Models strut their stuff for shot at fashion week glory
More than 200 of Brisbane’s best-looking strutted their stuff on Thursday at a mass model casting for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.
Held in the John Reid Pavilion at the RNA showgrounds, organisers and designers paid close attention to a parade of leggy blondes and toned brunettes.
And that was just the men.
MBFF choreographer Bernie Bageley said runway models had different requirements to photographic models.
”We’re looking for strong, confident, a toned body, but also personality, so that the audience gets captivated by them,” she said.
”We’re looking for a great presence on stage and you can usually tell as soon as they walk for you.”
The turnout included a high proportion of young male models.
Will Buhl, 20, and Jake Mollenhauer, 22 were both scouted by Dally’s model management while attending charity events.
”I never thought of going into the industry, but I did a gig for a charity ball and the agent that I have since signed with was there,” Buhl, a psychology student with a killer smile, said.
Mollenhauer, a personal trainer with biceps like firmly packed sand dunes, had a similar experience, finding himself sitting next to an agent at the Variety Ball last month.
”I was a plus one to my girlfriend, who was a plus one to her friend, so it was just right place, right time,” he said.
”My girlfriend was really happy … she did Miss Universe back in 2011, so she was ecstatic.”
For their first mass casting, the pair were taking pointers from two-year veteran Cade Fasala, dashing in a blue suit that set off his soulful brown eyes.
”You basically go and meet the lovely judges, say hello, give your comp cards, then you walk for them,” the 19-year-old said.
”For guys it’s a lot easier to walk than girls, it’s just basically walking proud and tall, with confidence.”
Fasala said he did MBFF in 2014 and had a great time, but modelling was still just a part-time job for him.
”I’m actually a swimmer, I’m in the Olympic development squad.”
MBFF director Lindsay Bennett said 2015 marked the tenth year of the festival, and the John Reid Pavillion would be transformed from the farm space of the Ekka to a fashion extravaganza to celebrate.
”It’s going to be the longest runway we’ve had, 66 metres long, seating capacity of 620, 253 front row seats,” he said.
”It’s the biggest, the best, and with some of the best designers we’ve ever had.”
Tracy Watkins from Hawthorne-based lifestyle brand White Label Noba said it was great organisers involved designers in the model casting.
”Because our brand covers a large range of sizes, I’m always looking for that girl who’s not too tiny, who’s got a bit of a tummy, and there are a couple of girls who’ve come through today who I think would be great,” she said.
”This is our third year at MBFF, and our business just went ahead in leaps and bounds after last year.”
