Modelling blog

Print models usually have to work two kinds of modeling gigs. Those two are Catalogue and Editorial Modeling. Each category requires something different from their models. The goal with catalogue modeling is to show off the clothes and entice people to buy them. An effective catalogue model needs to be able to convey the message that: “I love what I’m wearing. I’m wearing this everyday! You should wear it too.”

Catalogues often show models looking happy and they are ideally photographed laughing. Capturing a laugh without looking maniacal is harder than most models think. It takes practice to be a good catalogue model. But, laughter isn’t all that catalogue modeling is all about. Some catalogue photographers want their models to ‘emote’ and look somber. They require them to stare off in a distance as if wanting to see a long lost lover breech the horizon.

No matter how they are required to pose, catalogue modeling is usually easier to do and new models can start out doing catalogues before moving up to the big layouts. The important thing to remember about catalogue modeling is that the clothes are the star of the shoot. Models need to be able to sell what they are wearing. They need to learn how to be conscious of their body positions.

Having Celebrities stand in as model is a common practice. Hollywood and sports celebrities have a long  history of modeling all sorts of name brands. A few of them include:

CHARLIZE THERON – The Oscar award winning actress has modeled for Haute Couture house Christian Dior. She has appeared in several ad campaigns and she is the face of their j’adore fragrance. The actress is also constantly dressed up in Christian Dior clothes by John Galliano. Most memorable is her blue ruffled chiffon dress and the black one with the big bow on the shoulder.

OLSEN TWINS – The Olsen twins are not only actresses, they are businesswomen as well. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen run a lot of companies and most of them fashion related. The two of them have also stood in as models for Badgely Mischka.

JENNIFER LOPEZ – This Latina actress has modeled for fashion house Lious Vuitton. Her ads ran all over for quite some time. She was followed by Uma Thurman and later on Scarlet Johansson.

DAVID BECKHAM – The football star has modeled for several ad campaigns, but he is most known for his stint as the face and body of Armani Underwear.

DAKOTA FANNING – Grown up stars are not the only ones who land modeling gigs. Ingénue Dakota Fanning has also had her share. She modeled in a print ad campaign for Marc Jacobs. Jacobs had her dressing up in several outfits. Most memorable is the flapper girl inspired look.

The modeling field is a very competitive one. Each year brings on more and more hopefuls. Models who were once on top of their game could end up usurped by a young, better model. That is the reason why models should be the best that they can be at all times. Models are tested a lot of different ways. But most of the time, they are checked for greatness on the catwalk and a model photo shoot. A model may be great on the catwalk, but that is hardly enough. She needs to work on print and ad campaigns too. Below are a few posing tips that are tried and tested.

LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT – It is important that every model should always look for the light and turn their faces towards it. Unless, they have been specifically instructed by the photographer not to do so. If not, then they should always turn and face the light. This should be done artfully so that it does not look too severe.

POSTURE is KEY – Having good posture is important for anyone. If a model is asked to pose, she is asked to pose properly. Although, the ‘broken down and slouching model look’ is hip among modes right now, especially for model Liya Kebede. Nevertheless, a good posture and great body lines are still a staple among models, especially when modelling lingerie and bikinis.

The dreams of little girls and little boys are changing. Staples like being doctors, lawyers, astronauts, actresses and presidents still remain, but a lot more kids are saying: ‘I want to be a fashion model’. Some models discover their drive for modeling early, while others are just chance discoveries. So, for the rest of you who are still in the dreaming and pining stage. Here are a few tips on how to become a Fashion model.

Find an Agency – High-end fashion models such as the ones  chosen by Vogue - are always represented by modeling agencies. Designers and Ad companies go directly to agencies when they want models for the runway or for an ad campaign. They rarely (and rarely means next to never) stage open calls. The industry standard is to go through a modeling agency. If you want to be a model, participate in a modeling agency open call and strut your stuff. Do not despair if you don’t get signed in your first try. After all, most of the greatest fashion models out there were once rejected too.

Being signed by an agency is not everything. You also have to work on your look. Invest in a few fashion shots for your fashion portfolio. Make sure that the shots are as varied as possible so that the agents know that you are versatile and panache. Work on your walk and your posing too.

There has been a lot of talk with regards to the fact that fashion models have become so thin. Kate Moss’ fame and thin frame did not help other models to improve their eating habits. But, reports of stick thin models dying because of eating disorders, malnutrition and its complications, have shocked the modeling world into action.

That is why; it has been such a relief to see meatier models walk the runway in the recently concluded NY Fashion week.

Gone were the scary skin-and-bones models of yesteryear. This year’s models looked rosier and healthier. “I actually saw some breasts when they did the lingerie show, which was great.” Said ‘How do I Look’ host Finola Hughes.

This change is perhaps attributed to the efforts of designers, Modeling Agencies and Ad companies alike. They have tried to get the message through to the models: its either they have a healthy BMI or they don’t work. The models the walked NY’s Fashion runways were size 2’s and 4’s. Gone were the scary 1’s and 0’s, it’s more about looking healthy and Panache than too skinny.

The Fashion Designer Council of America has also made a move. They have set up seminars that taught models about healthy diet and eating habits. They also recommended designers to keep under aged prepubescent girls off the runway.

Evicted UK Big Brother contestant Nicole Cammack may not have won, but she has some serious modeling ahead of her. The UK’s Daily Star has reported that top Modeling agencies in the country are fighting to get their hands on Cammack.

The Big Brother contestant’s eviction was a historic one for the show. She got the highest eviction vote of any other house mate in the show’s history. Cammack garnered a staggering 94% of the vote. But, despite her eviction, it is estimated that Cammack has the potential to earn over 1 million pounds in the next year alone.

The modeling agency that does get their hands on Cammack will surely get a lot of swag. The blonde, blue eyed 19 year old has a lot of post Big Brother publicity gigs to fulfill. And she may even get several endorsement deals. Cammack has always wanted to be a model and this may be the big break that she is looking for.

Cammack considers the attention given to her by top modeling agencies in the UK as an affirmation that she does have a better body than Stephanie McMichael and is planning on lingerie and bikini shoots. McMichael and Cammack were love rivals on the UK Big Brother reality show.

Maybe now she is set to make a lot of money, she no longer needs Rex then does she?!

The modeling world is very competitive. Male models who get the most gigs are those that look a certain way. To keep booking jobs, a male model must be very conscious of the way he looks. They should be the epitome of health and youth. Therefore, a male model should be toned and have the least amount of flab possible.

The abdominal area is one of the hardest areas to maintain. However, it is also an area a male model should focus on. Male models with washboard abs and six packs are often booked for fragrance and underwear and swimwear campaigns. To keep a male model in tip top shape, here are two effective ab exercises to help keep a toned tummy:

* WEIGHTED ARM CRUNCH – Up the ante on your basic ab crunch by using weights! You can hold on to light dumbbells while doing ab crunches. This helps ad more force to your ab workout. That way you can get toned abs on a shorter time span. You can also carry weights when you do side crunches.

* CRUNCH AND SIDE BEND – Another great ab workout is the Crunch and Side Bend Combo. You can do this while performing a basic ab crunch. To make it more interesting bend your body to one side as you raise your chest. This exercise will help target your upper and side ab muscles.