Springboard for Success

An Interview with 16 year old designer, Jane Round

Robin Gifford — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:16:16 +0000

Sixteen Year Old Designer
Hitting it Big:

An Interview
with
Jane Round

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 16 years old and a student at Millard North High School. I’ve been designing and sewing collections for about a year and a half.

Photo: AJ Brown.
Model: Emerie Gifford

Okay, so you are only 16. How does a girl your age start her own business?!

I started drawing my designs in middle school, but in high school I had a teacher who could really teach me how to make them. My teacher and Jessica Latham, who owns Bellwether Boutique, were both super supportive of me and I couldn’t have done it without them.

How did you end up designing in the first place?

I’m not really sure, but I’ve always been around art growing up and I just really liked the idea of the art I make having a purpose and a use.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m really inspired by the beauty and femininity of the 1950s.

What is the best part of your job?

I love making the patterns.

What is most challenging in your job?

The fashion industry in Omaha is still developing, so it is still really difficult to sell the pieces.

Photo: Dan Davis for SuperModels Unlimited. Model: Katie Cole

What is a typical day like?

I go to school, and when I get home I have to do my homework but also make time to sew and fit my garments.

What do you do for fun?

Sewing really takes up most of my free time, but I’m okay with it because I really enjoy it. Local designers in Omaha also get together every so often to talk about upcoming projects and ideas and to just hang out.

How/where do you sell your designs?

My samples are available at Bellwether Boutique, but custom dresses can be ordered by email.

What is your favorite piece you’ve designed?

I made a silvery gray dress for the Omaha Fashion Week Spring Preview. It’s made of chiffon and cotton, has a super full skirt and a gathered top and is so easy and fun to wear.

Do you plan to go to college when you finish high school? If so, will you study design?

I am planning on going to an art school in New York and studying fashion design.

What do you recommend to a girl your age who has a gift and passion for something? What do they do with it?

Find people who will support your goals and help you use your gift to accomplish your goals.

Do you use models to show your designs? If yes, how do you find your models?

I do! I usually find models through castings, but sometimes (usually for photo shoots) the photographer will find models and give me basic measurements.

What do you look for in a model who will model your designs?

Visually I look for girls with a natural, classic look and soft features; but I also like girls who are confident and can show that confidence when they are walking.

What piece should a woman add to her collection this Fall?

Something made of camel colored wool.

Let’s get personal:

What’s on your iPod?

Not a whole lot, but I love She and Him.

What do you like to wear to school? To work in?

Dresses with fitted waists or high-waisted skirts

Favorite beverage?

Chai Latte

Jane @ Mood in NYC!

Favorite designer(s)?

Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs

If you had to eat the same thing everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Peaches!

Can’t live without…?

My Bernina sewing machine

Dream guest at a dinner party?

Anna Wintour

I never leave home without…

My sketch book

Best thing about living in Omaha?

We have some really great vintage and antique shops.

How can one see your collection? Can they order online?

I have a fan page on facebook with pictures of my clothing. Orders can be made through email.

*You can also see Jane’s collection on September 18 @ Omaha Fashion Week. A “you don’t want to miss it” event! Also, one of Jane’s dresses will be featured in a future issues of SuperModels Unlimited magazine.

If you have questions, please send them to rgifford@springboardforsuccess.com

with “Question” in the subject line.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

“Modeling, manners and style expert, Robin Jones Gifford, publishes the Model Student e-zine bi-weekly. If you’re ready to jump-start your career, make more money, and look good doing it, get your FREE tips now at www.springboardforsuccess.com.”

Lessons Learned from The Big Apple

Robin Gifford — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:29:32 +0000

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.

If you have questions, please send them to rgifford@springboardforsuccess.com

with “Question” in the subject line.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Want to SEE more of what’s happening at Springboard? See Robin’s blog at

www.springboardforsuccess.com/blog

Or, join the Facebook group Springboard Models.

It is NOT too early to think Fall!

Robin Gifford — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:26:02 +0000

I am writing this on the hottest day of the year thus far. It is 97 degrees and the heat index is approaching 110 degrees. It pays to have a beautiful office at home so I don’t need to step into the heat and out with frizzed hair and damp…everything! Ugh.

Maybe that’s why I am inspired to write about Fall fashion. I’ve always been a summer girl, but after seeing what’s on the fashion forecast this year, I’m switching sides. Clearly, I want to become a Autumn girl! Complete with lady-like skirts and sky-high heels. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the designers who brought back classic-with-a-modernity-twist to fashion.

Yes, you will still see lingerie worn as outerwear...yawn. Madonna did enough of that in the ’80s so let’s get something a bit more interesting. Military-inspired dressing is still very much with us…I think it’s too utilitarian. Fashion is suppose to be fun and maybe a bit frivolous. Who wants to be reminded of guns and fatigues and…war? You are encouraged to buy leather. It will come in hot pants to vests to coats. Leather is never really out of style and it meshes with every other trend. But it must be named, so we will name it! Cut-out clothing…sorry for the yawn…but again, it’s been done. We really do need to say good-bye to the ’80s. We’ve been there twice and that’s enough. Although, I confess that I loved it the first time around.

So let’s get to the good stuff! Five words that describe by favorite trends this year?
Classic :: Lady-like :: Neutral :: Animal :: Fresh.

Knee-socks look fresh!

Let’s start with Classic: Add a full skirt and buttoned up blouse (all the way up!) and you will step out in style. If you are under 21 years old, add knee-highs!

After months, well, years really, of wearing slouchy pants and boy-friend shirts or going totally tight and revealing, it’s time to think lady-like Jackie O. Pulled together pieces that are tailored to fit and leave a bit more to the imagination than pieces of now! You will be taken seriously.

Color may be all the rage this summer, but when the thermostat starts dropping,

neutral is the key word. Blacks, camels, grays and chambray should take first tier in your closet. If this sounds boring, think again. The key accents: animal print! And no one could be happier than me. I can’t remember a season when animal prints weren’t in by my style book!

Just when you think about using my own words against me regarding the list above(”yawn to the ’80s) , I want you to know that it’s all done in a fresh new way. If you don’t believe me, check out the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar to see how even a sweat suit looks presentable. Really!

As the summer sidewalk sales begin, dig through the racks to find pieces that can be layered into Fall. I’m sure there is a cheetah pump or neutral long-sleeved tee that will do just fine.

The temperatures will cool. Promise!

If you have questions, please send them to

rgifford@springboardforsuccess.com

with “Question” in the subject line.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Want to SEE more of what’s happening at Springboard? See Robin’s blog at

www.springboardforsuccess.com/blog

Or, join the Facebook group Springboard Models.

Day 4: Model Behavior Intensive!

Robin Gifford — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:28:24 +0000

Girls participating in Hair and Make-up class @ Springboard’s Summer Intensives.

Day 4: Looking like models!

Josie before…

Josie after!

Carolyn before...

Carolyn after!

Lia before...

Lia after!

Nicole before...

Nicole after!

Natalia before...

Natalia after!

Emma before...

Emma after!

Emily before...

Emily after!

It’s not just hair and make-up – it’s the confidence!

Emily and those legs!

Nicole is soooo cute!

Natalia is sooo fresh!

Josie is hot!

Lia is so confident!

Ultra-cool Carolyn.

Editorial Emma!

Summer Intensives: Day 4!

Robin Gifford — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:49:13 +0000

We had so much fun doing hair, make-up and taking photos. What a gorgeous class!

Marisa M. Set to Compete at America’s US Miss in July!

Robin Gifford — Sun, 16 May 2010 04:24:30 +0000

Marisa, Miss Nebraska US Teen, will compete in St. Louis for the national title!

Gorgeous!

Sara S. Gets Ready for America’s National Teenager 2010!

Robin Gifford — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:06:33 +0000

Sara S., Miss Nebraska National Pre-Teen will compete for the national title in Philadelphia the end of July.

We had so much fun shooting with Carolyn Miller @ BlinQ Studios!

Visit often for updates.

So Glam!

Springboard Girls in NYC: Day 5

Robin Gifford — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:30:34 +0000

Last day.

We spent the day seeing agencies in New York. Learned it takes about two years to develop new talent. And hips cannot be over 35 1/2″ Ugh!

Waiting to go up to Funny Faces

The girls at Funny Faces, a commercial print agency.

Charlie, from Funny Faces and Robin!

Waiting to see the agents at Images

Bryttie at Images

Corinne, President of Trump Models and me!

Waiting at Trump Models

Duane, director of new faces @ Trump and me.

Jan Stewart, booker at Trump and former co-worker of mine at Elite

Trump booking board

Bryttie with Wilhelmina Model, Grayson

Waiting @ Wilhelmina Models

The girls with Wilhelmina model, Grayson

Jose, Wilhelmina New Faces, looks at Sammy's book

Bryttie, Jose and Robin

Sammy ready to go home...the Nebraska look!

Springboard Girls in NYC: Day 4

Robin Gifford — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:36:36 +0000

Today our group split up. One group went with Karen, Bryttie and the moms to Brooklyn to shoot. The others stayed with me in the city. We had fun! And got great shots.

We continued our dining journey around the world…Chinese-Japanese-Fusion! So good.

Jillian gets into make-up.

On the seamless.

Shawn Ehlers gives direction to Jillian!

Modeling is such hard work.

Kellin looking fierce!

Kellin getting hair and make-up ready.

Dinner @ Ruby Foos!

Springboard Girls in New York City: Day 3

Robin Gifford — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:55:45 +0000

WOW! A day for workshops with the Karen Lee Group. Here is what the girls are saying…

“Inspirational!” says Shelby.

“Eye opening!” Sammy.

“Fabulous!” Jillian.

“Experience of a lifetime!” Amy, mom of Sammy.

Up and at Yoga first thing in the morning!

Sandi Bass, former Givenchy and Valentino model, current scout for Code, NY and Agent Press, Tokyo, helps Sammy with her runway walk

Sandi Bass, me and Karen Lee

Bailey rocks the runway with a scarf.

Jill Powell, acting coach and director of Camp Move It! teaches acting. And made them cry!!! It was a good thing.

Sandi looks at Bailey's portfolio.

A current model shows how to pose for editorial shots. Amazing!!!!

The redheads! Quite fabulous.

Meghan Kelly, stylist, shows the girls how to own their style!

A singing waiter falls in love with Kellin! Well, they sure are making us believe it. It must be that acting class Kellin took today.