Coinciding with the launch of the Vogue Health Initiative, a new study was conducted by modeling agent, Ben Barry, who wanted to explore which kinds of models prompted women to shop. Originaly hypothesizing that thinner models inspire women to fulfill a self-doubt, improving their outer appearance through shopping, the results were surprising.

The study was conducted in 2 phases:

1. “I conducted experiments to test women’s purchase intentions when they viewed models who had similar and dissimilar sizes, ages and races to themselves. Each woman was randomly shown two of eight possible ads where the models might have reflected some of their traits, all of their traits or none of their traits” (Barry).

2. “I facilitated focus groups with different women to help identify reasons for particular purchase intentions” (Barry).

Conclusion:

“I found that Canadian and American women increased purchase intentions for fashion products advertised by models who reflected their own demographics: age, size and — for non-Caucasians — race….I find that every model type can be effective. Their effectiveness depends on whether the model shares the consumers’ traits” (Barry).

Unlike we previously assumed (you know what they say about assumptions…), thin models don’t increase female spending habits, rather women are more inclined to shop based on a model that resembles themselves. We understand the scientific results, but what we are still having a difficulty wrapping our heads around is… a modeling agent conducted this study?

Source

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

Anyone seeking a voice in a technologically changing world looks to social media to self-promote  ideas and opinions. Seeking this voice are models who use Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Tumblr to bridge a gap between their personal and professional lives, often in an attempt to further their careers. It only takes one wrong tweet to ruin a model’s career, so agencies beware when teaching models the ins and outs of social media. While some are apprehensive about what information is publicly presented, agencies like Premier and Marilyn Model Management understand the need for a social media balance; one which agencies now have a duty to teach their models about.

Teaching us about such balance, both Premier’s Carole White and Marilyn’s Social Media Director,  agree that more and more commercial clients are looking to models’ social media stats when booking, meaning a balanced social media presence is key. This balance includes giving both clients AND fans the info they want to read without being overly informed about confidential work information. While many models choose to manage their own social media accounts, Marilyn let us in on a little (unsurprising) secret: just as celebrities hire social media directors to manage their accounts, more and more models are looking to their agents for social media management. With this social media guidance and/or management by agencies, you’d think there would be no social media worries, but think again!

Two major problems arise when models engage in social media: fuzzy financial compensation and model poaching. Premier’s Carole White explains that clients often use models to endorse their brand or product on social media outlets without the agency or model’s permission and without financial compensation. Since social media is a fairly new phenomenon, there is no industry standard for social media promotion, debatable because there is no way to know whether or not a photo or social media blurb will go viral. While Marilyn’s Social Media Director assured us that more and more agencies are including social media specifications in contracts, it has not yet solved all social media problems. A second increasing social media issue is model poaching by clients who sneakily bypass agencies. While this does raise a brow or two, neither Premier nor Marilyn are worried because those bypassing agents are not professional enough to appeal to their models who are also intelligent enough to notify their agencies. Despite these issues, social media will NEVER negate the need for agents, who assist in financial and schedule negotiations and management.

While one wrong social media move by a model could be a career killer, one proper social media lesson from an agency could be a career savior. Social media increasingly gives models a voice, “taking them to the next level as individuals” (Marilyn Model Management).

]]> http://blog.cdsglobal.com/2012/05/11/model-social-media-self-promotion/feed/ 0 http://blog.cdsglobal.com/2012/05/04/is-reality-tv-exploiting-the-modeling-industry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-reality-tv-exploiting-the-modeling-industry http://blog.cdsglobal.com/2012/05/04/is-reality-tv-exploiting-the-modeling-industry/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 18:14:29 +0000 Ashley Tschudin http://blog.cdsglobal.com/?p=1009

Naomi Campbell joins fellow models Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum in making her reality TV debut.  Naomi Campbell (and two other currently anonymous models) will to host a brand new reality modeling competition called “The Face” on Oxygen. The three hosts will judge aspiring model teams after they engage in weekly competitions; the winner will become “the face” of a national campaign.

While we can’t say we are surprised to see ANOTHER fashion reality show, we can’t help but wonder where oh where Naomi has been… In addition to flashbacks of the phone incident of 2000, we got to thinking how fashion reality shows are ruining the modeling industry. Continuous exploitation causes an influx of young men and women into fashion professions without a real understanding of what it takes. Reality television glamorizes modeling,  as if it is all designer clothes and runway shows, when in actuality the models are far more business savvy than TV lets on.

Understandably, these young women want there faces plastered across your TV screens, hopefully making themselves a household name (good luck with that). Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that these models are depicted as dramatic, whiny, and often undeserving; in turn, ruining their industry reputations. Since television is a form of entertainment, the producers and editors must escalate the drama to draw in an attentive audience, not caring that it breeds a generation of naive viewers.

Is Campbell’s reality TV debut perpetuating the exploitation of the modeling industry?

Today it was announced that all 19 international Vogue editors signed their first Health Initiative to promote a healthier industry body image. The initiative outlines age and weight limits when casting models. Casting agents are required to cast models older than 16 and are encouraged “to consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample sizes” while promoting a healthy backstage environment. These, along with other stipulations, will go into effect June 2012.

The industry’s most powerful voices are speaking up about good health being beautiful, showing their commitment to the modeling industry. Vogue is taking a step in the right direction, paving the way for other industry professionals.

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It comes as no surprise that ANOTHER model has decided to pursue her talents beyond the catwalk, taking it behind-the-scenes. As a Victoria’s Secret model,  Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has experienced what it’s like to WEAR lingerie but not to DESIGN lingerie, which she has undertaken as her new career challenge. According to the Telegraph, Huntington-Whiteley is designing a lingerie line for UK  brand, Marks & Spencer.

As the face of  the retailer’s Autograph range for two seasons, the collaboration is fitting (pun intended). The collection will feature “33 pieces adorned with rose-print motifs and deco-inspired detailing and will include silk lingerie sets, camisoles and French knicker sets, and kimono style robes.” (Fashionista)

“[Rosie] really understands beautiful lingerie and what works on the body,” Marks & Spencer’s executive director of clothing, Kate Bostock, said.

We were all excited until that last bit when we realized we weren’t Huntington-Whiteley’s and that the model was designing for HER people; you know, the ones without curves, who can wear paper bags and still look sexy. While we were eager for September arrive so we could nab up a few camis or knickers (is knickers US appropriate?), now we’re left with a sour taste in our mouth.

Should dear sweet Rosie be trusted to design lingerie for the average woman’s figure?

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.

In partnership with Hope, Gisele launched the second collection of Gisele Bündchen Brazilian Intimates, a matchup between sexy and classy. “Choosing  different pieces that I [Gisele] would use in daily life and also for special occasions”, the model was hands on in every aspect of the collaboration, from design to fittings.

The second collection in the Brazilian Intimates line  features three differing themes: Diva, Wish and Rococo, all of which mesh fabrics like lace, silk, satin and microfiber. According to Bündchen’s website, “the Diva collection is for the romantic moments. The line invests in sensual sets that mix fabrics like silk and lace, which perfectly suits a woman’s body. The Wish line blends delicate fabric and the sophistication of the lace, resulting in sexy pieces. The Rococo collection combines lace, satin and a light microfiber, bringing very feminine and sensual pieces.” Unlike the previous collection, Diva, Wish, and Rococo are more “mature”, highlighting color and detail.

Now, if only we all looked THAT good in the Gisele Bündchen Brazilian Intimates collection. *Sigh*

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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.

Don’t call Seven Management a “Kansas City agency”, they’re “AN AGENCY”, says owner and agent Greg Wade. While Seven is a boutique style agency located in Kansas City, MO, you’d never know it by the looks of their website.

Wade dreamed of a design career, which “accidentally” led to opening Seven Model Management at the advice of a model friend. Burnt out on Corporate America, luck was on his side as were his mentors (whom he credits) Pia of Click Management and Jan of Nitro Agency. Given the career changing advice, “make it an AGENCY”, meaning make it look big time like New York, the idea of what was to become Seven Management was born. Going into the interview with Wade, we expected to hear about a small town agency with “homegrown” models, but were pleasantly surprised that Seven NEVER had a local laid-back vibe. Only signing high caliber models (you know, the ones who could push their way through the crowded NY streets) and working with quality clientele has been both a blessing and a curse for Wade. In a smaller market, midwest agencies tend to focus on representing talent, making Seven the odd man out, scouting “higher end” models.

For Seven models, those who are between 15 and 18, 5’9 ½ and 5’11, and are a size two, local gigs are mere boot camps, training for the big times: New York, LA, Miami, Paris, London, and Milan. Once these models have outgrown the local market, Wade strategically places them with his network of global clients. Upon arriving home to Kansas City, they are met with one of two reactions: “small town girl makes it big returns” or “small town girl left us behind to make it big”. While some local clients are eager to book these women, others believe the women now to be too big city for their small town aesthetic. (What’s a model to do?!)

Despite being misunderstood among fellow Kansas City agencies, Seven continues in their pursuit of models who embody the desire and drive to delve into a larger market. While we’re convinced Seven is a step above the rest among Missouri local agencies, compare Seven’s website with those of Wade’s competitors and you’re sure to get the complete picture.