Log Twenty Two- Update in Career

So it has been an awfully long time since I have done an update. I have been vigorously writing up my Critical Review and running around trying to hand out my surveys but new items in my life have been keeping me very occupied from blog updates, which is bad news for my blog but great news for my career and progress in the fashion industry.

I am extremely happy to announce that I am now a junior agent with TrueColours Model & Talent Agency here in Toronto. I have only been an agent for a month and I already have a solid roster of girls and guys who have also already been booking. The best part is the agency has exactly the same values and ideals as I do when it comes to models. They have a very diverse roster and give all their models different opportunities and experiences in the fashion industry, even finding jobs for acting and theatre.

There is so many different races, sizes, heights and ages that there is no restriction on what is considered beauty. I have been following this guideline while still making sure that my models meet some of the requirements that a high fashion model would meet as well as commercial.

Toronto still has a very outdated view on what a runway model should be. Blonde hair, blue eyes, Caucasian, 5'10 and overly thin body type. I am so proud that my models are so very different but so interesting which may not necessarily help me book them jobs in Toronto, but there is huge opportunity for places like Europe which are constantly trying to be different and look for something new. I would like to help change Toronto's view though. I have also been picking girls who are the trend or standard (blue eyes, blonde hair, tall) but are alternative (tattoos, pink hair) that are actually not considered "standard". Alternative models I have find make the best models, they are so creative and dramatic. They put so much passion into the photos and they have a no fear attitude.

I have really been enjoying it so far but it is a lot of work and does sometimes get in the way of my Critical Reflection progress. Although it has also helped because now I am getting a greater insight and understanding of this industry than I ever did as a model, jewellery designer or stylist. This can definitely help me progress further with the project. I just need to start focusing better on time management.

I will be posting another blog momentarily discussing more about agencies and body images/looks of models. My arguments about why sticking to the standard is not only harmful to your models' health but how it can be harmful to your business (the agency).

I have also attached a collage of some of my girls (and guy) on my roster, I am just extremely and excited to find such a beautiful, talented and interesting group of people. I am looking forward to the progress of this, where it will lead and how much it will impact this Critical Reflection. I am glad I did postpone the due date, this turn around in my life will make for interesting material.

 

Log Nineteen- Welcome back everybody, back to work!

What a summer it has been! I don't even know where to begin. My summer has been pretty eventful going from one new job to another in a matter of month.

I began working at a consignment store as a ways to gain more experience working with high end luxury clothes. I was also hoping to delve more into the social media prospect of the job as part of their marketing team. Unfortunately I learned more on how NOT to run a business especially in the fashion industry.

Run by a former "celebrity stylist" (although I have yet to find out exactly who she has styled for), the store gave me sporadic and last minute shifts, staff had friends come and hang out in the store for three hours, never been cleaned at least until I think until I had set foot in there and they misplaced clients' clothes who had consigned there including mine.

I ended up obtaining a new job at an upscale boutique called MARLOWE. Not only are the items they sell in perfect quality and handcrafted from Italy but it is more to do with wardrobe consulting rather than retail. It is definitely a huge stepping stone in my career as a stylist or a possible permanent career.

On top of getting this prestigious position within two weeks of working with MARLOWE and after hearing about my education with Middlesex, they asked me to help with the social networking with another MARLOWE employee at the Chicago location. That means myself and this other girl are in control of the Facebook, Tweets and Instagram for them.

Luckily with the BAPP program and everything I have learned from it so far, I have been able to make the social networking aspects of MARLOWE a success despite how new it is. I haven't even finished my program and I already have my foot in the door in the career that I want and have been working so hard for.

The modeling is still going well but I am no longer pursuing jobs. I will have people contact me from jobs I have previously worked with but I am slowly moving out of that part of the industry to do more production and behind the scenes.

I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. I will soon be getting hard at work with my survey and I am hoping to make it to the in-campus session at the end of October especially to meet some of you. All the best!

Log Eighteen: Finally getting down to business

These last few months have been a roller coaster, not only with the Professional Inquiry Plan but also various events like FAT week here in Toronto (Fashion Art Toronto week). I was on the Dragon's Den and Breakfast Television also here in Toronto. I had shoots which both appeared in Elle Canada and the Vogue Italia website. Examples below.

I've also been trying to gain a more hands on approach to the fashion industry like any normal Fashion Communications student would be doing. I have begun my jewellery classes at George Brown College and find that it comes very naturally to me. A lot of shop work, kneeling, piercing and soldering were involved but I found I highly enjoyed and, if I do say so myself, was exceptionally good at it. Here is some examples of the work I did and documented for the first two weeks of the course using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Speaking of Web 2.0, this week I learned a better way of honing my Web 2.0 skills especially with a way that is more sufficient for my industry. That is Instagram. I recently have been hired on at a prestigious consignment store owned by world renowned stylist, Janet Han who recommended to me Instagram. It is purely through pictures that you reach other people on this social network, but fashion is a image orientated business. Also through Instagram you can reach to a lot more people than through Twitter or Facebook alone.

Janet Han has been great to work for and I am already learning so much about designer wear that I never knew before and consignment. This job is definitely a vital part to my education and eventual career in fashion.

I was so pleased my rationale for my award  title was agreed on as BA Honours Professional Practice in 'Fashion Communication'. I've begun planning out another survey to better understand success in the fashion, the business of fashion, ethics, etc. I also want to expand my SIG blog which has been such a success. Unfortunately I have also ignored it as much as I have this blog due to my busy schedule but I intend to change that. If any of you have not seen the SIG blog yet you can find it here at communicatedfashion.blogspot.ca.

I feel very excited I am coming so close to the end of my educational journey. It has been tough but I have learned so much. I already feel confidant to go out there now and pursue and long lasting and successful career in the fashion industry.

Log Ten- Task 4a and thinking more about my Professional Inquiry

So I know that what I'm doing is very different from what a lot of you on the course are doing but I am hoping some of you can relate to any of the questions I post and give me your input.
I am trying to focus more on the fashion aspect of this industry. Surprisingly a lot of models do not take an interest or let the fashion world have an effect on their jobs and daily lives even though their careers are based on wearing these items. They are the props of fashion. Since I deal with jewelry design and styling on top of the modeling I want to get a perspective on both sides, the designing and the modeling, and see if I can merge them into one collective group of questions.
I am very exciting since on Thursday I will be participating in a fashion show with the majority of models and designers being my friends and/or people have worked with numerous times. I've been given permission by my friend Andy Jones (designer) to interview both the models and designers in the shows with my questions. Andy Jones and Christopher J. Nevin are two of the three designers being showcased that night who I have both worked with before. I styled this shoot for Andy's dress (model is Kelleth Cuthbert)...

And this is from one of the many shows I walked in for Christopher J. Nevin...

For the designers here is a few examples of inquiry I am interested in:
- Before starting a particular project or a new line where do take your inspiration from?
- What effects your inspiration or work on a design? Do you research into a particular time period? Are you effected by nature? Architecture? World issues or politics?
- What is the work process that goes into making one of your designs?
- What is the market you are targeting?
- What is your ultimate goal in making your designs? Is it consumer based or art based?
- Must one have a complete understanding of the history of fashion to make it in this industry or can one get by on just the current names and events? How much knowledge is needed to be successful?
As for the models I am interested to know:
- Before attending a casting do you research on the designer/product/photographer/etc that you are attending the casting for?
- Do allow fashion to be an important part of the casting i.e. do you wear the designers work or do you stick to the form fitting black outfit but still focus on the fashion names in the items that you wear?
- Do you have a lot of general knowledge about the fashion industry? If so was this an interest before the modeling or did you research this in order to have a better understanding and help your chances of getting the job at the end of the day?
- Are you thinking of developing skills to help gain more jobs? i.e. Dance, acting skills, second language, etc.
- Are you interested in developing skills outside of the modeling but still in the fashion industry? For example, skills in photography, makeup artistry and even fashion design.
Then more similar questions I want to know from both groups are:
- Who or what inspires you to do what you do?
- How do you handle rejection?
- Do you analyse after rejection?
- Do you believe you have the knowledge and skills that you will need for the future in this industry or do you feel you still need more?
Most importantly I want to know:
- How do you make your business (the business of you and/or your designs) successful?
I also want to integrate the modeling and fashion design questions into two different questions. For the designers I would like to know, what do you look for in a model when you set up a casting for your designs? And for the models I would like to know, is fashion and fashion design knowledge a big part in your life and job?
As for the performing arts students in this course I would love to know if fashion effects your career decisions? Do you focus on what to wear for auditions or job interviews? Will you research into a particular dance clothing company for auditions or company class? Does a brand effect your performance on stage or in class at all? Is fashion design (shoes, leotards, etc) an important part for a dancer in general?
I would love to hear what you guys think! Has anyone delved into the costume department of the performing arts world at all?
I've also began to think about my award title. I figure it will have to obviously be involved with Fashion, I just don't know what aspect.
I am going to leave you now with a trailer from a movie a saw this weekend for the Canadian Film Festival. It is called "Material Success" and it is a documentary following Bruno Ierullo (who I modeled for a few weeks ago) and the process that goes into creating one of his fashion shows. If you get the chance it is a very interesting watch just to see the work and inspiration that goes into fashion design. You even see a little bit of the models side of this industry. Enjoy...
Material Success

Log Nine- Finally onto Module 2

After having a lovely chat with Paula today, things are becoming a little clearer on this course and it has made me really considering where I would like this course to take me and my career. I am still looking at the business side of the modeling and fashion world but maybe delve back into the styling and jewelry making aspect of it a bit more. I have even been considering taking a course in jewelry design at my old college George Brown which I attended before I studied at Cambridge Performing Arts College in the UK (Bodywork Studios). This was actually first brought up by my boyfriend's Dad in the Christmas time which I am starting to think about more seriously. Here is an example of some of my jewelry which appeared in San Francisco fashion magazine "Votive Magazine"...

 I have also told Paula how I am now being a little more picky when it comes to my modeling jobs. I have been so overwhelmed with castings, fittings and etc when most of the these jobs are free, which I mentioned briefly in my last post. I feel I have done enough free jobs in my career to make the networks and connections I have today plus I need to focus on this. Getting my degree is very important to me. I am very excited to begin the inquiry and have already listed a few questions in my head. In the meantime I am off to a fitting for a paid bridal shoot which I got from doing a previous free shoot with the photographer. It was a shoot for "bridal swimwear" called Mantah Swimwear. Here's an example from a poster for it...

I will post some (or hopefully all) of the number four tasks by tonight. If anyone is interested in seeing more of my work since I cannot post it all here have a look at my Facebook fanpage http://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Ellingham and/or follow me on twitter, username @Tori_Hearts.

Log Eight: Task 3c and playing catch up

So, to put it bluntly, this month has been hell! I have seen a dark side of this industry that I knew existed but tried to ignore. Toronto Fashion Week has come and gone. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my modeling career. The castings were nightmares! For example, one designer bluntly made ten girls leave her tiny hotel room humiliating them in front of us. The four girls who she picked, that included me, were made to walk back and forth in a slow "sexy" walk for an hour and a half in this cramped hotel room. After practising for an hour and a half, the designer not once looking at us, told the group, "Thank you, we'll let you know tomorrow." After all that we weren't guaranted to be in her show! None of us got picked to walk for her. My agency was fantastic and sent me to many castings but with Toronto's still very apparent old fashioned views stuck in the designers' and organisers' minds I only got one show which I was quickly cut from. They told me it was because they cut my outfits which was not true. I saw both my outfits still on the runway plastered all over the internet. They had cut every boy and girl from my agency. I will never know the real reason we were cut but it hurts and since then I have had more disappointments. I've been delaying writing more posts simply because I have been running around this city like a headless chicken only to find disappointment after disappointment, so when I did find the time to write I felt embarrassed to write that I had been unsuccessful. There have been some good moments. Last weekend I walked for Bruno Ierullo (http://www.brunoierullo.com/) on a 420 foot runway. It was a huge production and a lot of fun. Even some of the top models of the world will never get to experience a show like this.

The bad experiences have made me start to think, how much longer do I want to be in this world? You go through so much pain, mentally and physically, for something that isn't well paid and sometimes (most of the time actually) free shows or shoots. I almost fully gave up on the modeling but obviously that's not the best option especially after just signing with Icon. I am going to try and get into for of the commercial side of modeling and even try to break into the acting scene here. The problem with doing fashion in Toronto is that it isn't a fashion city, not yet at least. The movie industry is booming here and there is constant work according to someone I met from the film industry here the other day. I am going to talk to my agency  about getting more acting jobs or even find a predominantly acting agent.   

Now onto Task 3C...

My number one important source of information is Model Mayhem. Not only are job postings constantly being renewed on this site for Toronto and international modeling jobs, insiders share tips, information, people who to be careful working with, the best agencies, etc. It is extremely helpful for me.

Another source I find very important is obviously Facebook. Again not only is it a website to socialise, find jobs and stay connected with people I work with, I can look at other models' profiles, pictures and work and learn from what they are doing. I like to study their poses and facial expression so I can learn what is best for me.

Twitter is extremely important, from this I have learned a lot from when and where events are taking place and if they need models, sometimes stylist jobs (which has been taking a slight back seat for the modeling at the moment). I can also read international models' Tweets about their experiences and what they see, like Jessica Stam.

Another source I use, mostly for styling or for getting ideas on outfits intended for go sees, is Look Book (http://lookbook.nu). People from around the world post their stylish outfits, from models to bloggers to stylists, share tips and tell others where to get these great items.

Finally a very important source for me is the free local newspaper Now Magazine (http://www.nowtoronto.com/). Not only does it have what is happening in Toronto, important issues and upcoming events but they post a lot of jobs in the classifieds especially for modeling and acting.

So I will try to post more, unfortunately the busy season is not over for me yet and I still have to decide where I want to go from here with my career. The most important part of my life right now though is getting through this course and maybe it can help me with my ultimate decision. Unfortunately with my career being so difficult and busy I'm finding this hard but I am going to try more from now on.

Log Seven- Task 3a and 3b

Task 3a
The current networks that I use are obviously Facebook and Twitter. Twitter I have actually started using more frequently and have attached to my Facebook so every time I Tweet it goes directly to my Facebook profile. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage is it saves me time from making two posts, the disadvantage is you can only type a certain amount of words. If it is a long post you can only post it on Facebook and simplify on Twitter and simply hope your followers will see on your Facebook the full post. I try to expand my networking on Twitter by posting constant Tweets to my Facebook for  people to see and then follow. As for Facebook I add people who are photographers, designers, makeup artists, etc who have a certain number of mutual friends as me and/or have worked with my friends who are also models. I've also made a Facebook fan page with my modeling work to reach out to people who aren't on my friends list. Here I can reach others by posting questions related to modeling. Lately I posted a question regarding the newly formed workers' union created by models in New York to help better working conditions for models, never seen before anywhere in the world. I asked people if Toronto should follow New York's example. You can see here http://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Ellingham. I try to update it as much as I can so I don't lose "likes" and fans.
Another form of networking I use is Model Mayhem. This is a website made up of photographers, models, makeup artists, designers, stylists, magazines and anything related to the fashion industry, where castings, advice and many other things can be posted up. I regularly use this site to find my jobs and showcase my work. I've used this site since I started modeling. You can find my profile here http://www.modelmayhem.com/158202. I'm looking to push my profile a little bit further by changing my profile from basic (free profile) to VIP (a monthly fee) which will help get my profile noticed by more people, once I get a better income. With a VIP status my profile will show up amongst the "Model Mayhem VIP Stars" on the main page. I've also begun adding designers and photographers from outside of Canada to my friends list to broaden my networking.
I am still slowly finding new ways to broaden my networking. I may even start another blog separated from the BAPP course directed to people who read my tweets and Facebook posts. So far things are going really well with Twitter and Model Mayhem the most.

Task 3b
Co-Operation:~
In the fashion industry everything is based on image and sometimes people's view of beauty differs with each person. On top of working with various people with various different points of view on image, they have different views on how a shoot or show is run. A lot of times ideas and people clash and being the model you must adapt to be able to co-operate with everyone's vision and/or point of view. As the model you need to learn how to work around difficult situations and everyone's time schedules. You need to evolve and adapt around everyone but still be able to voice your opinion or give an input in particular situations.

Affiliation:~
Affiliation is extremely important in my line of work. As I have said before in previous blogs, I am not "standard" size for a model. My hips are an inch larger than the standard and even though I am 5'8 which is the minimum size for a model, agencies and designers are constantly looking for 5'10 and taller. I have gained a lot of my most prominent jobs purely from affiliation which I maintained through co-operation in previous jobs. The people I co-operated with in previous jobs remember me and they either rehire me for bigger shoots/shows and/or recommend me to others. Even working and socialising with other models have helped me with gaining jobs due to models needing replacements for themselves or recommending me to photographers they work with. Sometimes in these situations I feel it is actually necessary to bring your social life and work life together as long as you know where to draw the line, for example, not being drunk at certain socials or starting more than friendly relationships with coworkers. It is very important though in the modeling industry to attend social gatherings like after parties for certain fashion shows as long as you can compose yourself. This is where you can gain or lose contacts. I feel this is also somewhat attached to...


Social Constructionism:~ 
Talking and socialising with other models in the industry help me learn from my mistakes, understand that others go through the same as me and have had similar experiences in shoots or shows, I learn who is the right people to work with, what to expect and how these models are successful at what they do or why they gain certain jobs.
Sometimes though everything ultimately comes down to your image. Face or body. It is sometimes hard to except and move on but I find talking to other models really helps, I can put a perspective on things and not dwell. In this industry it can be very damaging to the self esteem but ultimately I find I can come out of it a stronger person. I'm still here and doing it aren't I?! :)

Log Six- Delayed Post of Task 2d Inquiry Task

 What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic? I find that in my daily practices in the modelings industry which makes me really enthusiastic to find out more about this aspect of my life is the uncertainty of getting jobs. This is such a cut throat industry and sometimes you never know why you initially did not end up getting a certain job. The competitiveness and constant search for perfection is what drives me to find out more on how to succeed in this world in a healthy way. I want to delve into the business side of the modeling industry and almost break the rules, change how people really perceive beauty and almost prove something. One person who has been brought to my attention is Ben Barry. Ben Barry is a graduate of Cambridge University from Judge Business School with a Masters in Innovation and Strategy. He owns his own modeling agency here in Toronto with "unconventional" models. Every size, age, ethnicity, etc and is changing the way Toronto sees fashion models. Several of his models (some being 60 years old and over) walked in several shows at the last Toronto Fashion Week. It is so hard to break into the fashion world especially in this city as model but Ben Berry seems to have the upper hand. I would love to learn more about how he has achieved the success he has so far gained. He is a real inspiration to not just models but women every where.  http://benbarry.com/

What gets you angry or makes you sad?  Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found away to work around the sadness or anger? What makes me angry and/or sad is also again the uncertainty. Like I said before, sometimes you never know why certain photographers or designers won't ever work with you or why you didn't get a certain call back. You aren't given feedback so readily in the business. It's not the rejection that hurts, it's the lack of information which makes it so frustrating, can play on your self esteem and make you draw your own conclusions. One model from Canada, Jessica Stam, said something that really brought light to this situation and I always try to think about whenever I am upset. She said,  "With modelling, you are judged on your looks. It’s easy to take that personally, but you have to realise that it’s only your appearance that’s being judged, not you as a whole. If you didn’t, you’d be destroyed." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Stam

What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love? What I love about the modeling is several things. A lot of people see this as just a way of getting quick and easy money by looking pretty in front of a camera. It is not! Especially the fashion side, it is hardly lucrative. You really have to love this and I do, to me it is another way of expressing art and raw emotion. When I am in front of that camera I take on a completely different form and personality. I realise emotions I never felt before or couldn't express for the audience to admire and make their own interpretations. Here's an example from my spread in http://votivemag.com/.

A great example of this is an old high school classmate of mine, Kelleth Cuthbert, who also models and I have been watching her career inventively.  She is very successful and every time she shoots her personality is completely different from what she is really like in person and she seems to do it so effortlessly. She really inspires me with her modeling. Here's an example.

 What do you feel you don’t understand?  Who do you admire who does seem to 

understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or 

beautiful, or has asked the same questions as you? What I don't understand is again why I don't get certain jobs or castings, what really is "beauty" and why people refuse to give feedback. I haven't come across anyone in particular that I admire who has asked the same question. Nearly every model I have encountered has asked this. It's just unfortunately one of those aspects of this business you need to deal with, move on and keep going till the next job and/or casting. Sometimes you can't learn from your mistakes because no one will tell you what they are or there were none, they just had their own issues.

Log Five- Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Hello!
It has been terribly long since I have made another blog entry. After writing the research paper I was overwhelmed with castings, shoots and other items that don't involve my modeling. I have signed up with the University of Toronto's Continuing Education program for French. I had already passed levels I, II and III, once I receive this last course I will be given a certificate in languages. I originally started the French lessons not only because I love the language but it also helps you gain better jobs and gives you a higher net worth, especially here in Canada where French is a second language. I've also been studying to become a fitness instructor so I can have a back up job and more income. I would also love to be able to incorporate my dance training from Cambridge Performing Arts College into my fitness.
I have also recently decided to bite the bullet and sign with a modeling agency. I ultimately chose Icon Model Management in Toronto http://www.iconmodels.ca/. They are an up and coming agency here in Toronto who specialize in fashion and commercial modeling. I would really like to do Toronto Fashion Week especailly since a fashion model retires so early in life and I only have so much time left. Being signed with Icon can ultimately help me get a casting for one or more of the shows hopefully. Also with Icon's help I hope I can break more into the commercial side of modeling.
I have also recently appeared in Votive Magazine http://votivemag.com/. Shot by Stephen M. Loban and makeup by Kyla Jackson who I've worked with both on countless occassions. The magazine is a San Francisco fashion magazine so we were all very excited to be picked up by them. Here's a little sneak peek of the photos and accompanying article.

My ad campaign for PSB Speakers has also begun to spring up which is pretty exciting. Everyone in the UK has to let me know when they spot it! It's my very first ad campaign, I hope to get plenty more in the future. I don't have the tear sheet yet but I thought I'd show with this picture I took from my phone.

I have also begun reading into Course Reader 4. Currently I am reading into the "Identifying Knowledge and Skills in the Workplace" section. Going back though to the section before on "Links to Work Based Learning" the question is asked, "Are there any ideas from work based or organisational knowledge theories of learning that could be used to understand your own professional inquiry?" I have actually unconsciously been using professional inquiry since I first began my adventures into the modeling industry. Usually people in this industry don't see the use of work based or organisational knowledge based theories as a means of helping them in castings or being picked for certain types of jobs. If you aren't casted you put it down to things you cannot or find hard to change like not the right height, weight, size, hair colour, etc. But I have found using certain theories has helped me achieve the jobs that would have been impossible for me to gain. One essential tool is obviously Web 2.0 with the social networking like Facebook and Twitter. Another theory which has been brought to my attention is the "Single Loop and Double Loop" learning. One way I have used this I find in the past was observations at castings. I watch what the girls who were casted wore, how they walked, how they presented themselves at the castings and followed suit for the following opportunities. Here I used single loop learning where I have gone through the "error-and-correction process" (http://www.infed.org/thinkers/argyris.htm). I don't recall using double loop learning, especially in a situation where simply what I wear or how I act at a casting is not enough. I'm not sure how I would use it when "error is detected and corrected in ways that involve the modification of an organization’s underlying norms, policies and objectives" (http://www.infed.org/thinkers/argyris.htm). Maybe if I knew the designer or photographer preferred to use brunettes I would change the colour of my hair. Sometimes in my industry it is impossible to apply certain theories and it really comes down to your height, weight, measurements, etc. I've been changing measurements to suit that standard for fashion lately so I can better my chance of getting a show in Fashion Week. What I don't understand though, would that be considered single loop learning or double loop learning? I'm still reading into Argyris and Schon so hopefully I'll soon have a better understanding.
I will now leave you with some of my latest work and keep you posted on more jobs a little more frequently. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday!

Log Four- Reflective Study

Yet again another busy couple of weeks! I'm totally relishing on the busy days though because in my line of work, I know that soon enough will come the slow season until April. Even with the networking, hard work and persistence every model encounters a slow season.
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!

Log Three- Reader Two: The Reflective Practioner

So I'm not exactly sure where to begin with this entry. As usual I've had a lot of different jobs during these last couple of weeks, which explains the delay in this entry.
One thing that has just come and gone was Toronto Fashion Week. It was something I've lately been longing to be a part of. Unfortunately this year they have strictly said ONLY agency models can be a part of the shows which made things extremely difficult for me obviously being a freelance model. It made me realise despite the fact I have done very well for myself there are still many closed doors for me. For some reason being with an agency gives you more entitlement and credentials rather than years of experience. I am also vulnerable still to people scamming me out of more money that I deserved from jobs. At the same time, the issues with signing onto an agency is they could be scam artists themselves, they may not be getting in enough castings, they may just put you into one category of modeling when I want to do it all and also the fact they cannot actually get you the jobs, they can only get you the castings. I have started agency shopping but it has not been easy. I've sent emails to agencies with either no response or saying they were not interested. I've also gone to see agencies, two of which were interested but I've had some bad reviews on them. I also had one agency tell they weren't interested and leave within five seconds of myself arriving at their office. There have been positives though from these last couple of weeks. I've had confirmation from the photographer from the hair shoot that he is submitting still the pictures to hair magazines. The shoot Tara Wright, Stephen Loban, Linda Pazic, Lisa Jackson and myself has gained interest from W25 Magazine, asking for all the hi-res from the shoot. I also participated in a photo shoot yesterday for designer Arnaldo Santos with his dresses and a new online magazine for Fabulous PR. I also modeled for friend and fabulous knitwear designer Dylan which you can see on his website www.dylaniumknits.com. Here is just a few of my favourites from his site...

So even though I've had some pretty negative moments especially with the agencies. From this experience and others in my past I've learned to not give up so easily. Whether it is the fashion industry or performing arts industry, I find both can be equally brutal and pretty self esteem destroying. But you need to keep going if you really want to be successful in what you do, because even if everything seems hopeless things will work out in the end. I've also seen in my many years of doing the modeling and the performing, people giving up the minute things don't go right I guess expecting things to come easily and always be smooth sailing, especially when you have made a pretty strong resume for yourself. But it will always be tough and you must persevere no matter how bad it gets.

The bad experiences have also made me even more determined to crack this industry. I've just signed up for a competition where I could win a front cover shoot with Wowza Magazine which is this fantastic high fashion but alternative magazine. My model friend, Dalia has been lucky enough to appear in their pages already. In order for me to win my photo, on their Facebook page that I uploaded, it needs to have the most "likes" by December 1st. It's been pretty competitive so far but I have been really determined and asking for as much help as I can. People have been  really fantastic so far and this has helped me reach out to more networks and connections. I've also really got my face out there to others. If any of you would like to help out here is the link to the photo Victoria's front cover photo on Facebook, just simply click "like" on the photo and share with others. I really hope I can win, it would be such an amazing opportunity and another job I can add to my ever growing resume. Like I said, I am even more determined now than ever and will not allow the bad experiences to effect me.