"I like my guys well toned. You try to use people who will look appealing to the audience," said Debbie Stanley of Champs, whose models are seen here.THERE is the belief that the modelling industry recruits only slim women and muscular men.
However, players in the Jamaican industry are saying that this perception is a myth, at least as far as the women go.
Depending on the agency you talk to, female models generally fall into different categories. Some agencies use different titles for the same models. However, despite the different names they generally perform the same function.
There are ramp models who model clothes on catwalks. Some are photographic or image models that are used in ads and in magazines. Some agencies even use models for appearances at stage shows. However, in all of this, there are several necessary requirements for someone to be a model and the lack of height may not be to their advantage.
"We look at height in comparison to weight, even though at Miguel, size is not an issue," explains Michael Barnett of Miguel Models. "At the same time the average height/weight requirement is 5' 7" weighing 110-140 lbs. You have exceptions though. You may have a girl weighing more than that as well you will get girls who are taller than 5'7". We cater for the Jamaican woman, because we do have full-figured women in our agency," he added.
But even if the industry is catering for the Jamaican woman, it is somewhat different for the men. "Male modelling in Jamaica is a body thing. This is not what modelling is about. It's about style and finesse. Generally it is about clothes. When you watch TV and see most of the male models abroad they are generally skinny. Out here we prefer them built. Nothing is wrong with a guy who is built because if you are trying to sell a fitness magazine or beachwear people will look for those guys, but for the catwalk the skinny guy works just as well," Barnett said.
Debbie Stanley of Champs Models views things differently from Barnett. "We put on stage someone who looks appealing to the audience. I like my guys well toned. You try to use people who will look appealing to the audience. However, you do have different sizes in the male category," she said.
For a model to be recruited, certain procedures are carried out. "Well, we must get a hand-written letter with one full length shot and one head shot. We look at the handwriting skills of the individual so that's why we ask them to send in the letter by hand. After that we call them in for an audition. The perception that the industry only recruits slim women is false," said Barnett.
It was true five years ago but not anymore. What is important now is personality. They must be quiet and willing to learn. We ask them for photographs and select them from that. We explain that the height requirement is necessary for the ramp models," Stanley said.
Another agent, Paul Collins of St. Bess models, said his agency recruited persons who were confident with their figure. "There's a market for all and sundry. It has to do with the particular setting. We recruit full-bodied people. You have to be comfortable with your figure," he said.
The agents all agree that they did not recruit beauty contestants. "You have models who are beauty contestants. But beauty contestants are not models. The majority of beauty contestants are not models. There are similarities but there is a lot of differences. Modelling is a career for one and it carries more stage presence as opposed to beauty contestants," said Collins.
"There is a belief in Jamaica that the beauty contestant is a model. The contestant is not a model. She can however become a model. However, just by entering the competition that does not make her a model," said Barnett.
