ASK JOEY: Make Sure Your Book's Not All Body!

I'm back! Sorry to have left you hanging the last few weeks, but I was recovering from back surgery and out of commission. Now that I'm all patched up, let's get down to business.

Guys, this one is for you! One of the most important things for male models to have in their books is proof you take nice fashion shots! Body shots are great, and you definitely need a few, but if you want to sign with an agency and/or book jobs, you'll have to prove that you can sell clothes! If you think you might be lacking in the fashion shot department, try collaborating with a MWN photographer in your area for free. You'll both get new pics for your portfolios.


JUSTIN MAGOULAS
I moved from California to New York City to make a step in my careers as a model/actor. I signed with MSA Models over two months ago and have not yet had one audition. I find it hard to find work for myself in this industry, but I know have the look and ability to be marketable. What can I do to get work and add to my resume?

Many fashion agents will you you are too short at 5'10". Also, your book is primarily body shots and not high fashion so my advice would be be go the commercial and TV route. Find the right agents that handle your type in NYC. Unlike California, New York is not all about the body (including height). You have a nice look and should consider acting classes if you aren't taking them already. It just takes time so study hard and get yourself in the door of commercial agencies. You will definitely work!

CORBIN RIVERA 
I was scouted through MWN and asked to come into an open call at a boutique agency called Blaze Models. When they went through the contract with me, they mentioned several ways they would be submitting me all free except a $20 monthly fee from your parent site, ModelWire. I just wanted to make sure this is a legit fee before I pay it. I know in LA if you have to pay for something through an agency, something could be fishy.

You've got a nice look but you need to get more fashion shots in your book. Your agent will take care of that. They should help get you tested and make sure you have the right shots in your book for their market. Regarding fees, all agents charge their models to put pictures on the agency website and/or on ModelWire to promote them. This is standard. In the old days, books and model cards were sent by snail mail or FedEx and would be even more expensive. ModelWire and similar websites are actually much more cost effective and save you money in the end.

JORGE N 
What advice would you give a Miami native who wants to make it into an agency like Ford, elite, or Wilhelmina?

All agencies, regardless of size, will be looking at your book and whether or not it works for their market. They will definitely need to see more fashion shots in your book. See if you can hook up with a photographer on MWN or elsewhere that will work with you for trade or at no charge. You an also try to find an agent who feels that you have the right look and will work on your book with you. Try making appointments will all of the agents you want to see and they will let you know what direction you need to go in to be considered/signed. If they will help you with your book, great! If they need to see more from you first, they will let you know. 

TANNER MIRANDA 
I just turned 18 and am hoping to find some modeling jobs. I will be moving to LA soon and am wondering if you can give me some pointers on the best way to get my face/name out there. I'm also a dancer and wondering about how to get jobs related to dance. Is there much of a demand for model/dancers? Any pointers or constructive criticism on my look/photos?

You have a nice look but need to get more fashion shots in your book for modeling gigs. Make appointments to see agents. In LA, you can do it all! Finding agencies that have both dance and print divisions is a great place to start, as you can have different teams at the same agency promoting you for different types of work. You can use the Fashion Directory on ModelWire as one tool to locate fashion, commercial and theatrical agencies in LA. 

DENARD HUNT 
I have just started modeling and find it very difficult to find jobs. What is the best way to thrive in this business? How can I search for jobs as a model? I have an agent but also look for work on my own.

The main reason you are finding it hard is because of where you live. You need to get to a market where there is more look for your type. I'm sorry to say that, but if this is what you want, start with a bigger market that's not too far away - like Dallas or Chicago. Start there and work your way to LA or New York. That is the only way you will make it happen, unless you get lucky and someone is casting the right kid of job in Oklahoma City for you. With that said, I wouldn't leave it to chance, I would make it happen! You have a good look and can definitely find work in a market with more opportunities.

In the meantime,

Have a successful day!

JOEY

Follow me @TheJoeyHunter

*Have a question for me? Ask away at my ModelWire Network Profile.

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Kate Moss - Coming Soon To A Playboy Near You

*Image from Kate Moss for David Yurman campaign. 

Kate Moss, one of the most famous supermodels of all time, is ditching high fashion for Playboy. Moss, who typically models for high-end luxury brands, will be shedding the designer duds for the 60th anniversary Playboy cover in January 2014. Rumors have been circulating for a while, after on-set hair stylist Oribe Canales said he styled her for the shoot. Playboy's editorial director Jimmy Jellinek finally confirmed the cover today.

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot photographed Moss on a set designed by Chuck Close. Word is that Kate did pose completely nude but it is not known how much skin will be shown on the anniversary cover. Although she has never been shy about posing nude before, no one can argue that Playboy is quite a change from high fashion.  As the Huffington Post reported, "Kate is certainly not the first fashion model to cover Playboy (hello, Cindy!), but she might be the most elite of the bunch." 

We must admit, we are curious about this collaboration. Will you be checking out the 60th anniversary issue in January?

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Lady Gaga Covers Elle

A preview of Lady Gaga's cover shoot for the October issue of Elle hit the internets today, and we must say, it is stunning. In typical Gaga fashion, she continues to do the unexpected. This issue showcases a softer, more ethereal Gaga than we are used to. Her Elle spread will feature everything from fur to feathers, in soft, elegant pastels from designers like Versace, Dries van Noten, and Chanel. According to Elle's website, the singer will discuss her forced hiatus and how she handles pressure and the critics.

"What are you talking about, pressure? I'm great under pressure. I'm a warrior. I'm Rocky, round 12." - Lady Gaga

What do you think of Lady Gaga's latest Elle cover?

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Meet Our Featured Members of the Month!

Meet our featured members for the month of September! If you would like to be considered as a future featured member, please email us at featured@modelwirenetwork.com. To collaborate with any of our members, reach out to them via their ModelWire Network profiles or post a project to our Projects page. Now, we're thrilled to introduce you to some amazing talent this month!

MODEL OF THE MONTH: NICOLINE V.

We're excited to feature Nicoline V., a newcomer to ModelWire Network. Nicoline is from New York, and you can check out her portfolio here.

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: LIONEL REYES

Lionel Reyes is a Filipino-American portrait, fashion and rock photographer from Sacramento, CA. He received a degree in Digital Media Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He currently works as a newspaper photographer, opened a photography studio and started his own company which specializes in fashion editorial and portraiture. In the short amount of time that he has been doing photography, his work has been featured in various publications.

Why photography?

I'm an artist and a sentimentalist. Photography is my creative outlet which allows me to capture special moments in time and show all of the beauty and art that's around us through my point of view.

Who is your favorite photographer of all time?

Cindy Sherman. She's one of the most influential photographers/artists of our time. I especially like how she takes on multiple roles in her projects.

What inspires you?

The source for my inspiration mainly derives from the female form, fashion (past, present & future), music, movies, and ethnic cultures.

What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?

Besides the obvious main factor of having a certain look that I'm searching for; professionalism, self-drive, and no drama are at the top of my list. Whether it's during basic email correspondence with me or we're on set at a photo shoot, I expect the models that I work with to conduct themselves with utmost professionalism. Also, please check all drama at the front door

What kind of camera/equipment do you use?

I use a Nikon D600. I use the Nikkor 28-300mm as my all-around lens, which is really useful for events and newspaper coverage. For fashion, I use the Nikkor 50mm and 85mm lenses.

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

My favorite project is usually the last project that I worked on because I try to out-do my previous shoot. After all, you're only as good as your last work. My recent favorite shoot was on-location at Stinson Beach, CA with a model from Stars Model Management. It was a gorgeous day, I had a great team of hair and makeup, and we had a beautiful model who was an absolute joy to work with and took direction really well, With all of those factors, who could ask for a better shoot.

What is your personal style?

My particular style is dependent on the gig/occasion. If I'm shooting on-location, I'm usually wearing jeans and a t-shirt with my trademark backwards black cap. If I'm shooting something important like a gala or a fashion show, I'm usually wearing something dressy and professional looking.

What is your favorite band or song of all time?

Hands down, my favorite band of all-time is The Beatles. Through their years, they managed to re-invent themselves musically and artistically. I hope to follow in their footsteps with my photography by re-inventing myself and evolving artistically. 

What was your most embarrassing moment professionally?

I was shooting a group of doctors and surgeons and totally forgot to put an SD card into my DSLR. I was wondering why I couldn't take their pictures, so I looked to see if I had an SD card inside. Long story short, they saw me inserting the SD card into my camera and started chuckling.

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE MONTH: CHRISTY MAURER 

Christy Maurer arrived in Los Angeles from Alaska and fell right into the world of professional makeup. She attended Elegance International Makeup School in Hollywood, where she trained in makeup for television and film, print and fashion, as well as special effects. She was trained by some of the industry's top makeup artists, including Rich Knight. After graduating, Christy began working almost immediately as a makeup artist on a series of short films and other media projects.

Christy continues to develop her own signature style while under the mentorship of Emmy award winning makeup artist Patty Bunch. In an effort to continue developing as an artist and to better serve her clients on all levels, she enrolled at the Career Academy of Beauty and went on to graduate as a California State licensed medical esthetician. Christy continues to work as a makeup artist and hair stylist in Los Angeles, and around the world, while running her own private esthetician practice.

Why makeup artistry?

I've been fascinated for years with artists who had the ability to make people glamorous or hideous. To be able to reach into your own personal creative energy and paint on a living canvas, I thought, would be the most amazing thing a person could ever do. When I actually started doing makeup for photo shoots and started to learn about and get to know a lot of the women I've worked with, I found that the ability to make someone feel so much better about themselves - how they look and feel - is really the  most amazing part of my craft.

Who is your favorite makeup artist of all time?

I have to qualify two artists for this questions. For special effects work, hands down, Rick Baker. I've loved his work for so long, and I often cite him as one of the reasons I got into the film and television side of the industry. The other, Alexis Vogel. The quality of her work and list of personal clientele speaks volumes for itself. She is one of the few artists in the industry that I constantly use as a measuring stick against my work and abilities.

What product can't you live without?

I'd love to give you a laundry list of cosmetics, but really, when it comes down to it, any artist will tell you they live and die by the quality of their tools. For me, I can't live without my Bdellium brushes. I got my first set a few years ago and have been a devoted follower ever since. I've never believed that any product is perfect, but for me, their brushes are as close as it gets!

What inspires you?

Everything around me inspires me at some level. I know it sounds cliché but it's true. An image, a painting, a comic book, a movie or a piece of music. I can always take little things from these and make them my own. Maybe it's a design or a color palette or the angle of a line. It's really hard to say what will strike my imagination at any given time. But I've always felt the best and purest forms of inspiration come when you're not looking for them.

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

I have been truly fortunate to be asked to work with so many talent and creative photographers, models and actors, that it is really difficult to say. I did a movie with Lochlyn Munro, who is an absolute sweetheart. We had a blast and talked about hockey non-stop, which I love! But I'll always have a special place for this short film from Drop Dead Films called "Two" because it was the first time someone gave me the chance to really take control of a project and push myself. Plus it was a lot of fun to play with blood and fake monkey brain!

What is your favorite band or song of all time?

Music is a HUGE part of my life. I've always got something playing when I'm working or just hanging around the house. By far, my favorite band of all time is U2! They have been with me my entire life and they have to be the one band that I can listen to and tell you specific points in my life when I heard certain songs.

What is your most embarrassing moment professionally?

As much as I hate to admit this, I had just finished a shoot the night before and had to go out to a photo shoot the next morning. Low and behold, I forgot my brush roll on location and had to scramble to use q-tips and cotton balls for the application. Luckily the photos turned out good and we still got published in an overseas publication!

HAIR STYLIST OF THE MONTH: AUDREY BETHARDS 

Audrey Bethards is a hair stylist and makeup artist working out of Washington, D.C. Her work has been featured in the pages of ELLE, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Teen VOGUE, and Seventeen, to name a few. Clients include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's, Avon, and Bakers Shoes.

Learn more about Audrey on her website or check out her MWN portfolio here!

WARDROBE STYLIST OF THE MONTH: MALY SIHARATH 

Maly Siharath is a freelance fashion stylist in Los Angeles. She has worked on celebrity styling, editorial styling, ad campaigns, and fashion shows. Her work has been featured in Coast, Quatro, 1968 Magazine, M Magazine, and Vogue Italia, to name a few. 

Learn more about Maly on her website or check out her MWN portfolio here!

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NYFW Day One Recap

The wait is over and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is off and running! The Spring 2014 runways kicked off with shows from BCBGMAXAZRIA, Marissa Webb, Nicholas K, Desigual, Tadashi Shoji, Supima, Richard Chai Love, Zimmermann, The Fashion Law Institute, The Art Institute of New York City,  and presentations by David Tlale and Candela.

The day one shows were full of airy dresses, crop tops, surplus, and leather. We are really wishing we could have the entire BCBGMAXAZRIA collection right now, to survive this Los Angeles heat wave! It's still way too hot to bust out our Fall fashion.

We've selected one of our favorite looks from each runway to share with you.

BCBGMAXAZRIA

MARISSA WEBB

NICHOLAS K

DESIGUAL

TADASHI SHOJI

SUPIMA

RICHARD CHAI LOVE

ZIMMERMANN

THE FASHION LAW INSTITUTE

THE ART INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK CITY

 DAVID TLALE

 CANDELA

What Spring trends are you excited to see? Leave us a comment and let us know!

For more photos and video, visit mbfashionweek.com.

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DesigNation Collab with Catherine Malandrino

If you're anything like us, you LOVE a good mainstream retail/designer collaboration. Chic looks that are budget friendly? Win! We recently shared the Target/Phillip Lim lookbook, and now we bring you the latest DesigNation for Kohl's collab with Catherine Malandrino.

We are obsessing over the Parisian inspired line, which hits stores on September 27th. Here's a little sneak peak of what you can expect...

Check out the complete line here!

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Plus Size Line Coming To NYFW

For the first time ever, a plus size line will be showing at New York Fashion Week. Designer Eden Miller is one of six designers chosen by the Fashion Law Institute to be a part of its showcase during the Spring '14 runways. She was not chosen simply for the sake of making history, but because the quality of her work speaks for itself. "It just happened to be that they liked my stuff," Miller said. "It didn't matter that I'm doing plus."

Cabiria, Miller's line, was launched through Kickstarter in 2012 with a goal of offering high-end, high-quality women's styles in a variety of sizes. The Cabiria show will take place September 6th and is the first show of the day. Miller could not be more excited.

"Cabiria is the first plus designer to EVER be invited to show at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Shows. Ever. This is such a huge milestone for legitimizing plus fashion, and incredibly exciting for me personally," she wrote on her blog.

Here are a few looks from the Spring Summer line...

Check out the rest of the Cabiria line here.

We're thrilled for Eden and think it's about time designers for all shapes and sizes are embraced at NYFW. 

What do you think about plus size showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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