Bellah's World

Alright Bellah blog readers! Today I’m giving you more advice by Tyra Banks on how to succeed in the modeling industry! This is advice that most models use when entering into the fashion industry. A lot of these I had to find out on my own, but you won’t have to!

How to Model and Get the Job

• Be prepared!
• Practice your walk, poses, and faces in the mirror before you go.
• Do your homework! Know something about the agency or client you are meeting.
• Your make-up should be minimal to show off your natural beauty.
• ALWAYS bring a pair of heels in case they ask you to walk.
• No nail polish: Simple clear, nude, or sheer!
• Pull your hair back so that they can see your face and bone structure.
• Never be late!
• Have good posture: Stand up straight, shoulders back.
• Be honest! It’s okay to tell them if you don’t have a lot of experience. Wow them with your natural ability (this is why practice is so important!)

How to Work your Flaws

• Hands on Hips = Smaller Waist. Putting your hands on your hips creates a background through your arms, which will make your waist appear smaller. (This is something you can apply to real life too! Try it the next time you walk into a room!)
• Chin Up = Smaller Forehead. I am always telling the girls on ANTM to chin up! Not only will it make a large forehead look smaller, it will also elongate the neck
• Tippy Toes = Bigger Calves. Standing on your tippy toes instead of flat feet will make your calf muscles appear bigger because they are working harder to keep you up!
• Knees In = Slimmer Hips. Turning a knee in will make your hips appear slimmer. This will also give you a space between your thighs, which is something that most women don’t have.
• Lean Forward = Smaller Bust. Hunch your back and bring your naval into your spine. This creates a slight lean forward, which will make your bust look smaller.
• Emphasize Shoulder = Narrow Hips. Turn your body to the side and turn your shoulders toward the camera. The emphasis on your shoulders will narrow your hips.

Everyone recognizes Tyra as a multitalented model who bounces between the fashion and media industry. We, the public, sees this constantly between her photoshoots and her appearances  on America’s Got Talent and her show America’s Next Top Model. But here is something that you might not know about Tyra Banks, she’s also a top non-fiction bestseller in the book world.

The book that I am talking about you might not know. It is called Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss. So why is this book so amazing? Why are we making a big deal out of it besides the fact that its by Tyra about Tyra? Well that’s easy! This book is filled with stories and advice that Tyra has learned through her mom and her experiences in life. What better way to learn about how one of the Top Models struggled and made a successes in an industry where eating disorders and self doubts reign supreme. If this isn’t motivation enough, here is a description of the book:

In Perfect Is Boring, Tyra Banks and her mother, Carolyn, get raw, real, and cray-in-a-good-way as they share what they’ve learned on Tyra’s journey from insecure preteen to supermodel and entrepreneurial powerhouse. Though she’ll be the first to tell you she is not her daughter’s best friend – ’cause she ain’t that kinda mama! – there’s no doubt that Carolyn’s signature mix of pep talks and tough love got Tyra to where she is today, and here they pay it forward to empower readers with a reminder that perfect really isn’t all that.
Whether they’re writing about watching Tyra’s most imperfect moment go viral (does “Be Quiet Tiffany!” ring any bells?), no-holds-barred sex talks, or how they’ve overcome everything from fashion industry discrimination to media fat-shaming and a misguided attempt at a music career, they never lose their sense of humor or we-got-your-back-spirit. Full of smart, wise, and often hilarious lessons for mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons everywhere – including “Take Responsibility for Yourself”, “Lip Gloss + Pizza Sauce = Boss”, and “Fix It or Flaunt It” – Perfect Is Boring is a must-listen for anyone who needs a kick in the booty, a pat on the back, or a good reason to laugh out loud.

Now I am not saying that you have to read this book. But it is definitely on my must haves as a model and person in the fashion business! Looks like I found my next read by the pool for the summer! What will you do?

To start of Tyra Bank’s week we will start wit modeling tips. Here are some of her most famous do’s and don’ts that she recommends to all those in the modeling business. Some of these you might recognize from the blog because who wouldn’t follow advice from Tyra Banks?

Model Don’ts and a Do’s

• Do not be a “no-neck monster.” Try to elongate your neck for maximum extension.
  Do not pose like a hoochie. (If you don’t know what a hoochie is, er…that’s probably best.)
• Do not be a limp noodle. Always pose with tension in your body completely from H2T (head to toe).
• Do not play it safe and stay in the same pose. Mix it up with innovative poses. Your wildest pose could be the one that’s picked.
• Do not show up to a photo shoot unless you are clean shaven, have a clean face, and clean hair.
• Do not let hating how your hair or makeup is done affect your performance. Model through it.
• Do not stare aimlessly when posing. Create intensity for the camera through your eyes. Smize (smile with your eyes)!
• Do not slouch on the runway; pretend you have a wire through your spine that is pulling you up to the ceiling.
• Do not be forgettable. Make an impression by showing your distinctive personality.
  Do request to have your favorite music playing when you do a shoot! The beat will kick your poses up 10 notches!

Some top notch advice from a top model herself!

This week we are going to do something new on the Bellah Blog. This whole week will be dedicated to one of the biggest names in the fashion industry who has overcome and conquered many obstacles to be on top. She has a book out, hosts Americas Got Talent, and even runs Amwricas Next Top Model! That’s right! This week is dedicated to the magnificent Tyra Banks. Stay in the know on one of Americas favorite models and fashion guru! From the dos and don’ts of modeling, to her own success story….we are paying tribute to Tyra Banks!

Bellah Modeling Agency has an amazing event coming up May 25th! That’s right! Bellah is having a Vendor Pop-Up Shop! It an event that is free to the public and vendors can still sign-up today! We will have vendors of all sorts and our own models and Bellah Live team will be there as well. Please come out an join us from 4pm tp 8pm! We hope to see you there because this is a Bellah Event that you do not want to miss!

 

That’s right ladies and gentlemen! Bellah is indeed doing a Fashion, Beauty, and Acting Summer camp for two weeks in June.The dates are June 10th to June 22nd. Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. Your kids will learn about fashion, acting, healthy living, and so much more! The best part is that all the children who participate in this camp will be able to participate in the Bellah Enchanted Garden Runway show on June 22nd!Who wouldn’t want to walk in a Bellah show? So if your kid is between the ages of 10 to 13, go ahead and sign them up because slots are going fast!There is a registration fee of $25.00, and 3ach week of the camp is $80.00per kid. But they will learn so much and lunch is provided!Go to http://www.bellahmodelingagency.com to sign up your kid today!

Hello Bellah Blog Readers!

This past weekend was Easter. While most families were celebrating it together or just relaxing during one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year, us at Bellah were hard at work. Every year we put on Columbia Kids Fashion Weekend! This is a huge event in Columbia, and this year was no different except for the fact that it fell on Easter Weekend.

It kicked off on Saturday with what was supposed to be a photoshoot and Easter Egg Hunt at Maxcy Gregg Park….But as you already know, Saturday was a rainy and cold day to be outside. So what we did instead was have Easter baskets prepared for the 30+ kids that were a part of this past fashion weekend and handed them out later that evening. They had rehearsal so it worked out in everyone’s favor. Rehearsal was a blast and the kids were attentive and ready to participate. After rehearsal they had a fitting with a few of our designers.

Donna Anderson (owner of both Bellah Modeling Agency and Columbia Kids Fsahion Weekend) and myself had our work cut out for us that night. That’s right, we personally set up the venue and decorated the place (except for the balloon arches, we had someone else for that). We also went, picked out, and picked up the Marshall’s line that walked down the runway the next night.

Sunday, the hosts of our show, Jazzy and Jayla (Kid Bellah Models) had a hair appointment so our morning started out early at 7am. After that, it was off to the venue for us so that I could do their makeup, my own makeup, and finish the last touches before kids arrived (mainly me taking z-racks out of my car). Put overall the morning went by quick and it was fun. The doors opened at 4pm and the show started at 5pm. The show had a great designer lineup:

Audri J’s

Marshall’s

Star Wree

and LAW.

The host of our show kept the energy high and the act was refreshing. Bellah Live also covered the event and interviewed parent, spectators, staff, and vendors. Over all the show was a blast and even working the show was fun. There was never a dull moment the entire night and it was fantastic. Shout out to all the volunteers who helped the show run smoothly and shout out to Style by Naida for the z-racks, and Peliclaude for the Tree decorations! Look out for photos and videos of the night to be post all over Columbia Kids Fashion Weekend social media sites!

Tip #6: Healthy Living

Healthy living is an important part of being in the fashion industry. We aren’t talking about being so healthy that it becomes unhealthy. Simply balance what you eat, drink plenty of water, have a good sleep regiment, and hit the gym or do some type of workout daily.