Tabs puts a lot of time and effort into his kitty modeling shoots, but he doesn’t usually get into the mechanics of them in public very often (he likes to think of himself as modest). Still, it’s interesting to see what really goes on behind the scenes. Some of these shoots can be quite complicated.
Earlier this week he and I sat down briefly to discuss some of his favorite kitty modeling shoots of the year.
Here are his 10 favorite kitty modeling shoots of 2014, complete with the behind-the-scenes commentary. 
TABS: “We had to go through dozens of hairpieces to settle on the caramel brown I wore for this shot. The costume department had me try on ? I think it was more than a 100 ? 70s-style wigs. Eventually, we narrowed it down to a rich obsidian black, a strawberry blonde and this caramel brown, which made the final cut because of how the color played off the gold glints in my eyes. I think it was the right choice.”
TABS: “Betcha thought this was me for a second, didn’t you? Nope, this is actually my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather cat, Franklin, one of the original trendsetters in the first feline print ads for cosmetics in the 1930s and ’40s. I must admit ? the resemblance is uncanny. Even I’m surprised sometimes by the depth of kitty modeling talent in my family.”
TABS: “I trained with Cirque du Soleil for two months in preparation for this shoot, which required precise timing and a keen sense of body awareness. If I’d been off a single inch, the entire shot would have been ruined. The photographer anticipated that we’d need at least 50 frames to get a usable amount of material, but I nailed it on the first shot.”
TABS: “I mean, really, who doesn’t want to wake up in the morning and ride a wild polar bear? I’m totally joking. This guy ? Edward the Polar Bear ? is a consummate professional and total Hollywood royalty. Edward and I became close friends on this shoot. You bond quickly with your coworkers when temperatures dip into minus double-digits.”
TABS: “I’d been in Paris on business when I got a call from Kate Spade’s camp to do a quick shoot in the city for their new line of accessories. That day happened to be my first day off in two weeks. I was at Chanel doing a little shopping (OK, a lot of shopping) when my assistant texted about the gig. I had Karl put my shopping list on hold while I went to do the job. Such is the life of a kitty supermodel… You never really get any time off.”
TABS: “A classic and straightforward beauty shot. I love campaigns like this because they allow me to really connect with the camera using my eyes.”
Tabs for Oh, Dear! Edible Cheek Tint in Fresh ZinniaTABS: “The photographer wanted an untamed feel for this campaign, so the whole crew trekked several hours out into the middle of nowhere in rural Montana before sunrise to set everything up. I remember hiking through tall grasses in the dark and thinking about my kitten-hood as a stray cat in Mill Valley, and how I’d spend hours in the dark looking for something to eat.”
TABS: “This headdress was incredibly heavy and hot. Several of the young cats assisting the photographer on the shoot kept pawing at the feathers.”
TABS: “Yup, another vintage ad by Franklin, my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather cat. After I tracked down this print I contacted Ray Ban’s historical society and was able to procure the exact same pair of glasses grandpa Franklin wore for the shot. They’re prominently displayed next to my Oscar in my office.”
Tabs for the new Fall Favorites Cat Eyeshadow Duos in Turkey and ChickenTABS: “I had a lot of fun on this shoot. I remember Steve [the turkey] and I having a good old time running back and forth repeatedly to get the shot. It wasn’t just fun and games though… It was a technical challenge because of my ears, and getting them to convey the proper sense of fear. I practiced for hours with my mentor, Tim Gunn, to hit the right angles.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,
Karen and Tabs
