Teen Models: How Young Is Too Young?

The modeling and fashion industries are in the process of redefining standards of employment and treatment of models, due in part to the #MeToo movement, and frankly, it’s about time.  Now that power players like Conde Nast are creating employment and work standards that address the imbalance of power and abuse of models the rest of the industry is beginning, however slowly, to wake up and get on board.  

Vogue has gone as far as to take a stance on the use of models under the age of eighteen and is throwing it’s powerhouse weight into the equation to affect change, declaring that all models appearing in Vogue editorials be eighteen or over, that the model will have the right to express their approval over poses and styling, and that the models will not be left alone with a single person while on set.  Conde Nast also has a code of conduct that applies to every person on set that is a condition of employment with their magazines.  Finally, some protection for models, young or not so young, giving them a voice and security while working. 

Read the full Vogue.com article here: Why the Fashion World Needs to Commit to an 18+ Modeling Standard

I spoke to a few of my friends who modeled both in NYC abroad during the nineties and into the 2000’s and their experiences over time and location demonstrate that modeling as a teenager is just as volatile now for current models as it was then.  They recount stories of girls as young as fourteen sent to Tokyo to model for months at a time without a parental chaperone, girls aged fifteen and sixteen modeling in Paris and throughout Europe without completing tenth grade and without proper funds to support them leaving them very vulnerable to exploitation.  Models under eighteen have not finished growing or maturing and are not ready physically or emotionally to handle the pressures of the industry.  Bodies and faces change during these teen years and a super tall, willowy girl could find herself in hot demand doing shows for free or in for exchange clothes one minute, and thrown aside and forgotten the next minute when she develops any slight curves at all.  Having an understanding of the business aspects of the industry is rarely possible for any new model and agencies are not always forth-coming with the necessary advice and information to help models make informed decisions.  

There is a place for models under eighteen years old in the industry at a more local level so that  they can continue and finish school, learn about the business through regional print work and fashion shows, to practice in front of the camera, and most of all the gain maturity and finish growing into their adult body and face.  Local mother agents and agencies are able to spend time developing these new faces so that by age eighteen they are mature enough to handle all the things the industry will throw at them, good and bad.  Time to grow a bit of a thicker skin and have a better sense of self in order to stand up for themselves and deal with rejection.  There doesn’t need to be this sense of urgency that a model needs to have established her career by sixteen or seventeen.  Those who peak early are often the ones to disappear or burn out before they are out of their teen years.  A model needs to be able to make the most of the experience and benefit through the opportunities modeling can provide such as traveling to other countries, working with amazing creative people, and developing her own identity, both for herself and her brand.

There is so much to be done to protect models internationally to improve working conditions, and Vogue’s firm stance on underage models is a great step forward in affecting change industry wide, including the fashion and beauty industries and their own hiring and work practices.  Vogue no longer wants to be a part of the exploitation of teenage models and is pushing the fashion universe to adopt the same level of integrity.  Step by step the modeling world is catching up in labor rights but there is still such a long way to go.  Thankfully Vogue is taking the position of leader in bring the business up to acceptable standards. 

                                                               XOXO Shelley

#businessofmodeling #modelsrights  #underagemodelscontroversy #teenmodelstooyoung #minimumageformodels #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein 

New Season - New Skincare Regime: Face-Saving Fixes to Kickstart Your Fall Beauty Routine

All model photos by Olga Rubio Dalmau for Grazia Bulgaria

Maybe you weren’t as diligent in re-applying your sunscreen as often as you could, the A/C dried out your skin, humidity left you with an oily complexion or pimples, or perhaps you just slacked off in the skincare department over summer, but here we are facing Fall and you want your skin to be ready for the new color palettes and stronger pigments that signal cooler days.  No need to panic as there are new treatments and products that will help you refine your complexion, clear up the acne, rosacea and hyper-pigmentation, de-puff, draw out oils and pollutants, brighten, exfoliate, hydrate, and calm all your skin issues.  

Many of the new top-rated treatments can be applied several times a week or in conjunction with each other for maximum benefit.  Overnight treatment masks that are ultra-hydrating give skin a younger-looking bounce by morning and are available in formulas for both face and lips.  Look for eye patches that address your own particular concerns such as dark circles, fine lines, or puffiness.  Aim to exfoliate once a week to draw out all the pollution that settles into skin creating buildup, clogged pores, and acne.  

If you aren’t using treatment products or tools already you are missing out on all the benefits that can take your skin from okay to amazing.  Masks, LED chromatherapy devices, and gentle acid peels reveal younger-looking, healthier, bouncier skin which is ultimately the best foundation for any beauty look you want to achieve. 

Here is the Face This: A Model’s Secrets guide to the hottest skincare treatments for Fall 2018:

All products and tools available at Sephora.com

                                                               XOXO Shelley

#newfacialtreatments #beautymasks #SundayFacial #bestskincaretreatments #skincaretreatments #Facethisamodelssecrets #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein

A Model’s Secret - How To Find The Right Modeling Agency for YOU

The right representation can make of break a model so choosing the right agency is a crucial step in the development of your career.  It is daunting for all of us and simply knowing what agencies to approach can be difficult, depending on where you live and what sort of markets are available to you.  After a lengthy modeling career I have had my share of experiences with agencies and I am often asked for advice about getting started in the business.  

I’ve written posts to answer many of these questions such as how to get scouted and how to identify the right modeling market for your type and look to help take some of the mystery out of the situation for model-hopefuls. You can read them here at these links:

Get Scouted! How Can I Get Into Modeling?

Know Your Market as a Model: Editorial vs Commercial Modeling

Modeling is a business so treat it like a business:  It is important to remember that you are trying to break into a field where you are an independent contractor, will be working freelance, and interacting with other contractors, agencies, and clients, so treating it like a proper business right from the start is the correct approach.  When meeting with potential agencies or scouts it is in your best interest to be as informed as you can about the industry ahead of time so that you can ask the right questions.  Do not hesitate to ask for clarity when you are confused or overwhelmed with information.  It is a nervous situation to begin with so mentally preparing your questions ahead of time makes good business sense and every proper agent and scout will be glad to take the time to answer all your questions.  

Agencies and bookers: personalities and atmosphere counts: Meeting with several agents before making a decision to sign a contract for representation allows you to compare business practices, get a feeling for the energy, atmosphere, and vibe of an agency, and see which booker’s personalities fit with your own.  Getting off on the right foot in the relationship is important and if your personalities clash then that’s not a good sign, and you can’t expect that to improve or not be an issue over time. You want a booker who is really in your corner, will fight to help you get ahead, will open doors for you, have your back, and will always be there to help guide and educate you about the business and have time for you.  If your overall sense of the agency isn’t positive, or you find it overly quiet or maybe frantic, then visit other agencies. Signing with an agency just to say you have representation is not a good way to start your career, and you will spend more time trying to figure out how to extricate yourself from the contract than you will advancing your career.  Go with your gut instincts.

No one comes to the business without a lot of questions and the lack of information and guidance can be intimidating so do your research and get informed.  I’ll answer your questions if I can, so leave a message!

                                                 XOXO Shelley  

#getscouted #businessofmodeling #howtobreakintomodeling #seekingrepresentation #findtherightmodelingagency #newfacesmodels #modelingindustryinfo #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein 

Fall 2018 Campaigns - My Favorite Trends, Fall 2018

It is still the peak of summer but already the days are a bit shorter, the evenings a bit cooler, and I have this “what’s next in fashion and beauty?” feeling creeping in.  The shops are starting to show pre-fall selections and I am planning my fall wardrobe with the same sort of excitement I had as a kid getting ready to go back to school as I wait for the enormous September issues of all the magazines to arrive.

The new designer campaigns are out now and I am pouring over them for indications of the trends in beauty and fashion, adding pieces to my “wish list” - “wish I could afford that”, “wish I could wear that”, “wish I had somewhere to wear that” and “wish I looked like that.” Kidding aside, the new campaigns give us a great idea about what sort of color palettes and trends will trickle down to mass market fashion brands and beauty counters.  

Some of this fall’s biggest trends on my radar at plaids, houndstooth and tweed, animal prints, western, saturated colors, 80’s glam, busy prints, large logos, silk scarf prints, and oversized coats.  There really is something for everyone, and if going all out in one sort of look is not your thing, there are tons of accessories that can add an instant update to your look.  Big shoulders,  bright colors, zebra, leopard and tiger prints, and neons bring the power-dressing feel of the mid 80’s, while textured layers under oversized coats, capes and jackets are a fashion dream come true when facing deep freezes in winter.  Add ribbed tights and over-the-knee boots and the ubiquitous beanie and you are all set for the coldest winter days ahead.  

The western trend has been around for a few seasons now and extends to romantic prairie dresses, plaid flannel shirts worn with high-waisted jeans, western belts, and tall boots, and black menswear inspired jackets.  On the other end of the spectrum is the vibrant knitwear of Missoni, and the colorful and quirky styles of Gucci, Prada, Calvin Klein and Miu Miu.  

The Versace bombshell is also back with her mile-long legs, figure-hugging fits, and  extroverted, colorful prints.  Tall metallic boots like those seen at Jimmy Choo will become a bombshell classic that will be a wardrobe favorite for years to come.  

It might be full summer now but fall is not that far away, and the excitement of slowly adding a sweater here, a scarf there, a new handbag, and some boots, is just the fashion fix I need at the moment to carry me into fall. What’s on your wish list?

                                                               XOXO Shelley

#fallfashiontrends2018 #fallfashionshopping #fall2018campaigns #whattobuynow #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein 

Heatwave Style - Mid-Summer Shopping

Mid-summer is one of my favorite times to go shopping. There are great deals as spring and summer styles are on sale, and pre-fall items help transition lighter pieces into outfits I can wear throughout the cooler months ahead.  And I love finding something on sale that I can wear right away that I can mix up with my usual looks.

Hothouse florals by Reformation

Boho Mini dresses by Freepeople

Living in the desert means I know a thing or two about heatwaves and how to dress fashionably without suffocating.  Floaty, boho mini dresses that reveal a lot of leg are my go-to favorites year round, and this year I am adding a midi skirt with a bustier top with spaghetti straps.  White jeans with frayed hems that bare the ankles are super comfortable and have hippie-chic Riviera style when worn with everything from tank tops, to embroidered blouses to graphic tees.  

Fringed hem white jeans at Madewell

Elizabeth Cole "Hamsa" earrings and Isabel Marant "Collier Scarabe charm necklace" both at ShopBop

Jewelry pieces that feel like little treasures picked up on an exotic vacation make a statement with any outfit, including super simple jeans and t-shirts.  Gold looks great against bare skin in summer.  I love woven bags and look for details that channel a seventies vibe.  Bucket totes with fishnet weaving look chic with just about any summer outfit and this rainbow palm trees tote is all “California dreaming”.

Skipping Girl palm tree tote and Staud "Moreau Bag" both at ShopBop

Schutz "Elsa" fringed slides, and Steven "Greece" slides both at ShopBop

Slides are all the rage this summer but I am saving the beach and platform slip-ons for sportier days.  I love a statement slide that lengthens the leg and looks great with everything from jeans to mini dresses.  I am loving this yellow fringed pair with a small heel for a glam look, and rose gold flats will look amazing against my fake-tan body glow.

Summer means bouncing from the steamy outdoors to the frigid A/C so having something chic to put over your shoulders makes sense. I love this asian-inspired kimono as it is light and airy but still has that exotic look that just feels so right at this time of year.  

Asian kimono robe at & Other Stories

Long live these long summer days! Fall will be here too soon and layers will be piled on and it will be goodbye limbs. I’m going to savor every moment of these warm summer days, heatwaves and all. 

                                                           XOXO Shelley

#heatwavestyle #summersales #summerfashion #mid-summerstyle #bestsummerfashion #classicsummerstyle #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein