BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE recently established S Model Management Boot Camp is underway and progressing according to envisaged plans, said Chief Executive Officer of the agency Suelika Creque.
The boot camp was established on April 4, 2009 and is held every Saturday at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel’s Cane Club.
“We are so excited and pleased to have 10 models signed up and a part of the boot camp that will last until sometime in July,” she said.
The boot camp has covered a number of topics since it began, including International Business and Etiquettes, Selling yourself as a product, Fashion Focus and Representing yourself.
Among those who have made presentations to participants of the boot camp are Jamaican top model Shevolee Belle, who gave the models an insight of the model industry from a working model’s perspective.
Belle offered the class tips that she gained during her career and also tips on model walk.
“Manners will take you very far,” she said.
Local recording artiste and motivational speaker Masud Sadiki also spoke to the group of young ladies that ranges from age 15 to 25.
Sadiki told the potential models that if they were passionate about the industry they should give their all, be patient and to always believe in themselves.
“You have defeated yourself if you don’t have confidence,” he said.
Top designer Judith Rawlins of Brown Sugars Inc. also spoke to the models on developing a sense of personal style.
Rawlins also executed the models first challenge which 15-year-old Ngozi Nicholls won a prize of a gift voucher and an opportunity to be a part of Rawlins next photo shoot campaign.
The boot camp was also created for the models to develop a professional model portfolio that they will be able to use to market themselves. Their first photo shoot was shot by local photographers Jawanza Bassue and Amali Armony.
“There are several photo shoots planned for the boot camp and centered on getting the specific shots required for a model portfolio,” said Creque. “The first shoot was held on April 26 and the idea was to get Beauty Shots and also black and white facial shots, and I am pleased with the results.
“It was the first photo shoot for some of the models and they did wonderful. They got a taste of what a professional model will experience…that is waking up at 6:00 a.m. for shoots, for the best lighting possible,” she said.
Bassue also held a session with the models where he spoke about what a photographer expects from them as models. He also gave them some tips they will need when on shoots.
At last weekend’s session, WINN FM’s Toni Frederick spoke to the class about image projection and what a journalist expects from them during interviews.
“Because we want to have models signed who are the total package, I think it is imperative that models learn how to conduct themselves properly during interviews and are articulate,” said Creque.
Frederick also asked a number of questions and during a brief second challenge of a question/answer period, 14-year-old Angel Mills was announced the winner.
“She just totally blew everyone away with her response about how she sees the modelling industry in St. Kitts presently and where she hopes it would reach. We didn’t expect it from her as she appears to be quiet and only speaks unless spoken to. But she definitely impressed everyone, as well as Sharica Sillidy,” said Creque.
Mills won the opportunity to be featured on several local media and shows and chose fellow upcoming model Alemia Ceasar to share in her win.
Former Winnielle Model Management models Jamar Wilkin and Nakita Belizaire are also on the management team and serve as booking agents and trainers at the boot camp.
They have also been giving the models tips on the experience they have gathered during their careers as top models of the Federation.
There are still a number of topics to be discussed for the ‘Top Model Style’ themed boot camp, including Skin Care, Makeup, Self-Assurance, Hair Care and Modelling skills.
“After the completion of the boot camp I am confident that the models will have a better sense of what is expected of them as models. They will be professionally trained and will be able to represent clients and their products in the most professional way possible. I believe the models of S Model Management will definitely Stand Out,” Creque said.
For more information on S Model Management visit www.myspace.com/smodelmanagement
About S Model Management
S Model Management (SMM) and Boot Camp was founded in 2009 with the aim of changing the fashion and modelling industry within St. Kitts and Nevis.
The agency is led by one of St. Kitts’ most successful models, Suelika Creque, who has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the industry both locally and regionally as well as internationally.
S Model Management will be made up of models that are different from the rest and equipped with the tools to make it in the industry, hence their motto: “Stand Out”.
With a strong representation of professional and skilled models and with the right direction, the fashion and modelling industry of St. Kitts and Nevis will eventually improve as the agency sees these factors tremendously affecting its growth.
