SC Fashion and Modeling Industry News: Today Show Uncovers More Modeling Scams
For so many young girls today, becoming a “Top Model” is all they dream about! They are bombarded with TV Reality Shows like “America’s Next Top Model”, “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency”, and even Vogue has a new modeling show coming out in August called “Models.Live”. “You can be a model” is pumped 24/7 into the heads of our young people. [Watch: How to Make it as a Top Model from The Model’s Studio]
- What is the reality of becoming a Top Model?
- Should it cost you an arm and a leg to get into a reputable “modeling school?”
NBC's Today Show warns of Modeling Scam Dangers
NBC’s The Today Show just did yet another undercover story called “The Ugly Side of the Fashion Industry” dedicated to revealing some of the shady agencies that take your money and rob you of your dreams.
There are “modeling schools” that offer you anything you want to hear – from promises of “runway modeling” to acting jobs...but you will have to pay dearly for it…AND, there is no guarantee of success.
How Top Model Scams Work...
This is how the scams work: (This particular undercover story focused on Barbizon, however, that is not the only “shady agency”) Each year hundreds of young people are invited to the International Modeling and Talent Association Convention in NYC. This is a Barbizon sponsored event.
In fact, Barbizon “owns” the convention – so they are not inviting you to participate in any function that is recognized as legitimate by the Fashion Industry.
The Today Show Undercover Team followed two young ladies from the Burke family. They both desperately want to be be a model and an actress, respectively.
They went to Barbizon for an interview and were so excited that they “got accepted.” [The cruel fact is that “you get accepted” no matter what…as long as you can cough up the high price tag.]
The girls were both invited to preform in the IMTA Convention in NYC for the price of $4,700.00 PER CHILD.
The parents were interviewed and said they came up with the almost $10,000.00 “because they did not have the heart to disappoint their girls.” That’s exactly what these scam modeling agencies are counting on!
Despite both girls being very overweight, the parents were told
“that both girls have what it takes to make it.”
The only thing they “made it” to was a Barbizon sponsored convention to preform with other Barbizon “models” on “the Barbizon runway.”
After that 10K+ fiasco for the Burke family, the girls have never received a modeling assignment or even a mere casting call to go out on an acting job! The parents were so hurt and outraged, they contacted NBC’s Today Show who decided to send in an “undercover agent”.
The undercover reporter interviewed with Barbizon and after displaying no real talent (not even knowing how to “walk” or properly “turn on a runway,” she too was told “she has what it takes” to make it. She was invited to the IMTA Convention to preform IF she could pay the $5,000.00 entry fee!
That is the ugly side of the beauty industry!
The North American director the Elite Modeling Agency in New York plainly stated on camera that it should cost $0.00 dollars to get discovered! That is the very same thing that Avis MacLellan of The Model’s Studio has been telling girls for years!
SC Model "Jordan" posing for The Model's Studio photography shoot
The Model’s Studio will be only too happy to take girls straight up to NYC and walk them through the interview process at America’s top modeling agencies. Avis, once a supermodel herself, already has relationships with these “real” agencies and knows when the right days are for open calls.
What Avis wants her modeling students to know is this, “You cannot represent a top modeling agency if you do not know what to do, how to walk, how to turn, or how to conduct yourself when you get there. Just having a pretty face in NOT enough for a top modeling agency to keep calling you back for jobs.
When you are chosen as a top model, they expect you to represent their corporate image and make money for them. That is why a certain amount of diligent training is an absolute must. That’s the kind of training The Model’s Studio provides with a proven track record of integrity.”
So, What is the reality of becoming a Top Model? Slim to none without the proper training!
Should it cost you am arm and a leg to get into a reputable “modeling school?” NO!
If you would like to go to NYC and interview with top modeling agencies for real, just call Avis MacLellan at The Model’s Studio and she will give you all the information you need to get there…the right way!
Why pay into a Five Grand Scam…when you could potentially become a model with a lasting career at a reputable top modeling agency?
Let The Model’s Studio set you up for success to be the best YOU you can be in whatever you choose to do in your life. It’s called The “BE” Campaign!
The logical choice is up to you. Call Avis for a free consultation: 843-261-9696
“The Model’s Studio courses are based on the principles of Positive Reinforcement. Positive words spoken in a young person’s life, enhance their dreams and desire for success in all things.”
The Model’s Studio is always looking for top models. If you are a SC Model, or want to be, call the studio today.
The Legacy of Fashion – What They Left Behind – Pinewood Prep Grandparent’s Day Fahion Show
The Legacy of Fashion Through the Ages – Free Fashion Show March 6, 2009
“The Legacy of Fashion – What They Left Behind”
Avis MacLellan of The Model's Studio invites everyone to come enjoy The Legacy of Fashion at Pinewood Prep.
You are invited to join us on March 6th for the Grandparent’s Day Fashion Show at Pinewood Prep in Summerville, SC.
It will be held 1:30 in Freedom Hall Auditouim. The fashion show, organized by Avis MacLellan of The Model’s Studio, is free to the public.
Pinewood Preparatory School is located in Summerville. Follow this link to get specific directions and a map to the show.
Fashion Show Theme:
“The Legacy of Fashion – What They Left Behind” will feature styles from 1920’s to the present.
Pinewood Preparatory School is proud to have a satellite office of LifeManagement Center on its campus that is open to the public. LifeManagement Center is a non-profit organization of educational consultants. To find out about their services, please click below: http://www.lifemanagement.org/
Fashion in SC – Red Carpet Fashion Show to Benefit Goodwill by The Model’s Studio
The Model’s Studio is pleased to announce our participation in the Goodwill Fall Fashion Gala, the biggest fashion event in South Carolina, to support the Charleston Community and Goodwill Industries.
Press Release | October 8, 2008
Charleston, SC – Pull out your dancing shoes, dust off your auction paddle, and get ready to spend an evening with the fishiest! Goodwill’s 5th Annual Fall Gala will be held at the Charleston Aquarium on Thursday, October 23 beginning with a Registration Cocktail Reception at 6:30 pm.
Avis MacLellan in paris - The Model
The gala, hosted by Tom Crawford, will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, live and silent auctions and a Fashion Show choreographed by Avis MacLellan, former New York Fashion Supermodel and owner of The Model’s Studio.
This year’s fashion show is inspired by the red carpet and will star local talent and community leaders, Tracy Amick, Marika Kelderman, Victoria Hansen, Neville Miller, Sheldon Duets and Sonya Cording, as well as models from the Model Studio.
The models will strut their stuff down the red carpet sporting high fashion pieces that were all donated to and found at Goodwill retail stores.
Bid on a relaxing trip to Stevenswood Spa Resort in Northern California’s breathtaking Mendocino Coast that includes airfare for two, four-night accommodations and a spa gift certificate! Or show your team pride by bidding on an autographed football from Clemson’s Head Coach Tommy Bowden! Whatever your tastes may be, the live and silent auctions will have a trip or gift package for you!
Title: Goodwill’s Annual Fall Gala
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008 6:30
Location: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
Tickets: $60 per person, $100 per couple
More Info: http://www.palmettogoodwill.org
Proceeds from the event will benefit local programs and services offered by Goodwill Industries. Over the past 29 years, Goodwill has evolved into an organization that has helped over 81,000 individuals in South Carolina prepare for employment through job placement services, career fairs, youth programs and Operation Independence which helps veterans reintegrate into new jobs.
Goodwill reaches out to the homeless population through clothing vouchers and awareness events, and to disadvantaged seniors through Goodwill’s Golden Angel Tree Celebration.
Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina is a nonprofit social service organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Goodwill employs over 850 people and served over 12,300 people in the Lowcountry community in 2007. For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, please visit http://www.palmettogoodwill.org.
The Charleston Model Studio Blog 