Teen Models Hub

It is of no surprise that people first noticed Chrissie Chau only when she stripped and walked through throngs of young office workers downtown, wearing only a bikini.

Chrissie did it for a slimming salon’s television commercial, which catapulted her to the top of a growing pack of teen models – or lang mo, as they are commonly known. These pretty young women have captured the public’s imagination with their seductive and, at times, revealing poses.

At the same time, they have triggered a debate about the effects of model worship on the young in Hong Kong.

Chrissie, a high school graduate, is now 23 but started posing for small modelling agencies when she was about 16, according to reports.

She eked out a living with sporadic appearances in local fashion magazines and low-budget films.

Her big break came when she appeared in the slimming salon commercial in November last year. Business for the clinic jumped threefold.

Now, Chrissie is among about a dozen so-called teen models who have grown into older and much richer superstars. Others include Angelababy, now 20, Lavina, 21, and Rainbow, still only 17.

All have touched off a blizzard of marketing campaigns, with photographs of them in skimpy dresses, public appearances in shopping malls and exhibitions, and even life-size body pillows.

Lately, Chrissie also became a target of criticism after her controversial appearance last month in a university forum hosted by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

There, college students and academics confronted her with questions ranging from the impact of body pillows – stuffed life-size pillow cases printed with an image of one’s favourite girl – to whether she regretted not having spent more time in school.

Critics attacked her answers as shallow and brainless while fans rushed to her defence, praising her sincerity.

But, in many ways, Chrissie and the other teen models are representative of their generation. The rise in their popularity started more than five years ago and corresponded, curiously, with a rising backlash against sexually charged issues, ranging from pictures and videos of nudity to sexual orientation.

“The alternative youth culture is more open and liberal than the mainstream values portrayed by the society and the media,” said Associate Professor Anthony Fung of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “Our society is not facing up to this reality.”

Mr Roy Kwong, Chrissie’s manager and head of Global Mania Empire Management, attributed the popularity of teen models to the changing tastes of the young.

Despite the provocative poses they strike, there have been no scandals involving teen models – at least not yet.

Prof Fung said most of the models he interviewed did not say whether they had exchanged sex for success, but he suspects it might have happened.

On the other hand, some teen models use their earnings to better themselves by going to college.

As many hail from low-income families, they would otherwise have skipped higher education.

“Young people are facing a different, more difficult environment that that of their parents,” said Mr Kwong, who has six teen models under contract.

“There are fewer job opportunities around. It’s more difficult for them to achieve something.”

Girls can start, when they are as young as 11, with assignments for amateur photographers through online photo clubs, where they earn about HK$500 (S$89) a day.

A successful teen model can easily earn a six-figure sum for a single job.

Both Chrissie and Angelababy have used their modelling careers as a stepping stone into movies.

Chrissie now takes in as much as HK$800,000 for a film and at least HK$50,000 just for a public relations event appearance.

Girls aged under 16 should be banned from catwalk modeling to protect them from eating disorders and sexual exploitation, a panel of fashion and health experts in Britain said on Wednesday.

Older teenagers also need more protection, including chaperones at shows, according to the Model Health Inquiry, a group investigating models’ health.

The panel said there was a trend for the industry to use younger models, who are more vulnerable to eating disorders such as anorexia.

"There was also strongly expressed concern that it is profoundly inappropriate that girls under 16 … should be portrayed as adult women," said Baroness Kingsmill, chairwoman of the panel.

"The risk of sexualizing these children was high and designers could risk charges of sexual exploitation."

The inquiry was set up by the British Fashion Council, which runs London Fashion Week, in the wake of a long-running controversy over super-thin "size zero" models.

The panel rejected the idea of weighing models and banning those under a certain weight. It said "size zero" doesn’t exist in British shops and is "meaningless".

It received mixed evidence on whether models should have tests to assess their body mass index, a measure of fat.

Many models told the inquiry that they feared losing work because they were not thin enough.

As well as eating disorders, the panel highlighted health risks from stress, substance abuse and poor working conditions.

"We have grave concerns about other health areas, such as drug and alcohol abuse and the stress caused by working conditions for model," the panel’s interim report says.

"We are also concerned that modeling is very much a hidden profession with very little transparency about the working conditions that many models have to endure."

The panel wants better training for designers and agents to help them spot models with eating disorders.

There should be a clampdown on drugs and smoking backstage and models should have access to healthy food.

Trends for male models or female models, trends for child and dogs etc. articles are related to fashion trends, but what about the teens. Searching for teen fashion trends and guidelines regarding teen modeling are difficult than any other. Teenagers fight against society, work hard to be different from others, but they also create new fashion styles.

Emotional style is the latest trend. This style is only for those who like black colors. Colors like green, pink, red, yellow matched with black will make the teen model pose  look really attractive. If you are in fashion style, you must have right hairdo. Female models can have zelda hairdo and male models can have jet black mop top hairdo. Models can also have bell bottom jeans, cigarette-shaped jeans with studded belt etc. For wearing top, you may choose anything you want, but should be sure about its fitting and color. Even large size jewelry will suit the young girls. EMO fashion style is perfect for the teens who wear glasses. Even glasses are of various types, you must look after it and see which suits you the best.Hip hop have never been out of fashion.

Music that speaks street language is really for the young generation. It is rather different to have a hip-hop style for teen men and women. Young boys usually wear loose pants and young girls wear tight outfits. Even cap is the other, which is must for these young teens. But while selecting colors, you can select any color of your choice. And it is of different types, teen girls usually wear trendy caps of different color. Young boys prefer blue jeans and white-colored top while for young girls the choice is not predictable. To be trendy in this fashion world, girls should wear big earrings and boys should wear at least one ring.

And talking about the purses or bags what the female models will prefer also matters. They can carry small trendy purse which suits with the color of their clothes and that makes them look really amazing. For young boys purse will not matter as they keep in pockets. Fashion designers have come up with many trendy clothes for young models. Dressing all black, coloring your hair black, whitening your face, to make everything look blacker is a current trend.

Choosing big shoes with thick heels, going for metal details all over your clothing and accessories will make it a perfect teen model. If you wear a short or a long skirt, a close fit top or a loose one it would be ok if it is a black color. Even some teenagers like Bohemian style as fashionable. If young models wore loose light colored clothes, wraps and wooden, stone or amber accessories, they will really look like a bohemian girl or boy. You will find endless information resources on the web about internet model modeling and what it takes to become a professional model.

Preteen models belong to the age group of early adolescents and those before. Modeling is a highly promising realm for those in the preteen group. They can represent in fashion modeling, newspaper advertisements, TV commercials, fashion modeling, billboards, magazine covers, etc. Preteen models, teen and young models, fashion models, etc. can act as props for exhibiting lifestyle articles such as designer dresses, ornaments, apparel accessories, cosmetic items and even educational courses and products.

They may include young boys and girls and kids also. Preteen models belong to the diversity of ethnic and geographical backgrounds. Among them, there are Latin American, Russian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, West Asian, African, etc. The preteen models, being minors, need to be attended by their guardians in their career. The ever-increasing commercialization has necessitated growth of fashion modeling and preteen modeling.In fact, many famous actresses like Brooke Shields, Katherine Heig l and Lindsay Lohan started their career as preteen models.

Another successful child model is Lissane Falk. Falk also started as child fashion model and later became an actress. Many child models have become successful in the modeling industry and the trend has attracted several parents and preteens to modeling. However, it is often difficult to launch the career of a model. It is all the more difficult in the face of growing competition. Models who are already in the field and those who have relationship with modeling agencies may find it easier to get casting calls than those who are new to the field.

Most of the celebrities in the modeling industry have entered the field through preteen modeling. Celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Beverly Johnson, Janice Dickinson, Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Christie Brinkley, Petra Nemcova, etc. belong to this group of celebrity models. Other well-known models like Natalia Vodianova, Karolina Kurkova, Lily Cole, Gemma Ward, etc.They were young preteen models, entered the world of fashion and modeling in their teens and have stayed great ever since and grew in to celebrity status.

Preteen and other models may appear in their best appearance suggestive of a luxurious life. In fact, they have gained success through a series of workouts and preparations. If they grow to be fashion models, appearing in magazines and billboards, sometimes they need to forget modesty. Fashion modeling is subject to informal posing, sometimes to nudity. In order to present the best of the modeling talents of preteens, seasoned and skilled photographers’ service is essential. Precision is the hallmark of good fashion modeling photography and precision in the art can make or mar the quality of the photography.

Are you ready to become a model? Here are some great tips to get you started:

If you want to be a runway or high fashion model you will need a killer catwalk. It’s a must. The walk on the runway is what sells a designer’s clothes and if you have an awkward walk or look uncomfortable it will have an effect on the clothing. Suddenly a gorgeous garment will appear strange or slightly off. For this reason a designer will never book a model for a runway show unless they can really attack that walk and sell the clothes. So break out the stilettos, a video camera, digital camera, tape, and grab a good friend, because it’s time to practice.

Try out the shoes
Always practice in high heels. Mix it up between stilettos and regular high heels as well as clogs and shorter shoes. You need to learn how to balance in each shoe and comfortably take a stride. The more shoes you try walking in the better because you never know what a designer or stylist will put you in.

Posture
Work on your posture. Push your shoulders back and tilt the pelvis forward and upward. You should be leaning back slightly. This is the correct posture for walking the runway. Hold this posture for several minutes at a time before relaxing. The more you practice the more natural it will become.

Tape the floor
Use masking tape to create a straight line down a hallway, outdoor patio or across a long room with a wood floor. Walk on the line one foot crossing in front of the other. You want to lead with your hips and extend your walking leg out fairly far so you are taking strides, not baby steps. Land on the toes and press your foot into the floor through your toe, ball then heel. Don’t walk with the weight on your heels, keep it toward the toe with the rest of the weight falling on the center of the foot.

Whip out the video camera
Set up a video camera to record your walk. Do several passes then watch the tape. Are you staring straight ahead? Did you keep to your feet on the line? How does your body line look? Are you holding the correct posture as you walk? Analyze your features then try it again and see if you made the necessary changes.

Trust your friend
Have a friend watch you walk. Ask for their constructive criticism. Then have them take digital photos as you walk like paparazzi, magazines and other photographers would during an actual show. Look at your body lines and posture in the photos. Do you look good or do you still need work. Continue to practice and watch your body and you’ll be a pro in no time.

Source: http://www.taltopia.com/articles/cat/5/Modeling-Articles

Hairstyles are the attribute to your face. Before you chose a hairstyle you must know what shape your face is. If you are like many women out there and have been gifted a round face, there are specific hairstyles for round face shapes that will make you look more beautiful.

 To make sure that you are going to get your best look with these hairstyle tips, it’s important that you first make sure you have a round face. The best hairstyles that will look good on you are those that add length to your face.

A long straight hair is a good consideration because long hair will make your face look longer, and since it’s straight it will make your head width show less.

An additional good hairstyle idea that will look perfect on round faces is a long hairstyle with curly ends because it will add width to the bottom of your face and make the width disappear. This face shape is characterized by the round chin, making the face appear wide.

It’s a collection of your modelling pictures. How many pictures you need varies. You should only keep strong pictures, you are only as good as your worst picture! Models should aim for quality not quantity! Avoid using 2 pictures of the same shoot (same look) Black and White is the favourite of the industry. 9 by 12 inches are the standard size. Your agency will require you to buy an 11 by 14 inches for their book (portfolio). A basic but versatile portfolio would have a casual head shot, styled head shot, body shot (conservative swimsuit or lingerie), a fashion shot (sexy), action shot, an editorial shot and even a catalogue shot. As you gain experience replace the older pictures with newer one. Keep your best picture at the end to leave a lasting impression! Do not wear jewellery for those prints, it takes the attention away from you. The wrong choice of undergarments may show panty line or bra straps and will distract the viewer (on the job, or in interviews it can mean the difference between looking professional or not). Tailor your portfolio for your strengths and the type of modelling you are doing.

Portfolio is a set of professional pictures that helps you in getting the best assignments. Generally in a portfolio 5 rolls are clicked. In each roll one to two dresses are used and the Best 2 pictures are selected. So in all you get around 10 pictures in a 5 roll portfolio.

Portfolio Tips

The tools of your trade are your portfolio photographs and your resume. Portfolio is a model’s basic promotional tool consisting of an album showing the best photos from tests and bookings.

At the beginning of your fashion modeling career, your portfolio should include: At least two head shots with two different expressions (one smiling and one serious, or one in the studio and one outdoors). At least two fashion shots (one casual and one a little more formal). If you move well, you might like to include an action shot. At least one full-length shot showing the proportion of your body (feet to knees, knees to thighs, thighs to waist, waist to shoulders, shoulders to the top of your head). You could wear a leotard or a body suit, depending on what makes you comfortable and flatters your figure. A full portfolio consists of about twenty-four 9"x12" photos and tears ( from magazines). Remember: it is better to have less photos, but ones that are really strong, than a full portfolio with photos that are mediocre. Every portfolio needs a mix of commercial and editorial shots, location and studio. You will also need at least one great body shot (professional and tasteful - editorial style is best) and one beautiful B&W head shot with minimal makeup.

Get trained in the various techniques required to be learned before going for a folio then Go to an Expert, trained and an experienced Fashion Photographer who could advice you about your best looks and specifically could give you more time as you are a learner, so you require more time to be comfortable with the camera and the shoot (never give shot unless you are comfortable).

A strong portfolio opens doors, a weak portfolio closes them. Your portfolio is often the only thing a person sees before deciding whether or not to contact you, and in many cases you may not be present to explain it (particularly on-line portfolios). There are fundamental qualities that all outstanding portfolios share, and a variety of principals and techniques that can help take your portfolio from average to excellent. If at all possible, your portfolio should be appropriate to the situation and reviewer, and all portfolios should show creativity, skills, range, thought, and ambition. It is the overall combination of these, plus that "special something," that makes one designer stand above the others.

How many photos do I need to have?
Less is better! You will not impress with quantity - you will make a lasting impression with quality. The purpose of the modeling portfolio is not just simply to show that you are attractive - it is to show your ability to portray different characters, age ranges and importantly personality!

As a new model - 6 - 12 pictures is adequate to present yourself to a new agency. 20 should be a maximum - but only if they are 20 "WOW" pictures. Good pictures don’t make the grade.

Should the pictures all be in Color?
Black and White is not only an artistic medium that can be effectively used to create and convey a mood, but it is also a medium that is still very much in use today - so don’t be afraid to include a few great Black and White photos in your portfolio.

Your portfolio should be organized and visually appealing
Loose photos, cut up contact sheets, loose slides, torn or bent photos, are signs of a poor portfolio presentation. Just as an accountant wouldn’t present his resume on a crumpled piece of paper, you shouldn’t have a sloppy portfolio. Your portfolio represents you, make it a lasting, positive impression.

Kinds of Photos
A high quality headshot is a must. After you get some experience, you should have a couple different headshots showing different hairstyles and makeup looks. Your book should also contain shots of you showing the kinds of work you want to do. If you want to be a swim wear model, have swim wear shots, not high fashion, in your book. Versatility is good but don’t get caught up in trying to be everything. Stick to what you are suited for and are interested in.

If you take the time to review and select your work, and put together a well thought out book, you’ll be rewarded many times over throughout your career.

Many models who have some exceptional features, such as freckles, unusual hair color, piercing, moles, tattoos, scars and alike, are concerned is that good or bad qualities in modeling and whether it is acceptable at all. Some of those qualities are good for you to be noticed, while some of them can make your modeling career really difficult.

Those are surely a great advantage. Although not all modeling agencies and scouts would appreciate such feature, it’ll make you noticeable and different from the others and there surely be some that will appreciate having you as a model.

Such a feature as unusual hair color, for example ginger, may become both an advantage and disadvantage. Most agencies don’t accept models with unnatural hair colors, such as green, blue or red. However, if your hair is natural, it may become a great advantage, for it is an exceptional feature and most agencies are willing to have naturally unusual models. Yet, some agencies may refuse you or ask you to color your hair.

Situation with piercing is rather different. Only a small part of agencies would invite you to work with them or at least would ask you to remove your jewelry. Don’t get too worried about it. You may have ear rings. But nose, eyebrow, lip or other "unusual" piercing may become a great problem in your modeling career. Of course, you always may try, because as mentioned before, some agencies surely like extraordinary looks.

Tattoos and scars most probably will cause you difficulties. Scars may at least be healed or hidden, but tattoos may not. Scouts and modeling agencies may pick you only for some special shows or photo sessions, because it may be hidden under clothes or under makeup, so it’s surely easier for them to choose the model that doesn’t have any scars or tattoos. Yet, those agencies that seek for exceptional models will welcome you. But even those will most likely choose you for some certain event only.

If you have some other exceptional features, for example your legs or back aren’t straight, it depends only on the agents. Some of them won’t pay attention to such features, while others won’t even consider signing you up. It’s hard to tell their opinion, but be ready for disappointment so it wouldn’t strike you as a surprise.

Models that have moles also depend only on agents. Yet, if those are small and easily covered with makeup, you shouldn’t face any problems. Moreover, if, for example, there’s a small charming mole on your face, it may help you a lot in improving your career. However, if you have a big mole on any place of your body, it may cause you difficulties. Yet, it is surely more acceptable than tattoos.

Being extraordinary is always contradictory. While some may find it charming and acceptable, others couldn’t be less bothered with signing a contract with you. No matter what exceptional feature you have, keep trying to improve your modeling career and don’t get disappointed even if some agencies says no. You’ll surely get noticed by an agency which will appreciate having an extraordinary model.

It has a reputation of being performed in dimly-lit sometimes seedy clubs, but the image of pole dancing is changing

Pole dancing is a lot more strenuous than it looks: a good session on the pole can burn more calories than a good session in the gym, and will certainly provide more muscle tone.

Some moves are trickier than others. Imagine having to support your entire weight with one arm, or supporting your upper body weight with your stomach muscles to get an idea of the level of effort involved. You’ll get increased muscle definition and toning all over especially in the arms, thighs, and buttocks.

You can expect to burn about 250 calories per session.

You will need to wear trainers for the warm up session but, after that, you will need to feel the part to get maximum benefits from the class. You need to be able to grip the pole effectively, have freedom of movement and feel a bit sexy while doing the class.

Bare legs are essential if you want to grip on to the pole (you will slip with tights or trousers on). The ideal outfit is a pair of fairly short shorts or hot-pants, and something comfortable and attractive, but not restrictive on your top half.

High heels are also an advantage to give you that strut. The ideal shoes have high heels and a plastic strap across the top of the foot.

The standard pole-dancing class involves a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute cardiac workout on the pole and a 10-minute cool down. Probably the biggest thing for most women to overcome is the shyness factor.

Most people quickly overcome that hurdle because they work hard all day and are looking for a new way to unwind. Pole dancing is often compared to belly dancing, in the sense that as soon as women start to move in a rhythmic fashion sexual expression just takes over. The pole acts like a dance partner for them.

And a very demanding one. Pole dancing is one of the most effective ways to build upper-body strength, which many women lack. Suspending your entire body weight on one arm accounts for a great deal of the time spent on a pole during class workouts.

But it’s not just the physical side-effects that get most women hooked, it’s also the psychological benefits. Many women are not used to showing off their bodies, but after three weeks of pole dancing the physical transformation is amazing. Shoulders are pulled back, waists are elongated, their butts are more perky and their physical self-confidence has doubled. Pole dancing works out the whole body, increasing flexibility and improving posture because all those hip circles really loosen up the joints.

One of the best aspects of pole dancing is that it’s very social. You really get involved with the other women in the class. They cheer each other on as they do basic floor exercises such as the leg splay and the peekaboo.
Not surprisingly, in the US and Britain, and now Australia, women are signing up for a single pole-dancing class for hens’ nights and girls’ nights out.

Pole dancing is no longer about men, it’s about getting together for fitness and fun!

Source:http://www.purestorm.com/pole-dancing.aspx

Get insider information from top agents on how to help your baby, child or preteen break into the child modeling and child acting industry.

Atlanta’s Young Faces Copyright © 2005

How much will I need to invest in my child model’s career?

As with any new activity, there are certain fees involved. In modeling these fees are tangible such as photography and model cards. Good photography and promotional items are the key to obtaining bookings since the model card is the first view a client has of a model . Baby models only use snapshots because their look changes so quickly.

Do you accept every applicant?

Legitimate agencies accept ONLY child models with true potential for a particular market. Child models are selected according to personality, animation, availability, size and look. Of course, NO GUARANTEES go along with the modeling industry. Parents are better off to consider it "an activity" until the child actually begins to earn money. We accept about 20 % of the talent we interview.

Can I print my own Model Cards?

All agencies have a design format that makes the agency recognizable to their clients and that are competitive in the marketplace. Therefore young female models cards are trademarked and printed through the agency.

Do you accept all of the children in the same family?

We frequently decline brothers or sisters because they may not have the same qualifications needed to be successful in the industry. As we work with a family, we sometimes will take another look at a sibling though.

Can my child be listed with another agency in the Atlanta area?

No. Clients tend to recognize child models and their agency affiliation and do not want to have to choose one agency over the other when booking a model. This is known as an "Exclusive Model". The better agencies require all of their models to have this arrangement. However, you may be listed with another agency in Georgia, outside the immediate Atlanta area or another state.

Must I be available when my child is offered a booking?

Yes. Otherwise, you and the agents will be wasting each other’s time. We do have child models that come hundreds of miles for booking frequently. They have a tremendous amount of family support. Of course we understand that parents cannot accept every female models assignment, but declining more than a few is unacceptable.

Are there modeling assignments on weekends since I work full time?

Rarely, but we do have some. Recently, American Girl Magazine shot a catalog in Charleston, S.C. on a weekend. They will pay for hotels, meal, and travel as well as the model rate of pay. Also, Tommy Hilfiger recently had a weekend booking at Amelia Island which involved several of our child models. It is too rare to count this as normal though. Most bookings are 9-5 on weekdays, even in the school year. Be prepared for your child to miss school occasionally. If you have a Nanny or parent available, your child will have a better chance at getting bookings.

Do you get many bookings for infants?

Infants work sporadically because they change daily. We interview most infants so that we have a ready supply when the time comes to "book" a baby. We have "seasons" for infant bookings. Unfortunately, we cannot predict when that "season" will be. Normally it will be prior to holidays such as Christmas, Easter and March, which is typically Baby Sale month. Advertising agencies print catalogs several months ahead of these seasons. Kids II products is a client and likes a fresh supply of infants throughout the year. A baby only needs to be good natured to get constant work.

How much will my child make modeling?

That depends on an infinite number of factors such as; temperament, availability, age, size, looks, general personality and promotional materials (photos, snapshots, etc.) Remember, most clients will use only a photograph to determine who actually gets a "booking". Therefore your photos, whether professional or not MUST be recent and good quality. Some child models make a few hundred dollars a year while others make many thousands. We can not predict any number of bookings.

What is the percentage taken by your agency from my child’s earnings?

We normally deduct 20% from all gross monies booked by the agency. Occasionally we deduct varying amounts according to the arrangement and fees paid by the client or advertiser. All models are quoted a rate and a fee at the time of the booking. After a model joins an agency, they become familiar with different rates for different jobs.

My child is missing front teeth. Can she/he still model?

It is best to begin a modeling career WITH teeth. Then when this natural process occurs, clients already know that your child is a good model and may continue to book them. If the child has no experience it is more difficult but not impossible to get a client interested.

How much notice will I receive prior to my child’s modeling assignment?

Sometimes a week and sometimes only a day or so. Therefore we keep several models of similar looks and age in every division so that a client’s needs can always be met. Infants occasionally are booked only an hour or two ahead.

http://www.talentagencymatch.com/interview-with-atlanta-young-faces.html