Friday, 27 May 2016

Become A Successful Commercial Model

Commercial modeling comes in a wide array of sorts. There different types include newspapers, catalogs, magazines, editorials, brochures, on posters, billboards, sides of buses, packages of food items, household products, games, and so on.

Unlike a very specific tall and slender look that you see in fashion modeling, being a commercial model needs you to look like a real person. Commercial models come in all forms and sizes. As long as you fit the look the company is aiming for, you can be a commercial model regardless of your height, weight, size, age, or race.
 


Fees for commercial models vary on a project-by-project basis, although adult models are expected to make around £50 to £250 an hour, while children can earn up to £75 an hour. However, due to the variety of needs for commercial modeling, to get into the market, you must be able to do your research and gather vital information about the modeling industry: what types of photos are needed, what is expected of you, www.elirving.com can help here as your agent.

There are several advantages to being a commercial model. For instance, the hours are extremely flexible, and the hourly fees are far from minimum wage. And of course, don’t forget to the thrill of seeing yourself or your child in a magazine, newspaper, brochure, poster, or better yet – a billboard.



Before you start giving out headshots, however, you should know how to create a good portfolio. If you watched any of the cycles of Next Top Model, you’d know that a good portfolio or composite sheet means the world in modeling—fashion or commercial.

However, because of the difference between fashion and commercial modeling, you can’t just go ahead and do artistic photo shoots—you have to figure out how to work your look and how you can represent yourself to the world. Choose a genre in modeling, if you will. www.elirving.com can advise and assist you.



Ask yourself how you are going to be cast best—as a student, a young professional, a mother, a grandparent, a plumber, an athlete, and so on. Ask which setting you will look best—in an authoritative looking building, sitting behind an office desk, around a campfire?

Think about how you can showcase yourself properly to get the right modeling job that fits your look and personality. Before you get in front of the camera, look through magazines, newspaper ads, and even talent and showcase books to get ideas as to the type of modeling that you’re aiming for.
Once you have your look down pat, it’s time to take photos. You don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds to get your photos professionally taken, but they have to at least look professional. Unlike the stoic (or as Tyra Banks puts it, “fierce”) looks of fashion modeling, make sure that your photos make you appear approachable, happy, and interesting. Dramatic photos are not encouraged either.

www.elirving.com can recommend a professional studio for your images.



Also ensure that your photos make your personality shine, so stay away from distracting jewelry, clothes, or hairstyles; your photos should look like you. An agency or photographer’s studio could actually fire you for “misrepresenting” your looks.

Unlike fashion models, commercial models do not need to attend modeling classes. However, they may need to have basic acting skills. Attending a few acting classes or workshops is a good start.


Still, your photos will not be enough to book you jobs. While the looks depend on what the client wants in his ad, you have to be able to shine through by your personality and character. Being a diva will not get you far in commercial modeling, because clients want a model with not just the right look, but the right personality, versatility, and even acting ability.

The demand for commercial models is very high, as companies are upping their advertising and marketing strategies. However, as is is with any other job, it is essential that you work hard and be professional during shoots. Looks will only get you so far—you can find success in your determination and perseverance more than you can with your smile.

www.elirving will look after and guide you through everything, get you jobs and look afer you thereafter.


Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Modelling Heights?


  • Are you concerned that your height will hinder your chances of becoming a model?
  • Do you look to the catwalk and editorial shoots feeling that the supermodels tower above you?
 
Many smaller models are insecure about their height measurement worried that despite their talent the industry would definitely discriminate against their 5 foot 4 inches. However, do not despair as petite models do have opportunities in the industry when looking in the correct places, I should know as I, http://www.elirving.com have helped many achieve this.

Take a look at the type of work petite models can secure to carve a successful career.

Catalogue Modelling @ http://www.elirving.com
Online and print catalogues do cater for individuals with a tiny frame. The platform hosts a large amount of sections to provide for all of the family including petite, tall and maternity departments. Therefore, smaller models will be hired to model for the designs on sale. It is important that the images do showcase reality demonstrating how the garments fit a petite physique.


Petite Brands @ http://www.elirving.com
Similarly, petite labels require talent with a smaller height. The success of their label relies on the presentation of their designs. Garments are required to be cut in a way that flatters the tiny frame fitting smaller torso, arm and leg lengths. To promote the specific pattern cutting aimed at petite physiques is to actually work with those whose measurements meet their target audience. Their market can visualise how the designs work on a body shape similar to theirs and purchase the items.

Body Part Modelling @ http://www.elirving.com
Petite models may have a superb set of shapely legs, elegant hands or scrumptious feet that will be desirable for body part model. Individuals who possess a smaller height do not necessarily have a petite hands, feet or leg length as body proportions vary depending on the person in question. Therefore, look after your features and try to approach agencies and companies who specialise in body part modelling as you may be able to secure a job.

Swimwear Modelling@ http://www.elirving.com
Lingerie and swimwear brands focus on hiring models that fill their bras and knickers rather their height. It is important that the individual’s chest, torso, legs and derriere showcase their swimwear or underwear designs appropriately. Overly tall models are not necessarily suitable for the part, as their bust may not fill the bra seductively. It is certainly an idea to approach lingerie labels to gain experience and to see what the brand is after in terms of body shape.



High Fashion @ http://www.elirving.com
The high fashion world has gained a reputation that favours super tall, thin models however; recently there has been a lot of discussion over creating a diverse industry. As the industry accepts plus size models the firm line has begin to waver considerably with a variety of shapes, race and ages being welcomed to the catwalk. There has been a few exceptions to the rule with the likes of Kate Moss and Anja Konstantinova finding a place in the high fashion world. It is certainly worth a try as if an agent or industry professional is campaigning for your look than you will have a great chance.

Please get in touch if you want to get in to the industry;  http://www.elirving.com

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

How To Kick Butt At A Photoshoot




Photoshoots are scary enough and modelling is way harder then it looks.
So here are some great and helpful tips to make sure you make the right impression.

1. Personality -

Being gorgeous is one thing but being memorable is another. If your going to be a successful model you can’t just rely on your looks alone you have to be prepared to network and get yourself out there. Try and be the person who was courteous, positive and professional. Being funny any confident never hurts either. If a photographer or a MUA enjoyed working with you, they are very likely to recommend you to others just based on the fact that they enjoyed your company. Do not be forgettable, show of your personality and what makes you special.



2. Practice –  

Don’t be that person who turns up on set and says “Now what!”. Find a model you admire and have a look at what they do correctly, what about them stands out? How are they looking at the camera? What about their posture? All of these things are important little tricks that you can pick up from studying the work of established models. It is a perfect excuse to take a million selfies and look at yourself in the mirror all day (like we need an excuse…).

3. Preparation – 

This isn’t every other day and it’s a job. So you need to be ready – make sure you drink loads of water and get plenty of sleep. Water and sleep are the two secrets to amazing skin, if you are dehydrated and tired…well that is not a hot look. Eat well before the shoot but stick to healthy foods. Vegetables and fruits are the best way to ensure you are on top form and will give you enough energy throughout the day. NO JUNK FOOD!!!! You are what you eat so if you eat badly your going look bad. Simple.



4. Punctuality -

You might be pretty, but pretty does not work if your late all the time. Plan your journey beforehand use an app and make sure you have the right address. If you need to confirm with someone beforehand its better to be safe then sorry and it just shows that you care. If you are late to shoots people will remember, this will effect your future as a model and for agencies it is unacceptable. So set your alarm extra early

5. Positivity! -

It might sound ultra cheesy, but if you dream it you can do it.  Most people never take the leap, and the fact that you’re already trying to live your dream means that your have taken the first step. Believe in yourself and others will believe in you. Body positivity is just as important as mental well being and whilst this industry traditionally isn’t the most open, time are changing and you can contribute towards that change. Style will always trump what is fashionable so it never hurts to make a statement in everyday life as well in the industry. Take care of yourself inside and out.

Monday, 11 April 2016

New Client Review


El Irving is a celebrity talent agent and model scout based in London. He has been established in London for years and is one of the most experienced agents in the capital. Here is a recent review from one of his clients.


Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your support and advice that you have been giving me since we met a few months ago.

I really appreciate the support, you have always been there when needed and boosted my confidence no end. I now walk with a spring in my step, always smiling and believe that I can gain any job throw at me.

I am so excited about working with you moving forward and so happy with what you have done for me so far.

I would not hesitate in recommending you to others in the industry.

Thanks El.
I really appreciate the continued support with my career over the last few months.

- Katie

For more information about El Irving and to contact him, visit his website now. If you need advice on chosing a celebrity talent agent or agency, real the EL Irving blog here.


Wednesday, 30 March 2016




In order to be a successful model you need to have an extrovert personality as well as a ‘look’ that is either classic or which is a good fit with current fashion trends. It is a combination of these two factors which are likely to determine the success, or not, of turning modelling jobs into a modelling career. There are many reasons why people choose a career as a model and work with modelling scouts like El Irving, but he considers five of the major perks associated with this challenging but hugely rewarding career.

Meeting the rich and famous
One of the benefits of being a model is that it provides the opportunity to meet people you would not ordinarily get to meet. As well as meeting those who can be influential in a modelling career such as fashion designers, magazine and newspaper editors and photographers, modelling can also ‘open doors’ and enable models to meet actors (like Emma Watson), producers, business people and even royalty. If a model is successful, he or she may find there selves invited to parties and gatherings where they can mingle with the rich and famous. For some of those who decide to enter into modelling, this is a major motivating factor.



Travel in modelling jobs
For many models, one of the great things about the work is the fact that there can be a great deal of travelling. Whether this is travelling at home or abroad, the opportunities are endless. For successful catwalk models, overseas travel is a large part of the job. Travel provides the opportunity to experience many different countries and cultures, and possibly to pick up a new language or two along the way. Additionally, international assignments are often better paid and provide better allowances. All of a model’s travel expenses and allowances are covered by the client. Provided that you are happy to hop on a plane, sometimes at a moment’s notice, this is definitely one of the benefits to being a model.

Learning new skills
Working as a model is a great opportunity to learn new skills. Modelling work involves lots of waiting around, creating perfect opportunities to improve knowledge and pick up tricks of the trade. For instance, models spend many hours with makeup artists and hairdressers, so they almost invariably pick up elements of these skills. As modelling provides the opportunity to travel, this also means that many models are able to learn and speak other languages. They may eventually speak confidently in the country they are visiting and communicate with fashion designers for whom English may not be a first language. And models need to be fit and healthy, so learning how to maintain a healthy body is a skill that all models acquire.



Promotion and profile raising
Many of those who want to take up modelling have other aspirations: acting, singing, dancing or performing in other ways. Modelling is a great way to get noticed and to make influential people see who you are and what you can do. Due to the nature of modelling, models can find it easier to appear in the media in some form, whether it be in print or on television. This may lead to more appearances, furthering one’s modelling career while opening doors to other opportunities such as acting, television presenting and even writing.

Money
The one thing that most aspiring models believe is that a career as a model will lead to them earning huge amounts of money. For some, this is the main driving force behind their desire to succeed. While earning money beyond most people’s wildest dreams is true for those who make it into the ‘super league’ of modelling, relatively few are in this category. That is not to say that modelling cannot be lucrative, but any aspiring model needs to be prepared for a few years of earning relatively modest sums. Once they have built up a large enough portfolio, they are more likely to be considered for higher value work such as advertising campaigns for major fashion labels and cosmetics brands.
These are just some of the opportunities and experiences that are available if you choose to pursue a career as a fashion model. The diversity of this industry allows for a great deal of flexibility and numerous potential career paths, regardless of your talents and interests.

If this is how you see your self, please get in touch www.elirving.com

Thursday, 3 March 2016


The news that fashion has anointed a new designer as a star can be signposted in various ways. For Amie Robertson, who debuted her label AV Robertson at London Fashion Week on Saturday morning, the evidence came in the form of front-row guest Marc Jacobs, who had flown in from New York, and a coterie of superstar models including Vogue’s March cover star, Edie Campbell, celebrity offspring Georgia Jagger, and Lineisy Montero, currently in the Chanel campaign.
For a fledgling label, still designed from a bedroom in Robertson’s parents’ house in Manchester, these signals were enough to make the assembled guests at the Tate Britain show sit up and take notice. The show notes crediting Katie Grand also ensured that they paid attention. Grand, who is editor-in-chief of Love magazine, has styled for Prada and works with Jacobs. Her endorsement of an unknown like Robertson is a Big Deal. It turns out that the Central Saint Martins fashion illustration BA graduate met Grand when she completed a year’s internship in 2014 at Marc Jacobs in New York.
Robertson showed as part of Fashion East, the young talent initiative that presents collections by three young designers each season. Jacobs’s influence could be seen in her eclectic collection. She mixed striped flannels, satin and beaded embellishment. Long, striped dresses and wide-legged trousers were worn with knee-high jewel-coloured boots and short-sleeved satin blouses. Few hems were straight, and some dresses featured ties that looked like jumpers were tied around models’ waists. Grand’s styling was present in the fun makeup and piled-up hair. It added a slickness that most young designers would kill for.
Jacobs, dressed in his signature Stan Smiths along with a sweatshirt, backpack and printed scarf, said he came to support Robertson “because she was bright and talented when she worked with us”. The designer is in London to attend the launch of his beauty brand at Harrods, but whether or not he would be attending shows at the rest of London Fashion Week was unclear. “I’m here, but I’m not here,” he said, with a wave of the hand and the air of someone who likes to keep his public guessing.

Backstage, Robertson – who wore the bookish outfit of pulled-back ponytail, glasses and jumper – was mobbed for squad goal selfies with Jacobs, Grand and friends. These posts are priceless for building buzz – collectively, the designer and stylist share 720,000 followers on Instagram. Robertson, by contrast, is on 1,600. After today that number is bound to increase. “Katie took me under her wing,” said Robertson, who still had the rabbit-in-the-headlights look of someone new to being the centre of attention. “I don’t know why, but it’s great, she’s been amazing.”

The designer’s inspirations are already showing signs of being up to fashion muster. “Aliens came to a magical land and flowers started growing out of the earth,” she said of the collection. The stripes were down to her “exploring men’s and womenswear” and also part of the “horror element”, namechecking Beetlejuice. The cult 1988 Tim Burton comedy-horror stars Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, who wear stripes, wonky lengths and layers. It was also referenced by Jacobs last week, following his show in New York on Thursday night.
Being part of a trend that also includes a household-name designer is a long way from that Manchester bedroom, but Robertson may have to get used to this new environment.
Someone more accustomed to the spotlight is Caitlin Price, the London-based designer who had her third outing with Fashion East. Price is building a following who appreciate her mix of streetwear with couture references. For autumn/winter, she used her trademark pastel colours on tracksuits but also long, gathered satin skirts and short bomber jackets. There was an early 00s feel that recalled UK grime artist Lady Sovereign and rapper Lil’ Kim. Price said it was based on the “British ritual of girls getting dressed up to go out” and a “sophistication and glamour, but not quite being able to pull it off”. The cutout silhouettes were inspired by both a Madame Grès dress and a Lycra catsuit designed as clubwear. “It’s about a hybrid,” she said.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Finding a good agent

El Irving guide to finding a good celebrity talent agent


If you are a talented individual here are some tips on whether a celebrity talent agent is right for you. El Irving is a celebrity talent agent based in London. If you need advice on an agency and want to talk to someone with the right experience, contact El Irving on his website. Here are his main tips:

- Make sure they are established

If you put your trust in a celebrity talent agency, you have to know they have the right experience in order to help you as much as possible. How long have they been around for? Who are they really? Find out as much as you can about their directors and account managers, and how many years they have been in the industry. Will you be handled by them? Or pawned off to a trainee? These are important factors to consider.

- Make sure they have the time for you

Many celebrity talent agencies promise you the world, and then you look at their huge client list and wonder whether they will even have the time to deal with you own business. You need an agent that puts you first, and is put first by everyone they deal with on your behalf. In London, it is a hard thing to find. Scrolling through all the talent agencies in Google it is easy to get bewildered. Make sure you chose the right one.

- What type of agency are they?

Arrange a meeting with a list of agencies and ask each one what they specialise in. If you are a TV presenter, have they worked with other TV presenters? What about if you are an actor and musician. How can their team work with you on both of those skills and help you maximise your potential earnings in both? These are also factors to consider when signing up. And if you do sign up...for how long? And is it exclusive? What is their cut? What do they have to do for that cut? Find out before you sign on the dotted line!

For more information about El Irving follow his on his twitter page or add El Irving to your network on Linkedin.