The Face, Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha, Karolina Kurkova, ModelingIn the past month, I have hosted three workshops and one talent prep weekend. I’ve seen many beautiful, talented young women come through our doors. But not all of them will be models or pageant winners.

Inspired by the new hit show The Face and what I’ve seen in my own studio, I’ve outlined five must haves to succeed as a model or pageant winner.

  1. Be Coachable. Do you watch the new modeling show The Face? Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha coach a team of potential models through a series of tests. It’s not always the most beautiful girl who wins. It’s the girl who is coachable. It’s the girl who listens, learns and puts what she’s learned into action. It’s no different for you. If you want to succeed in anything, you must be coachable!
  2. Be an Actress. It’s not enough to step on set and strike a pretty pose. Or in the case of pageants, just stand in pretty feet! You have got to take a risk and let yourself go. Recently, Carolyn Miller shot a young girl in our studio who just started to move in untraditional ways, even scrunching up her face! When I looked at the proofs, these are the shots that blew me away; the shots that will end up on her comp card! Take an improvisation or acting class and let yourself become whatever character the client and photographer want.
  3. Stand Up! Good grief. Do I really need to include this here? Yes, I do! I cannot believe the number of girls who walk into our modeling studio with unbelievably bad posture. Whaaaaattttt? Sorry, I’m just so amazed. When you step onto the runway, or onto the stage in your gown, bad posture will disqualify you immediately. No question. There is no reason for it but laziness. Stand up. Look me in the eye. And go after this!
  4. Perfect Your Personality! In the movie When Harry Met Sally, Jess tells his friend Harry (who is setting Jess up with Sally), When someone’s not attractive, they’re always described as having a good personality. The thing is, often we see gorgeous girls who rely too heavily on their looks and they don’t have a great personality. To succeed in modeling and pageants, you must show some life. Clients, pageant directors and employers everywhere, don’t want to spend their day with someone who is boring! Quit looking at yourself in the mirror, cast off the fear of embarrassment and have some fun!

    Coco Rocha, karen Lee Group, The Face

    Coco Rocha teaching Springboard students at a Karen Lee Group workshop!

  5. Give Good Eye. I’ve written this over and over. In our last article, Karen Lee said the most important element to making a great photo is eyes that tell a story. At model camp last week, Sarah Stepanek was our guest. The minute she stepped on the runway or the photo set, her entire face changed. She showed the girls how to use their eyes…and their shoulders, hips, hands and feet! But it was her eyes that drew the girls in and made them all say WOW!

Agents and clients the world over continue to tell you all of this. Listen, learn, let go and just do it! It will be the difference between having a fighting chance at modeling or winning your pageant and not.

Good luck.

Joan Smalls, Modeling, Prabal Gurung, Posing, Modeling, photography

  1. Move your shoulders. One up, one down. One back, one forward. Shoulder must move.
  2. Move your hips. Really push your hip out, especially in anything fitted, like your gown, jeans or a lycra dress.
  3. Relax your hands. Hands show nerves and the wrong kind of tension. Make sure your hands don’t look too posed.
  4. Relax your mouth. Smile for real! Now feel how your eyes feel in that smile? Try keeping them in the smile and bringing your mouth into a more serious look. This is what Tyra Banks calls “smizing.”
  5. When doing a serious look, don’t hold your mouth tight. Let it fall open slightly.
  6. Watch your feet. Point toes. Make sure feet point toward the camera or slightly away.
  7. Keep your chin level.  The first thing you may want to do is drop your chin, but this makes lines in your neck and dark circles under your eyes. Most girls look better with their chin level or up slightly.
  8. Do not look up with your eyes only. This action will show too much white and make you look freakish! Eyes follow your chin.
  9. Put your hands on your waist, not your hips. This makes your waist look tiny and it shows better proportion. Oh, and elbows back.
  10. NO claw hands on the waist. Enough said.

Karen Lee, international scout, America’s Next Top Model judge and president of Karen Lee Group, says the number one, most important thing a model must master are her eyes! The eyes tell all. If there is no energy or emotion coming through her eyes, the entire photo dies.

Coco Rocha, The Face, Model, Modeling, Karen Lee Group, America's Next Top Model

There are so many more things to think about when posing, but this will give you a great start. Just remember to practice in front of a mirror before your next shoot and you’ll be prepared to give that winning look!

Naima Mora, America's Next Top Model, Season 4, ANTM, Galaxy of Tar, modeling, Tyra, Tyra Banks

Tell us about yourself in 10 words or less. Model, Musician, Writer, Creative, Woman, Courageous, Friend, Artist, Sister, Daughter.

You won America’s Next Top Model Season 4. What was that experience like? Winning ANTM was a one of a kind experience. It completely changed the direction of my life at the time and allowed me the opportunity to build a career for myself that not only was fulfilling for me, but helped to inspire others.

What was the most challenging part of being a part of ANTM? The most challenging part of the competition was getting over that hump of self doubt. My biggest challenge was believing in myself. I take that lesson with me to this day. Naturally there are times that I doubt what I am doing and sometimes struggle with believing in myself. But the experiences I had on ANTM helped me to understand that I have courage within me and love, and with that I can win!

What was the best part? Winning the competition was amazing, but the best part of filming ANTM was being able to travel to South Africa. I felt that I really got a chance to connect with a part of my heritage there.

What is the biggest lesson you learned? How to believe in myself. I learned to summon forth courage and love in order to find belief in what I stand for and what I want to accomplish in my life. Being in South Africa especially reinforced that lesson. There was so much struggle people had to endure there not too long ago. They fought for their human rights and freedoms and that was so inspiring to me.

What should girls know about the show? People always write to me asking for advice on what to do when auditioning for ANTM. The best advice that I can give is “BE YOURSELF!” No matter what, just be yourself. ANTM is looking for who you are as a person as well as your modeling potential. In the fashion industry, the two go hand in hand. Also, if you don’t get selected for the show, don’t feel defeated. There are so many modeling opportunities right in your home town that you can take advantage of to start your modeling career.

I have to ask – do we really see the truth or is the drama encouraged? No, what you see is what really happens. No kind of drama is actually “encouraged”. What happens though is that you have about 12 young girls, all with big personalities, many of them away from home for the first time and completely out of their comfort zones. Drama is bound to incur, they are all fighting for the title of ANTM!

Did you get along with the girls better than what viewers saw? I think viewers saw that I got along with everyone great. I am actually a Buddhist and part of my practice is acting with compassion and respect. Although I was younger when I filmed ANTM, I think I did a pretty good job at this. It was never my intention to create or perpetuate any drama with the other girls because I was there to win a competition. My focus was on that.

How was Tyra? Tyra is a lovely person. She is a focused business woman who has been a large inspiration to my own career in building something that also inspires and encourages young people.

You’re in a band called Galaxy of Tar. Where did you come up with that name? The name Galaxy Of Tar was thought up by my musical counterpart Elias Diaz V.. It came from the inner workings of his mind… it sounded like a great name for the project so we stuck with it.

Where does your inspiration come from? I get inspiration from everything. I like to focus on being present in the moment and being aware of what affect I have on my environment and what affect it has on me. I get a lot of inspiration from visual art and I frequent museums often. I love progressive rock bands from the 1970′s and 80′s. I love the paranormal and science-fiction.

What kind of music do you write and record? Galaxy Of Tar is a rock band. We like to experiment with new sound and blending genres to make something new and unique.

What is a typical day like? I wake up and write. Then I meditate and chant. Shower and eat breakfast at the corner Mexican Bakery. Then I head to my studio to work writing and practicing music with my band or alone. Then I come home to do other creative things. I love making my own clothes and designing looks for performing with Galaxy Of Tar. It really changes a lot though. A lot of times I have to travel for work as a model as well.

Tell us about your new book, Model Behavior.  I wrote Model Behavior as an inspirational book for young people based on my experiences in the fashion industry and life. It is a colorful book that is kind of “coffee table” in the sense that it has beautiful graphic design and imagery. But it is also a great inspirational and encouraging read for all ages. 

I love the title. I’ve taught a class called Model Behavior for years! What is your definition of Model Behavior? Well, I guess you’d have to read the book to get the full answer to that. But the short answer is being able to find grace in life’s challenges by believing in yourself, having courage and being compassionate.

You’re into healthy eating. Is this new? Well, I was actually a vegetarian for a long time from when I was 16 to the time I was 23. But I wasn’t very healthy about it. I didn’t eat meat, but I ate a lot of junk food. I decided to start eating meat again, to round out my diet and learn new ways of eating healthy. Just recently I began vegetarianism again with a more well rounded knowledge of how to do that effectively and in a healthy way. I love juicing and cooking now too, which helps a lot.

How difficult is it to stay healthy with your lifestyle? With traveling a lot it can be very difficult at times. But I find motivation to at least stay well hydrated. I stopped smoking a couple of years ago which has made a HUGE difference in my life. I always try to pack in those vegetables where ever I go though. Also, it can be difficult staying so active, but I try really hard to maintain a healthy option every day.

What do you do for fun? For fun, I write music. I sew and take photos. I love having coffee with friends and taking up great interesting conversations. I love going to the museum and going to the movies too! 

What do you recommend to a young girl who has a gift and passion for something? What do they do with it? Remember that there is an infinite amount of love and courage within. Summon it and you can face anything and do whatever you want! Stay brave and stay focused.

What advice would you give a young person wanting to be a model or singer? I actually have an advice column on my blog for steps on building a successful modeling career. Its http://naimamoraonline.com . You can visit there and get step by step advice base on my own experiences in the fashion industry.

And with singing, you have to practice and study. Take on classes to learn music theory and vocal technique. It has really helped me a lot!

Naima Mora, America's Next Top Model, Season 4, ANTM, Galaxy of Tar, modeling, Tyra, Tyra Banks

Let’s get personal:

What’s on your iPod? Current bands in rotation: Gentle Giant, Hella, PJ Harvey

What do you like to wear to work in? Anything that feels comfortable and fabulous.

Favorite beverage? Water

Favorite designer(s)? McQueen, Balmain, Givenchy 

If you had to eat the same thing everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be? Kale

Can’t live without…? Love

Dream guest at a dinner party? Cate Blanchett or Daniel Day Lewis

I never leave home without… My favorite pair of RayBans

Where can we hear/purchase your music? Www.GalaxyOfTar.com

Your book? Http://naimamoraonline.com

ANTM, Modeling, Tyra, Naima, Season 4

 

 

 

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Meet Brita Jackson, president of Arquette & Associates. Arquette is a model and talent agency located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Brita-ProfileTell us what readers should know about your agency.  We are an exclusive boutique agency that focuses on the faces we represent.  We represent  kids to adults in their 50’s. We specialize in fashion and catalog print, but also have on-camera, product print and extreme sport divisions! We are also a placement agency, so we work with the top agencies all over the world so that models can make careers in this industry.

How did you decide to open Arquette? And where did the name come from? Arquette was already established by one of the relatives of David Arquette when I came on board as a consultant. After a couple years working with Arquette, the previous owner decided to sell it. I was attached to some of the models, so I decided to buy the agency myself and it’s been about four years now.

What do you like best about your job? I love seeing my models start their development and turn into butterflies as they progress.

What do you like least? Sometimes it is really hard to work with a product that has emotions [our models]. This is a very stressful industry and there is always a lot of emotions!

What is the “Arquette” look? And how is it different (or not) than agencies in New York or Chicago? Here at Arquette, we really try to focus on the models that are well rounded. Our faces tend to be ones that can do fashion, but also swing into the catalog/commercial market. Most of all, you can tell an Arquette model, because they all stay humble and thankful with the clients. They all do some type of charity work too, so they don’t forget that their image is not just about them.

Do female models have to be 5’9” to work in Minneapolis? For the most part, yes, the girls that get booked for the bigger jobs are 5’9-5’11”. We do have a couple that are 5’8” that have strong enough looks and get the work.

What about guys and children? Is there a market for them? There is a huge market for men here in Minneapolis, especially ages 25-40. Our clients are always looking for men. There is also a good market here for kids. We have Target as one of our clients and they love to use our kids!

Does a model have to live in Minneapolis to be represented by you? Not always, we do have models that live in the neighboring states, but those models do still need to come to castings when requested.

What clients book consistently out of Minneapolis? There are soooo many! We have numerous clients that book here: Target, Aveda, Maurices, Lifetime Fitness, Taymark, and Fingerhut are just a few. We also do direct bookings. Our models have worked with Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie, Perry Ellis, Seventeen Magazine, Oscar de la Renta and more!

 Isabella, Arquette Model, Cover Girl, Minneapolis models Gordman's, Taylor, Model, Lincoln ModelWhere do you find your models? All over! We are always scouting faces at all types of events and locations. We have five scouts, plus our staff. We make a team game of who can find the next amazing face. (Springboard’s own Taylor Kreifels, at immediate left.)

There are a lot of modeling schools out there. Some good and many not so good! What should model prospects look for in a local school/agency? Wow, so true. I would have to say, find one that is honest. One that will be straight forward, telling you what markets you really can work in. Also, ones that won’t charge you for something that is not for you.

When a girl comes to see you in Minneapolis, how should she dress, wear her hair, make-up…And what should she be prepared for at the agency visit? We usually like girls to come in fitted, skinny jeans and a tank with heels. Clean face and clean hair. No Jewelry. We also suggest that she bring a 2–piece swimsuit.

 What should parents be aware of when their son or daughter says, “I want to be a model!”  Many young girls have the dream to be a model and many parents are hesitant. I always tell the parents and their daughter that the models that actually work in the big markets, the ones they see in the magazines, on billboards and in store ads, are like Olympic athletes. If she is really serious about being a model, she must prepare like an athlete and understand that the focus and drive must be there to go up against her competition. If parents were to look at having their daughter reach the goal of being in the Olympics, they would need to look at her career as a model the exact same way. She’ll need all of the support she can get.

Let’s get personal:

Favorite beverage? Oh so many! But I think I would have to go with an Iced Carmel Macchiato from Starbucks.

Favorite season? Summer, definitely. I am from L.A. and miss it sooooo much!

 Favorite article of clothing in your closet? A Vintage Bohemian Chipa from Mexico.

 Most overused word or phrase? “Do you understand what I am saying?”

Do you have a pet? Of course! I have a 10 lb Papillion who comes with me everywhere! His name is Pappi.

What music is on your iPod? Lots of Liquid Lounge styles and Jamiroquai.

Character trait you love in others and Yourself? Confidence and Creativity.

Character trait you deplore? Self-centeredness

Three words that describe you: Attentive, Determined, Relatable

 What else would you like readers to know about Arquette & Associates or you? We are pretty relaxed and fun at the office. Don’t think of us as intimidating cause if we sign you, we are like family. You become a part of the Arquette family!

Thank you, Brita. For those of you who want a chance to work with Arquette & Associates, Brita will be in Lincoln, Nebr. on Sunday, April 7. Follow Springboard Models on Facebook or subscribe to the Model Student for details.

Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, Rhode Island, Miss USA, Pageant, Pageantry
Did you watch the beautiful, Olivia Culpo, Miss USA, win Miss Universe on Wednesday? If not, you missed a study in style.

Below are my 5 style tips gleaned from Miss Universe:

  1. Go Classic: Miss Culpo’s nails were short and painted a very pale pink. No fake, french manicures here! I remember another winner who wore her nails the same way – MIss America 2011. I love it!
  2. Go Classic: While Olivia wore her hair more traditionally pageant in swimsuit, she wore it sleek and up in gown. Here we saw a high, large bun, opening her up and making her neck look long and elegant.
  3. Go Classic: Her gown! It was something you might see Grace Kelly wear in a movie…sort of. It was full and had three-quarter length sleeves. What gave it the wow factor: a plunging neckline and shocking pink velvet! Beautiful.
  4. React not: Olivia tripped while walking in her gown. You never would have known it by looking at her reaction, or lack there of. She just kept right on strutting her stuff without a hint in her expression that anything out of the ordinary happened. (Something a lot of us could take with us into the board room!)
  5. Be yourself: Something happens when you just be you; the highest level of confidence sets in. During the on-stage question, Olivia wasn’t the most articulate. But she answered honestly and with such personality. No one cared. She was comfortable and adorable. The perfect Miss Universe!

Moral of this story? Whoever you are and whatever you do, you can never go wrong by just being yourself and thinking classic with a twist for your look.

5 Must-Know Etiquette Tips for the Holiday Season 

Tis the season for power partying and showing your proper behavior! Just because you’re busy, doesn’t mean you can forget your manners. Follow these five tips and you’ll be a star your social circles.

 

  1. RSVP. Do you know that fewer than 50 percent of those receiving an RSVPinvitation with an rsvp included actually respond? That is unacceptable. Can you imagine planning a beautiful dinner for 12 and 18 show up? Or ordering extra food, tables and wine for 60, but only 48 attend. It’s a nightmare for any host. Respond to invitations as soon as you receive them. If something comes up that you can’t attend when you said you could, simply call the host and let her know. She will appreciate the heads up before the special event.
  2. Remember your place setting basics. Work from the outside in, by coarse. No used utensils on the table, keep them on your plate. Your glasses are on the right, above the knife and your bread plate is on your left, above the forks.
  3. Butter by the bite. Savvy hosts will know if you’ve mastered your manners if you put your butter on the plate first, then break off one bite-sized piece of bread at a time, butter it and eat!
  4. Know who you’re toasting. Protocols are broken when you drink toyourself! If a toast is being given in your honor you do not drink but you do reciprocate by presenting a toast back to the host.
  5. Send a thank you note. The handwritten note is slipping into history. Don’t let it! Pen a heartfelt thank you to friends or family and you’ll put a big smileon their face. Throwing a party is work. A simply thank you makes it worth it.
Follow these simple rules and celebrate in style.
Merry Christmas and bon appetit!

 

I’ve been inspired by my daughter, Madison. She left for work yesterday wearing the sparkliest White House Black Market sequin skirt. But here’s what got my attention; she paired it with a denim shirt! I LOVED it.

Below, I’ve put together three loos for day built around one H&M sequin skirt.

Denim shirt, Sequin skirt, Loft, H&M, Boots, Ponytail, Glitter, Holiday Fashion

Denim & Sequins!

Black Turtleneck, Sequin Skirt, Louboutin Pumps, Loft, Giuliana Necklace, Glitter, Holiday Fashion

Classic Sequins

Leather, Leather blazer, Sequin Skirt, Nine West Boots, Scarf, Ring, Pink earrings, Glitter, Holiday Fashion

Leather & Sequins…& Pink!

Leave a comment and tell my what you have or would pair with sequins for day!

The Power of Waiting

What?

Wait? Are you kidding?

You read right. If you had the above reaction, you’re like me and you are anything but patient when you know what you want.

Whether it’s a job, pageant title, modeling
gig or something more personal, sometimes God says no and you can’t imagine – or accept – why.

It’s in those painful times of waiting for something we think we want so badly that, what’s best for us, often presents itself. How many times have you looked back and thought, wow, if I would have taken that job, this (better) one wouldn’t have happened? Or I would have signed with that agency, but now I’m with this, more prestigious one? Or, I’ve been a first-runner up girl three times, I’m sick of this, only to win in a new, better system for you?

Instead of fighting the wait, use these four tips to use your time wisely and prepare for something big!

Enjoy the downtime. Your schedule may be busy, busy, busy, but if you’re waiting for a specific opportunity to present itself, stop doing all the time and allow yourself time to focus on your goal and implement steps to get there.

Walk, pray, meditate. Our creativity and thinking process needs space and a new environment to ignite. Talking a walk and appreciating your surroundings often sparks a new idea. Praying and asking for insight may show you a new path. Or meditating (even better during a yoga session!) can calm your mind and help you to see how your experience now is preparing you for later.

Continue to develop. We talk a lot about development in the modeling arena. A model may have a great look, but there’s work to be done on presentation, her body, showing compelling looks in front of the camera, even celebrating a few more birthdays so she’s ready to travel! The same can be said for someone looking for a meaningful job. Perhaps you need to take a class to update a skill, network with others who can get you to decision makers in a company or simply look at a new way to apply (not online!).

Grateful, springboard, goals, life coaching, success, Start a gratitude journal. This sounds so touchy-feely, but it is one of the best things I’veever done. I list all those things that are right, good and blessings in my life. I add my challenges and desires too, so that I can go back and mark them with a big, fat P (for praise!) when they come to pass…or not! Expressing your gratitude in writing really does make you see all that is right in your life instead of focusing on the why isn’t this happening for me.

I’d love to hear your stories about what happened to you during a waiting period.

If you need help working through the wait, Springboard can help. I can help you clarify your goal, steps to get there and what you should be doing as you wait.

Congratulations, Samantha Washington, Miss Omaha Outstanding Teen. Sammy is the daughter of Debbie and Brian Washington. She is a freshman at Lincoln East High School. She will compete for the state title in June in North Platte.

Congratulations, Emily Hernandez, for being selected to sing the national anthem at the Nebraska State Capitol for National Hispanic Month. Emily’s grandparents are Greg and Rita McClure. She is a sophomore at Lincoln East High School. Emmy was also selected to accept the proclamation as seen here.

We are very proud of our Springboard family!