MODELLING SCAMS

Suckers are not born a minute, but dreams are. We all dream of fame, fortune and glory, and for teenage girls, all three are rolled into one tenacious fantasy: the dream of being a fashion model. What are you going to do if your agent says you're fat and tells you to lose weight? You're not fat and you know it. Your friends think you're thin and maybe your mother feels you're too thin. But the agent explains you need to be slimmer to get bookings. What if you try to shed some kilos but can't?

MODELLING SCAMS: Is that great offer a fake? (www.modelingscams.net)

Thousands of young women are interested in modelling and get scammed every year, but surprisingly few books have been written about modelling scams. In fact, you would be lucky to find half a dozen books ever written on them in general or about one of them in particular. The bad news about the modelling industry is: it is full of scams. The good news is: education can keep you from avoiding them.

SCAMS: Spot fake modelling agencies. (www.ehow.com)

The Internet has become a force for both education and relevation. Some sites help you learn what scams look like, while others specifically name which one are frauds. www.ModelingScams.org emphasizes modelling scams in the United States, but very similar if not identical schemes are found in South Africa and other English-speaking countries, as well as virtually every other country that has models. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Take some time to learn the history of the modelling industry so you can avoid big mistakes or small ones. 

MY LOVE AND VIEWS ABOUT THE MODELLING INDUSTRY AND THE POWER OF IT ALL.

I love anything that has to do with modelling. I will watch any old reality TV show if it has models in it, I used to be majorly addicted to America's Next Top Model so much! I dislike the manipulative editing that makes it seem as if everyone is constantly fighting or crying, but I will watch it anyway. What I like best is the bits when they are working it because of the glimpses into the model's lives.




Myself (Refilwe Pearl Makamedi): I love anything that has to do with modelling.


I wish modelling was just treated as a job with pros and cons like any other, but I just find it so weird that it's this thing that so many young girls aspire to the extent that they will completely screw their life chances in other areas such as education to pursue it. i can understand why it appears glitzy, since models are the public face of the fashion industry. Unfortunately, the things I have found out about professional modelling are not so encouraging:

1. Clients demand models with 31 inch hips: Which is basically not physically possible.
2. Models don't get paid for Vogue covers: Editorial models basically work for not that much at all in the hope of getting their face recognised  hope so that eventually they will pick up one of the many big advertising contracts, but obviously there aren't many of them.
3. Fainting is not an excuse: Agencies never understand why a model is so tired. (www.oranges-and-apples.com)



Myself (Refilwe Pearl Makamedi): Not sacrificing chances in life to pursue modelling.


So why then am I so interested in all things modelling? I'm not even into high fashion that much, and my fascination definitely goes beyond clothes... The best I can explain it is that what I love is the transformation and I take heart from the fact that gawky teenager with thin short hair can end up as internationally renowned symbol of beauty.