Not every model is aware of their unique, perhaps ‘unusual’ beauty and it often takes the trained eye of a modeling scout to pick these candidates from a crowd. What is true is that many famous models are scouted young – usually in their early to mid teens. In fact, Lara Stone, Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen were all spotted at age 14 and began their modeling careers as teenagers.

While we can’t promise visiting any of these locations will get you signed, perhaps this is a lesson in model scouting and the importance of looking your best wherever you go if your dream is to become a model.

Model Scouting: She got scouted WHERE?!

• Lara Stone — In the Paris Metro at age 14.
• Lily Aldridge – Eighth grade at a school carnival.
• Coco Rocha — (2002) An Irish dance competition by agent Charles Stuart.
• Gisele Bundchen –(1994) Discovered at age 14 in a Brazilian fashion mall.
• Candice Swanepoel — Spotted by a model scout in a Durban flea market at age 15.
• Freja Beha Erichsen — On the streets of  Denmark by a modeling agent passing by in a taxi.
• Marisa Miller — Age 16, walking through a San Francisco café by two Italian modeling agents.
• Karlie Kloss – Charity fashion show in a mall in St. Louis for a friend who was battling cancer.
• Kate Moss –  (1988) Found at age of 14 by Sarah Doukas, the founder of Storm Model Management, at JFK Airport in New York City.
• Selita Ebanks – (2000)  At 17, while walking through the turnstiles at Six Flags Great Adventure, Ebanks was scouted by an agent from Elite Model Management.

Of course, apart from right time and right place is right face. Right?

Social media seems more focused on the gender split that the historical distinction of age. The digital landscape seems to have eliminated generational boundaries, but how do the genders compete in this space?

After looking at the research report  published Nielsen it’s pleadingly obvious that ladies are making their mark and staking their claim in what used to be considered a male driven territory.

So what does this mean for model agencies?

Like it or not, the majority of your models are likely to be female, unless you’re an all-male model agency. With these stats in mind, it might come in handy when looking for your next cover model.

As an agent optimizing your social media channels might just be your best bet in uncovering new female talent.

Looking at the numbers, it seems that women have a tendency to engage more than men. But that should have been obvious considering our heightened sense of emotional capacity. Think that’s just being feminist? Well, have a look at the stats:

• Brand following: Women are 18% more likely than to follow a brand on Facebook or other social media sites. In contrast, men are 21% less likely to do so.

This means that women are more likely to follow and engage with your agency in the social media space.

• Online presence: 6% of women are more likely to create at least one online profile compared to men who are 7% less likely to have done so.

Women are likely to be active on a wider variety of platforms, offering your agency increased touch points and opportunities to have conversations with them.

• Blog profiles: Women are 8% more likely to create a personal blog, where men are 9% less likely to do so.

As women have a preference towards blogs, creating one for your agency is likely to attract a predominantly skewed female audience. This is a great platform to talk about your agency, new faces or upcoming projects (and need for talent).

• Social Media activity: 65% of women use social media at least once a week, while only 51% of men do the same.

Women are more likely to be online and active in the social media space on a regular basis, allowing you increased opportunities to connect with them.

They key thing to note with regards to women having such a predominant online presence is that, they’re more likely than men to be online.  So if you want to connect and seek out new talent, you best be moving in the right (google+) circles.

Women like to talk

Like the real world, women are more likely to talk to their friends, share their opinions, and write a blog about it. So if you’re looking for referrals or trying to find that one specific look – turn to the online gals and you’re likely to get the results you’re looking for. If they don’t fit the profile, maybe one of their friends do. If you reach one lady in your network, the chances are you have the potential to reach her entire network too.

Being invited to the age old festival is not only an honor but a privilege as this is an event that showcases and pays tribute to the best in class in the industry.

Not only an opportunity to showcase  some of the most creative communication in the industry, Cannes is where meetings, negotiations and deals take place in parallel to festival itself, drawing more than 10,000 buyers and sellers from around the world, according to the festival’s organizers.

This is the pinnacle event where all the blood sweat and tears of the past season amalgamate and those who have risen above the rest are rewarded for their talent and dedication.

Ever since its creation, Cannes has remained faithful to its founding purpose: to draw attention to and raise the profile of films with the aim of contributing towards the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level.

You never know who you might meet

As anyone in the fashion of production industry will know – this festival plays a huge role in driving new talent and possible funding , which acts as a major stimulus for the upcoming season. This is where production companies, actors and models amongst the many other industry professionals have a chance to show off their best work. The Cannes Lions festival is what it all comes down to – where all the content and commercials produced in the year leading up to the one week event are showcased.

The work is important, but just as important is the networking opportunities the festival presents. If you’re looking for talent, producers, makeup artists, photographers – anyone who plays a role in this industry – Cannes is a fantastic opportunities to see who’s who and best in class.

The festival is an opportunity for the models and actors to share the limelight, and give much deserved praise to the many industry professionals behind the scenes who make everything happen. It’s a chance for production teams from all over the world gather to promote their territory by meeting with international clients, creatives as well as independent directors who are all there to prospect for new business.

It’s not what you know but who you know

Impromptu meetings like this are a great opportunity to showcase your models and your work, yet given the formalities and social aspects of the festival it’s unlikely you’d be carrying a number of portfolios around with you.  It’s networking opportunities like this where cDs software (Portfoliopad or Agencypad) can be beneficial to you as an agent.

Portfoliopad for example allows you to carry your agency in your hands throughout the festival – so should the opportunity arise, you have everything you need to showcase your agency at the touch of a button.

And so without further ado cDs would like to Welcome Dave Talbot, Rob Connors, Benedikt Schlegel and Megan Bernstein to the team!

At cDs our business is all about people, so we thought we’d take this opportunity to introduce you to our newest recruits.

Dave Talbot

Having spent 12 years modeling and a further 17 years as a self-startup service supplier to the fashion and production industry, Dave is a man who knows the ins and outs of this business. Joburg born, Dave spent much time in Europe, Germany in particular, but has stayed true to his South African Routes and found his way back to Cape Town.

A love for water is one of Dave’s passions and he has always tried to live as close to it as possible. As an outdoorsman and lover of nature Cape Town provides the perfect setting for Dave to make sure he can fit his daily 2km swim into his schedule.  A man not all about business, Dave has a strong commitment to social upliftment where he plays an integral role in the Build Exciting Education Trust.

Dave met cDs 17 years ago, just a few years after the company launch. As a client in those days Dave was one of the first to interact and use the cDs software and technology.

It was through the shared interest in motorbikes, and cDs software, which allowed Dave’s path to cross with that of Bradley Zetler who today holds the title of cDs Group CEO. With a solid background in marketing and networking it was not long until the two formed a strong friendship, which set Dave on the path to becoming cDs Business Development Director.

Get in touch with Dave: dave@cdsglobal.com

Rob Connors

No novice in terms of experience, Rob has a wealth of knowledge at his fingertips which he has curated from all over the globe. Governed by the saying ‘Move in any direction, as long as it’s forward’ Robs career is definitely one to note.

Having lived and worked across the world Rob kicked off his career in Napa Valley, taught in Japan after University and gained his corporate experience in the Silicon Valley. With a background in Sales & Business Development he built world class teams in places like South Africa, Germany, UK, Australia, Korea and the US.

Strategy is at the forefront of everything he does and is known for driving revenue and business growth in intensely competitive markets.  Always keen to learn and up for a challenge Rob saw a merge between Entertainment and Technology and decided to open a TV, Film & Stills Production Company out of Cape Town. 22 Music Videos, 3 International Commercials and many productions later, he relocated to New York.

Whilst settling in to his New York lifestyle, Rob joined the Start Up community where he became a ‘Next Level’ consultant

Highly regarded amongst his peers, Rob has been chosen to deliver 6 speeches three consecutive years in a row for the Chiba-Ken chapter of UNESCO on Cross-Cultural Understanding in Japan, as well as being invited as a guest speaker at numerous international conferences.

It was by chance that Rob came across cDs Global which not only had ties to South Africa, but also an owner that lived down the road from him. Without a second thought Rob decided to hop aboard and now heads up sales and business development for the America’s.

cDs is honoured to have Rob as one of the newest members of our team as Director of Sales & Business Development.

Get in touch with Rob: rconnors@cdsglobal.com

Benedikt Schlegel

Benedikt has come a long way since his days in advertising. Having moved through the ranks from junior account manager to account director, it was in October 2000 that Benedikt and his wife relocated to Paris where he came across his first opportunity to get involved directly in the fashion industry as a booker at Crystal Slides Models.

From there he went on to become booker for Success Model Management and Silent Models Management, Director at Success Model Management, Head Booker of Commercial Division at City Models and consult as well as art direct for a number of agencies.

With extensive marketing  knowledge of the German and international fashion and consumer goods markets, as well as his clearly demonstrated leadership skills it’s with great pride that we welcome Benedikt to the cDs team where he heads up New Business Development for the Paris office.

Get in touch with Benedikt: benedikt @cdsglobal.com

Megan Bernstein

‘Dynamite comes in small packages’ definitely stands true for this little lady, under5foot, yet bursting with energy, passion and drive. A Cape Town girl through and through Megan is a lover of coffee and yoga, two things she barely goes a day without.

With a BA Marketing Communications Degree, as well as specializations in Brand Management and Media Planning, Megan graduated from AAA School of Advertising not only with distinction, but with a number of awards in her respective fields

With a love and passion for great brands, innovative marketing campaigns and the ever changing landscape of the digital world Megan is a true Generation Y baby.  Completely immersed in all things digital, she lives and breathes social media and couldn’t imagine life without the web.

This confident tech savvy young lass comes with a lot more experience than, possibly, meets the eye.  She lives by the mantra ‘”Find a job that you love and you will never have to work another day in your life”

Having spent the last 6 years in the marketing and advertising industry Megan now finds herself as a Social Media Strategist and can happily say she has found her niche.

Get in touch with Megan: megan@cdsglobal.com

When Vogue Italia EIC Franca Sozzani talks you listen (and by talk we mean blog). Ever-so controversial within the modeling industry, besides ‘The Great Cover Debate’ and the Vogue Health Initiative, is the use of black models on the runway and their industry impact. Surprisingly, according to Sozzani, AGENTS are those being credited for the lack of black models, writing, “[models] even blame agencies for not asking them to attend the “right” go-see auditions, those with big designers, but only those with smaller brands or minor catalogs.”

Anyone who has watched a runway show is privy to the outpouring of white models but did you know that less than 10% of the models [at Rio Fashion Week this year] were black?! There is no jumping to the racism card and instead Sozzani suggests that scouting practices are to blame. An offered solution: ”Rebranding Africa”, meaning increase the agents’ awareness of the beauty in African American women.

This isn’t the first time Sozzani has shed light on this issue but are the agents really going to listen this time or is “Rebranding Africa” falling on deaf ears?

Vogue Italia

Model turned actress. Model turned design. Now, model turned magazine editor is this week’s top story. Model Anja Rubik relaunches erotic 25 Magazine, inspired by Playboy, meaning 300 pages of glossy photographs with no ads, JUST MODELS.

Just last week we got into a conversation with photographer and casting agent Damain Bao over the “Great Cover Debate” via Twitter; a conversation in which we both agreed that more models need to make appearances on magazine covers rather than celebrities. This opinion, overwhelmingly agreed upon by fashion industry professionals, might have just gotten the kick in the butt it needed by model Anja Rubik. According to New York Daily News, “Rubik has been involved with the magazine since 2009, and having taken full editorial control she has rebranded the glossy publication in the style of ’70s erotic magazine Viva.”

This revamp means a resurgence of models not only within the pages of fashion magazines but also on the covers. “The new issue, which has been shot entirely be female photographers such as Annie Leibovitz and Ellen von Unwerth, will feature some 300 pages of glossy photographs with no advertising” (NY Daily News); AKA models will also increase their editorial exposure.

Rumor has it that Abbey Lee Kershaw will be one of the first models making her glossy magazine debut (cover feature unknown) and that many more modeling elite will grace the cover and editorial spreads. Could Anja Rubik resurrect the history of model covers?

When photographers first saw Andrej Pejic on the runway, they asked, “Who is that blonde girl?” only to get a surprising response that that GIRL was in fact a BOY. In an industry that tries to break the rules rather than conform to societal standards, modeling has increasingly pushed the androgynous boundaries.

These model “gender pioneers” also include Miss Universe Canada finalist Jenna Talackova, Lea T, and Valentijn de Hingh; individuals who are raising awareness about transgendered and androgynous models. Just as photographers once mis-identified Pejic, other fashion industry insiders too loosely throw around the terms “tranny” and “drag-queen”. In leui of Pejic’s recent  Rosa Clara bridalwear runway show, which is raising a few eyebrows, we thought it only appropriate for a quick model gender lesson:

Trans-gendered  Someone who identifies with a gender other than their biological one.

Transvestite A person who adopts the dress and behaviour of a gender other than their biological one.

Drag Adopting the characteristics of a gender other than your biological one as a form of performance.

Androgyny The combination of masculine and feminine characteristics.

As “acceptors” of the gender gap, pushing the boundaries of modeling, the fashion industry must first offer correct labels for these runway pioneers.  While the world may never fully accept the blurring of genders, these model success stories prove that these individuals can find success despite societal constrains.

Definitions

Image Source

There are two types of agents: those who dole out the tough love and others who go for a more “gentle” approach. The time we’ve spent in modeling agency waiting rooms (while models side-eye us as if we have 3 heads for being there) has led to some INTENSE eavesdropping. We’ve heard the expected “you’re too heavy” and the “you did WHAT to your eyebrows?!”, leading us to believe that the “babying” agents don’t even really exist, as if they are some mythical creature, like unicorns.

Then, as if by magic, the agents lead us into their offices and their tones change, doing a complete 180. Why are they as charming as school teachers with us, yet no holds barred with their models?

Pondering over this mystery, we concluded that just because they are giving tough love, does not mean they aren’t loving. In fact, tough love is how agents show affection. Out of necessity, they don’t tip-toe around; this is a business, an industry that does not take lightly to the soft-spoken.

What type of agents are more successful: Tough love agents or those who baby their models or talent?

@HB_Models tough love

@JordanHebbe I think it’s a bit like parenting: there should be a balance of authority + friendliness. Establish a good connection + respect.

@ChosenModels those that tell the models/talent what they need to hear and not what they want to hear!

@ClarkCord I would say tough love. Babying someone never seems to benefit either party.

@MarilynAgencyNY For us, we baby our models until we have to give tough love. Seems to work!

@ErinScouted it depends on the personality of the model. Just like being a parent, all kids come different.

Indeed it’s like parenting, a blend of nurture and tough love, building trust between the agent and model. While harsh criticism is not beneficial, constructive criticism is, even if it is difficult for the model to hear. An agent is the model’s parent away from home, guiding them in the right career direction.

One day jet black and the next day blonde (okay, white), model Crystal Renn got us thinking about model transformations. The general public has no time to prepare, suddenly sideswiped by a Twitter feed filled with shocked commentary bordering on cynicism. If the general public is blindsided by online images, how shocking must it be for a model’s agency when she walks through the door, unrecognizable?!

This isn’t an episode of ANTM where Tyra plans model makeovers, instead, these are models fed up with their “look”, seeking a reinvention. Unlike mere mortals, these beauty transformations could ruin their careers, which is why we hope for both the model and the agent’s sake, that they painstakingly plan such decisions.

Bottom line models, agents have been around the block a few times and have a solid grasp on what works and what doesn’t in the fashion industry. Before consulting a beauty professional, beauty advice should be sought from another source, not your best friend, your AGENT.

Models are turning into designers and actresses left and right but poets? That’s a new one for this blog!

Model Jessica White shocked (okay, maybe just confused) the press yesterday with her announcement that “she’s more creative than people can imagine”. In a self-important tone, the model was eager to tell New York Academy of Art Tribeca Ball press about her forthcoming debut album.

According to White, she’s “a poet first and foremost before modeling”. Silly us for thinking all this time she cared about her modeling career! Thanks for clarifying that for your agents who are now forced to do major damage control.

The self-titled “poet” is anything but modest and while we want to give her the benefit of the doubt, her ego is clouding our judgmental mind.