I have been reading through Task 2b and 2c while also reading through the theories suggested in 2c. I was most drawn to Kolb's learning cycle. Most would probably think reflective study would do more harm than good to anyone in the modeling business especially when so much negative feedback is given to you on a daily basis and you're purely judged on your looks, height and body image. But I've found that Kolb's learning cycle has been very useful and I had unknowingly been using his theories already.
As a freelance model, being 5'8 and not having the "standard" measurements (my hips are to big) it's been difficult for me to be perfectly honest. But since I did not take the path of simply listening to agencies telling me I could not model because for whatever reason, I would analyse and reflect on why the casting did not go well and what I could do next time to better my chances of getting the job. For example, I visited an agency around two years ago. They told me they could not sign me on and I could not model because my hips were to large. So I analysed what he told me and planned to lose a little weight in my hips, have a bigger and more varied portfolio in my book and made sure I networked with the right photographers, MUAs, designers, stylists and other models. When I came back two years later with everything I had reflected on done, those actions took effect in a very positive way. The agency wanted to sign me on the spot. I did not however sign with them yet. I've learned that I can practice Kolb's learning cycle in similar situations with other agencies which I have already started doing, so I will be repeating the learning cycle to better my chances and have more of a choice in who I sign with. I do realise though that the learning cycle will not always work. Toronto is becoming a fashion city but only slowly. I've come to realise a lot of people in the fashion industry in Toronto can't seem to let go of tradition and old habits. They stick with the same fashion and that usually means the same models. A lot of the magazines showcase the same waif, blonde, 5'10, elf looking girls as they have for the last 10 years. Europe and most of the world is moving away from that look, always trying to find something different, so even if I do use the learning cycle in other meetings with agencies it may not work simply because those agencies are stuck in their old ways.
I do have to say that the internet has been my most vital tool in my career. Facebook, Model Mayhem (a social site for models, photographers, etc), Twitter and blogs have all been essential in my success so far. The best example I can give right now is the competition I have entered over a month ago now to achieve a front cover shoot with a magazine called Wowza. In order to win you must upload a picture of yourself to their fan page among other photos and the photo with the most likes by December 1st wins. I have been extremely successful so far due to the social networking, previous jobs, Twitter, social networking help from friends, this blog, other blogs and my Model Mayhem. I am currently over 2,000 likes which is an absolute dream come true. I have been working six years to not only appear in a magazine but be on the cover of one. Again, I could not have done it without applying my skills and knowledge about the internet and social networking. There is two days left so if any of you would still like to help me out please click on this link Victoria's competition photo and like the photo. If you also pass on to your friends it does help a lot. As for the styling I've had to put that a little bit on the back burner these days. It has been difficult and right now I really want to concentrate on the modeling since I can only do that for so long.
Before I end this blog I am going to post a few pictures I have had taken lately and a few from a fashion show raising funds for breast cancer research I did just a few days ago.
I also wanted to show you all my very first window appearance! I am currently the face of Cos on the Kingsway hair salon, a shoot I did back in July with a very prestigious photographer (which I cannot disclose yet due to magazine submissions) and I blogged about not to long ago. My friend sent me this the other day, I have yet to see it. Very excited though! Let me know what you think!
