So You Want to Be….. A Plus Model Agent

by Monica Rasso, regular contributor to Elegant Plus Magazine

 For seven years I worked as a plus model in Florida. Then I had the opportunity to move to the modeling mecca of New York City. Within two weeks of signing with my agency, the agent in charge of the plus-size division decided to leave the company and start her own agency. I began to ask questions to the owner of my agency about how one becomes an agent. We ended up in a discussion about the position, requirements, and everything else that one would do in a typical job interview. She hired me on a trial basis until she saw the results of my dedication, business skills, and industry knowledge. 

How to Get Started

Since the plus division was new at my agency, I really got the chance to build it from the beginning. In the simplest terms, a modeling agent is someone who books jobs for models. But there is much that goes on before booking a job! Some agents, in conjunction with the agency owner, also get to select the models for their division. I held open calls at my agency and did all the advertising to find models. Models are the “product” of the agency that we sell to our customers. The “customers” include companies that need our models for advertising, fitting, or marketing purposes. 

A great agent must have terrific business and management abilities along with strong morals. I had to earn the trust of my models by being consistent, honest, and hard working. To earn the trust of the companies (our customers) I had to be business savvy to make deals and also provide them with reliable, well-trained models. Both the models and the companies have to be convinced that you know the industry and how to do your job. So how do you learn to be a modeling agent?

As a new agent, I had to find models and find jobs for them. I searched modeling websites (such as the Elegant Plus Models and the Elegant Plus Job Board), advertised open calls in local publications and online, and took walk-in appointments. When I signed a model, they had to commit to getting the minimum amount of photos that I needed to advertise for them. This usually involves having a clear headshot, full body, and some other photo such as something outdoors or in a location like an office….just something unique! The only expenses a beginning model should have to pay for is good photos and composite cards, which can run as high as a couple of thousand dollars depending on the photographer chosen. An agency will typically refer photographers to use and some agencies even have their own in-house photographers. A model usually has to pay for these services upfront herself, although some agencies will allow the model to sign a contract and have the cost of the photos and composite cards deducted from their first paycheck. Without good photos, the model may not be selected for a job. Without a composite card, the agency has no way to show the model to their customers! 

So, what did I look for in a model?

In selecting models, I mainly did not want two that had similar looks represented by my agency. When judging looks, I wanted a variety of ethnic backgrounds and, of course, very beautiful women with great skin, hair, and smiles! I needed a variety of sizes from 12-26. The most common size that customers wanted was a 14-16. Now the popular size for plus jobs is more often size 16-18. Height is also important. I selected taller models in the range of 5’8” to 6’. There are exceptions to this height requirement for fit models, especially if a company needs a size 22 petite to fit! The agency will develop models that the customers need. The most demand is for women with evenly balanced proportions, or in other words, the classic hour glass shape. But, there are a variety of shapes and sizes of women that a modeling agency may need to have available, depending upon the demands of their clientele. 

If you are an aspiring plus model reading this, remember, agencies are a business.  If they reject you IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.  It simply means the agent does not believe they will be able to find work matching your particular look, or that the agency already represents someone with a similar look.  Great self-esteem that can take hearing “no” more often than “yes” is a requirement for success in this industry.

Networking and Locating Work for Models

After I had a book of just six models, I began to work on my relationship with customers. I called companies in the area that use plus models for their advertising and fitting needs. I told them about my company, our goals, morals, and opened a discussion on their needs and how we could satisfy them. I used any source that I could find in order to find jobs for the models. These sources included newspapers, online websites, and word of mouth recommendations. 

Once I had models and a few customers interested, I had to make sure our contracts were in order and that the models would be protected when going to a job. I would never want to place a model in a situation where she could be in danger! We checked the background of our customers and made sure contracts were properly signed so that we would get paid. So how much do we get paid?

Payscale and Hours

Modeling agents are typically paid a percentage of the fee charged to customers. So, if I am not booking jobs for my models, I am not getting paid. There are laws that regulate how much of a models payment the agency can keep. My agency took 20% and I received 15% of that. I received a higher amount than some agents because I worked for free until I had my book of models and clients established. There are other ways to make money in the agency besides just commissions. I was paid a portion of the in-house photo shoots that I supervised and served as a “mini stylist” to get the shots that I know will be marketable to our customers. 

The hours that an agent works are varied. I was able to work during business hours usually from 10am to 6pm, but I always made my own schedule. Again, if I’m not booking jobs, I’m not getting paid, so it was in my best interest to be at the office searching for models and booking jobs! Sometimes I would come in on a Saturday or Sunday to host an open call. And occasionally I would show up at a photo shoot to ensure that the photographer knows how to shoot plus-size women to their best advantage. But I could write a whole article just on shooting plus-size models! 

In Conclusion

Working as a modeling agent can be a stressful job, but overall it is very satisfying if done well. In an industry where morals are sometimes compromised, you have to commit to yourself to never cheat a customer, model, or your agency. The money is there to be made depending on how smart you work. You don’t have to work hard, you have to work “smart” by concentrating on the activities that will get you paid. Those activities involve keeping your models, customers, and boss happy. An agency is only as good as the reputation of its owner, agents, and models. 

If you are willing to work hard, sometimes for free until your book of models and customers is built, go talk to a local modeling agency. You can call the owner or manager and set up an appointment for an interview. If they see that you have the drive, determination, some industry and business sense, you might just land a rewarding job as a modeling agent! In any job, remember to commit to being the person that you want to be and never forget who that person is! The modeling industry is competitive, and getting the jobs for your models will be competitive too. If at the end of the day you can say that you did your best, then you’ve done enough. Good luck!

© 2006 Monica Rasso

Popularity: 20% [?]

Four Must-Have Fall Fashions for the Stylish, Plus-Size Woman…..and Where to Find Them

by Elegant Plus Magazine

Fall is a time for luxurious textures, colors and fabrics.  It’s a season for invigorating your wardrobe with timeless, modern pieces that accentuate your curves and form the very heart of your style.  And it is, hands down, my favorite time of year to shop.

First weed through your wardrobe and throw out those well-loved items that have seen better days. Next give away those pieces that don’t fit properly or haven’t been put on even once in a full year.  Then it’s time to hit the shops in search of a few good, core styles that mix and match with everything while updating and polishing your look. 

Once, not so very long ago, these stylish items were next to impossible to find in plus-sizes. But, no more!  As retailers become savvier to the demands of full-figured customers it is becoming easier to dress well, no matter what your size.

1. Boots

This year both short pant boots and booties, and high, mid-calf to knee boots are both in style.  In the past, these could be impossible for more full-figured body types to find since curvy bods often means wider feet or plus-size calves.  This sad state of affairs is no longer so, and must-have fall fashion boots are within reach of every well dressed woman. 

The hottest trends in boots this year is buckle details, scrunch styles and fold-over booties.  To elongate leg lines look for at least a small heel.  Wedge styles offer the most stylish support for the stress of  larger bodies on feet.  But, be careful with large clunky heels which may be more comfortable, but usually make the leg look chunkier as well.  

Shorter booty styles look great with more casual looks.  Foldover styles will allow the trendier fashionista plenty of room to tuck in leggings and skinny jeans. Meanwhile, buckle detailed pant boots are a fabulous option for the more upscale look of boot-cut and flare jeans or trousers paired with casual, structured blazers and jackets.

Tall boots can be more challenging to fit properly and we suggest you consult our very popular Wide-Calf Boot Guide before ordering.  Buckle detailing is a “must-have” this season, and big girls, finally have not been left out of the most current boot trends.   You can wear tall boots with both long flowing skirts and chic knee grazing pencil skirts, or pair with your favorite wrap dress for day-time wear.

More Editor’s Pick Wide-Calf Boots

2.  The Trench Coat

A classic trench coat is one of the single most fabulous styles you can own that will last from year to year and still look current and figure flattering.   Thankfully, gone are the days when voluptuous women were left out in the cold with this fantastic style.  Did you know it took your style editor a full year of searching to find a simple, black trench coat in her size not that many years ago?!  Now you can have one no matter whether you are a curvy size 12 or an ample size 34W.  You aren’t even limited to basic black (although that is still a very chic style option).

What’s so wonderful about this style coat, you ask? The look is crisp, timeless and fabulous whether worn over a mod short skirt and boots, finishing a wide-leg trouser silhouette,  or topping your favorite pair of jeans.  Throw it on and cinch the waist, and voila, perfect hourglass figure whether you are blessed naturally with one or not!   Taller curvy fashionistas can pull off longer lengths which are also highly appropriate over business and career wear.  Shorter, pant length trench coats have more of a fashion edge.  A tip to remember when choosing yours: make sure the length does not finish at the widest part of your hips as this only makes your figure look wider than it truly is, a caution particularly important for pear shaped figure types. 

Trends this year include menswear inspired plaids and houndstooth checks, bold pops of jewel tone color, and patent leather.  Fuller figures, especially apple body types,  should beware of the last trend and leave it to the skinny girls, as shiny and light reflective fabrics make whatever they cover appear to the eye larger than they truly are.  Classic black and tan trench coats are timeless but the fit must be impeccable to appear on-trend and stylish, so don’t stint on taking yours to the tailor for a custom fit.  Both single and double breasted styles are everywhere this year.

For more plus-size outerwear click here

3. The Cashmere Sweater

If there is one fabric that screams luxury, it’s cashmere.   It’s ultra-soft, warm and thin enough to layer under jackets without adding bulk.  What’s more, every woman deserves to have at least one cashmere sweater in her wardrobe. Unfortunately, they are still a rarity in sizes larger than 3X.  Whether you choose a classic cardigan, turtleneck or pullover style you’ll want versatile colors that will mix and match with your entire wardrobe.  But don’t be afraid of color!  Rich jewel tones add pop, while soft pastels speak of refined femininity.  This year along with the classics like black, camel, red and cream you’ll find a palette of rich purples, deep blues, subtle greys, and mystic teals. 

Since sweaters are worn near the face, it’s a good idea to understand your personal coloring and choose shades that bring out your best.  You’d be surprised how much of an instant make-over is achieved simply by choosing flattering hues that complement and highlight your natural coloring.  Don’t know which color palettes will achieve the desired affect?  Try this free, on-line color make-over.

Keep in mind that a universally flattering style is the v-neck sweater.  It visually opens the neckline and elongates the neck.   Cardigans are best worn fitted close to the body - extra fabric does not hide your flaws! Instead it makes you look sloppy.   Play with a variety of necklines to find the ones that best frame your face and create balance to your proportions.

For more full-figured cashmere options click here

4. Trouser Jeans

Just when you thought we’d seen the end of the jeans craze that took denim from casual play wear only to a fabric appropriate for cocktail parties, along comes a new silhouette.  The trouser jean is, undoubtedly, one of the best denim styless to come out yet.  Virtually universally flattering to all body types this jean is a “must have” in every woman’s wardrobe, from young to old, classic to trendy.

The key to this style is to find a pair that fits perfectly from waist to hip to inseam length, with the right rise and a pant leg that falls perfectly straight down from the widest part of your hips. It’s  important that the length is long enough to properly cover your shoes, as high waters in this style are an especially big fashion disaster.  Sounds like a tall order, but fortunately this style is so hot right now that there are many retailers and price points from which to choose, even in plus-sizes. Full-figured women must be particularly careful about what tops they pair with this wide-legged style in order to keep the look fashionable and sleek. But when done right, there is nothing better. 

Waist lines should be accented and nipped to keep the look from becoming sloppy.  Necklines should be v’s, wide scoops and other open shapes that keep the top in balanced proportion with the bottom.  Belted tunics, trenches, and wrap style blouses are especially good with this pant silhouette.  Structured jackets should be form fitting. Flattering possibilities include peplum styles, short cutaway hem jackets, and styles that visually accentuate the waist. Long, flowing duster jackets can work well with these trousers as long as the top underneath is visibly fitted at the waist in some fashion and the jacket is worn open. Petite plus women will look best in a monochromatic, body lengthening ensemble and at least a little bit of a heel to keep the overall effect in proportion.

 Click here for more full-figured denim listings

_____________________________________

For more Editor’s Pick Fashion in sizes 12-34W check out the Elegant Plus Big Book of Style.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Elegant Plus Magazine is pleased to announce the latest publication from our wedding columnist, Chamein Canton:  a dangerously curvy novel, Not His Type.   As Chamein moves from her ground-breaking non-fiction guide for plus-size brides, Down That Aisle in Style, she takes on romantic fiction to prove big girls get loved too.

In Not His Type, romance abounds for the full-figured heroine, Cathy Chambers when she meets the man of her dreams…… the catch, so she thinks, is that as a super-star baseball player he is usually surrounded by skinny model types.  Can she overcome her own body image issues and self-consciousness to win this wildly handsome and talented man?

Find out for yourself and pick up a copy from your favorite bookseller.  Coming out October 2, 2007 , it is already available on Amazon for pre-orders.  You won’t want to miss this one!

Congratulations Chamein!  We can’t wait!

Popularity: 18% [?]

   Meet Wendy Alexander:

Full-Figured Fashionista and Creator of Simply Couture Runway Shows

by Elegant Plus Magazine

Wendy Alexander, Creator of Simply Couture, a Fashion Extravaganza featuring the hottest couturiers in plus-size designs. The “Girls with Curves” tour has been touring major cites across the country for three years. Los Angeles,  Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Washington, DC and Kansas City, MO just to name a few.

Wendy Alexander is no stranger to the public’s eye, she was a Television News Reporter for four years 1994-1998, an Entertainment Reporter in LA in 1999 and hosted the Entertainment magazine show Everyday In New Orleans in 2000. In 2001 she graced the runway of comedian, talk show host Mother Love and feel in love with Fashion. From that point on Wendy has not stopped.

Simply Couture was created in 2003 and attracts women and men of all ages, sizes and nationalities. More importantly, fashion designs and trends for plus-size women is the fastest growing industry.

Wendy Alexander on-stage at Simply Couture

In 2005 Wendy created Miss Simply Couture Teen Pageant, featuring young ladies ages 12-18, competing for college scholarships.

Wendy Alexander is a member a several professional organizations and has spoke at National Conventions across the country. Her mission and platform is to encourage positive inner and outer self-esteem among everyone no matter what size you are, and to inform the world that beauty and style comes in all shapes and sizes.

Wendy Alexander resides in West Hills, CA with her husband, son and dog, Star Princess.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Meet Pat Ballard:
Queen of Rubenesque Romances

by Lisa Klobucar, Regular Contributor to Elegant Plus Magazine

Elegant Plus  is pleased to have author Pat Ballard share some of her work and wisdom with us. Pat has written such novels as, Abigail’s Revenge and A Worthy Heir.  Her central female characters are BBW’s.  Pat, who is the self proclaimed, “Queen of Rubenesque Romances” writes witty, romantic tales of men and women who struggle and fall in love. If you are looking for a time out, these are novels that are the perfect escape.

EP: In Abigail’s Revenge, the central character, Abigail is a Plus-size woman. You have the male character Desh, describe her rounded, full frame and her beauty, “…don’t ever be ashamed of your beauty. Don’t run from it. You are a beautiful woman.”

Do you feel that larger women tend to shy away from their curves, their beauty over all?

PB: I think, in most cases, it’s very hard for larger women to accept and believe that they can be beautiful. On a daily basis, we’re told that we can’t be beautiful if we aren’t tall, thin and young.

EP: When writing Abigail’s Revenge, did you have someone in mind for the character of Abigail or was she a product of a fertile and active imagination?

PB: Abigail was mostly a product of my imagination. I wrote the prologue of Abigail’s Revenge one day, just “playing around” with a different writing style. Just to prove that I could write in a more “mysterious” voice than I usually do. I liked the prologue, so I sent it to several reading friends and their reaction was very strong. So I decided to tell Abigail’s story.

EP: The characters within Abigail’s Revenge are rather startled to see Abigail’s new larger frame. Yet, Abigail feels good being a larger woman and makes no apologies for her larger voluptuous figure. Do you feel that Plus-size women need to take a stand for themselves and accept who they are size and all?

PB: Abigail knew a lot of hunger in her childhood, so when she was sent to prison and started having regular meals, her body sought and found its natural fullness. So Abigail couldn’t grasp the concept that she should make herself hungry again by dieting just to be skinny like she used to be. And that’s the point I was trying to bring out to my readers. Each of us has our own mold that our bodies fight to maintain. When we diet, 99% of us gain it right back if we aren’t hungry. So, yes, each of us should accept the size we are, look the world in the face and say, “Hello! This is me! I’m not apologizing for who I am. And I’m not changing who I am just because society thinks I should.”

 EP: The lead female characters in, Abigail’s Revenge and A Worthy Heir are Plus-size women who face personal and emotional obstacles by other characters within  the book due to their size. Do you feel that larger women are treated in a similar fashion say within the workplace, their homes, or in general by society overall?

PB: Yes. I use these other characters in my books to bring out the issues that larger women face. I always have the “opposition” character that I use as the mouthpiece of what we hear and have to deal with every day in our society.

EP: Your books have an underlying tone of self-acceptance and even on your website you have, “10 Steps to Loving your Body”.  Do you feel that in today’s thin-centric society it is important for women of any size to wave their self acceptance banners and proclaim, “I like who I am?”

PB: In two of my books, Nobody’s Perfect and A Worthy Heir, my heroines come into the story as self-confident women. There’s a lot of “me” in those heroines. In three of my books, His Brother’s Child, Wanted: One Groom and Abigail’s Revenge, I’ve brought the heroines into the story not quite as confident. The reason I did this is because I wanted to address some of the issues that most of us have had to deal with, or are still dealing with when it comes to self-acceptance. But what I try to accomplish at the end of my books is to have all my heroines, and hopefully the reader, feeling so good about themselves that they want to walk out into the street and shout, “Hey world! I like me just the way I am!” No matter what size they are. My goal is to remind all women… of any and every size that we’re okay just the way we are.

EP: What inspired you to write about larger characters in your novels?  Do you feel that any of your characters are a personal reflection of yourself?

PB: I discovered romance novels when I was a teenager. My favorite author, at the time, was Emily Loring. I loved her books because they weren’t just romance novels. They also had wonderful “life-messages” written into the story. I knew I wanted to write novels, but I wanted my novels to have a message that would make the reader feel better about themselves when they’d finished my book(s). But at the time, and until I was 33 years old, I was busy starving myself, trying to stay thin.

After I stopped dieting and decided to love whatever body that developed from eating healthily and exercising moderately, I realized that there was no representation of us “big girls” in the media, movies, or books. Then, one day, that proverbial light bulb went off over my head… romance novels with Big Beautiful Heroines. I immediately started my first novel with a Big Beautiful Heroine, Nobody’s Perfect.

Actually, I think all my heroines have a little of me in them. After all, they’re seeing the world through my eyes.

EP:  Do you have any words of wisdom or self encouragement you would like to pass onto other women who read your books?

PB: Just like a snowflake, each one of us is unique. Each one of us is a one-of-a-kind work of art. There never has been, nor will  there ever be another individual like us. So we don’t have the right not to love ourselves.__________________________

 In addition to romance novels Pat is working on her first non-fiction book, 10 Steps To Loving Your Body, that should be in print by late spring or early summer. If you would like to know more about Pat Ballard and other works by her, please visit her web site.

Popularity: 25% [?]