"Fat" Model Fired at Ralph Lauren

If "fat" means a beautifu, 5'10" model weighing 120 lbs and wearing a size 4, women need to demand some changes. Fillipa Hamilton was a successful model at Ralph Lauren from the age of 17 years old. Today at 23, Ralph Lauren canceled her contract claiming she did not live up to her agreement. The company air brushed an ad of the model to make her look like a size "0" which distorted her entire image. When are women going to protest? When Cindy Crawford was a super-model, sample pieces were a size 6 or 8. Today samples are a size 2 or 4. What is this doing to our self-esteem and young women everywhere. I will never get tired of supporting women of all sizes as we are all beautiful!!

Plus Size Models Embrace Curves

Hats off to Glamour Magazine for celebrating real women, as in models with curves. The November issue has a beautiful photo spread with seven plus-size models who bare all. Oh, did I mention they are sizes 10, 12 and 14 as in real women. Yes, you guessed it. Any model that isn't a 0, 2 or 4 is considered a plus-size model.  I am especially proud of Glamour magazine, where I worked for six years, when I was launching my print career. I thought it was an honor to be a part of an impressive publication that had the courage to break rules on past taboos with excellent stories & real fashion. Let's hope that women will stand up and support magazines that are trying to reach real women. Let's remember women of all sizes are beautiful. 

"I Want to be a Model!" - Guest Blogger Alyssa Dilts

Week #3

Doing Your Research Before Committing to a Convention or Modeling School

If you live in a remote area and do not have access to a larger market, i.e. Chicago, New York, Miami, LA, a modeling school or convention can be a great way for you to get started in the business. 

There are many advertisements for modeling schools and conventions.  Some are legitimate and others are not.  You must do your research before spending any amount of money!  I answer emails on a daily basis with general questions regarding schools and conventions so do not hesitate to ask questions and get referrals.

A legitimate convention can give potential models the opportunity to be seen by agents from all over the world at one time.  The costs can be staggering; however, most of these conventions also offer workshops on the industry as well as photo shoots.

Development plays a huge role in the progression of a new model.  Most modeling agencies will do their own development in-house and therefore it is not necessarily required for a model to go to a modeling school first.  However, reputable modeling schools not only teach the skills that are useful in modeling but can also offer guidance on personal confidence, poise and style which you can apply in all areas throughout your life.  Many of the modeling schools end their classes with attending conventions which is a way for the students to be the most prepared when they meet the multiple agents.

If a company is asking you to pay a signing fee and has no written contract of what they are responsible for, they may not be a reliable company.  Any school or convention should list exactly what they provide, i.e. classes (the subject and number), photo shoots, promotion to clients and/or agencies, length of representation, etc.  You should not sign anything that limits you to exclusively work with that company as it may keep you from signing with an agency in the future.

Check with open calls first.  If you do not have the money to invest in conventions you can attend open calls at almost every agency at no cost.  Some agencies only have open call once a week, however, at Elite Chicago you may attend any day of the week promptly at 3:30p.

Always keep in mind that modeling schools and conventions are not a guaranteed entrance into the modeling industry.  There are no guarantees in this industry and if someone tells you there are, they may not be a trustworthy source.  As discussed in week one, as agents we can only give you the opportunities to meet the clients, but it is up to them to confirm you.

-Alyssa Dilts, Elite Model Management

Stock Market Fashion: The Mini

Well for all you history buffs it is certainly no surprise that hemlines are moving up with the downturn in the economy.

Less income for some of us means the mini is back again.  Or is it the other way around? Maybe shorter hemlines are an indication the stock market will continue to rise to a positive level. In any case, many Chicago women are inching up their hemlines.

I Dream of Draping

Carolina Herrera 

Derek Lam

Tommy Hilfiger

Balenciaga

With the continued emphasis on the economy, designers are looking to seduce women to shop with styles that are both sensual and beautiful with a dose of practicality for day & evening. Draping is one the major trends that women will hopefully add to their wardrobe this fall & winter. Draping always makes me feel like a Greek Goddess!  

Victoria Beckham Collection

As I was searching for the latest collections, I came across this fun video. It is the premiere of Victoria Beckman's collection of nine dresses. I want to play hide & seek in every single dress!!

Best Hair Salon in Chicago

Who doesn't have a bad hair day? Maybe it is time to change your hair salon and move on to what InStyle Magazine names as the best salon in Chicago. And yes, I am a devoted client & follower of Michael Jacobson, stylist and co-owner of Michael & Michael, best salon in Chicago (you might remember him as our very first Guest Blogger!). The beauty of the salon is that every stylist is excellent because they are all trained under the guidance of Michael Jacobson. And if you want to add a dash of color to those locks, Steve is my guy along with the rest of the color staff. It is obvious that I agree with InStyle - so congratulations to Michael & Michael - you deserve it!

"Michael & Michael, Chicago’s premiere hair destination was named by InStyle Magazine as the best salon for cuts in Chicago (October 2009 issue). The only Chicago hair salon to be featured in InStyle’s coast to coast guide –the 2009 Ultimate Beauty Blackbook – Michael & Michael has become one of Chicago's hottest hair rescue havens, garnering the attention of InStyle, Allure, Women's Wear Daily, Fashion Group International, Lucky, CS, Chicago Magazine and Michigan Avenue Magazine. Salon Today Magazine recently re cognized Michael & Michael as one of the top 200 salons in the country and named it "Salon of the Year."