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.

MODELLING CAN ADD VALUE TO ONES LIFE...

The training a reputable modelling agency provides their models can create essential building blocks to be successful in life or prepare a young person for a long term career. Modelling can teach aspiring models life skills such as: poise, posture, personalised branding and style, grooming, business acumen, etiquette, how to work well under pressure and with an extreme variety of personalities, anger management, how to work independently a s a team, flexibility, negotiation and customer service skills.

MODELLING CAN CREATE ESSENTIAL BUILDING BLOCKS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE: Don't give up on your dream of becoming a model (www.happyquotesworld.com).

The other bonus to modelling is not just the financial incentives or learning money management skills but the exposure to successful businesses and their associates, travelling and building long term friendships with other young people in the business that can often last a lifetime. However, the dark side to modelling is that young models can be exploited if managed improperly, drug use can become a method to lose weight quickly and eating disorders among models have never been sorted.

LIVE YOUR VALUES: Don't let criticism get to you (www.trueinspiration.com.au).

Criticism plays a big role in the modelling industry, always think the positives, be passionate about what you do and be driven to what you believe in. When you finally accomplish it, the best part is looking back on how strong you are and how much you went through and focus on how you'll become a role model for someone, for people.

POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE MODELLING INDUSTRY...

Many critiques in the modelling industry have less in common with the loving mother who tries to flatter you with compliments that empower you and more in common with a devil's advocate who tells you to skip your next two meals because your bum looks to large in your favourite pair of jeans and that you need to hit the gym daily for about three hours minimum. Both their have their place but one is said in love, the other is much more forceful and can affect ones self-esteem, income and career of an aspiring or professional model.





CURVES ARE NOT BAD: THEY REDEFINE AND RESHAPE THE WORLD'S STANDARD BEAUTY. www.examiner.com

 

For years, fashion designers created the demand for models to be thin, preferring human hangers on the runway and models of picture perfect perfection in their advertisements. Major changes were noted when modelling agencies Ford and Wilhelmenia first expanded into the plus size market. In the late nineties Mode Magazine launched its first fashion magazine targeted for the plus-size consumer and was also supported by Wilhelmina. Then in 2004 Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty began pushing the envelope further with a national campaign using plus size models. The main stream public was accepting more variations in curvaceous beauty with people like Anna Nicole Smith, Mia Tyler, Emmie Aronson and Queen Latifah shining in the spotlight.



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW HER CURVES: MYSELF (REFILWE PEARL MAKAMEDI)



Thankfully the plus size movement has continued with Wilhelmina W. Curve Models Organisation, Curves for Change where the models are removing the superficial shell of the fashion industry to become personal mentors of success. They utilise their good looks and sharp wits to advocate for a variety of charities that empower and help women. Two of the organisations they are currently supporting are:

• www.hardygirlshealthywomen.org which is a nonprofit organisation that works to create opportunities, develop programs, and provide services so that all girls and women experience equality, independence, and safety in their everyday lives.
• The other organisation Curves for Change supports is the www.komeraproject.org, an organisation created to assist girls in Rwanda where most struggle to be educated beyond elementary school.

The expectation is for every woman to be able to come out and show off her "curves" to support both these great causes and to celebrate how far we as women, have come to redefine and reshape the world standard beauty.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA HAS CHANGED THE MODELLING INDUSTRY

Fifteen years ago, all a model had to do was show up and look pretty. But in today's social media-saturated world, a great pair of legs and killer cheekbones do not make a supermodel. More and more, a model's earning power is derived not only by how many shows she walked or magazines she covered, but how many Twitter followers she has.




SOCIAL MEDIA: A powerful asset in a model's career (www.memeburn.com).


Name recognition has always been a powerful asset in a model's career, but whereas in the past the public mostly got to know the industry's biggest players through countless covers, campaigns, gossip columns and paparazzi photos, today's social media has enabled models to make names for themselves. Now, any business-savvy model can get her name out there, and control her brand, through Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook (www.newyork-tokyo.com) .




KATE UPTON: First supermodel to use social media as a powerful asset (www.theplace2.ru).


Kate Upton is the first model to use social media as a powerful asset in her modelling career. She is an American model and actress known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue first in 2011 when she was named Rookie of the Year, and again in 2012, when she was announced as the cover model. Today, up-and-coming young models like Kate Upton, have their web-savvy skills and digital popularity to thank for their skyrocket to fame. Social media imprint (from Facebook and Twitter) has ranked the following models as the top 5 for using social media as a powerful asset (www.ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com):

1. Tyra Banks:          9 126 761
2. Adriana Lima:       2 310 529
3. Heidi Klum:          2 191 447
4. Miranda Kerr:      1 838 532
5. Gisele Bundchen: 1 797 789

My question is, while a large social media presence is no doubt a useful tool, does it really equal more success????

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE MODELLING INDUSTRY?

We've heard horror stories of high fashion models starving themselves to stay thin, and seen skeletons walking down the runway. Influxes of images showing extremely thin women lower young girls' fragile self-esteems as they strive for this unattainable beauty. It has been proved that these unrealistic images have contributed to the rising number of eating disorders especially in America and around the world. So what is the future of the modelling industry?




GOOD HEALTH IS BEAUTIFUL: Refilwe Makamedi (myself) standing up for and representing petite models.


Vogue has come up with new standards which will highlight healthier, beautiful models that can serve as inspiring, not demeaning, images for girls. These standards are revolutionary in the modelling industry, especially because models' shrinking waists have been such a topic of concern in recent years. Vogue has started setting these standards in June, whereby the policy states that Vogue will no longer willingly hire models that are too thin and appear to have an eating disorder, or that are under the age of sixteen. Vogue is finally being proactive and trying to portray the idea that healthy is beautiful and in addition to these new guidelines, Vogue is also beginning a mentoring program for its younger models to help raise awareness about their health and how to portray their healthy is beautiful campaign (www.lhrtimes.com).




THE VOUGE HEALTH INITIATIVE: AIMING TO ENCOURAGE A HEALTHIER APPROACH TO BODY IMAGE
www.allwalks.org


However, I feel that this doesn't necessarily mean the entire modelling industry is changing. While Vogue plays a big role, standards aren't necessarily altering for other magazines on the runway. Question is, will models portray healthier body images and set more realistic standards for young girls struggling with their self-esteem? Will underage girls be kept away ffrom the very adult world of the modelling industry? MAYBE. But one thing is for certain: Models will stay thin, but hopefully not skeletal. 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE MODELLING INDUSTRY

You don't have to be an ad or media professional to be aware that our communications world is highly sexualised these days. But how does this charged environment affect the lives of the women who give give their bodies and sexuality up for our objectification? Sexual harassment in the modelling industry is not a pretty picture!

SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT: SAY NO TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT (http://www.speakinupandspeakingoutfromcairo.wordpress.com/)

The well worn modelling stereotype brings images of glamour, gorgeous clothing and evenings full of champagne, however, things can get boozy backstage: under-age girls mostly work without parental supervision, agencies put lots of pressure on models to lose weight and sexual harassment is definitely not rare. The Model Alliance, a group formed to improve conditions for models, is dissolving that glossy veneer. Sure we've heard all horror stories of rampant anorexia, but the group's new survey found a slew of other problems. Only 85 models took part so the sample is small, but gives some deep insight. From the study published on Fashionista:

• Roughly a third of models have eating disorders.
• Anxiety and depression is the number one health concern and roughly 68% of those surveyed said they had suffered from both.
• 77% say they have been exposed to drugs or alcohol while at work. Some 50% have been exposed to cocaine on the job.
• Nearly 30% have been touched inappropriately on shoots and 28% say they've been pressured to have sex with someone at work.

STOP IT BEFORE IT GETS UGLY: STAND AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT (http://www.ideasandtraining.com/)

It is awful, especially in a field where most girls are super young. If you feel like you are being sexual harassed, feel free to complete a Sexual Harrasment in the Modelling Industry Survey (http://www.thefashionspot.com/). Be part of the Model Alliance group and stand against sexual harassment.