Monday, August 8, 2011

Mode Models 'The Face of the Future' Model Search


This is me when I was fifteen, post-braces and spiral-permed hair. A long, long, (long!) time ago my older cousin Lisa suggested I try to get into modeling to make a little money so she set up an appointment for me with Edmonton's top modeling agency, Mode Models. At this time I had just finished a not-so-fun summer working at McDonald's as a cook - my very first job - for $4.25 an hour. I spent my shifts heating buns, cooking meat and dressing Big Mac's and Arch Deluxe's. I should mention here that this was before I became a Vegetarian. Modeling seemed a wee bit more lucrative than flipping burgers (and plus - you get to have your picture taken and wear fabulous clothes!) so I was all for it. After the somewhat (?) successful meeting the agency director suggested I take some 'test shots' with their photographer to see if I had any 'potential' in front of the camera:




(My cousin did my makeup by the way.) As you can see, in almost every shot I have the exact same expression on my face! I was so BORING. And Mode must have picked up on that because they didn't sign me : ( They told me my look was too "girl next door-ish" which I guess wasn't edgy enough at that time when models like heroin-chic Kate Moss were dominating the runways. But I was okay with it because a few months after this shoot I landed an amazing talent agent and started doing something I was really passionate about - acting. So it all worked out in the end : ).

This past Saturday I attended the finals for Mode Models' 'The Face of the Future' model search at Edmonton City Center. Approximately 90 young, fresh-faced aspiring models lined up that morning in hopes of becoming (cue Tyra Banks) "America's Canada's Next Top Model."



Here are the five lucky finalists, L-R: Mikayla, Olivia, Milli, Breann and Karly. If you're in the Edmonton area you can check them out on Breakfast Television on City TV Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning of this week where they will be showing off their modeling skills with photo shoots and runway walks. On Thursday the winner will be announced. And that winner will not have to work at McDonald's because they will be awarded a contract and development deal with Mode Models, an editorial in Parlour magazine, a $500 gift card for Edmonton City Center and a career that will most likely emulate that of Ford model Anna Carter's who was discovered at a Mode search just like this one in 2005 and who acted as one of the judges on Saturday.

 Anna Carter 
photo's via

Good luck to all!

I hope you all had a nice weekend. I have a giveaway coming up this week that I'm reeeally excited about and think you're gonna love so check back soon!






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22 comments:

Lindsey said...

Look at you! So pretty at 15! You do NOT want to see pictures of me at that age, I was hideous!!! You look so much like Gwyneth Paltrow I think!! Ever heard that before?

Courtney Erin said...

Okay, you looked amazing in those test photos - seriously did you not ever have an awkward teenager phase? I'm guessing not...

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.com

Marie a la Mode said...

Courtney: Thank you! And of course I had an awkward teenage phase! You would have to give me 1 million dollars to post pics from that time though ; )

Unknown said...

omg i looked like such a dork at 15...you were (and still are) such a beauty! did working at mcd's cause you to become a veggie?

Nikosmommy said...

Good LORD, your head-shots are gorgeous! Too girl next door my butt! But I do know what you mean about the whole Kate Moss "heroin chic" thing (a look I always hated btw) being the craze at the time!
Thanks for sharing these fab pics!

M said...

Wow your pictures were so gorgeous! They don't know what they were missing! Silly Mode!

-Marie
So What If I Like Pretty Things

TILTE said...

It's funny that they thought you were too "girl next door" and all of this year's finalists are totally "girl next door". I guess it's just whatever look is in season, right?

Anyway, my vote would go to either the white tank top or purple tank top.

J. said...

You look just beautiful in your head shots and you look beautiful now!!!! You have not aged a day!!!!!
Great post!!!
:) J.

Adrienne Shubin said...

You haven't changed a bit...you must have really turned heads when you were 15 as I am certain you do now. Very photogenic.

Dress Me Dearly said...

Great coverage. My vote is for Milli!

www.dressmedearly.com

JennaStevie said...

You look gorgeous, me at 15 was not pretty in the least. Great test shots.
Aw good luck to all the models!
xJennaD

Closet Fashionista said...

You look gorgeous in those photos!! :D
and woohoo for new models! They all look great :)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com

Anonymous said...

you're such a natural beauty! I was such an ugly duckling at 15.. wow!

this free bird said...

Can I just say you do not age? YOU DO NOT AGE. holy moses!!

And I am officially homesick.

xo,
C

Vickie Laliotis said...

Omg Marie, you haven't aged a day since 15!!! All those photos are so gorgeous... They were crazy not to have taken you! Love that you shared this... xx

Marie a la Mode said...

Awww, thank you everyone for your very sweet comments!

Anna Jane: You'd think working at McDonald's would force me to become a Vegetarian but it didn't. I've only been one for 2 1/2 years.

Sandy Joe said...

Wowza! That contact sheet is unreal. It's unbelievable you weren't the style back then. Gorgeous!

I will definitely be around for Fashion Week, would be nice to meet up for sure.

x

Tara said...

you look so pretty and stunning, love ur blonde hair

Julianna Damer said...

Wow, you've always been so beautiful Marie! Your story just goes to show that we should never get down on ourselves when some things don't work out because there's usually something better for us around the corner.

Those girls have such a great opportunity with this contest. Good luck to all these girls!

Julianna

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

You look gorgeous in those model shots!! They were obviously not thinking right when they didn't sign you up!!!

:)SArahD

KRISTY said...

Man, you look stunning at 15! And even more stunning now because you look just like when you're 15!!! Love the girl-next-door persona! And you remind me of Twiggy...somewhat :)

www.monochromachic.com

Caroline Gault said...

Wowza, you are stunning, girl! So nice to have these photos, even though you didn't get signed.

I wish I made it to the Mode Models search!

Let me know when you're free next week!!

x

Caroline

 
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