How models are made

If you are gifted with a tall and slender physique, then couple it with an enthusiasm to learn and a good attitude, you have a good chance of becoming a model.

Thanks to modeling agencies such as Bijoux Creatives, young men and women’s dream of becoming models has become a reality.

Founded in November 2011, Bijoux Creatives is Iloilo City’s first modeling and events agency that provide models for fashion shows, editorials, commercials and ads. They also provide models for events such as ad launches and brand promotions, among others.

Bijoux Creatives also manages the biggest fashion event in Iloilo, the annual Iloilo Designers Week with the support of its affiliates, the Designers Guild of Iloilo and the Iloilo Young Designers Guild.

It was founded by Krizia Penalosa, a former English instructor for Asian students. She has a background in business management and English education. “I am an educator by heart - that is why one of the vital characteristics of our agency lies in the training of our models. I also used to work in marketing for my mom's company until I decided to put up this agency with my mom's blessing. As a hobby, I also design clothes and make fabric-based accessories, which I sell in my online store Hello! Miss Portia,” Penalosa said.

To help budding models reach their highest potentials, Bijoux Creatives has been holding a Summer Modeling Workshop in partnership with Robinsons Place Iloilo for two years now.

The second workshop was held last April 21 to May 2, 2014. “The participants and their parents wanted them to overcome their timidness and lack of confidence. On the first day of classes, most of the participants were at the corners of the classroom. However, thankfully, they managed to gain a lot of confidence after the workshop. Some joined to gain friends outside their schools and to fulfill a dream of gaining skills in modeling,” said Penalosa.

The class on Ramp Modeling was taught by Bo Parcon, Jaki Penalosa and Sol Fernandez. The models learned how to walk and pose on the ramp. The class on Editorial Modeling was taught by photographer Paul Frederick Chiongson. It involves modeling before the camera. “The classes were facilitated by no other than our top models from Bijoux Creatives such as Nneka Berte, Karen Mendoza, Kristylle Batiles and Kelvin Simeros who were winners and finalists for the Robinsons Campus Fashionista Modeling Search,” Penalosa said. Meanwhile, the class on Personal Style was taught by stylist Ryan Hinayhinay and designer Jet Salcedo; and Makeup 101 by makeup artist Ira Jucaban. A supplementary lesson on personality development and style was also held. To showcase their learnings, the budding models participated in the Mother’s Day fashion show at Robinsons Place Iloilo last May.

It was followed by the workshop’s culmination, “The Graduation”, a show were the participants walked down the ramp with their streetwear, partywear and their black and white outfits. The show directors were Sol Fernandez (kids) and Bo Parcon (teens) with the help of Hinayhinay, sound coordinator Mike Sorilla, and Chiongson.

Iloilo City is filled with talented young models based on the turnout of the workshop and Bijoux Creatives’s yearly open castings. “Every year, we hold open castings. But, once a year, we manage to pull out a couple of potential models from our participants, kids and teens who have passed the modeling requirements of Bijoux Creatives. The teens, we get them either for ramp or promotions. For kids, we usually get them for videos and print ads. Last year, we got two young models for further training. This year, we got three,” Penalosa said.



ADVICE TO MODELS

Meanwhile, Penalosa never fails to remind Bijoux Creatives models to “keep themselves grounded and disciplined.”
“Modeling isn't just about having great genes or possessing that X-factor. It’s all about attitude. If you parade yourself with your head on the clouds, you will lose the respect of designers, clients and people you work with. The major part of surviving this industry is how to keep a professional, respectable, and humble attitude,” she concluded.

For inquiries on services and model applications, please visit Bijoux Creatives./ Photos by Paul Frederick Chiongson



Popular Posts