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| Me & Jeannie Ferguson at her runway class |
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| Liris Crosse & her guest panelists |
I'm in frequent contact with some of the biggest names in the Plus/Full Figured industry, and many of them have been generous with their time, wisdom, and advice. I've asked questions (probably beyond the point of annoyance), gone to workshops and seminars, taken notes, and I've tried to apply them when possible. I've attended Liris Crosse's "Life of a Working Model Bootcamp", Jeannie Ferguson's "Walk this Way Runway Class", and have done some local events. In order to make this post as informative and helpful as possible, I contacted a few people in the industry that I admire and asked for their input. If you want to be a plus model, are going to a casting call, or are trying to get started then you need to continue reading this post. I'm about to share my knowledge along with the advice that was shared with me.
First: DO NOT ask "How do I get started" as a Plus Model? This is probably one of the worse questions to ask and I see this all the time in the comment section on Instagram and Facebook for Ashley Stewart, Monif C., Plus Model Magazine, and Full Figured Fashion Week. If you want to get started, Google it! That's a good place to start! DO NOT post in the comment section that you want to be a plus model for them and how you can get started, or asking them when they are coming to your city. If you want something in this world, you're going to have to put in the time and work and go get it!
Second: You should investigate what kind of modeling you want to do. Are you trying to get into print, fit, or runway modeling? If you do not know the difference, you should probably Google these things (then continue reading this post). They are very different and one form may cater to you more than another. Once you figure out which you want to do, you should research how to get started. I googled, wrote to people, and also read everything I could. I'm a big fan of Madeline Jones' "Modeling 101" tips in Plus Model Magazine.
Third: Expect to spend money to get started. There is an investment of time and money to get into modeling. You'll have to do test shots, get a comp card created (or create one yourself), and you'll have to pay for hair and makeup for those shoots. DO NOT expect to get far if you are not willing to save your coins and invest in yourself. Remember, you are trying to market yourself, so your product will reflect your investment. I think that you should plan on spending money to rent a studio space, hire a photographer, hire someone for hair/makeup, and for someone to print your comp cards for you. The prices will vary, so look around and ask. It may take time for some to do this, but it's better to save over the course of time rather than trying to cut corners and get something done quickly and for cheap. If you talk to people, they may be willing to make a deal with you and agree on a reduced price.
So, if you're still with me after all of the above, let's talk about casting calls. Here are some key things to remember:
1. ARRIVE EARLY! If it's an open casting call, you should anticipate that there will be long lines. In fact, plan on arriving early in general to anything. Trust me, I've learned the hard way from arriving right on time, and in some cases late. It's not a good look and certainly not a good first impression. The worse thing about being early is that you have time to use the restroom, take a deep breath, grab a drink of water, and prep. Nothing wrong with having time to do any of that!
2. Come prepared! This means showing up with the proper materials. This means your photos (usually a full body shot and a head shot), a comp card, and any other paperwork they may require. I've heard of some people losing out on an opportunity because of a lack of adequate preparation.
3. Have the look that is required. Here's the general breakdown on most casting calls:
- Wear form fitting clothes (think basic black leggings with a tank or t-shirt, a bodycon dress, or skinny jeans). DO NOT wear peplum tops or anything that is flowy. The people want to see your figure and what shape they are working with. Now is not the time to be self-conscious and hide the parts of your body you have issues with.
- WEAR BODY FOUNDATION! For the love of all that is holy, ladies, please please please invest in some good body foundation. If you don't show up with SPANX or something similar, you are already behind in the race. Body foundation is not always meant to suck you in and cinch you, but rather smooth you out so your clothes don't cling and so you have a smooth silhouette. If there are rolls and whatnot here and there, it's not flattering. If you are top heavy, be sure to wear a bra that will hold you in. You CANNOT be bouncing and jiggling all over the place as you walk down the runway.
- Wear minimal/natural makeup. DO NOT show up with a beat face for the Gods! Those who are doing the casting want to see what kind of canvas they are working with, and it's hard tell if it's all covered in makeup.
- Wear a hairstyle that keeps hair out of your face. You can pull your hair back into a nice tight ponytail, or a nice hairstyle can be good as long as you keep the hair out of your face.
- Wear heels that you can walk in. Most people will tell you the height of the heel they want you to walk in, but as a rule of thumb, get comfortable with walking in at least 3-inch heels.
4. Practice your walk! Get comfortable walking in your heels, in your body foundation, and in the outfit you plan on wearing for the casting call. The day of the casting call should not be the first time you put everything on for the first time.
5, Lastly, SMILE! This is often underrated and overlooked by many. When you're on the walkway it's your time to shine. You've worked hard to get to the casting call, so smile. "Mean mugging" or "serving diva" is not what people are always looking for. I've heard people say that it was refreshing to see a smile on the runway (and ironically that the lack of a smile is why a person wasn't chosen). Just don't overdo it (and for the love of God, no winking!).
There's much more I could say, but I'm sure that this information is enough to get you prepared for your upcoming casting call. I would like to give special thanks to Gwen DeVoe for allowing me to repost her tips (see below), Sharon Quinn, Tonya Giddens, and Shay Rozay for their love and support, Liris Crosse for her advice, Jeannie Ferguson for helping me on the runway, and to Madeline Jones for her amazing work with Plus Model Magazine (and her for being so lovely every time I reach out to her). I'm thankful to each of you for your time and for the kindness you continuously extend to me.
Last year Gwen DeVoe, the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, posted these tips. Check 'em out (note: these tips are being re-posted with the permission of Gwen DeVoe):
Good luck to those of you going to casting calls. I hope you've found my post to be helpful. I wish you the best of luck and would love to hear how things go for you. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram (@sashatheglamazon), or you can email me here. Until next time y'all, remember: "Being beautiful is not just about what year wear."
Sasha
