Almost 300 men, women and children took to the runway at the 2004
ModelCall hosted jointly by the Los Angeles Black
Business Expo and Trade Show and 100.3The Beat
Summer Jam (KKBT FM) Fashion Show this past Sunday at the
Hollywood Park Casino.
“And we are pumped!” exclaimed Myra Wallace, West Coast Fashion
Summit Director surrounded by hundreds of hopefuls. “The Model Call is
always the springboard for excitement leading into the big show in
September at the Expo. Now the real work starts.” The “real work” means
paring down the 85 models selected to be chosen by the designers and
hair stylists in our fashion show on Saturday and our hair show on
Sunday. Only 35 models actually participate in the shows, while The
Beat’s Summer Jam usually uses 25 models and some may do both shows.
This year, the Expo’s show is titled “Coolture” which Wallace
says means a perfect blend of urban “cool” and high fashion
“couture.” She said “What we found was that earlier, the influence was
high fashion but right now it is Urban so that is what we will present
at the Fashion Show.
“We have launched careers at this show,” said Wallace. “I have
to say we were the springboard for many fashion careers—from modeling,
to designing, to choreographing, to directing. It’s not as though many
who came to us had no experience--many had some--they just needed the
launching pad to propel them to the next level. That is exactly what the
Expo’s West Coat Fashion show did.”
Participants receive exposure, the opportunity to perform in a runway
show at the professional level, and with the throng of photographers
flashing pictures they can order photos and videos which can then be
used in their electronic or print press kits when auditioning for other
shows.
One has to be brave to walk the runway at the audition, present
themselves to the judges, and then on the long walk back wait to hear
either a disappointing “thank you very much. Next Model!” which sends
them home or the coveted “Thank you, Report for photo” which lets you
know you are still in the running.
There is definitely an art to being chosen. Mikel Kilgore, himself a
designer and fashion writer of Cyberstyle, pointed out the problem
walkers. “Sometimes they are walking too much to the music, too much
hands on their hips, just stomping a little bit too hard. A good walk
has to have a nice flow, it’s not about too much posing--that’s very
1980’s. You really just want a very clean walk the designer can work
with and if he or she wants to they will give you special instructions
later. But for the auditions we just want to see a good basic fluid
walk.”
Still, he noticed much potential: “This year we had lots of very
interesting models showing up in all shapes, sizes and cultures.
Besides African American we’ve had some Latin models, Arabian models…the
full figured models have made a very strong showing, in particular
Bobbie Bell who is 54 years old and a size 16. So far she was the best
walker. Of course the guys have made a very strong showing. There is a
lot of potential.”
In
the five years since Wallace has been at the helm of the West Coast
Fashion Summit, she has never played favorites. Her own niece,
Ayesha Harris, can attest to that. “Five years ago I was just
helping out my aunt and she told me she wanted me to audition. I did
and I got picked. But you still have to try out so Nepotism only goes so
far. The next year I didn’t get picked,” she said.
Said
Wallace,” That’s because the first year she tried out she ‘brought it.”
The next year she didn’t. This year, she did.” And now Ayesha says she
is grateful to the start that the Expo gave her into the world of print
work. “Yes, the Black Business Expo was a major starting point.”
Two familiar faces that got their start with the Expo are the
synchronized Green twins—Desiree and Erin. At 29, these models are self
taught—but once selected for last year’s show they were then selected to
be in the “Selfish” video with Slim Village and Kanye West. Now they
are widely known. “We have been blessed to work a lot this year, in
fashion shows, trade shows and now we are exploring acting and a wide
array of outlets for our talent,” said Erin.
At
15, Aisha Cohen is a 9th grade daughter of an Expo
Exhibitor, Nona Cohen, who owns The Body Clinic, a day spa which has
grown to have two locations in Westchester and Marina Del Rey. Aisha
was chosen by the panel of judges and hopes to be selected by one of the
designers. Also trying out was Ivy Dunbar, wife of Showtime’s
SoulFood star —Rockmond Dunbar’s wife…an up and coming model
who just signed withL.A. Models two weeks ago. Last week she modeled Roberto
Caveli fashions in which
Halle Berry
and Eddie Murphy appeared. It was the annual charity for
Rodney and HollyRobinson Peete, Hollyrod Foundation.
Ugo Chukwe
was selected last year but had to return to Nigeria for family business
before the show. He returned just in time to be selected again. “This
time I am GOING to do the show,” he affirmed. “I am really excited this
year.”
Janice Salgado
and Peter Mott represented judges from the Beat. While Wallace,
was joined by Davide Stennett, Fashion Show Director, and
Sunshine Forte, Designer Meoshe.
Models chosen will be featured at either or both events. The Beat
Summer Jam will be held August 7 at the Forum in Inglewood, and the
West Coast Fashion Summit’s Annual Fashion Show will be titled
“Coolture” (an urban blend of “Cool” and “Culture”) and will be held
Saturday, September 11, 2004 on the main stage at the Los Angeles
Convention Center.
For more information visit
www.expoupdate.com
or call the West Coast Fashion Hotline: (323) 281-1054.
“That’s the 3rd anniversary of 9/11,” said Wallace. “But
we’re using it as a good luck day.”
www.prperson.com
Visit
the Photo Gallery. Top photos by Michael Riddick, Net.Profiles,
Photos in story were pulled off video camera interviews by Isidra
Person-Lynn
NEW! WEST COAST
HALL OF FAME
URBAN IDOL
The West Coast
Fashion Summit and and the Club Hall of Fame have joined forces to
present a new feature this year : the
WEST COAST HALL OF FAME
URBAN IDOL SEARCH
at the Los Angeles Black Business Expo. The winner will receive
$1000.
Starting Sunday July 28 The first of three auditions
will be held on the 5th floor of Hollywood Park
Casino. The remaining auditions will be held August 4 and August
11 at the same location and at the same time.
All artists must be 18 and over and must
provide clean
instrumental tracks, background vocals are allowed in the areas of: R&B, radio-ready
rap, spoken word, and gospel. Lyrics must be clean and no profanity.
Background vocals are allowed. There will be a $25 audition fee.
All artists must be 18 years old.
Wednesday, July 28th
Preliminary-Hall of Fame Urban Idols Contest at Club Hall Of Fame
Wednesday, August 4th
Preliminary-Hall Of Fame Urban Idols Contest at Club Hall Of Fame
Wednesday, August 11th
Preliminary-Hall Of Fame Urban Idols Contest at Club Hall Of Fame
Wednesday, August 18th
Semi-Finals -Hall Of Fame Urban Idols Contest at Club Hall Of Fame
