Australian Invasion

After a succession of Brazilian, Beglian, Russian, and Dutch models, it appears that Australians could very well be riding high on the next wave of models set to infiltrate the modelling world. In the agency show packages released in the lead up to the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, Australians feature prominently, with 7 out of the 25 models presented in the official Elite Models show package being Australian.

Established Australian models Catherine McNeil and Abbey Lee Kershaw are not officially slated to appear at New York Fashion Week but will be duly represented by emerging talents; Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Julia Nobis, Ajak Deng, Alice Burdeu, Tallulah Morton, Amanda Ware, Myf Shepherd, Lauren Brown, Annaleise Smith, Ruby Jean Wilson, Melissa Johannsen aka MJ, and Codie Young. This is just the tip of the iceberg with fellow Antipodean models; Stephanie Cherry, Samantha Harris, Juliana Forge, Meg Lindsay, Rachel Rutt, Stephanie Carta and Alexandra Agoston O'Connor yet to be confirmed for appearances during the Fall/Winter show season.

According to influential US casting director Ashley Brokaw in an interview with the New York Times, "Thing's are steering away from the army casting we've seen in recent years." With the focus shifting towards personality and individuality, models like Abbey Lee Kershaw who possess a quirkiness and an unaffected, natural beauty that is endearing, are positioned to do well. There is no doubt that Australian models will feature prominently throughout the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, the question that remains however is which models will garner the attention of the all important fashion editors, photographers and stylists?

Alice Burdeu - Elite New York

Annaleise Smith - Supreme

Codie Young - DNA

MJ - Wilhelmina Models

Ruby Jean Wilson - Elite New York

Ajak Deng - IMG

Lauren Brown - Elite New York

Bambi Northwood-Blyth - Elite New York

Julia Nobis - Elite New York

Amanda Ware - Elite New York
All images courtesy of models.com

Make or Break

The casting for BCBG Max Azria drew an impressive line-up of over 500 model hopefuls who were sent through their paces under the watchful eye of casting director Russell Marshall. Three shows are cast for the BCBG group, namely BCBG, Max Azria and Herve Leger. Industry pundits can rely on the BCBG shows to forecast the most promising new models for the season ahead. Models of the moment; Arizona Muse, Celine Van Amstel, Andie Arthur, Linnea Regnander, and Samantha Gradoville, all appeared in BCBG's Spring/Summer 2011 show last season. 

The lead up to the shows can prove to be an arduous time for models, often spent running to and from castings and fittings with little time to stop to refuel. BCBG shows a little love by providing survival kits at it's castings, complete with snacks, water, beauty products and tips to stay healthy throughout the runway season.

Judging by the images below, this could well be the season that the fashion industry embraces diversity. Spotted at the BCBG casting were an eclectic mix of models; Ajak Deng, Danica Magpantay, Crystal Renn, Samantha Gradoville, Hailey Clauson, Ornelia Edwards, Betty Adewole, Alice Burdeu, and Bambi Northwood-Blyth.

Ornelia Edwards, Betty Adewole & Aymeline Valade

A little Patience...

Californian Sunshine Kid - Hailey Clauson

Nyasha Mantonhodze & Ajak Deng

Australia's Next Top Models
Amanda Ware & Alice Burdeu

These boots are made for walking...

Hanne Gaby Odiele & Kasia Struss

The List

Betty Adewole & Ornelia Edwards

A little conversation - Bambi Northwood-Blyth & Lauren Brown

Best foot forward

Unknown & Celine Van Amstel

Nerves of Steel 

Centred - Danica Magpantay

Welcome

Survivor - Crystal Renn
All images courtesy of bcbgmaxazriagroup.com

The Waiting Game

With New York Fashion Week due to commence on the 10th of February, castings for the shows are well under way with a gazillion models traipsing frantically all over the city in the hopes of landing a coveted spot in the most influential of shows. ACW's casting is perhaps one of the most important castings for any new or established model. The ACW agency led by director Andrew Weir and his skilled team, casts shows for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler, Hugo Boss, Nicole Farhi, Malo, Marchesa, Hussein Chalayan, and Viktor & Rolf. 

An appearance in a show such as Calvin Klein, generates the kind of buzz about a new model that can potentially translate into a stellar runway season and more importantly major campaign bucks. ACW's annual casting held at the Hudson Hotel has become somewhat of a casting extravaganza with hundreds of models converging on Soho in the hopes of impressing the powers that be. Models.com were on hand to provide a behind the scenes chronicle of the event. Kudos to all of the models in attendance and best of luck!

Tao Okamoto, Charlene Almarvez et al.

The delightful Crystal Renn

Cool Cats - Jana Knauerova and Milou Van Groesen

Ingenue - So Young Kang

Comeback Queen - Querelle Jansen

AJ & Yulia Kharlapanova

Arresting Beauty - Jourdan Dunn

Ataui Deng & Ajak Deng with ACW's Harrison

In the Moment
All images courtesy of models.com

In Fine Company

Vogue Italia assembles a cast of the fashion industry's leading top black models for an astonishingly beautiful editorial in the February 2011 issue. Shot by Emma Summerton and styled by Edward Enninful, the editorial entitled "Black Allure", plays host to a bevy of beauties including veteran models Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Arlenis Sosa, Aminata Niaria, and Sessilee Lopez, alongside newcomers; Rose Cordero, Joan Smalls, Melodie Monrose, Lais Ribeiro and Ajak Deng. The hair, make-up, styling and fashions by Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy amongst others, allow the models to fully embody the feeling of sheer elegance and sophistication captured by Summerton.

Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls & Jourdan Dunn
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Joan Smalls
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Lais Ribeiro & Arlenis Sosa
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Jourdan Dunn
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Melodie Monrose
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Sessilee Lopez, Ajak Deng & Aminata Niaria
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Chanel Iman
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Ajak Deng
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Sessilee Lopez, Aminata Niaria, Jourdan
Dunn & Chanel Iman
Vogue Italia - February 2011

Jourdan Dunn, Sessilee Lopez, Ajak Deng, Lais RIbeiro,
Rose Cordero, Melodie Monrose, Arlenis Sosa,
Aminata Niaria & Chanel Iman
Vogue Italia - February 2011
Photographer - Emma Summerton

Victoria's Secret Takeover

Victoria's Secret high fashion takeover continues with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's sizzling British Vogue cover and Candice Swanepoel's Vogue Italia cover coup. Swanepoel's crossover from mainstream commercial modelling to the high fashion arena was kick started in 2010, with her editorial appearance in the Winter issue of V Man lensed by Mario Testino. Swanepoel turned more than a few heads, with Testino giving his seal of approval, "Candice is an amazing new find for me. Gorgeous, free, fun. She was awesome and did not feel inhibited. She made the shoot an amazing experience."

Indeed 2010, was the year of the Victoria's Secret high fashion ascension with Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio amongst others, making their mark. Kerr landed three Vogue covers (Italian, Spanish and Australian versions of the magazine) and appeared in multiple fashion editorials for US Vogue. Ambrosio transformed into a glamourous Goth for the cover of Love Magazine and was cast in the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2011 campaign alongside fellow Victoria's Secret models Isabeli Fontana, Maryna Linchuk, and Izabel Goulart. Victoria's Secret Angels Doutzen Kroes, Chanel Iman, Adriana Lima, Ambrosio and Kerr, were the subject of a feature editorial in US Vogue shot by Peter Lindbergh, dissecting the return of sexy curves to the catwalk. With the lines between commercial and high fashion modelling becoming ever increasingly blurred, what Swanepoel et al prove, is that a little va-va-voom and a whole lot of personality are the just what the world of high fashion needs right now.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
British Vogue - February 2011
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Candice Swanepoel
Vogue Italia - February 2011
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Miranda Kerr
Vogue Italia - September 2010
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Alessandra Ambrosio
Love Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Rosie Huntington-Whitely
Love Magazine - Fall/Winter 2010
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Candice Swanepoel
V Man - Winter 2010
Photographer - Mario Testino

Candice Swanepoel
Vogue Italia - February 2011
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Rosie Huntington-Whitely
British Vogue - February 2011
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Chanel Iman,
Adriana Lima & Alessandra Ambrosio.
US Vogue - September 2010
Photographer - Peter Lindbergh
Source - vogue.com