Los Angeles Black Business Expo

Modeling Careers Launched at Expo’s West Coast Fashion Show

By Susette Fisher, staff writer

Almost 300 men, women and children took to the runway at the 2004 Model Call hosted jointly by the Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show and 100.3 The 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 9^th 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 with L.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 Holly Robinson 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 3^rd anniversary of 9/11,” said Wallace. “But we’re using it as a good luck day.”

www.prperson.com