Modeling Journey

W Magazine remodels the seventies with its March 2011 editorial lensed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Styled by Alex White, the editorial features a who's who cast of modelling talent including Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Raquel Zimmerman, Anja Rubik, Hind Sahli, Anna de Rijk, Tasha Tilberg, Crystal Renn, Izabel Goulart, Delfine Bafort and Karlie Kloss, decked out in 70's revivalist fashion by Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce Gabbana, Chloé, Jean Paul Gaulthier and Roberto Cavalli. It's wonderful to see a mix of newcomers, established names and veteran models like Tilberg and Bafort bringing an element of surprise to this 70's glam-inspired editorial.

Go-sees play a fundamental role in a model's day-to-day existence and usually involves trudging from one end of town to the other chasing appointments. Upon arrival at the client's designated address, the model switches from her comfortable flats to heels and walks the length of the room, stopping, turning, and walking back. The client or casting agent then takes a a series of polaroids usually a front and side profile shot, and the go-see is over in a matter of minutes. It may seem like an uncomplicated, seamless process however, imagine trying to make a lasting impression within the space of three minutes whilst being scrutinised from head to toe amongst an endless stream of model hopefuls.

Ezra Petronio the editor-in-chief and creative director of Self Service Magazine has mastered the art of capturing a model at her best within a simple polaroid shot. The beauty of a polaroid is that there are no props, styling, and visual wizardry to distract from the model's face. In essence, the focus is entirely on the model, her face, skin tone and presence. Either the goods are there, or they ain't. The following series of go-see polaroids taken by Petronio of some of modelling's biggest names and emerging new faces illustrate best how to impress. 

You know that a model has the goods when she looks sensational in a simple polaroid shot. The following series of polaroids feature modelling's elite hamming it up for Australian casting director Kannon Rajah. Currently one of fashion's  most influential casting directors, Rajah has assembled model line-ups for Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Oscar de la Renta and Victoria's Secret and certainly knows a thing or two about models. Speaking to smh.com Kannon reveals, "There has to be a freshness and coolness about them. When the right girl comes along, you know. I liken models to athletes. They have to work hard, be dedicated and be mentally and physically focused to do well. It's not just about being a pretty face." 

In an interview with the Australian, Rajah details the process involved for the casting of the Victoria's Secret extravaganza, "This show is the most precise show we have to cast for. It's all about the proportions of the bodies. They're in their underwear so they have to be flawless and perfect. A huge factor is having a huge personality and being able to project that, because this is a fashion show that's primarily made for television." 

I had the arduous task of going through the shots of the 82 models captured by Rajah for a photographic montage entitled "All dressed up with no where to go" in support of the Impossible Project. The 17 polaroids featured below are my personal favourites and as you will see,  personality is not an attribute these models lack.

25 Magazine features the cream of modelling's talent in an editorial lensed by Marcin Tyszka. Karlie Kloss, Anja Rubik, Maryna Linchuk, Karmen Pedaru, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Alana Zimmer, Shu Pei Qin, Constance Jablonski and Valerija Kelava demonstrate why season after season they are the girls ruling the runways and securing the coveted editorial and campaigns slots. Each model brings an individual energy, character and strength to the editorial whilst allowing Tyszka to capture the sublime beauty of this stellar cast to best effect.