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convo with a reader.

I am a 17 year old 5'9 to 5'10 male who is interested in persuring the world of high fashion. from photo shoots in Toronto, Ontario to fashion shows in Milan, Italy and even fashion week in New York City, Skinny Minnie...I want to do it all!. I've been told by alot of my friends that I should be modeling. I've even been told by people I dont know that I shoud be modeling. But I have a problem, I just dont know where to start. I was contacted my a modeling agency, Max Agencys for an interview after being randomly stopped on the street in Downtown Toronto by a talent scout. My parents forbid me to go and I felt like my Dream of modeling was coming to and end far to quickly. So my question for you is, What should I do now? Do you see potencial? and as far as pictures how should I be dressed?

from,
A young male looking for abit of guidance.


RESPONSE:

Max is bad, first of all...in toronto giovanni is one of the better ones, they won't screw you around and they are 100% high fashion. i model myself and i am not opposed to shooting with newer photogs...some of them are amazing, but look at their portfolio first and compare it to what you would see in a magazine to decide whether or not to shoot with them (save some $$ with newer photogs and students)...look for lighting and all that stuff in their photography.
as for what you should be wearing, men should have some underwear shots, as well as slim fitting suits (never hide your shape with loose clothing), and also go for a more high fashion edgy look if that is the market that interests you, high fashion male models are generally 5'11" and up, so assuming you're still growing its all good, otherwise you can always stick to a more commercial look.

But, whatever you do, stay away from max models, and don't pay $$ to an agency for anything. the only thing you should have to pay for is comp cards and enlargements (but enlargements i usually go through the photography)

good luck...perhaps join model mayhem to find photogs..but stay away from shitty photographers...they are a waste of time!!!!
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READERS' COMMENTS:

thank u 4 sending out the info :) we need to let peeps know that there r predators & scammers out there. One company that rips of peeps is NORTHERN STYLES & NATIVE TALENT & SMEX
given ya the heads up
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This is a really good thing to know....there are a lot of young girls out there that end up losing a good amount of money because of these scam schools! It is important to be informed and educated about what is out there and for parents to especially be informed....good stuff!

education at its finest?

MODEL SCHOOL SCAMS

Most modeling schools charge $1000 to $2000 or more for a few weeks of classes and a "portfolio" they will put together for you by paying someone $50 or so to take a few quick pictures of you upon "graduation.

"FACT: Assuming you have real potential, every top agent in the world will tell you that - instead of attending a modeling school - you would be infinitely better off putting most of your time and effort into getting great pictures, where it counts. Want to learn how to walk a runway? It does not have to be expensive. Instead of paying a school to teach you outdated methods for big money, simply go to a fashion show at the mall, introduce yourself to one of the models there and offer him/her $50 or so for an hour or two of their time."

But their ads say that a famous model went to their school. "Maybe he or she did, but he or she probably drank milk too. (Just because someone went to a modeling school does not mean that is what made them successful.) Want to go to a "model camp" or a modeling school for fun or for something to do after school? Great. Just don't expect a whole lot to come of it.

Things you need to know about modeling schools:
1. You do not need to go to a modeling school to become a model.
2. There isn't a modeling school in the world that can teach you to be tall.
3. There isn't a modeling school in the world that can teach you to be photogenic.
4. You will get the experience and training you need through test shoots, on the job experience, through conversations with your agent or personal manager, and, if necessary, from brief classes arranged, often for free, by your agent.
5. A lot of what modeling schools teach is just plain wrong. Some schools have instructors that used to be models 20 years ago and - and that's if you're lucky. A lot of instructors aren't models at all, and never were. They're just graduates of the same schools, imperfectly passing on what they learned - and all you are going to pick up from them are bad habits.
6. Pictures from modeling schools won't cut it in the real world. OK, once in a while a school gets lucky and they get real, professional quality pictures done for their models. But the vast majority of the time you get junk. The school counts on the students and their parents not knowing any better, and they (the schools) are usually correct. So all the money you spend on pictures through the school is wasted.
7. They don't tell you what you really need to know. At least, not if it keeps them from selling you classes, or pictures, or attendance at expensive modeling conventions they say you should attend. A school (no matter what they tell you) is NOT an agency. Schools make their money by taking it from you, not making it for you - so you can't count on them to tell you certain things.

What are some of the things schools won't tell you?
a. There isn't much modeling work in small towns and you can't be a model in the big city unless you live in the big city.
b. With very few exceptions, no modeling agency in any major market is going to front expenses for you to move there to work with them.
c. Talent buyers (people who actually hire models) don't care that you've been to modeling school.
d. You don't need to know how to walk on a runway. OK, maybe if you are a very tall, very skinny teenage girl you do, but someone that knows what they are doing can teach you that in an hour. No one else needs to learn how to walk a runway as that's not the kind of modeling they will be doing.
e. No photographer can take good portfolio pictures of ten people in one day - and shouldn't even try - as that would be totally unfair to the models.

How to detect and avoid a model scam
When it comes to detecting and avoiding model scams - knowledge is your best protection so learn everything you can about how the industry actually works - most of which can be found right here on models advocate. Depend on reliable sources of information. Bulletin boards, chat rooms, web sites, etc., are not always reliable sources of information as quite often the writer has a hidden agenda - and even the bigger agencies will use the bulletin boards (or any other ways and means at their disposal) to attempt to discredit others and make make themselves look good. These agencies (yes, even some of the biggest ones) will never tell you that they are splitting fees with the photographers they refer models to which is illegal in New York, California, Florida and Texas - and highly unethical everywhere else. But it still goes on, and it goes on much more frequently than any of them will ever admit.

When considering what someone is offering or suggesting, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is what they are doing legal?
2. Does what they are suggesting make sense?
3. What exactly what I am paying for?
4. Will it provide a benefit?

Asking for references.
Asking for references is one way to check someone out - but maybe not the best way. (Do you really think anyone would give you names of people that would say something bad about them?) The Better Business Bureau.
Professional scammers know they have will have at least six months to a year before complaints start coming in to consumer protection organizations such as the Better Business Bureau so, by the time complaints start piling up, they have already made plans to change the name of their business and/or move to a different city or a different state and start over again. What sort of references are meaningful then? Look at things like length of time in business, membership in business and professional organizations, tear sheets, newspaper and magazine articles and other items you can readily see. How about asking for phone numbers for other models? Would you want someone giving your name and phone number out several times a day? Would you like to have people calling you all hours of the day and night to complain that you are not returning their long distance calls? Then how could you expect busy models to do so? (It can't hurt to ask though.)
Model Agency Scams.
How can you tell is an agency is legit?
Real agencies operate Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm business. If you are contacted to attend an "Open Call" or "Talent Review" make sure it's between these hours. Be suspicious if they ask you to come in later in the evening or on the weekend. (Real agencies are not open on weekends.)
Look around at the caliber of the "talent" around you. (Legit agencies don't want to be bothered with a roomful of wannabes.) Be further suspicious if most of the people in the room recently went to a modeling convention. Most of the fake agencies buy "leads" from these conventions and they will pay up to $5 per lead just to get your name and phone number.
Also, look to see if there is a state issued employment agency license on the wall. (Note however, that just because you see a business license or a state issued booking agency license on the wall - this does NOT necessarily mean the agency is legit.)
The most common modeling agency scam is what is known as a "portfolio mill" or "photo mill". This is an "agency" that makes money by sending models to photographers that are ON STAFF to shoot expensive photos to produce worthless portfolios and comp cards. These agencies don't make much money by booking real work. Instead, they sign up anyone and everyone for low quality photo shoots and book very few jobs, if any. A legitimate agency will give you what is known as a test list. This is a list of good photographers in your area that you can contact on your own. A real agency will not ask you for money for photography services, enlargements or comp card printing. They may suggest a few places, but they will advise you go see them on your own. Be very suspicious if an agency asks you to pay them for a test shoot instead instructing you to pay the photographer direct. Be very suspicious if an agency asks you to pay them for enlargements, comp cards, etc. instead of instructing you to pay the photographer or the printing company direct.
How to further protect yourself from model agency scams and photo mill promoters.
Never pay an agency for the "privilege" of having them represent you or for "classes" or runway training or pictures. In fact, NEVER buy anything from or through a model or talent agency. Under no circumstances should an agency require you to attend a particular class or to buy anything from them - not books, not photos, not classes, not workshops, not runway training, not tote bags, not "exposure" on web sites or on CDs or in some "talent book," not videos, not portrfoios, not comp cards, not address labels, not ANYTHING. This practice is not only unethical, it is also ILLEGAL. An agent's income should come solely from commissions received through finding work for models and/or talent. A real agency will put you in touch with a real photographer so you can make your own arrangements for test shoots, etc. Most beginner models are walking around with amateur photos featuring glamorous makeup, low cut tops, floral print dresses, large hoop earrings and outfits that don't quite fit properly. In other words, most of them have spent a lot of money and/or have put a lot of effort into photo shoots that will ultimately prove to be worthless.
Beware of "TFP" photo shoots, school photographers, "photo day" photographers, student photographers, glamour photographers and the like as the resulting photos will invariably turn out to be too amateurish, too glamorous and/or very rarely in the style needed to qualify you for paying jobs in the real world. Beginning models often convince themselves that by shooting with amateurs they are saving money or getting something for nothing but - in reality - all amateur looking photos will do them more harm than good. Your portfolio should sell YOU - not sex, not clothing, not jewelry, not makeup and DEFINITELY not some amateur photographer's concept of what a model should look like.
How to detect a model scam and avoid being victimized
When you sign on for something, know what you are getting. If you are paying for web presence, then that is what you can reasonably expect to get.If you are paying for a photo session, then that is what you can reasonably expect to get. If you end up signing with a real agency or if you get some kind of modeling contract out of it as a result, consider it a bonus.
Don't forget: A legitimate company will NOT promise employment. There is no way an agency or a manager or anyone else can guarantee you work. No one can not predict the future and a real agent or manager will not pretend to speak for those who will consider you for hire. No matter how good a company is and no matter what they may do for you, you may never become a $2,000 a day model. If that is the case, it may not be the company's fault. It could be that the clients just didn't select you no matter how hard the company you signed with tried to get you work. In many cases (quite often in fact) new models are so inflexible and have such a long list of conditions and demands - or they have such unreasonable expectations - or their appearance changes so drastically - that they make it almost impossible for themselves get signed or booked. Just because you didn't get work, does not necessarily mean the company was a scam - whether you paid them anything or not. If you got what you paid for, then you have no complaint. You may not have gotten the results you and possibly everyone else were hoping for, but if you got what you paid for - you were not scammed.
Anytime someone offers you a verbal or written guarantee or attempts to use high pressure tactics on you or tries to coerce you into buying something from them, get up and walk out. Don't spend a lot of money and don't sign up for what you don't understand. Know what you are paying for and you should be OK. It isn't all that hard to figure out.
NEVER FORGET: Never buy anything from or through a model or talent agency.
Under no circumstances should an agency require you to attend a particular class, or to buy anything from them - not books, not photos, not classes, not workshops, not runway training, not tote bags, not listings on web sites or on CDs or in some "talent book," not videos, not "comp cards," not address labels, not ANYTHING. Do not pay a modeling agency for photography services, pay the photographer. Do not pay an agency for comp cards, pay the printing company.

provided by: http://www.modelsadvocate.com/

lesson from a lady.

I recently came across this great autobiography piece by successful Canadian model, Stacey McKenzie...enjoy...

"When I first got into modeling in Paris, I did not have any money to buy the nice clothing I craved for, hell I lived in a studio apartment in the outskirts of Paris not knowng how I was going to pay rent and eat for the month.
I use to go to a place called Gerasol to shop for my clothing. Gerasols are broke down secondhand stores where you can get clothing for 10 francs ($1/2). I made the best with what I had. I always walked with my head held high in my $1″JPG printed dress” and my $1 “Sergio Rossi stilletos”, you would think I was Naomi when you saw me coming down the street!

Don’t get me wrong, I would feel bad at times that I couldnt get that beautiful NEW dress and shoes I saw on one of my window shopping trips in the Marais. I did not let it get to me because I did not want that to define me as a person. Unfortunately in this business it does and if you are not careful it can take over your life.

I remember when I went to my first agency dinner, the owner of the agency did not like me one bit because, of all things MY LOOK! I sat at that table OWNING my Gerasol dress and shoes having a great time. Not long afterward, the owner of the agency starts making fun of me. This man made fun of my looks, my voice and my clothing the entire night. I was really paining inside, but for some reason I continued smiling and having a good time..."

read the rest here

love for sessilee.

love the blog. love her.

http://sessileelopez.blogspot.com/

fashion fades to white.

investigation prostitution:

An anonymous readers' confession earlier this week on exchanging favours for finances got me really curious as to what was really going on out there in the runway realm...

So I scoured the net for anything and everything I could find...turning up some rather interesting reads:

From Runways to Redlight Districts

BBC Expose

I would like to stress that this is not to reflect all models. But, this is definitely an issue that is lurking in the crevices of the backstage world of fashion.

dubai has arrived.

From time to time, new markets in the land of fashion pop up, providing models with a whole new experience and whole other place to make a living.
A few weeks ago, I bumped into a friend of mine who had just signed a contract in Dubai, and was anxiously awaiting to dip into their market. Once upon a time, models never thought of taking off across the far seas to live and work in mainland China and Hong Kong, which are now both very lucrative markets...when you sign with a legitmate agency, of course. And now, it seems Dubai has been officially added to that list.
See Model Resources' story on Dubai written last year by a booker...

When it comes to new markets, or even a place that is just new to yourself, the best way to know what its all about is to speak with models who have been there...a reliable and trustworthy source that you can count on giving on honest opinion and advice.

the beef on botox.

Yahoo answers, "Is 23 too young to get botox???"

GET THE STORY HERE




ARE BOTOX PARTIES A GOOD IDEA???

m m m mia

I'm Mia. Undercover. Fashion Industry Analyst. I lead a quiet, simple life involving headbands and stilettos.

I dance and dream and kiss strangers and friends.

Gossip and truthful tales and talking behind peoples' backs is what I do best.

I vow to unveil the inner workings of the inner circle of the inner fashion industry of the inner city. Stay tuned to be shocked and awed.

Stay tuned for my stories.

i had sex for money.

"Sometimes its hard being a model. You go through phases in certain seasons and cities where you'll be like crazy busy, and then the next thing you know things start to quiet down. And of course, when you're booking the jobs and making the cash you spend money just as quickly as you make it. I met this guy a few years ago. older guy. not sleezy in any sense. I needed some cash for rent. I ended up sleeping with him, and not necessarily getting paid for sex, but he knew i needed the help and he gave me $2000. From then on out whenever we met he paid me. I still see him once in a while. It's kinda nice because I don't really like being in relationships, so this way we have our casual dates and whatnot. no stress. I don't feel like a hooker. I don't really see it that way for some reason. But I guess that's basically what it is, since it's pretty much just sex and money. I think maybe on some fucked up subconcious level that I feel it's okay since modelling jobs in a sense is all about selling your body. I am not speaking on behalf of other models. This is just me myself and i.

It's weird how it all just sort of happened. It's not like I intended to start profiting off of sleeping with some guy. It was more like this unspoken agreement just occurred. We both knew. And I don't sleep with other people under those pretenses. In a way, it has kind of just become like another booking. And, whatever, we have fun together, my bills get paid, no strings attached; my kind of relationship."

-an anonymous reader

do your research.

girl signs contract. girl goes to shanghai. girl gets murdered. agency disappears into thin air. agency was in a shit box apartment. shit box apartment was in a shady side of town. mother agency was in vancouver. mother agency was a douche bag. modelling jobs turned into bar jobs. dollars at the disco. getting paid to party. bills to befriend boys. boy was bad. whatever happened to the runway. pages in a magazine. could've gone to paris. lost in shanghai. do your research.

i heart you. period.

where its at
image source

so long mon cherie

a tribute to the real first supermodel. Dorian Leigh may you rest in peace.






more on Dorian Leigh

image source

face the facts and eat something

Oh the good old never-ending debate about skinny models. So much has been in the media over this topic and the answers seem to always point to a) the models are pre-puberty and not yet developed and/or b) still starving themselves. These write-ups and mentions always piss me off because a) it does not represent the industry as a whole and b) it sets an example for young girls to actually starve themselves. And believe it or not, some of the shit young girls are saying and doing to themselves when it comes it body image is fucking unbelievable. Excuse my language, but something needs to be said and start getting into people's heads...

So, readers, I bring you proof, in the form of other readers reaching out to support this fashion frenzy.

Meet Ana, a skinny twenty-five year old model...yes, past the age of puberty. Ana is 5'10" and weighs 118lbs., and her measurements are 34,24,34. Ana also eats not three, but several meals and snacks throughout the day. Here, readers, is her food journal throughout two working days...without making herself puke, ever. Ana has never suffered from an eating disorder. Ana has been a so-called 'waif' her entire life, and although is now considered to be a physically mature woman, maintaining her perfect haute couture proportions has never been a challenge.

MONDAY
9am - banana, oatmeal, coffee, glass of water
11am - crossaint, bottle of cranberry juice
1:30pm - tuna sandwich on whole wheat bagel, spinach salad, bottle of water
3pm - orange, dried apricots, coffee
7pm - chicken breast with stir-fried mixed veggies, bottle of water
10pm - strawberry yogurt cup, glass of iced tea

TUESDAY
8am - bagel with cream cheese, coffee
10:30am - banana, almonds, bottle of water
1pm - meal-sized grilled chicked salad, glass of iced tea
2pm - box of smarties, bottle of water
5pm - apple, coffee
8pm - grilled shrimp, portabello mushroom risotto, 2 glasses of chardonnay
11pm - bottle of water

So, my friends, believe it or not, some of us are just simply skinny. Others are not. Face the facts...and eat something.

in the news...

Canadian model murdered in Shanghai??

Check out the article on Yahoo...

Twenty-two year old Diana Gabrielle O'Brien lost her life while modelling in Shanghai. What once seemed like a both safe and profitable market leaves models questioning what went wrong. Get the story here.

More on the Shanghai Market coming later this week.

Image source

big IS beautiful...

Successful AND beautiful plus-size model tells all...

get it here!



Even Tyra and the rest of the America's Next Top Model squad believe so...and it's about time ALL women of the world can feel a little bit better about themselves...as the latest season of the reality runway show crowned a not-so-stick-figure Whitney Thompson as the winner...


Image source and story here!