Casting Crisis

T Magazine went behind the scenes at castings for three of New York Fashion Week's biggest shows - 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra and Band of Outsiders. Booking a spot in any of the three line-ups for 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra and Band of Outsiders, guarantees a model maximum exposure and a berth that may potentially carry through to the shows in London, Paris and Milan. With casting directors Kannon Rajah at the helm for Altuzarra and whiz kid Daniel Peddle keeping a close eye on proceedings at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Band of Outsiders, every established model and newcomer worth talking about, was ready to be put through their paces.

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Kendra Spears reflects
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Andie Arthur & Maud Welzen
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Jeneil Williams
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Caught off Guard
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Xiao Wen Ju
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Sitting Pretty
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

3.1 Phillip Lim Casting
Tao Okamoto
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Altuzarra Casting
Emily Baker
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Josephine Skriver
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Lindsey Wixson
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Unidentified Model
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Altuzarra Casting
Lina Zhang
Photographer - Samantha Casolari

Band of Outsiders Casting
Jessica Clarke
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Sarah Blomqvist
Photographer - Kevin Tachman

Band of Outsiders Casting
Under Close Scrutiny
Photographer - Kevin Tachman
All images courtesy of www.tmagazine.blog.nytimes.com

The V Collective

V Magazine assembles a cast of modelling's freshest talent for an editorial highlighting the Faces of Now. Julia Nobis, Daphne Groeneveld, Ruby Aldridge, Ilse de Boer, Hailey Clausen, Andie Arthur, Charlotte Free, Emily Baker and Marique Schimmel pose for designer and photographer Hedi Slimane in a series of paired-back, black and white portraits. Slimane captures the individual beauty of each subject whilst allowing the models to imbue the images with an element of their own character. The resulting images are candid, personal and beautiful in their simplicity.

Daphne Groeneveld

Ilse de Boer

Charlotte Free

Andie Arthur

Ruby Aldridge

Julia Nobis

Hailey Clauson

Marique Schimmel

Emily Baker
V Magazine - November 2011
Photographer - Hedi Slimane
Source - models.com

United We Stand

Model Sara Ziff's documentary "Picture Me" caused quite a stir in fashion circles when it was released in September last year. The documentary exposes the underbelly of the modelling world via video footage recorded by Ziff's partner Ole Schell over a five year period at fashion shows, photo shoots and parties. Allegations of sexual misconduct, eating disorders, drug use, as well frank testimonials by models; Missy Rayder, Cameron Russell and Lisa Cant, shed a new light on the ugly side of the modelling industry.

Picture Me
Source - imdb.com

Ziff is now taking things a step further with plans to form a professional model's union to protect models from harsh working conditions and sexual harassment. The Model Alliance will be formed in conjunction with the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University. As reported in an interview by the Cut, Ziff asserts that "The modelling industry is essentially unregulated. As independent contractors, models don't have the same basic workplace protection as a lot of other industries. They don't have workmen's compensation. They often don't have access to affordable health coverage. There are no provisions for rest and meal breaks. There is little recourse for issues of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. And a lot of modelling agencies have a huge amount of power over international girls because they sponsor their visas."

The very youth driven nature of modelling, means that the industry is often pre-populated by individuals who have barely ventured past their teens. The formation of an organisation to represent and protect the rights of models is long overdue and has gained the attention of casting agency, Confessions of a Casting Director (COACD), who have compiled the following images of the modelling's finest new talent in support of the union.

Vita - Silent

Melodie Monrose - Wilhelmina

MJ - Wilhelmina

Xiao Wen - IMG

Ataui Deng & Courtney - Trump Models

Tsanna - IMG

Sam Kober - Women

Ethan James - Ford Models

Hilde - Next

So Young Kang - Marilyn

Andie Arthur - Ford Models

Wang Xiao - Wilhelmina

Katie Fogarty - Next
All polaroids courtesy of COACD