbergh's photographs, including the famous January 1990 cover of British Vogue uniting the 'original supermodels' in one unforgettable image. When George Michael saw that cover, he invited the same group to appear in his Freedom! video - and Patitz's magnetic, soulful screen presence made her an icon for a whole new audience. Unlike some of her peers, Patitz never seemed interested in celebrity for its own sake. She built a life away from New York or Paris, choosing instead to live in California near nature and her beloved animals. There, she raised her son Jonah, who she described in a 2019 interview with Mercedes-AMG's 63Magazine: 'My son is my source of happiness in life. My friends, my animals, and nature give me balance and satisfaction – the feeling of being connected... I would like to send an empathetic person with a big heart out into the world. Jonah should always have the self-belief to be himself and to embody and articulate his own attitude and opinions." Patitz also shared her graceful philosophy on ageing with the magazine, saying, 'I am proud of my wrinkles. I worked for each one and they belong to me. Growing older is beautiful. You become wiser and more mature. For me, giving away or changing that gift is not an option... Beauty means being a good person and being there for others. In my opinion, beauty is not only about looks, but everything that makes up a person.' After her death, Anna Wintour, former chief content officer of Condé Nast, described what made Patitz so distinctive, telling Vogue: 'Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti... she was more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable — and that had its own appeal.' Even while enjoying a lower public profile, Patitz continued working with some of the fashion industry's greatest talents, including Peter Lindbergh, Herb Ritts, and Patrick Demarchelier. Her later Vogue features celebrated a new chapter of her life, showing her and Jonah in peaceful domestic scenes on their California ranch, far from the catwalks of Milan and Paris. In January 2023, Patitz died at the age of 56 after a battle with metastatic breast cancer. Tributes poured in from across the industry for a woman who was a symbol of ageless sophistication. While other stars of the Freedom! video continued to chase magazine covers and runways, Tatjana Patitz seemed to embody a quieter, more personal freedom until her last days.
Gulf Today
24-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Mohammed praises govt staff for their dedication
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his gratitude to UAE government employees. He also thanked all those whose primary concern was solely to serve humanity. Sheikh Mohammed said via the X platform: 'The United Nations has designated June 23 of each year as Public Service Day in recognition of the efforts of government employees in serving the public.' 'Over nearly six decades I spent in this field, I have seen honorable examples of men and women who have devoted their lives to serving people, providing health, education, housing, electricity and water services and enacting legislation to create an environment in which people can thrive and achieve their dreams, ambitions, stability and dignity,' he added. 'Thanks to our government employees today and every day and thanks to everyone whose primary concern was solely to serve and benefit humanity,' he concluded. Recently, the Government Best Practices Series 2025, organised by the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, concluded today following two days of sessions that highlighted the importance of proactiveness, integration, and collaboration in designing services based on whole-of-government approach that address the evolving needs of society. The discussions reaffirmed Dubai's commitment to consolidating its position as a global model of government excellence, agility, and future-readiness. During the event, participants emphasised the importance of sustained investment in talent and resources, alongside ongoing efforts to advance governance models in line with national priorities. These efforts reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Dr. Hazza Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Assistant Secretary-General for the Excellence and Government Services Sector at The Executive Council of Dubai, said that the Government Best Practices Series is a dynamic platform for showcasing the experiences of the Government of Dubai and reaffirming the emirate's commitment to innovation and global leadership in public service delivery. 'The Government of Dubai continues to develop forward-looking strategies rooted in evidence-based data and innovative thinking. These strategies reflect Dubai's distinct character as a city that places people at the centre of its development journey. The Government Best Practices Series 2025 showcases pioneering initiatives and offers valuable insights and lessons learned—success stories that not only drive local progress but also serve as models for global collaboration,' he said. On the second day, Dr. Al Nuaimi presented the results of the 2024 assessment cycles for the Government Excellence Model and the Elite Model, revealing that 80% of government entities recorded improved performance compared to the previous cycle. He also highlighted the achievements of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services and the positive impact of the 360 Services Policy. The first phase resulted in a 98% reduction in service waiting times and a 91% increase in customer confidence in government improvement efforts. Additional performance indicators include a 96% overall rating in the mystery shopper study, 94% in customer happiness, and 87% in employee happiness. In 2024, more than 10,000 government employees benefitted from smart training programmes, while over 3,000 participants took part in knowledge-sharing seminars—underscoring the Government of Dubai's continued focus on capacity building and institutional excellence. The series also included a recognition ceremony for the graduates of the second cohort of the Government Innovation Consultant Program. The initiative supports proactive thinking and cultivates a culture of innovation by exposing participants to global best practices and equipping them with practical tools.
