Fash Mobs

A new fashion concept debuted this past weekend at the Los Feliz Fashion Festival, part of the 18th Annual Los Feliz Street Fair. Driven by street fashion and spontaneity, Fash Mobs brings fashion back to the community in a flash mob style. 

Check out the first Fash Mob show featuring Swimwear by Cia Maritima, Footwear by Seychelle Shoes, Hair by Works of Art Salon, and Make-up by POP Beauty -  and of course, models from our very own ModelWire Network community!

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Model Moment: Ros Georgiou

With her freckled face and gazelle-like stature, Ros Georgiou is definitely a new model to watch. Hailing from Athens, Greece, Ros mixes rock sensibilities with a soft and feminine touch, making her look refreshing and unique. From bombshell to glam girl to girl next door, Ros captures it all. I can't wait to see what designers, ad campaigns and runways are upcoming for this down-to-earth beauty.

Via Vogue Italia

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Fashion for a Cause

Los Angeles based accessory designer Della empowers women in Ghana to be financially independent by teaching them how to construct a variety of bags with local, sustainable textiles found in Hohoe, Ghana. Founded by Tina Tangalakis, Della designs offers wallets, clutches, computer cases and their signature hobo bag in brightly colored African prints.

Aside from creating jobs for impoverished women, Della educates them in entrepreneurship and how they can escape poverty in a country where one out of three people live below the poverty line. Socially concious fashion? Love it! Check out Della on ModelWire Network here.

 

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Ford/Robert Black

Founder, Robert Black began his career in the modeling industry at age 17. In 1980, Robert joined Southwest Model Management and became an owner in 1983. The agency began doing business as the Robert Black Agency in 1987.

FORD Models, the most recognized name in the modeling industry and known throughout the world for its "Supermodels" joined the Robert Black Agency to become the FORD/Robert Black Agency in 1994.  This partnership currently represents some of the industry's best, new talent and produces some of today's most exciting new faces.  The agency's models are represented in every major market both nationally and internationally.

Sheree Hartwell, formerly Sheree Kirkeby, started her modeling career with Robert Black at the age of 12. Upon initially interviewing with Robert at that time, Sheree stated that one day she wished to own her own modeling agency. Fast forward 14 years, Sheree Hartwell took over ownership and became the director of the FORD/Robert Black Agency in 2006, a position she still holds to this day.

The FORD/Robert Black Agency currently represents models and actors for runway, print, television, film, commercials, voice-over and promotions. Their models and actors have graced the covers of numerous magazines and starred in mainstream films both nationally and internationally.

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Ask a Supermodel: Overcoming Roadblocks

My name is Dionna Chambers and I am 22 years old. I have been in LA for about five years now, originally came here for college. I did finish college but started modeling and pursuing other industry related activities about three years ago. My main focus is modeling and hosting but I just feel really discouraged. I have a slim/dancer's body and I feel I am right in the middle in terms of height and body shape. I wear a size two and meet the requirements...but something still isn't working. I do as many trade shoots as I can but as you and I both know, you can always do more. I am driven, motivated, and always try to re-invent myself but I am at a road block. I want to use what I have to get into an agency that loves my look, I don't want to feel like I have to keep loosing weight until I am literally anorexic. Please check out my website...I do not have all of my pictures on there but a few. Any tips? www.dionnachambers.com.

Hi Dionna,  

I'm so glad you wrote. Just by looking at the 4 photos you sent me, I can tell you know how to move and are very comfortable in your body and with the camera. This is great and key to developing into a great model.  

I can also tell by these photos that you are too short for high fashion or catalogue modeling. The good news is that your driven and motivated and willing to re-invent. The other good news is that you live in Los Angeles and the market here is very commercial and much more forgiving with the height requirements than a fashion capital like Paris or New York.  

There's a saying, "you can save your face or you can save your ass." In modeling the myth is you have to save your ass. Don't get fat or you won't work. And let's get real, a size 4/6 in some circles is considered fat. I'm here to tell you that you look fabulous! And what's most important for you is to keep your good looks. If that means an extra curve or two, so be it! You're in great shape, you look healthy and slim plus you have gorgeous skin. Don't starve yourself.  

The one suggestion I would give you is to stay open to the possibility. Your letter tells me that your discouraged and hitting road blocks that are frustrating. The people you want to pay attention to you aren't. The work you'd like to be doing isn't happening. Don't be discouraged. Live in the possibility.  

I've hit numerous road blocks with agents, work, photographers, career changes, etc. The main action to take is to remain focused and open to change. The experiences you've had getting this far are going to take you through the next step. Each step is building towards something and often times, for me, what was built wasn't what I had in mind. As a matter of fact, it usually was better than I could have imagined.  

So stay focused. Set small goals that are achievable for yourself so you feel you're accomplishing forward movement. And stay open to the possibilities when they present themselves.  

Stay connected.  

xxEmily

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The Coveteur x Annabel Tollman

Since it's inception, The Coveteur has been one of my favorite fashion sites. I absolutely love getting an insider's look at the closets of fashion's tastemakers.  Fashion journalist and stylist, Annabel Tollman, is the latest subject photographed by the coveteur lens and I'm swooning over the fem silhouettes, the fur and the vintage Hermes Kelly bag. Her aesthetic is classic and glam, but with some modern touches that render the entire closet and living space a work of art.

Pics via The Coveteur

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Elle Max of Ford Robert Black

Meet Elle Max. At 17 years old she's a natural in front of the camera. Always positive and cheerful, she loves making people smile. She's always dreamed of modeling and believes that it's possible to reach your goals, as long as you are committed and dedicated to achieving them!

STATS

Height: 5’ 8.5"   Bust: 32"     Waist: 24"   Hips: 34"  

Shoes: 9   Hair: Dark Blonde   Eyes: Blue

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Ask A Supermodel: Size and Agent Relations

I just am kind of confused as to what to do next. I have tired and tired and tired again to lose weight to fit the 24-34 standards but it has not worked. I am now at 26-36 and happy but I would like to know if I'll get fashion jobs. More and more often I am seeing “bigger” girls coming into the industry and I often wonder why I cannot do that!! Should I give up?...Keep Working?

Oh and I have two agents. One in my city and one in LA.....but they are both kind of lazy at this point.

-Annie

Hey Annie,  

Do not give up. I'm not able to see what you look like but just going on your sizes, yes, you can work. Commercial work is much more forgiving than high fashion work when dealing with measurements. If you want to do straight modeling, I would stay where you are size wise, especially if you're comfortable there.  Once you start working more, if you need to become smaller, you'll know. 

The real issue at hand is that your agents are lazy? Agent relationships are like any other relationship. Both people have to participate in order for it to flourish. If you're agents just aren't into you at the moment, it's time to sit down and have a conversation.  Perhaps there's something more you could be doing. Perhaps there's something more they could be doing.  Perhaps they're doing everything they can and they're not getting any response. You won't know until you ask and focus on solution.  

It may also be time to change agents.  Sometimes the agent relationship falls into a rut and there's nothing you can do besides part ways and find new representation. The a newness to the next relationship may give you the extra boost you need to start working again.  

Another solution could be to reach out to people you've worked and connected with.  Just make sure if any modeling work comes from your reaching out you take it to the appropriate agent to handle the business.  

Best of luck. Keep me updated on your progress. This is a stumbling area that many models fall into.   

xxEmily 

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Los Feliz Fashion Festival Recap

Today trend spotters, style seekers and fashion fans came to the Los Feliz Fashion Festival, part of the 18th Annual Los Feliz Street Fair, to eat, drink and shop 'til they drop.

The event featured 35 local designers including 50 Dresses, Dominique Ansari, Fluxus, Della, A Current Affair, Heroes and Tails, and much more. Designers also showcased their work in two runway shows.

The first show, a fashion flashmob of sorts, showcased models scouted through ModelWire Network. Two Point Oh! LA sponsored the second show, pairing bloggers and designers to create unique local looks.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the ModelWire Network booth. Look for our uSnaps photos coming soon!

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Value of the Mask

One of the most eye-catching gifts I found in Venice were the beautifully, ornate costume masks. Vastly ranging from 10-500 euro, these masks are sold all around Venice; in gift shops, on carts in St. Marks square, even in higher class areas where the masks are more decorative than one can imagine. They are typically worn during the Carnevale di Venezia, a carnival taking place annually, two weeks before Ash Wednesday. As most people know, the whole purpose of a mask is to hide ones identity - particularly their social class when it comes to the Carnevale. Wearing a mask during the carnival instills a sense of equality among social classes, while adding an element of mystery to ones persona; enabling everyone to interact freely. If only I had enough euro and enough luggage space to buy one of those extravagant beauties!



I've used masks a few times in photo shoots and found they subconsciously make the viewer work a little harder to understand the narrative. The image becomes less about the models expression and more about the situation presented to the viewer. It allows the viewer to focus more on mood, surroundings, relationship between subjects, context, even what the mask could represent in the situation. Seeing the Venetian masks definitely inspired me to play with identity and what it means to shield ones face. On top of that, aren't they pretty?!

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Ask Joey: 2011 New York IMTA

Sorry I am not answering members’ questions this week, but I am questioned out…

I play many roles in my life, but a couple of times a year I play an advisor for IMTA and this whole week I have been at their modeling and talent competition in NYC.

I have talked a couple of times in my blog about International Modeling and Talent Association aka: IMTA. They are a professional organization that produces week long conventions of modeling, acting, singing and dancing competitions in New York and Los Angeles, where hundreds of fashion and talent agents, managers, casting directors, and many other industry professionals judge and scout the competitions.

Here’s a little look into my busy week.

Monday

• Moderated the Seminar for Models “Fashion Markets Around” with Sonja of Louisa Models in Hamburg and Munich, Fiona Craig of Fusion Model Management in Cape Town, Giorgio Barbieri of Boom Models in Milan, and Kim Luret of Crystal Models in Paris
• Judged the Team competition

Tuesday

•  Spent part of the day with the Casting Networks’ team in NY
•  Judging of Fashion Print and Runway Competition
•  Interview for documentary, “Chasing Beauty” with Brent Huff which is going to premier at the Sundance Film Festival

Wednesday

• More Judging
• Moderated the Seminar for Models, “Preparing for Model Callbacks”: Karen Lee of the Karen Lee   Group in NY, Tony Perkins of Vision LA, Roman Young of Wilhelmina NY, Erin Lundgren-Science of NY Models NY, Paul Nelson of Wilhelmina Men LA, Kristen Kodak of Stars Model Mgmt in SF, Alyssa Dolts of Factor Women in Chicago.

Thursday

• Model callbacks with agents all day

Friday

•  Interview with Idol magazine on the business of modeling and ModelWire
•  Final ceremony and awards

 Those are just some of the events that I was involved with. The biggest day and the hardest was Thursday – Callbacks!

All week, the agents have been watching and/or judging the competitions, keeping track of which models and/or actors they want to see again. That’s what makes IMTA so great – where else in the world can you meet 300+ agents in one big ballroom?

I helped advise Randy of CH management and other agencies during the callbacks, we met with 110 kids. (I say kids because they are all young to me, but the ages ranged from 11 to 25 year olds.) We sat down with each kid, asked them a few questions and looked over their pics – basically we wanted to see what kind of personality they had. If an agent felt like that the model was right for their agency, then they took a Digital Polaroid of them: a headshot, a profile shot and a full body shot.

I encouraged them by telling them to not get disappointed if they didn’t find representation this week at IMTA; that they are all young and have plenty of opportunities. Also, I mentioned that they may even want to come back in a year or two when they matured in the business. The main thing was to learn from it and enjoy this experience as most of them did.

Today is the awards ceremony. I will be honored with an award of 25 years of service to IMTA as both as a manager and agent and an adviser.

I want to personally say thank you to the director, Nancy Mancuso and to all those involved with IMTA for all your hard work and the memories that you have given me over the years!

And thank you Michelle of ModelWire for keeping up with me - not many can. 

In the meantime,

Have a successful day!

JOEY

Follow me @thejoeyhunter

*Have a question for me? Ask away on my ModelWire Network profile http://www.modelwirenetwork.com/joeyhunter

Photos: IMTA

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Ask a Supermodel: Fashion Challenge!

In case you haven't heard of James Van Alden and myself.  Here's a quick intro: I met James Van Alden at a cafe down the street a few years ago and have stayed in touch because I dig him. Every once in a while I throw a fashion challenge to James to keep him on his toes.  

I'm proud to announce... James Van Alden accepted another fashion challenge!!! 

Could he do an entire photo shoot durning the time my son was napping? 

Here's how I imagined it working.  I would put Henry down for a nap.  I would kiss my husband goodbye and jump on my scooter to meet James.  He and I would then do my hair and makeup and throw down a photo shoot all within an hour. 

I wanted to show aspiring models that it's actually quite simple to get new photos.  You just have to be willing to put people into motion. 

Here's what ended up happening: 

1. I put Henry down for a nap. 

2. I kissed my husband goodbye and jumped on the scooter

3. I spent the next 15 minutes looking for James. 

4. I texted James to let him know I was going home. 

5. James calls.  He's there.  He's been there.  How did I not see him? 

6. Henry wakes up. 

7. I give Henry to Gary and jump back on the scooter. 

8. I see James and recognize the flannel shirt he's wearing.  He was there!  He was just hunched over with his back turned to me. 

9. We spend 1/2 hour shooting photos

10. Kisses all around.  I jump on my scooter and drive home. 

It took 45 minutes to do hair, makeup, wardrobe and shoot a few photos.  Here's a couple of James' favorites he sent me:

Here I'm posing while getting my makeup done.  

Insider Fun Fact: I once shot the cover of Italian Vogue while Pat McGrath was still applying makeup and yelling at Steven Meisel to stop shooting.  I just kept posing and the cover ended up being the one without the lips on.  So you never know when you're going to get "the shot." 

.

Again, I'm still holding my facial muscles in a way that creates an image for James to capture.  This may not be "the shot" but it certainly is worth it to give good face whenever there's a lens pointed on you.  This photo is a great image for the aspiring makeup artist.  Look at how beautiful her hands are positioned!  Imagine if I hadn't participated and just sat there looking bored?  She wouldn't have this shot to add to her portfolio.  It's important for a model to be present at all times.

I did this mini project to show models who are breaking into the business that it is possible.  You can team up with the people in your immediate surrounds and work.  If being in front of the camera is your calling, just put yourself in front of it.  You don't have to wait for anyone to give you permission.  The responsibility is yours to make it happen. 

I made sure to use only James (Photographer) because most models don't know makeup artists, hair stylists, stylists, etc. to put an entire shoot together. 

And you never know what surprises lie in store!  When I showed up and started doing my makeup we quickly discovered that one of the women sitting there was a makeup artist looking to break into the business.  What a perfect opportunity to include more people and share the love!  

Hope you enjoyed the shoot and are inspired to go out and create your own images!  All you need is a camera and someone to snap your photo! 

Here's what I love about working with James.  

1. He uses film 

2. He knows what he wants and he knows what he's looking for. It makes it incredibly easy as a model to give it to him

3. He works quickly and remains focused.  

James Van Alden's Website

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