DO'S AND DONT'S FOR A CASTING CALL

MODEL CASTINGS TIPS | for fashion week

toronto fashion week is drawing near so you know what that means? model castings! i've been styling for sunny fong's lineVAWK since 2009; once we find girl we love we will often rebook them again but we always want to see new faces, whether they are new to us or new to modelling. casting is my favourite thing for getting ready for the runway and though i have a lot of fun, and models should enjoy themselves too, it is still work and they should always be putting their professional foot forward.

here are a few tips to share with models for castings:

NO WEDGE SHOES

none! i've had girls walk amazing during castings (because they were wearing wedge shoes) only to teeter on the runway in heels not even that high. practice, practice, practice walking in heels at least 4" in height if you can't already do so comfortably. wedge shoes are cheating and misleading.

COME THROUGH THE DOOR READY

don't take 5 minutes of my time, the designer's time and the other model's awaiting their turn as we sit there waiting or you to take off your 3 layers and to change into your appropriate footwear. is there a lobby? use it. is there a corridor? use that too. is there a washroom in the building? heck, even use the elevator if necessary but for the love of all that is good do not use the casting space. enter through the door ready with your book and comp cards in hand.

DON'T BRING FOOD OR DRINKS WITH YOU INSIDE

i've had models come with drinks and even hot soups in hand. i get it, it's cold outside but you know what? no one wants to throw out your forgotten starbucks or timmies after you've left, nor do we want to worry about you spilling your hot cup of joe on the floor or on the clothing that is sometimes present in the space. 

WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHING

we need to see your figure. do you have a long torso or are you all legs? do you have wider shoulders or slender hips? it's important to see the model's shape when at a casting so we can decipher which looks you would best fit you based on your shape; it's not just about your dress size. wear clothes that are close fitting like skinny jeans or leggings and a close fitting tee or tank.

MINIMAL OR NO MAKEUP

we want to see the real you and we want to see how well you photograph without all the contouring and highlighting you may have done to your face at home. also keep in mind to keep your hair away from your face, especially for the close up polaroids that are often taken at castings.

for even more tips i encourage you to check out drea vujovic's very thorough article on modelresource.com.