The drapey dress!

I have lived, worked and played in New York City for the better part of 25 years. It’s the city I love the most, yet am now glad to call Lincoln home. In the two or three trips I make to the city each year, I always come away having a clear vision of what styles will dominate the next season, what’s happening in the modeling world and what we need to do to compete.

Here is my top 10 lessons learned, or simple observations, from my most recent trip last week:

1.  If you can make it here…It was true when Sinatra sang it and it’s still true today. New York is the toughest city to make it in. Whether you want to act, model, design or break into business, you must be the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the one with the spark! So whatever your passion is, if you want to end up in this city, keep your nose to the grind stone and do your research!

Typical modelesqe wardrobe

2.  NYC really is oh-so-stylish. Even in the 100 degree temperatures, men and women both looked fresh. I don’t know how they did it. Cute drapey dresses and tops, strappy shoes and hair up in mostly “undone” buns made the women look relaxed yet fashionable. As for the men in their suits…I don’t know how they keep looking so fine!

3.  Make-up is so low key. Even though the MAC store was always busy, women don’t seem to wear much make-up in New York. Young and old alike showed mostly fresh-faces. That’s probably how they look so good in the heat – no make-up melt! At the agencies, NO ONE wore any make-up. As for me, I don’t leave home without my
eyebrows fixed and my mascara. But I’m a mid-westerner now. Sigh.

4.  The middle part is still modern. When hair was down, it was parted in the middle and never “done.” Especially the models rocked a messy, just-got-out-of-bed look. No flat ironed hair and absolutely no hot-rollered hair. Gasp!

5.  The eighties are back for models. When I visited IMG, my former workplace, they had several models

Black is still very NYC.

in for a casting. The were all wearing short shorts or skirts with tank tops or drapey tops. And they all had on combat boot type shoes. They carried their heels for castings, but they walked in the boots. Some heeled, some flat. I did see one model in a colorful maxi dress and sandals. Needless to say, she stood out. Beautifully.

6.  Models are taller than ever. Again, because I was able to see and talk to the girls coming into IMG for a casting, I was able to witness increased height. These girls all must have been over 5′10 in their bare feet. Now they were well over 6′

Take taxis to go-sees? No way. It’s the subway or walk!

in their heels. Amazons. Gorgeous amazons! Height does matter in the city. If you aren’t 5′9 or taller, focus on a different market or profession.

7.  As tall as models are, they are just as thin. Imagine being face-to-face with a gorgeous Russian who stands 5′11 and whose hips measure 34 inches. They are simply made that way. No diet can get you that small if you aren’t built narrow. I don’t say this to discourage, just alert you to what it takes. If your hips measure more than 35 1/2 inches, you need to do some work. See number 1.

7.  Clients love the eastern European girls and Brazilians. The agencies are dominated with eastern European girls and Brazilians. They are beautiful. However, I did hear several agents say that there is a movement to return to the beautiful American girl too. I hope they are right. We’ll be ready when they are!

Yuki, Brooke, Hannah and Joseph @ their shoot in Brooklyn

8.  Photos must be clean. If you are in the city to see agencies, remember, digitals with no make-up, jeans and a tank are better than over-styled, made-up photos. The latter are way more fun to do, but agents want to see what you really look like. For examples, see Joseph Paridiso and Yuki’s work. They are the favored testing photographers for all the top agencies in NYC. Thank you Karen Lee for the introduction!

9.  Development is a must. I meet girls and guys everyday who tell me “everyone thinks I should be a model.” They are beautiful. But they are not always a model. If you want to model, you must do your research. Get on Models.com and see who is working where and with whom. What does it take. And know that it takes development. The more you are in front of the camera the

The girls meeting with the grand dame of modeling, Louise Roberts of APM.

better you are going to get. And someone who knows the business must be directing you and willing to tell you the truth! That’s where Springboard comes in, of course! Seriously, it takes time. Models don’t arrive in the city and become stars anymore. There are more models and only about one third of the jobs available than were available a decade ago. Fees have come down and shoots are shorter and often not on location. The business has changed. You need to know how it works. Research, research, research.

10. July is no time to be in the city! Did I say that New York is my favorite city? Well, not in July and August! I can’t take it anymore. No matter how drapey I dress, I will never look fresh like those who live there all year. They have something we don’t. I can’t put my finger on it. But we have a lot that they don’t, so don’t get to feeling too bad. Just plan your trip for anytime other than summer. That’s my biggest tip!

If you have questions or want to try your luck at modeling, please give me a call.

Also, I am organizing a group trip for a Karen Lee workshop in the fall. Please let me know if you want more information about this incredible opportunity.

www.springboardforsuccess.com/blog

We got up at 3:30 AM, left Lincoln at 4:45, left Omaha at 7:30, landed UNEXPECTEDLY in Cleveland. Panic! We didn’t know if we would get into Newark today or not. But we did. And to beautiful weather. So we hit the streets!

Aaahhh, NY Pizza!

Arriving at Newark...finally.

Visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral

Central Park

Juicy...of course!

Sam & Jillian at dinner.

@ Trump Tower

Walking 5th Avenue!

Squid anyone...?

Outside Mary Poppins!!!

I am always looking at ways to make my days more productive. Especially as a business owner who operates from home! When I saw this article, I had to share it with you!

Enjoy and remember – take on 2009 purposefully, passionately and powerfully!

Robin

“Run Your Business From Home? Here’s 10 Ways to Be More Productive”
by Ali Brown

Ah, working at home sweet home… Visions of leisurely days, conference calls in comfy sweatpants, increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But the distinctions between work life and home life soon blur. You really should throw some laundry in the wash before you write that proposal. You have an hour before a meeting: Should you balance your books or clean the kitchen? And remember to call that client back right after you empty the cat box.

Welcome to the real world of the home office: unforeseen distractions, a lack of structured time, and sometimes a perceived loss of identity. But don’t give up the dream just yet! By putting into place a few simple ideas, you can reap more of the rewards of staying home-bound. Based on my experiences and those of my clients, here are 10 simple ways to help you stay on track.

1. Separate Your Space.
Keep a separate, distinct work area in your home. Very important. (This is especially difficult if you’re living and working in a shoebox apartment, like I was when I started my business in New York City!) If you don’t have a separate room, at least define an area, and know that when you’re in it, you’re in “work mode.”

2. Structure Your Time.
As your business and personal time mesh, it’s more important than ever to structure your day. For example, if you regularly take a walk or go to the gym, try to do it every day at the same time. Value that personal appointment with yourself — even when you’re very busy. It will actually help you keep your business on track! I like to get up early and work until 1 pm, then I take a few hours off to enjoy lunch and go to the gym or jog on the beach. Then I’m back at my desk at 5:00 until who knows when!

3. Outsource All You Can.
When I began my business, I made the mistake of doing all my own administrative work. Whenever you start thinking, “Well I can just do that myself,” STOP. Streamline your business, making everything as automatic as possible. Use outside services to stay focused on your *real work*. Get accounts with an overnight delivery service, virtual assistant, messenger service, errand service, bookkeeper, etc. Save your time and energy for your brilliant ideas! 

4. Use Technology to Your Advantage.
In-person meetings are very valuable when appropriate, but schedule them sparingly. Try to do most of your business via phone, fax, and e-mail using the best equipment you can afford. For most of us, when we’re out of the office, we’re not bringing in the bacon! So it’s important that you can communicate flawlessly from where you are. PLEASE do us all a favor and get separate lines/services for your phone, fax, and Internet! No one likes getting a busy signal or having to call first before faxing. 

Get separate lines for home and business, or ask your phone company about getting “distinctive ring”. Also, voicemail is better than an answering machine, because if you’re on an important call and don’t want to be disturbed, other callers can still leave you a message.

5. Group Your Errands.
Try to group your meetings and errands together to minimize your out-of-office time. Make a list in the morning of all the outside tasks you need done for the day, and attempt to complete them in one fell swoop. Even better, do what I used to do and designate just one day a week as your “blitz” day for errands and meetings. Plus, then you only need to get dressed up one day a week! : ) (Nowadays I use an errand service to run around for me.)

6. Stay Focused.
Make your workspace off-limits to other roommates or family members when you’re working. For you animal lovers, this may go for pets as well. (My dear old cat Francine would get extremely jealous when I wasn’t giving her complete attention!) Keep all personal paperwork such as bills, magazines, and to-do lists out of sight, so they won’t distract you from your work projects.

7. Beware of Yappers.
Many of your friends and family will be immediately delighted when they learn that you’re now home-officing. They picture you lounging on the couch, eating potato chips, and waiting for their calls. When they call you simply to chat, politely remind them that you’re working, and ask them if you can call them back after your day is over. It may take them a while, but they’ll eventually get the idea.

8. Work With Your Moods.
Keep track of your moods and productivity compared with the time of day. For example, if you find you’re more alert in the morning, use this time to make important calls and do your creative work. Take advantage of your natural cycles. If you feel better after an afternoon nap, go for it! (I’m a BIG proponent of the catnap. In fact, I may start a support group.)

9. Suit Yourself.
To bring out your best work, make your environment perfect for YOU. How do you work best? With plenty of breaks, or with no interruptions? In silence, or with some light music in the background? On a cushy couch and coffee table, or at a business desk in an ergonomic chair? (My friends thought I was nuts when I spent $750 on my Herman Miller Aeron chair, but they quickly understood why I did once they sat in it! It will last forever and my spine thanks me every day.)

Also, find some places you can do work when you need a change of scenery. How about the library, the park, or your neighborhood coffee shop? When I need to do serious reading, thinking, or editing, I take my work outside to the beach. The sea air, sunshine, and soothing waves help me think much more clearly.

10. Break for People.
Feeling sluggish, lonely, or moody? Arrange for at least one social break during the week. Schedule breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just coffee with a client, vendor, or friend. Join a business networking group, or sign-up for social activities such as dance class or recreational sports league. Don’t go into hermit mode — it can be self-destructive!

© 1999-2009 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning ‘Highlights on Marketing & Success’ weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AlexandriaBrown.com