Soles of Silk - 2023's Star Models
Another year comes to a close here on Soles of Silk. Once more I am here to celebrate the models who spent the most time in front of my camera wiggling their toes, kicking off their sneakers, squishing some yummy foods under their soles, and all kinds of other fun things they did with their feet in 2023. These ladies deserve all the accolades for going above and beyond. Every shoot was a great time and the results, well, let me just say you'll be seeing a lot from these ladies when My 10 Favorite Sets of 2023 is published next week.
Before moving on, however, I'd like to mention that this year was a tough one for me. I had some personal things I needed to work out earlier this year. Those things paired with a few regular models stepping away, made scheduling shoots a little tough this year. With all that said, I'd like to send a huge thanks to Abby (4 sets), Reese (5 sets), and Roxy (6 sets) for their contributions this year. All three narrowly missed out placing on this year's list. Still, the sets they did and the time I spent with each is not to be overlooked.
Now, let's take a look at the three models who did manage to secure a place on 2023's Star Model listing:
3. Allie
# of sets posed for in 2023: 8
In recent years Allie has become one of my go-to models. Our shoots are so casual and laid back. It's truly just two friends hanging out and shooting some photos. This year was no exception.
Allie's first shoot came back in early February. She had been after me for a while to shoot a pudding set. When I say this girl really wanted to push her size 5's into some gooey pudding, I'm not kidding.
While I had done pudding sets in the past, it had been a few years since the last one. I was game, but I wanted to make it unique from the previous ones. We did just that too! Allie didn't step in your standard vanilla or chocolate pudding. Nope! Allie squished her feet into pink and blue unicorn pudding. Oh, and she did it wearing fence net stockings too. Talk about a fun set.
Allie also went on to shoot a Valentine's Day set that same day. Well, after we cleaned up all that pudding, of course. Allie loves being in holiday themed sets and the timing was right for adding a Valentine's one to her list of holidays. So far she has set themed to Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.
Jump ahead to July and Allie was able to get in some more camera time. We found several spots around a college campus and had all kinds of fun. Sweaty feet in sneakers, Gatorade bottles dumped on those sweaty feet, gummy worms in between toes, and squirrels galore! Apparently they like gummy worms and maybe even little size 5's. They were quite interested in Allie during several of her sets. I can't blame them.
# of sets posed for in 2023: 13
Man, Leah kicked all kinds of ass (and balls) in 2023. This little spitfire demanded attention when in front of my camera and I gave it to her. Whether she was being nerdy and playing with my PlayStation, or being a brat and beating on a pair of big blue balls, Leah commanded the room (and me).
Leah managed to shoot 13 sets in 2023, but we could have easily done so many more. You see, Leah loves having her feet pampered and loved. Foot rub and worship breaks are a must during our shoots and who am I to complain? I do what I'm told and love every minute of it too. Speaking of minutes, they tend to last for many minutes too. Again, who am I to complain?
All that being said, the 13 sets we did manage are easily some of her best work to date. I'm sure you can tell how much I love them since I plastered them all over the site and its Twitter (@SolesofSilk) account. Banners, header bars, avatars... you name it, she's on it. Spoiler alert, she's also going to be in the banner for the Annual Soles of Silk Trivia Contest - 2023 Edition. She 100 percent deserves it.
And before I move on to the model who took first place in this year's Star Model rankings, I want to mention how much Leah's friendship meant to me this year. She was someone I shared my feelings and thoughts with when I wasn't myself. She listened and made me feel okay about what I was going through. I want to thank her for that. I'm glad she's someone I've gotten to know a little better and have spent more time with as of late. I aim to spend even more time with her moving forward, if she's game. I'm sure she is and I'm sure many of you will cherish seeing all the results from our camera time as well.
1. Kelsey
# of sets posed for in 2023: 25
Speaking of great friends, Kelsey and I got to spend a lot of time together this year. We shot some of her best content to date too. Everything we did just seemed to "work" no matter where we shot, what we shot, or whatever hurdles were thrown our way - and we had a few.
The 25 sets Kelsey did in 2023 mark only the third time a model has shot 20 or more sets in a calendar year. Both Melani (21 sets) and Mindee (40 sets) managed the feat in 2017. With Kelsey's 25 here in 2023, only Mindee has shot more in a year's time. Knowing Kelsey, that is something she just might want to beat in 2024. I'm all for it!
Just like Leah, so many of Kelsey's sets have been featured all over the site and Twitter throughout 2023. Her main photo above has served as the site's splash page graphic for months now. It has also been my PC's wallpaper since the day it was shot. I just love that photo and that set in general. Not bad for a last minute set we rushed through due to time restraints and a camera battery percentage in the single digits.
In addition to that set, there are so many others Kelsey did this year that I simply adore. So many of them haven't even made it onto the site yet either, which gives all of her fans so much to look forward to in 2024. With the Orioles' and Ravens' success this year, I think I'm asking Kelsey to do sets for the both of them again next year too. Maybe she was a good luck charm?
Before closing things out, I'd like to thank all the models who worked with me in 2023. Even though I do a ton of work to keep the site going, it is the models' efforts that everyone is here to see. None of this would be possible without them. I can't wait to shoot more in 2024 with all these ladies and hopefully more. I'm hoping to have a few returns next year from models you haven't seen in a while and maybe a newbie or two. Time will tell!
Star Model Leader Count (as of 2023)
Most Overall Appearances
- 8 appearances - Mindee (2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)
- 3 appearances - Madison (2004, 2006, 2008), Layla (2005, 2007, 2009), Wendy (2006, 2008, 2012), Cierra (2008, 2009, 2010), Jamie (2010, 2012, 2014), Charlee (2011, 2018, 2021), Kelsey (2016, 2022, 2023), Allie (2020, 2021, 2023)
- 2 appearances - Kellie (2005, 2006), Molly (2005, 2006), Abby (2007, 2022), Jordana (2008, 2010), Mileena (2011, 2012), Ryan (2011, 2013), Alice (2015, 2016), Jasey Rae (2017, 2019), Kaycee (2015, 2020), Ava (2020, 2021), Leah (2022, 2023)
- 1 appearance - Lauryn (2004), Lisa Tyler (2004), Sue Lovely (2004), Kimmie (2005), Lexi (2005), Lady Steph (2008), Jaylee Austin (2009), Kayleigh (2011), Aspen (2012), Nikki (2012), Megan Jones (2013), Emerald (2014), Felicia (2014), Lela Beryl (2014), Melani (2017), Alexa (2017), Esmerelda (2018), Princess Nikki (2017), Juliet (2020), Noelle (2021), Roulette Raye (2022)
Most Overall 1st Place Appearances
- 6 appearances - Mindee (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- 2 appearances - Kellie (2005, 2006), Jamie (2010, 2014), Kelsey (2022, 2023)
- 1 appearance - Madison (2004), Layla (2005), Wendy (2012), Cierra (2008), Jaylee Austin (2009), Mileena (2011), Ryan (2011), Alice (2016), Allie (2020), Ava (2021)
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