ACW Worldwide draws a who's who of modelling's elite to its annual casting at the Hudson Hotel library to pose and strut in front of founder Andrew Weir and his team of model makers and breakers. Weir who casts shows for Thakoon, Jen Kao, Rachel Zoe and Rebecca Taylor amongst others, was on the lookout for the next big thing amongst the scores of model hopefuls. Last Saturday, Weir and his team put 300 to 400 models from every reputable New York agency through their paces, culminating with each model being photographed against the library's curtained off windows. Weir reveals to fashionista.com his criteria for getting noticed, "You're not gonna do a show with us unless you can walk. You have to be the complete package. There are some amazing girls that are so beautiful but if they can't walk, maybe next season. In my ten years of experience, I find that if you do use a girl that's a bit wobbly, it just breaks the continuity and effects people in the audience."
As for the future, Weir has his eyes planted firmly on Asia as the next hottest scouting region and reveals to lookbooks.com, "I have never seen so many Asian kids in the market." Weir waxes rhapsodically over Nepalese newcomer Varsha Thapa, "Everyone's going to be talking about Varsha", and referring to her walk adds, "What is that? Are you crazy? That's in your blood, you don't learn that. You think you know what a girl's gonna do, but you never do..." Likewise, Weir gushes to style.com over newcomer Roberta Narciso, "She's from Angola, so she'll walk like royalty." and cannot contain his enthusiasm after seeing her walk, "Oh my God, that is crazy. This does not happen in America." Judging by the photos below, the competition was fierce and wrought with tension. Good luck to all of the models in attendance and we look forward to seeing some of you at New York Fashion Week.
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Walking the Line
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Models of Composure
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Ranya Mordanova
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Karlina Caune
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Under Pressure
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Ava Smith
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Cora Emmanuel has her eyes on the prize
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Marihenny Pasible
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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No Sweat - Sui He
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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You Better Walk - Ajak Deng
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Diversity Rules
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Marihenny Pasible & Unknown
Photographer - TK Stewart-Deely
Source - fashionista.com |
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Arlenis Sosa in Action
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Arlenis Sosa & Andrew Weir
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Prized Possession - Varsha Thapa
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Patience is a Virtue
Photographer - Dan Nguyen
Source - danwin.com |
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Melissa Tammerijn
Photographer - TK Stewart-Deely
Source - fashionista.com |
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Comeback Kid - Tanya Dziahileva
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Samantha Gradoville
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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So Young Kang & Hyoni Kang
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Mina Cvetkovic
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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These boots were made for walking
Photographer - TK Stewart-Deely
Source - fashionista.com |
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Make or Break
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Blurred Lines
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Marina Nery
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Jeneil Williams
Photographer - Dag Bennstrom
Source - models.com |
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Priscilla Kabeya
Photographer - TK Stewart-Deely
Source - fashionista.com |
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Arlenis Sosa
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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In the Wings
Photographer - Richard Guaty
Source - fashionindie.com |
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Final Call
Photographer - TK Stewart-Deely
Source - fashionista.com |
