Meet the Model: Lauren Clements-Hill

Lauren falls into our female commercial division. She is blithe and energetic, using her dance training and classic beauty to create beautiful images. We asked her a few questions

Tell us a bit about yourself?

 I am a commercial dancer and model.. living in London, originally from Bedford! I am the eldest of 5 children ( Love all my siblings very much :D ) I love travelling ( I get to travel with work quite a bit, which I feel very lucky to be able to do so. )

Who (or what) inspired you to become a model?

 I sort of ended up falling into modelling as I am a dancer.. lots of commercial dancers do.. but my mum and dad actually both modelled a little bit  when they were younger so I guess growing up I always thought I would love to be like my mum :) 

What do you do in your spare time?

Keep fit by working out.. I really enjoy Pilates, yoga etc. I often go to a dance class to improve my dance skills so that keeps me fit! Love to spend time with my family and my boyfriend in my spare time!

 

If you inherited an acre of land, what would you do with it?

Build a homeless shelter..

What are your top 3 life goals?

 I never really set "life goals" I often think I am quite lucky that I get to do a job I love and it never really feels like work.. I think to be happy, healthy and having your loved ones around is most important :)

How would your best friend describe you?

 Kind, hardworking and loyal. 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

My brother said Emma Watson…(not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing haha)!

 I just did a little quiz and it said Jennifer Lawrence would play me in a movie!! 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

Hmmm there are lots of places...

somewhere warm and sunny 100%

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

I got a car from my parents for my 17th birthday!! Very very lucky!

Who’s your favourite Disney princess?

Princess Jasmine :)

All of Lauren's stats and full portfolio are available on our website at www.rmg-models.co.uk

Meet the Photographer: Garazi

Garazi is one of our best affiliated photographers; she creates breath-taking bridal pictures and striking headshots, striving for perfection in every shoot. Based in Birmingham, we often advise our models to shoot with her to get stunning portfolio pictures that will make them stand out from the crowd.

We asked her a few questions

What made you become a photographer?

I picked up a camera at uni and haven’t been able to put it down since. It’s what I love doing, so I made it into my business and life.

 

Was it difficult getting this established?

A little difficult, but mainly time-consuming! As a photographer, you need to perfect your techniques and style, and get your work in front of your (future) clients. Most of my learning was trial and error and building a client base takes time too.

 

What do you love about your job?

I love a good face! Photographing beauty and skincare is definitely one of my favourite things.

 

Where is your favourite place to shoot?

I do love my studio with its HUUUUGE windows, but then it’s always exciting to shoot on location.

 

Has anything every gone terribly wrong on a shoot?

The time we ended up with 40 minutes to shoot 6 campaign shots (inside and out) and redo hair and make-up was a tough one… Somehow we managed it though!

 

Who is your favourite model?

I love Carmen Solomons’ wild features, Lily Cole’s pre-Raphaelite beauty, Jade Thompson’s freckled stunningness… I LOVE a redhead! But so many faces have something special...

 

What makes a memorable image?

I think a connection between the model and the camera is essential. But any shot you remember a couple years down the line is memorable. For me, it can be about the concept, the colours, the shapes...

 

What’s your favourite item of clothing?

Creepers/flatform shoes, I can shoot in them easier (as I’m always shorter than the model!).

 

Give us one piece of advice for people wanting to get into the industry

Be prepared to work hard and don’t get down by rejection!

For more information, visit www.garazi.co.uk

 

Behind The Scenes

The power of social media has driven everyone into a frenzy of sharing, sharing and oversharing. Through tweets, statuses and instagram updates, we know what everyone is up to almost every day.

As a big part of this, models, brands and fashion designers have brought down their walls, offering daily insight into their world and all the work & tricks that are put into any public offering. Fashion shows & Photoshoots increasingly have a Behind the Scenes (BTS) element built in, so followers can see the models going through hair and make up into the finished product.

(Toni S on shoot for JML)

 At RMG, we are equally obsessed, we relish in the Behind the Scenes snaps our models send us from shoots, almost immediately sharing them onto our own feed. Our followers love to see the other side of the lens, the 4th wall that reveals trade secrets and deeper insight into the brands/models they love.

(Prada FW16 Backstage)

There's a small catch. The more we look behind the scenes, the more irrelevant the label becomes. As it becomes an integral part of the way brands operate on social media, it becomes less BTS and, more simply, a part of the scene.

(Katherine B shooting for Tom Ford)

Also, does the availability of BTS images/videos take the shine off shows and photoshoots?! It's the same as when a magician reveals their secrets, the tricks lose their lustre! Or does it make it that little bit more accessible, and attainable, especially in high fashion?

The fashion world is popping up with documentaries about the inside world of fashion houses, most notably

The September Issue, featuring US Vogue editors Anna Wintour & Grace Coddington. Naturally, the creative visionary Grace took the idea of BTS and flipped it, putting the documentary cameraman in front of the lens (& behind it).

One thing is for certain; it has piqued our interest and we cannot get enough! And with another Vogue documentary about the Met Gala coming out soon, it doesn't look set to stop (thank goodness!)

Meet the Model: Rhianna Manani

Rhianna Manani is a tour de force; she manages to juggle work, modelling & studying and looks incredible doing it. We spoke to her this week to gain insight into how she keeps it all going

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Rhianna, I'm 20 years old & from Leicester. I currently study Economics at university and am also an events coordinator & planner. I am definitely an optimist and a strong believer in fate.  

Who (or what) inspired you to become a model?

I was actually training to be a make up artist & hairstylist and the model I was working with persuaded me I should try out modelling. We ended up becoming very good friends so I took her advice! The girl who trained me to be a hairstylist also did the exact same! I love that I get to work with both of them on regular occasions now! 

Which Spice Girl are you?

a mix of them all! 

You're constantly busy, what are your beauty secrets?

Skincare is everything! In order to have flawless make up, skincare prior is essential! 

If you could live anywhere in the world,
 where would that be?

America - I have been so many times and love it! 

What makes you most angry/annoyed?

I rarely get angry and if I do it is for about 5 seconds before I'm over it. 

What are your top 3 life goals?

I am an aspiring barrister which I know will be a difficult yet rewarding journey to get there. 

I would love to travel as much as the world as possible! 

As I'm only 5"4, I would love to be able to break barriers in the modelling industry as many high end brands only use models with height. 

How would your best friend describe you?

A workaholic and a little bit crazy!

Whats the best gift you’ve ever received?

A trip to Paris.

 

Is a jaffa cake a biscuit or a cake?

A biscuit - only so I don't feel too bad when I eat a whole packet! 

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For more pictures & information about Rhianna, go to

 www.rmg-models.co.uk

Meet the Model: Sam Malekout

Today we're talking to Sam Malekout, one of our Commercial male & fitness models.

Sam is always in great shape and keeps himself busy with lots of modelling work, and we spoke to him about how he became a model and what makes him tick.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

 

I was originally training to be an Accountant. After doing a series of office jobs, I decided this type of work wasn't for me so I decided to try modelling just for fun back in 2007.  With a pretty dull first set of images and limited knowledge of the industry, I didn't really see my career going anywhere at all.

In 2012, things started to change when I really started to look in more depth at my portfolio and how I could improve.  This led to me being booked more often and subsequently I started to model full-time. 

 I have a Track & Field background (400m, 400m hurdle, Long Jump and Javelin) so I do some sports modelling as well.  I wouldn't really say  have a typical 'model' personality.  I can be quiet at first but lovely when you get to know me.

 One yet unfulfilled ambition is to sing or to be part of a band.  Lets see what 2016 and the future holds!

What inspired you to become a model?

I wasn't accepted to work for a high-profile US brand for unknown reasons even to this day - that made me so determined to do it and prove them wrong. It's also rewarding and a flexible way to earn a living.

 

Is a jaffa cake a biscuit or a cake?

As Marjorie Dawes would say...'Caaaaaake, I just love a bit of Caaaaake'!!!

 

Which celebrity do you wish you were best friends with?

Dame Kelly Holmes or Jessica Ennis MBE - normal girls who have proved what hard work and self belief can do for you.

What are you currently reading

I am not really a big reader but if I am honest, some of my old Uni Maths notes.  I was thinking of doing some teaching in my spare time.  It's rewarding to pass something on to other people particularly with something like Mathematics. 

 

Who is your favourite designer & why?

Gucci - I love their style, colours amd the feel of the product when wearing it.

What did you have for breakfast?

A banana and some cereal.  Sometimes I will have a glass of lemon water slightly heated.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

London is a good place to live but also Dubai.  I was lucky enough to have gone in 2014  and it took me a few weeks to get back to reality. 

What’s your guilty treat?

A bacon and cheese burger at Byron's.

  Every now and then you've gotta have a treat.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Not sure about that, is there anyone that crazy? Joking!  

Maybe I would have to play myself. I haven't changed a great deal over the years. 

instagram: @samueld.m

See more of Sam's portfolio and stats at www.rmg-models.co.uk

 

Vogue 100

To Celebrate 100 years of British Vogue, the National Portrait Gallery are hosting an exhibition featuring some of the best prints and images that span across it's centennial history.

The collection starts from the first, beautiful paintings that predate the photographs, lovingly detailed drawings of ways to wear the new hat & the latest gowns from Paris, until the later 20s when the photograph became more common replaced them. However Vogue didn't let the escapism and beauty of the paintings go, ensuring that every photograph transports you into a different world

As a collection there is a great range of imagery; beautiful shots of celebrities, royalties and a wealth of Kate Moss pictures,

(weirdly not a single picture of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley!!)

And some fun unexpected pictures, (such as Grace Coddington in a swimming pool and Kate Moss almost unrecognisable riding naked on a horse!)

Possibly the easiest way to step into the life of Vogue for an hour or two, the exhibition is a must see for all fashion aficionados and models alike.

On at the National Portrait Gallery until 22nd May 2016

http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/vogue/exhibition.php

Meet the Model: Sophie Weiss

This time we spoke to one of our newest Commercial Female models, Sophie Weiss.

Part German, Part British she stands apart from the crowds and streaks ahead on social media (with 21.5k instagram followers!)

We asked her a few quick questions

Who (or what) inspired you to become a model?  

Watching Americas Next Top Model when I was 11 and seeing Tyra Banks strut her stuff.

What do you do in your spare time?

Gym, Gym, Gym lol. It makes me feel good!

Who is your favourite designer?

Chanel 👌

What’s your guilty treat?

I love pizza and flapjacks 

Who is your favourite Spice Girl?

Sporty Spice; she's fierce 😼

If you inherited an acre of land, what would you do with it?

Mmm I would probably have the best Theme park on it yet 👍

What’s your favouring song/artist right now?

Chris Brown, I'm obsessed lol.

How would your best friend describe you?

 Funny, crazy, clown, hooligan, genuine and sweet ☺️

What would your superpower be?

 I would be invisible so I could spy on people.

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Sophie's full portfolio and stats are available at

 www.rmg-models.co.uk