Taylor Hill - Model Crush Monday!

This week's Model Crush Monday is the amazing Taylor Hill, known for her gamine beauty that channels Audrey Hepburn, mixed with a healthy does of all-American sex appeal - which explains why she is one of the newest and most gorgeous Victoria Secret Angels.  Taylor is one of those rare models that easily crosses over between walking the runway and shooting editorials with the best fashion and beauty photographers in the world, to modeling bikinis and lingerie for Victoria Secret.  With full eyebrows, pillow lips, doe eyes with long lashes, not to mention fit legs for days ... Taylor shows a positive body image that is a throw back to the supermodels of the eighties.  And look what happened to those 80's supermodels and where they all went in their careers!  I'd love to be a part of HER girl squad!

Photos courtesy of Instagram:   taylor_hill      https://www.instagram.com/taylor_hill/

Model Daughter ... Like Mother, like Daughter. Following in Supermodel Footsteps

My daughter, Chandler and I, were featured in the May issue of Pristeen Magazine this month. At 13 she is now a signed model with Ford, the same agency I am represented by! We have already gotten quite a few bookings as a mother-daughter team. So in honor of Mother's Day here are a few other model - daughter pics ... it's definitely all in the genes for these beauties! 

Photo courtesy of @yolanda.hadid

The Real Housewive's star,Yolanda Hadid, was a Ford Model first becoming discovered in her country of the Netherlands. Her daughter's Bella and Gigi following in her footsteps. They are both the "it" girls at the moment in the modeling world!

Photo courtesy of @CindyCrawford

Kaia Gerber, still a teen, has already landed major campaigns as a model such as Versace, and why not? she is definitely a spitting image of her Supermodel mom Cindy Crawford. They recently appeared on the cover of Paris Vogue together. Definitely a dynamic duo!

Photo courtesy of @ireland.baldwin
Kim Bassinger  was first known as the Breck shampoo girl when she was a Ford Model before focusing her career towards acting. Now at 60, she and her daughter Ireland are both represented by IMG! 

Model Travel Style - Packing Tips

Models often travel for bookings, sometimes crossing timezones and climates multiple times in a week.  Packing for this sort of life becomes a survival art and we can all take a few tips from them, learning how to pack just what you need on short notice.  Models might receive their bookings only days and sometimes even hours ahead, so being ready at a moments' notice is critical.  Some models might be shooting a catalogue in Miami on Monday, fly overnight to Paris to shoot an editorial for next day, rounding out the week walking a runway in Hong Kong or Sao Paulo, Brazil.  

The model "uniform" has to be versatile and go from airport to studio or location, to castings, fittings, and even out to dinner with model friends who might be lucky enough to land in the same city at the same time.  Since everything has to work together, sticking to a simple color palette of black, white and grey, and adding pieces to layer for warmth or to dress up or down a look, simplifies things.  You can't go wrong with classic basics.  

Start with a great black jacket in leather, or lightweight down in a blazer style.  Simple white and grey tank tops and t-shirts can be layered under a warm sweater under the jacket when it gets chilly on the plane.  Black jeans work for both work and travel, so find a pair with some stretch so they keep their shape between washes.  A large scarf or wrap can work as a blanket on the plane or in a drafty studio, and just as easily as a coverup over your bikini for beach locations.  Yes, don't forget a bikini!  

Since models can't forgo their workout routine just because they are constantly on the move from place to place, pack workout leggings, sports bra, and athletic but fashion-forward sneaker that can also be worn running between appointments in and out of subways.  Pack a great pair of black booties and heels for arriving on bookings, meeting clients, and going out.  Bring one amazing blouse that can be worn with the jeans, and one little black dress that doesn't wrinkle when packed away.  Of course, nude lingerie is a must-have for every model, so a few pairs that can quickly washed and dried in a hotel room are practical.  Bring a wallet that can double as a clutch, statement sunglasses to arrive in star style, and a classic watch.

Packing for your beauty routine is easy with so many travel-sized products available now.  Try sheet masks in individual packets for face-saving treatments after long flights and different makeup products.  Take face cleansing wipes, a moisturizer with SPF, travel shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, brush and floss, trial-sized body moisturizer and deodorant, a brush and comb.  Pack simple makeup products such as mascara, concealer and eye liner.  Find the perfect chubby crayon sticks that can be used on cheeks, lips and eyes.  Indulge in a great lip balm or treatment product since lips dry out from repeatedly wearing lipstick, and flying can leave lips dry and flaky like the dessert.  It is always a good idea to pack a little SOS kit with Ibuprofen, some bandaids, and antibacterial wipes.  Bug bites, flu, or cuts in foreign lands are not fun and having even a small emergency kit is a very good idea.  

Look for a bag that expands and isn't heavy before you actually put anything in it.  Models often show up to bookings with luggage in tow to make the mad dash back to the airport right after the workday ends, so think chic and practical with pockets for your phone, chargers, passport and wallet.  I always carried a tiny teddy bear with me and sometimes even a small candle to make foreign hotel rooms feel a little more like home.  

Packing light doesn't mean without style!  Models are always photographed for their amazing outfits running between shows at fashion week and more often than not, they are carrying this week and next weeks gear right along with them.  There is something to be said for knowing you can throw a bag together, fly somewhere at the drop of a hat, and be able to pull yourself together in a flash for whatever the adventures throws at you.  Bon voyage! 

Get Scouted: How can I get into modeling!

All model hopefuls need someone to notice just how amazing they are, and one of the biggest hurdles is to catch the attention of a model agency or model scout.

Do your homework and research online the most reputable agency in your local area. It’s a good place to start, but in the age of social media, it has never been easier for scouts and agents from the top tier agencies in NYC, Paris, and other major markets, to find the most promising “new faces” online, no matter where they live.

There are several ways hopefuls can be in contact with agencies:  online submissions on agency websites, social media, open calls at agencies, and through contests or model conventions and showcases. Let’s break it down to find the best approach for you to get your face in front of the decision makers in the agencies:

Open Calls:  this is a set time at an agency where they will meet drop-ins.  You should come exactly on time, do not wear makeup, wearing skinny jeans and a tank top or t-shirt.  Make eye contact, be yourself, and put your best attitude and personality forward.

Online submissions through agency websites:  go to agency websites and look for a menu item that might say either “Be A Model” or “Get Scouted”.  There you will find their submission guidelines with a questionnaire and a place to upload specific photos of yourself.

Social media such as Instagram:  agencies maintain social media accounts, especially on Instagram. Make sure you are following the verified account of the agency and not a fan account.  The best working models have very active social media accounts with images that show their personality, interests, behind the scenes shots, and sometimes they show their tear sheets from work.  Think about your own account and remove any images that might make a potential agent or scout leave your account, such as nudity, club life or party images, duck lips (!), wearing too much makeup, and pictures that are missing a head! All the best agencies check Instagram every day and most of them have a hash-tag # that you can add to three or four of your best pics, that they will check.  Just as a matter of protocol, hash-tag only one agency at a time on a photo, and edit and change the hash-tag to a different one from another agency after about ten days if you have not received a direct message from them. 

Conventions, showcases and contests:  often these events cost money – a lot of money - and promise to put a model in person in front of agents and scouts, but your chances are no better than if you submitted online, or went to an open call or hash-tagged an agency online – and these are free!

So ... Key things to remember: 

Be natural with a fresh face without makeup, have clean hair worn in a normal style, and show the real, genuine “you”.

No professional photos needed – phone pics are preferred.  Use good, natural lighting and avoid a busy background behind you.

Modeling schools are not necessary and do not qualify you to be a model.

There should never be a fee to apply to submit yourself to agencies. Ever. 

Girls should wear skinny jeans and a tank top and guys should wear jeans and a plain t-shirt for online submissions to agencies so they can get an idea of your proportions and figure.  Every agency has different requirements so make sure you read the guidelines.

Don’t lie about your age or height – imagine if you get to actually meet the agent in person and you are caught in a lie??  It’s not the way to begin a business relationship. 

Finally – don’t get discouraged!  Keep in mind that many top models were rejected by one or another agency along the way to building their careers, due to timing, their particular look, their age, or just being the right type for that market.  It’s business, not personal. 

“No” might mean “not right now” or “not this agency”, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you in the industry!  Don’t give up!

Izabel Goulart - Model Crush Monday !

Braziliain born, Izabel Goulart is our Model crush this Monday!  Izabel is best known for her work as a Victoria Secret Model but she is so much more than that!  

Izabel is a girl that can walk the runway and also appears on covers and editorials for the biggest magazines and designers on the planet.  She travels in supermodel style and shows us all on her amazing Instagram feed how to live a happy, healthy life as a model.  Just try and stop watching her workouts clips - and then take yourself right back to the gym and try to get her model body - this woman earns it!  She is known just as equally for her gorgeous hair and contagious smile - glamour on fleek!

How she got her start? A hairstylist suggested she should become a model at age 14, while shopping for groceries with her mom. Goulart, whose brother has type 1 diabetes, does charitable work, helping hospitals in her native Brazil to raise money to provide free insulin for diabetic children in need. A beauty with a big heart!