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News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Fashion modeling: There's more to it than catwalks and photoshoots
By Courtney S Robinson
Feb 11, 2014 - 1:15:13 PM

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Sanadia Forbes, Provo TCI Top Model Contestant Hopeful

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Tuesday, February 11th, 2014 – Besides having the right physical attributes, possessing the right attitude, personality and drive is vital for anyone hoping to become a fashion model. The world of professional modeling is a highly demanding business and it takes a certain type of thick-skinned person to stand up to the intense schedule, stress and criticism that it demands.

With this as the background, participants of the 2014 TCI Top Model Contest & Fashion Extravaganza took part in a two-part workshop over the weekend entitled: “Your Personality: how to showcase your best asset, yourself.”

The Turks & Caicos resident legal eagle, mentor to many and long-standing proponent of the programme, Mrs Tremmaine Harvey, presented her workshop on the above title. Therein Mrs Harvey noted that in the fashion modeling business, you are your product, and it is that which separates you and makes people want to engage your service - is your personality. “Your personality is made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that make a person unique,” said Harvey.

She went on to identify various personality types and traits and how they affect the person. She also wanted them to get to know themselves as individuals, as by knowing who you are, you are better able to network and sell yourself.  Whether introverted or extroverted, Mrs Harvey wanted the youths to recognize that it was imperative that they understood who they were as an individual, to be confident in themselves and their thinking.

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Mrs Tremmaine Swann (center) with participants

The owner and managing-director of Tremm Jocale then gave the youths an exercise in which they had five minutes to list their qualities and present it to the room. The objective of the exercise was one where when a person list their attributes, trains them to memory, they would not have to feel for words when asked to talk about themselves.

Of the workshop, Mrs Harvey said: “I was happy to once again be apart of the TCI Top Model experience and share my expertise and knowledge with the participants. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and interest displayed by the models and contestants which shows they are hungry to learn all they can to be a success in the TCI Top Model competition and beyond. I wish them all much success. Based on their presentations at the conclusion of the seminary I know some bright stars will be produced."

Just as having a great personality, a working model must be able to interview and network to book jobs and to remain commercially viable. To this regard, it is essential that they know how to present themselves to new persons on a day-to-day basis, as the world of modeling in inherently competitive.

Mrs Tiersa Smith-Hall, Human Resource Manager at The Sands at Grace Bay and The Regent Palms Resort was invited to present on the topic: ‘The Art of Interviewing and Networking.’ Mrs Smith-Hall noted that an interview could take place in formal or casual setting. However, what is most important to remember is that one must always be prepared when it happens. Being prepared will give a person more confidence and boost their performance. This along with knowing what to say ahead of time will usually help them to articulate it better.

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Mrs Tiersa Smith-Hall (center) with participants

As models are constantly being interviewed whether on ‘go sees,’ castings, photo shoots, fashion shows and the like, it important for them to have that awareness of self, the person or organization that they are meeting, and more so what they can bring to the table. By investing in themselves, learning the basics dos and don’ts, developing rapport, actively listening and researching the industry, this makes the model a more desirable commodity. Mrs Smith-Hall stated that strong interviewing skills coupled with the ability to be open to network with people that you do not know, will help a young model grow quicker and advance their career.

Mrs Smith-Hall, in speaking of the workshop said: “It was so nice to meet these beautiful young ladies and witness the immense variety of personalities they possess.  We often forget to place focus on cultivating confidence and great interpersonal skills within our youth, which later on become critical and valuable assets to use in the world today.  This workshop allowed me to share my knowledge on tools I utilize to my success everyday in hopes that the young ladies of tomorrow will too become successful.   For this opportunity, I am eternally proud and grateful.”

The key message of the day was that having an awareness of self, a positive self-image, a great personality, being ready to change and open to meet new people are the important ingredients a model must have. They must project confidence, research and learn the industry that they want to work in and how to present themselves when they go on interviews, ‘go sees’, castings or out in public. What is more, to survive in the fashion industry or any industry – they must be willing and ready to take on these challenges to adept themselves and only through this, they can be the success they want to become in life.


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