Thursday, September 25, 2014

Audition Outfit Do's and Don'ts


I've decided to post a new blog topic one Thursday a month, so my next post will be 10/23!

Now, let's get to it!

 This week is all about the scary and intimidating "Audition Outfit".  Have you ever asked yourself these questions: What should I wear? What should I not wear? How do I leave a lasting impression? How do I keep it professional?

The Audition Outfit Do's

1. Black is the new black, keep that in mind when choosing your audition outfit color, it should always be basic black.

2. Your black pumps ladies (which are mentioned in my previous blog post: Model Bag, along with pictures) should have at least a 4"in heel.

3. Skirt should be moderate length: no shorter than 17" and no longer than 24" or to the knee.

4. Outfit should be completely formfitting (If you wear a jacket, make sure to remove before you walk or audition)

5. Stockings or use spray on stockings (Sally Hanson's spray tan works wonders)

Below are examples of great outfits for females and males. 
Definitely get creative adding your own style and flair!


Sheath Dress
Traditional, professional, simple


Black Leggings and Fitted T-Shirt
         Great form fitting outfit with a personal touch. Just remember to remove the jacket before you begin your audition! They want to see your fabulous figure.


Love Herve Leger! 
Just steer clear of an extremely bulging bust-line and don't go any shorter than a 17" hemline! 
(This isn't the club)


Male Audition Outfit
Chris Brown is displaying the perfect audition outfit for men.
The form fitting turtleneck, the sleek slacks and the polished shoes!
Yes! Yes! Yes! (I love a well-dressed man, Lawd!)

The Button Down
This look is sleek, form fitting and professional.

Muscle Tee
Some auditions will specifically ask for all models (male and female) to wear black muscle tees.


Men: Pair muscle tee with dark washed jeans or tucked inside slacks and dress shoes
 (NOT athletic shoes)

Women: Pair your muscle tee with black leggings, dark wash skinny jeans or black jeggings, and your black audition pumps or platforms.



Audition Outfit Hair:

When it comes to hair, I love creativity, but make sure it doesn't distract from your audition presence. It should be neat, brushed, combed and styled no matter your current look.

Traditional Audition Hair: Hair that is swept into a soft chignon, bun or sleek pony tail


The Chignon 
Traditional, professional and sleek


Sleek Ponytail
High Ponytail or Low Ponytail? Totally up to you.


Natural Hair
You can style into a ponytail, bun or down. 
Just make sure to pin the hair away from the face


The Clean Cut
Neat. Modern. Complimentary.


Shaped Up and Lined
Facial hair is either a definite miss or a definite hit, there are no in-between's.
This example of facial hair is neat, clean, and allows his face and facial frame to be seen.
This facial hair compliments his style and his facial frame.

During audition, clean face is preferred unless otherwise instructed by casting directors and agents.



Non-Traditional Audition Hair: Short hair, shaved hair, color treated hair


Contemporary Hair
This is a lovely cut and color, 
Remember, the hair should be swooped to the side, NOT in the face.


The Modern Buzz
Neat, styled and a clear vision of her beautiful face, you go Megan Good!


Long Locks of Ombre
Ombre is hot, remember to keep the hair out of the face,
 like Jamie Chung is seen doing here. 
(Pin your hair back or use a spray gel to hold hair in place, DON'T constantly play in hair during audition)


Natural Curls
A tad longer than a traditional audition cut. 
This style is so handsome and flattering for his facial frame!


Bohemian Fantasy
This look is perfect because he maintains his individuality, but he keeps his luscious locks in place and away from his face. (Ooh that rhymed)




Audition Outfit Don'ts

There are many Audition Outfit Don'ts but I will list the main Don'ts here.

1. DON'T wear athletic shoes (Unless otherwise directed before the audition by casting directors)
2. DON'T wear low cleavage or bottoms shorter than 17" (This is NOT the club)
3. DON'T wear heavy amounts of jewelry and piercings. Stick with basic earrings and a single ring. 
4. DON'T wear heavy amount of makeup (think Day Makeup or Natural)
5. DON'T wear perfume or scented lotions (Agents, Casting Directors or other staff may be allergic, that will leave a bad impression)
6. DON'T chew or smack on gum. If you are worried about bad breath carry mints or breath strips 
7. DON'T gossip, trash talk, be a Negative Nancy, constantly complain, discuss your hangover from last night, brag about your one-night stand, partake in illicit drugs or alcoholic drinks. This is a job. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is connected and news of a bad attitude or unprofessional-ism travels faster than lightning. Not Cute.


TIPS:
  • Break-in your shoes and test out the grips underneath the bottom before strutting on the runway. There is nothing worse than waddling like a duck from painful shoes, losing a shoe on the runway or tripping because your shoes aren't smooth enough to pivot.
  • Be aware of your style of underwear for your audition outfit. No bunched boxer briefs that create lines or bulk, and no granny panties to create lines underneath your formfitting clothing.
  • Pasties are a great investment, they won't add false inches to your bust line and will help in the runway measure tape line.
  • If your shoe bottoms are not slick enough to pivot on the runway, places strips of duct tape at the bottom of your shoes and it should add slickness for pivoting ease.
  • Refer to my previous post about what to carry in your Model Bag, such as: portfolio, business cards, resume, etc. You never know who you will network with, always be prepared.
  • Always smile and say, "Thank You" to agents, casting directors and judges. Be friendly to everyone you meet; looks get attention, however personality keeps it. Sell yourself!

While, I could go on forever about Audition DO's and DON'Ts, these are the main points to aid you in Audition Day success. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment. I love to hear your thoughts!


Look out for the next blog post on 10/23! 

However, I may just post an outfit of the week soon, oh I can't stay away too long.

 Stay tuned and Stay Fabulous. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:


“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”  —  Miuccia Prada 




Thursday, September 4, 2014

Pack it, Pack it good, Your Modeling Bag of course!

Here is the list of important items that you should pack in your model bag for set life and shows.

Female Model Bag:
  • Oil Blot Wipes
  • Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
  • Mints (NO gum!)
  • Water Bottle (Carry a straw, as not to smudge your lipstick)
  • Snacks: Almonds (great for abs), rice cakes, trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, etc.
  • Lip Balm/Gloss (Always keeps lips moisturizer between takes)
  • Basic Makeup Kit: Foundation, press powder, mascara, eye liner, drop, extra eyelashes
  • Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties
  • Bra(s): nude, black, flesh-colored, sticky bra, pasties, double-sided tape 
  • Panty Liners, tampons or pads
  • Moisturizer (unscented), Lotion (unscented)
  • Extra Underwear: Seamless underwear, G-string, boy shorts
  • Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
  • Deodorant 
  • Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
  • Sally Hansen Body Spray
  • Audition outfit: Black top, black slacks/skirt, pumps (4 inch heels, NO flats or sneakers!)


     Male Model Bag:

    • Extra Underwear: Boxer Briefs, low-rise (NO boxers, might bunch or create bulk underneath clothing)
    • Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
    • Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
    • Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties (for long hair), gel
    • Snacks: Almonds (great for abs), rice cakes, trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, etc.
    • Water Bottle
    • Mints (NO gum!)
    • Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
    • Oil Blot Wipes
    • Foundation
    • Razor, shaving cream
    • Undershirt
    • Socks
    • Audition outfit: Black shirt, black bottoms, black dress shoes (NOT tennis shoes or sneakers)

    Children Model Bag:
    • Extra Underwear
    • Socks
    • Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
    • Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
    • Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties, gel
    • Snacks: trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, juice packs, animal crackers, goldfish, etc.
    • Water Bottle (carry straw)
    • Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
    • Oil Blot Wipes
    • Foundation
    • Undershirt
    • Audition outfit (See criteria above)
    • Lip balm/gloss
    • Blanket, pillow
    • Toys, games, book, etc.
    • Lunch Bag
    • Recreational clothing (change for breaks between shooting or before the show)
    • Bib for eating (I've even used a plastic rain poncho to cover outfits on set)



     Extra Gear

    • Portfolio and Head shot
    • Composite "Comp" Cards
    • Business Cards (as a backup plan to comp cards)
    • Vouchers (For agency models)
    • Thank You cards (I'll cover why in my upcoming post: "Model Manners")
    • Directions to set (Important!)
    • Cell Phone Charger 
    • Book, Tablet, iPod, MP3, Magazines, etc. (For wasting time on set during breaks)


    Items to Consider: Travel Size Kit

    Deluxe Travel Kit: for overnight shoots and out-of-town shows



    Benefits of a Travel Size Kit 
    • neatness and organization, with items such as: moisturizer, lotion, hair crème, toothbrush, mouthwash, etc.
    • Great for jobs that include airplane travel or promotional jobs

    Bonus Tips:

     I pack Extensions and Wigs. Why you may ask? While I have an amazing personal hair stylist, who accompanies me to every shoot, I prefer to prepare for the worst.  Here are a few reasons why I carry prosthetic hair.

    • I can slap on perfectly styled hair in minutes, if surprise weather and extreme humidity occurs. (which blows my naturally curly hair back to the era of the 70s.)
    •  It offers versatility to an outfit and the shoot design
    • It protects my natural hair from extreme heat and damage, if I have back-to-back shoots
    • I can add length or take away length or even add color, without damaging my natural hair
    • If the hair stylist doesn't show, (and you don't have a personal stylist at your convenience) you'll have a backup plan.


    The Spray on Panty Hose

    Traditionally panty hose were a required item to complete your audition look. However, if you're like me, who can't stand wearing those itchy things (bad childhood memory, thanks mom). I use the spray on tan, Sally Hansen specifically, which gives my legs a smooth finish and emulates the look of panty hose.

    If you have any items that you carry in your model bag, that isn't listed above, please list it in the comments! I definitely love to learn about new items that I can cram in my gigantic model bag.

    Stay tuned for the next blog post: "The Perfect Audition Outfit", with examples of audition outfit Do's and Don'ts for both sexes!

    Until next time, stay tuned and as always, stay fabulous! I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes!

    "He who fails to plan is planning to fail" - Winston Churchill

    Tuesday, September 2, 2014

    Look of the Week


     Look of the Week:






    Crop Top: Bebe
    Mini Skirt: Forever XXI 
    Jacket: Kim Rogers 
    Shoes: Vintage Manolo Blahnik
    Sunglasses: Michael Kors 


    Stay tuned for the next LDM blog post "What to Pack in Your Model Bag" this Thursday, 9/4!


    "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." - Coco Chanel