London Graduate Fashion Week: Lookbook Shoot

Yesterday saw me travelling to Bradford city centre to shoot a lookbook for the college students, as representation for their course at London Graduate Fashion Week!

 I am really excited about seeing the final outcome, which is going to be a lookbook put together and handed out at the event. The potential of being seen by many prestigious possibilities gets me giddy. I'll put up some snaps of the lookbook when I manage to get hold of one. 

I knew it was going to be a long day, 14 outfits to shoot in total! Each student had to pick one outfit from their final collection to go in the lookbook. There were some amazing, AMAZING designs that had been created. Listening to everyone telling me the inspiration behind their collections was so interesting. OAP's, crooked buildings, Arabian princess burials there was a definite mixture. See if you can tell which ones are which in the pictures below, are there any that stand out?

This image, from Lou's Instagram is a montage of what I wore, and by whom it was made.

The brief for the photographs was very simple, there wasn't a lot of posing involved. The clothing had to be displayed clearly, showing the front, side and back of the garment. Arms by my side and standing straight was the pose for almost every outfit. We did a couple of close up shots where I was able to be more creative. Lou, the stylist on the shoot made sure that the outfits were sitting correctly and that my hair was right before each set of shots. Thanks for being my dresser too, after the first few outfits I was tiring, Lou kept me going right until the end of all 14! The make-up was very minimal. There was just one look for all of the outfits and so the look had to match with everything, so nothing too bold or contrasting. A brown smokey eye and a pinky-nude lip fit the brief perfectly.

Visit my page to see the whole shoot!

www.facebook.com/kirstybuttlemodelling

Follow me on shoots live via Instagram: @KirstyLeedsModel and Twitter: @KirstLeedsModel

Credits

Clothing: Bradford College Fashion Students

Photography: Josh Wilde

Styling: Lou Marie Wheatcroft

Make Up: Ellis Kormoss

Creative Director: Rosanna Grace Woods

Speak soon!

Love Kirst xxx

Pastels Photoshoot: Becci Short Photography

I originally started my blog to update you guys with my modelling, and I don't think I've posted about one photoshoot I've done yet! So here I start, with the most recent studio shoot I did with Becci Short photography. It's a start, and I'll keep up with it now, promise!

I was excited when Becci contacted me about collaborating on the shoot as I love working in a studio. There's just you, and a white backdrop and it's up to you to bring character to the shot. The theme was inspired by pastels, intending to be quite pretty and girly, but with a harsher facial expression to add an edge. We were kindly given some clothes by Huddersfield boutique Sitting Pretty. The mint green dress I wore was gorgeous, the detailing on the front was so different!

I was also excited to work with Becci as I had seen some of her work beforehand, and word had recently spread that her photos had appeared in Tatler magazine, very high profile indeed! She was a great photographer to work with, I definitely recommend her. Precision was of high importance, to ensure the composition in the shot was perfect. She knew exactly what she wanted to create and gave strong and clear direction. Not all serious though, her instructions at one point was 'Right go mad, give me everything you've got!'

The make up was to be pastel colours, to coincide with the concept. From the picture you can that my eyes were insane! A blend of orange, blue & pink, with a white highlight showed up wonderfully on the final edits. Carlee used an airbrush to apply foundation, something I hadn't experienced before. It was a weird feeling, like someone blowing cold air onto your face, then I open my eyes and wahla my base was done!

The shoot was a mixture of solo shots and group shots with two other models, Rachael and Imeerah. The girls were lovely to work with and made for a really fun shoot. Can't wait to see the final edits and hopefully work with them all again!

Travelling to the shoot on the train with no make up on. :O

My trusty travel bag.

Credits

Photography: Becci Short

Makeup Artists: Carlee Causer & Liza Mooney

Models: Rachael Pitt & Imeerah Ambrose

Location: Leeds College of Art

Civestism: Womenswear by Emily Walton

When fashion designer Emily Walton set out to create her university project, she didn't just want to make a collection, she wanted to establish a brand. From that, Civestism was born.

Interesting prints, silky fabrics and defined silhouettes are the essence of Civestism's identity. However there is much more than meets the eye in terms of what exactly inspires Walton to create her bespoke pieces. I spoke to Emily to find out why domed roofing, the world, and circles are at the forefront of her mind when she's at the sewing machine.

So I have to ask, what actually is Civestism, what does it mean?

The word Civestism means 'strange and obscure clothing.' A concept known as circular cut is what I heavily lean towards when designing. It is a concept that was derived and developed through research into architecture. Architecture is taken into consideration when designing, ensuring each design is unique and has an element of circular cut. It is reflected in the clothing in the form of carefully placed seams, raised hems and informed drape. I take this whole concept into consideration when designing for Civestism. Inspired by circles, I'm about creating new silhouettes without distorting or misshaping the body.

When did you start your collection?

I started it in October 2012, from my penultimate university project. I'm hoping to continue and develop it into my final collection in 2013 and then hopefully even further after I graduate.

How did you get to where you are today?

I got to where I am today due to my love for fashion and art. From a young age I was always drawing and colouring, and when I took up textiles in high school I instantly fell in love. When I turned 16 I joined a sewing class and bought my first sewing machine, so I could pursue my dreams of making my first garment. Continuing textiles through college, I made the decision to further my passion and study at university. Some people laughed at first, which just made me want to work harder and prove them wrong. I obtained a place at my first choice university, which has broadened my knowledge, enabling me to know most of things I know today.

How would you describe your label?

Civestism has its own identity. It is both unusual yet traditional, taking inspiration from the natural world. It is dark and mysterious, yet playful and adventurous. I aim for my clothes to be subtle, yet eye catching.

Who is Civestism aimed at?

My clothes are aimed at anyone who is fashion forward and dare to wear something different. The market level I am designing into is he designer diffusion level.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration has come from several places. The shape of my clothes originally came from architecture, and in particular domed roofing. I am currently working on designing my own print to reflect Civestism. This is inspired by the natural world, but not necessarily just pretty flowers. I look at the world as a circle in itself: It's born, it lives, it dies. Taking this into account I set about on various trips to places, where nature is free to grow in it's own weird and wonderful ways. From this I have derived a series of photos which I am in the process of photoshopping together to create the print.

Is there anything that your particularly proud of?

I guess I'm proud of most things that I've done, it's all been one big learning curve. But I think I'll be most proud when I see my final collection go down the catwalk. I'll probably cry!

What do you enjoy about fashion design?

I enjoy the final result when it comes to designing. The process between the initial design and the finished piece is usually quite long. Seeing the end result is always so rewarding. When I hear someone say they love a garment I've made, it makes me feel amazing!

Do you have a favourite piece?

I do have a favourite piece, although it isn't actually made yet. I've practiced making a jacket, but not in the final fabric. I want to use real leather that has a foil effect, in a bleached gold colour, it's going to be a key piece in the final collection.

What does the future hold for Civestism?

In the future I would love for my label to be desirable. To see women wearing it on a day to day basis. Although I know there's a long way to go from now until then.

Finally, what advice would you give to other aspiring fashion designers?

To follow your dreams, don't let anyone get in the way and don't ever look back...

I must say that writing this piece, for me, was incredibly interesting, I feel like Emily has taught me something I didn't know about before. I'm not a fashion designer myself, but I see the way the design process works in a whole new light. The obscure and odd items that some may see as nothing, become a whole concept and act as inspiration in a person's label. I wish her the best of luck in completing her final collection, and when the time comes, have tissues at the ready!

The Big 21!

It's 7am, and I'm running the shower, intending to wash off my fake tan from my birthday meal the night before. I look out of my living room window, our street is glistening with a light coat of frost. The thermostat reads 10.5 degrees. Not sure I can be phased however, as it's my 21st birthday tomorrow, and as a present I've been given a week away to the Canary Islands. As mentioned in my previous post, I've never really travelled anywhere so my excitement is naturally through the roof. The kettle boils and my breath, visible due to the coldness, erupts from my mouth like a fire breathing dragon.

I remember being younger, just before leaving for our holidays my Mum would clean the house from top to bottom. 'I don't want to come back to a messy house' she would tell us. We had to make sure our bedrooms were tidy, something I never understood. Now I do. The post-depression of having to come back from holiday is one thing, but having housework to return to is another. Hence me spending some time repeating my Mother's standard ritual before we left.

Boarding pass: check. Passport: check. Hotel booking confirmation: check. We were good to go.

I've only been on a plane twice, once was when I was 6 and then earlier in 2012 when I went to Paris. So I'm not really accustom to the whole flying process as of yet. Every noise makes me jolt in my seat. It's the taking off and landing that I'm not really a fan of. Being mid-air is fine, and having a window seat is a must. Luckily we didn't experience any turbulence, only slight pain from our ears popping upon descent into the islands airport.

Staying in the south of Tenerife, we quickly understood that we were slightly unfortunate in terms of the location of our hotel. 'Laguna Park 2, up Cardiac Hill?' would be people's responses once we told them where we were staying. After a couple of days it became second nature, we called it the daily climb.

The first couple of days were spent lounging on the beach or by the pool. The heat was ridiculous to say that it was January. It managed to reach highs of 28 degrees during the day, and a respectable 17 in the evening. It was odd to see that the locals were layering up during the early mornings. Obviously used to a more extreme level of heat, they found this time colder and less bearable. Tourists could be seen walking around at 8am in shorts and t-shirts, baffled to see people wearing gloves and fleeces.

My fair skin stood no chance against the relentless blaze of the Spanish sun. By day 3 I found it hard to sleep on my back, as I had caught so much sun on my shoulders. The feeling of getting a cold shower at the end of the day, followed by plastering myself in after sun quickly became my evening routine.

My actual birthday was on Monday 14th. Even though it was still humid and warm in the evenings, I had to put a light layer of make up on at least! I had been so good all holiday, but I was determined to have a little bit on. The night started with taking advantage of the all inclusive drinks at the resort. The cocktail of the day changed from Sex on the Beach to Pinacoladas. After a few of these we were well on our way. Alex's sports bar was our next pitstop, to meet up with some people that we'd met in the hotel. It was a popular choice for many tourists as it had free Wifi, oh and pints for 1 euro. After talking to a few people we found out that the place to be in Tenerife was 'The Patch.' It was like a mini Vegas strip, of pubs, nightclubs and strip bars.
The group we had formed made a habit of telling everyone that it was my 21st, resulting in more and more drinks flying my way. By 1am, it was karaoke time. Unbeknown that I was next, I was ushered onto an X-Factor mark on the floor of a British bar, and a microphone put into my hand. 'Thank God she's not shit' the guy commentated as I opened the first line.
A cocktail was waiting for me after I had finished. The DJ had it on the edge of the booth. 'This, has a very special name, for a very special reason.' he warned. 'Its called the Oooh Ya Bastard. Which you will find out is rightly named after you down it in one.' So I did it. In front of a bar of strangers, all chanting 'Down in one! Down in one!' Followed by a cheer afterwards. I do not remember much after that, lets put it that way.

The following day resulted in me feeling extremely fragile, and so not much could be done in terms of activities. It was a day of relaxing in the sun, sipping water and topping myself up frequently with paracetamol.

Siam Park

Coming to Tenerife is all about the water park. Everywhere we went, the air was buzzing with the sound of people talking about Siam park. We couldn't not go. An Arabian theme nursed the park, with warm water and music, the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone, no matter what age, were seen getting giddy and releasing their inner child. Once they had got off one ride, running back up for round two. Due to visiting the island out of peak season, it meant that we didn't experience any queuing for rides. It was great!

The weightlessness feeling when flying down a water slide on a foam board, face first puts butterflies in your stomach. Although it was the Power Tower that defined your bravery. Climbing the stairs puts an airy feeling inside you. When you finally reach the top you are greeted by two instructors. One with a visual board. 'English?' he would ask. I nodded in agreement. 'Okay, lay fully down, legs and arm crossed tightly and head back. Yes?' Again, the only movement I could muster was a nod. From the top you can see the whole park. The feeling of adrenaline, slowly begins to elevate your heart rate. Lying down at the top you are put into position and then gently pushed down using your shoulders. The initial whoosh of adrenaline is incredible! You literally feel a surge rushing through you. Straight down at an impeccable speed, the tunnel goes through a pool of sharks and other sea life. I didn't see any of this, my eyes were shut so tight. The huge build of suspense, the burst of adrenaline was over in a matter of seconds. You come out in a pool at the end, surrounded by the people who only dared to watch those going down.

Loro Park

The other main attraction of the island is the wildlife park. Loro park celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, and is like a sister park to Siam. The first animal we were greeted by were the gorillas. Three of these magnificent beasts were free to roam around a very generously sided enclosure. Further into the park was the aquatics centre, which was home to penguins. Emulated conditioned allowed them to swim freely and bury themselves in an imitation of their natural habitat.

I recently adopted a meerkat and was scurrying around looking for their enclosure. When I finally found them, I got so giddy! They are my favourite animal and so were photographed twice a much as the others. Nobody else could get a look in!

At regular intervals there were shows allowing us to see just how wonderfully intelligent these animals really are.

First was the dolphin show, a spectacular array of talent from the oceans most clever sea creature. Orca whales and sea lions were to follow, showing how the trainers can develop a truly unique bond with the animals. Sitting in the Splash Zone, we were put up onto the big screen when inevitably we were soaked by one fancy flick of an orca's tail.

The rest of our time was filled with wandering around, stopping every few meters to get a picture in front of something touristy. That's what I love about holiday. Getting dorky pictures, cheesy smiles and not wanting to go home. Meeting strangers in bars on nights out, and bar hopping like you've known them for years. Exchanging stories of what you do, where you're from, where you're staying and who you're with. Going on holiday creates an atmosphere of a whole new you. You encase yourself in a foreign bubble, allowing yourself to let your hair down, and you can't help but feel saddened when it's time to go home.

Our plane landed and it was minus 1, the complete opposite end of the scale. I hadn't had goosebumps in a week, I get off the plane and I'm immediately covered in them!

Oh well, back to normal day to day life. Except for the fact I have an insane story of how I turned 21!

Panic Packing and Holiday Reminiscing

Am I the only one who leaves packing until the day before I go!? I find myself scrambling about at the last minute, stuffing things into my suitcase, after kidding myself for the past few days that I'd have loads of time. I do it every time!

Plus, I always seem to think that I have to take everything! I try and muster up uses for outfits that I really like, even though they're absolutely not going to be suitable. I've just bought a pair of suede leggings from Mint Velvet, and desperately want to wear them. Although I don't think that Tenerife at 22 degrees is going to be the best climate. Unless I want to replicate Ross and his leather pants fiasco.

We weren't big on travelling as a family when I was younger. We were campers. We'd haul up to a campsite, roll onto our designated patch of grass, and literally set up camp for a week. We were practically pro's by the time we were in our early teenagers. We had a 13 man tent! Except for the fact that there were four of us, not sure what really lodged that idea into my Dad's head. After a few hours of putting up the tent, unpacking our clothes into a pop up wardrobe and blowing up our air beds we were set. I loved camping. When we went back to school after the six week holidays, all the other kids were really tanned and had stories of how long they spent in the pool or on the beach, me and my sister told our friends we had been camping. 'Oooh where? France?' No, in the Lake District. It rained and we stayed practically outside. But our stories we had to tell we're better.

My Dad is a very 'hands on' person when it comes to holidays. There's no sitting around and letting time pass, he would find days out, mountain walks and climbs. One day we were greeted with 'Right up and at 'em, today we're going to climb a mountain.' The look of utter horror on my Mums face was our hint that he wasn't lying. So in 2007 I climbed Mount Dodd with my family. It took us five hours up and then about 4 back down. The atmosphere and scenery when we reached the top was enough to silence all of us. I class it as one of my greatest achievements.

So to be going away to the Canary Islands, as a gift from my boyfriend for my 21st, is exciting. I'm not used to packing sun cream, and anti-bug repellent as it wasn't really necessary for our family getaways. I'm in a whole new ball game.

Reverting back to the whole packing problem, how do you know you're not going to need every pair of shoes you own? The only thing restricting me is my partner banging on about the baggage allowance. I didn't even know there was a restriction! I thought it was, if it could get in my suitcase it was allowed. As in I'm restricted to one bag, I didn't know the weight mattered!

So I'm a total newbie when it comes to going away. But to be somewhere where the temperature isn't going to be a minus number in January is a big bonus! When I turn 21 I'll be sunning it up, sangria in hand, wearing my sunnies and probably not even touched half of what I packed.

How Do I Become A Model?

The first piece of advice I would give is, be realistic. I'm not shooting you down. I just mean, if you're not a size 6-10 or over 5'8 then you are going to find it hard. Just because, the industry has conditioned itself to these requirements. But I'm not saying don't try! I'd suggest you to find a particular section of the modelling industry that you would like to contribute to, and go for it, just bear that in mind. There are various different sectors including: high fashion, commercial and glamour. Those are probably the most well known. I'm going to touch upon the first two.

Freja Behr Erichsen

Editorial: This is the hardest to break into. This type of modelling usually involves runway shows and campaigns in high fashion magazines. Specific requirements are key to being successful in this portion of the industry. It usually means being 5'9 and above, and being a UK size 8. However, those are the basic requirements. You may be 6'0 and a size 6, and you may still not be right. Your look might not be right for one agency/photographer/designer but it may be perfect for somebody else! It really does vary and people's perception of what you have to offer is different. Plus, it's not about necessarily being 'pretty.' It's about having a different look. People always categorise and say 'Well you can't be a model you're not pretty.' That's such a loose interpretation of the industry! Agencies want people who visually look different, who don't look the same as everyone else. So don't ever think, I'm not pretty so I can't make it. Remember, looking different is what makes you stand out, and when you stand out people remember you. Which is exactly what an agency wants.

Commercial: Although this is less prestigious than editorial modelling, never the less you can still make heaps! It involves modelling for everything from shampoo to jeans, and from perfume to health care insurance! This section of the industry offers more leeway compared to high fashion modelling, as the size, height and age of the models doesn't matter as much. There is no catwalk involved in commercial modelling, as effectively you are the face of a brand. You appear in print advertisements, magazines, on product boxes etc. Thus, why size and height usually doesn't matter. It entirely depends on what you're modelling. For example, a company advertising dentures aren't going to want a young, buff male model. They're going to cast people who fit the brief! Plus, the fact that there is a continuous creation of new products being brought out constantly, there's always going to be something that someone needs to promote, hence where us models come in.

The next step is building up a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of images that showcase your abilities and your work. It is good to have a mixture of different types of shots in your portfolio, to show your diversity. Portrait and full length show your body and face as a whole, and let clients see what you're capable of.

But whatever you do, please don't pay for a fancy portfolio! You can get professional shots for free, by collaborating with local photographers and taking part in fashion projects in your community. Just search for people, fashion pages, photographers or fashion groups in your local area and get involved! That's exactly what I did. I looked around on the internet for castings of fashion shows and went on my own. I turned up, unsure at first as to what I was supposed to do, but that's the beauty of it. You learn and gain experience. You can work with photographers for free, on what is known as a TFP basis. This stands for 'Trade/Time for Prints.' You can build up a really strong portfolio by doing this, without the need to pay hundreds to a person who would do exactly the same thing!

So, when you've found the people you want to work with, it's always a good idea to know how to act. If you're meeting a client for the first time remember:

1. Be on time: It's never a good idea to turn up late, especially if you are working with this person for the first time. Punctuality is key for establishing a good rapport, as you've turned up when you're supposed to, getting the session to a good start and keeping everyone on track. If you are going to be inevitably behind schedule, it's always good to drop them a text/e-mail or call them, apologising and saying you'll be there as quick as you can.
2. Be polite: Nobody likes a diva. You can't come onto the set and start stomping around, giving marching orders and being stroppy. Modelling involves a lot of waiting around, which is boring and tiresome, however it is part of the job. You might be waiting for the others to finish in hair and make-up or you might be waiting to go in. There might be a delay in weather conditions, anything could affect how the schedule was meant to pan out, and all you as a model can do, is wait. Also, remember modelling is about creating someone else's vision, not your own. You might not like what you're wearing, the make-up or your hair, but it's about working what you've been assigned and generally just getting on with it. Be humble and talk back, engage in conversation and show your personality. People will be more likely to hire you if you were nice to be around, cooperated well and were good to work with.
3. Appearance: If you're going to a photoshoot, make sure your hair is clean and free of products, with nothing done to it unless specifically asked. If you have curled your hair and laced it with hairspray, it may not be what the client wants for their image. Just leave your hair natural and they can then do with it what they like. In terms of make-up, don't wear any! (Or fake tan either! Your skin shows up an off yellowy colour on the camera, which tends to annoy the photographer as it means hours of retouching in photoshop.) There's no point wearing a full face of make-up just to get to the location when, again it probably won't be the look they're after, and it will waste time when the MUA has to take it off. Just make sure your face is clean, and is moistured to create a good base for applying make-up. A good tip, it's best to take with you facial wipes. Just in case the make-up is slightly crazy and you don't want to go home wearing it! So basically, turn up to a photoshoot as a blank canvas, ready to be moulded.
4. Castings: If you're going to a casting for a fashion show, the above rules all apply. However you can get away with wearing a very thin layer of make-up. I would usually recommend just some concealer and mascara. This makes it easier for the casting agents to see your natural beauty. In terms of your hair, tie it up in a pony tail or bun. It's best to get your hair away from your face and neck so that people can see your bone structure and face shape. Clothing wise, wear something that shows off the shape of your body. They usually ask you to wear skinny jeans and a vest top, with heels to see how you can walk. Again, when you go in, be yourself. Smile and introduce who you are, showing off your personality.
5. Contacts: It's a good idea to promote yourself, enabling people to get hold of you and book you for jobs. Make an e-mail, just for modelling. It keeps it separate from your personal e-mail so it's easier to realise when it's a potential client trying to contact you. Use social networking to your advantage. Facebook and Twitter allow you to post and promote your images and portfolio, making them available to see to a wider and broader audience, again increasing the likelihood of bookings. It's also a good idea to make a website. It allows you to easily display all of your work in one place, and looks professional when displayed on a business card. A business card is also a good way of getting your name out there. You can take them with you to events/casting/photoshoots and give them out to clients, enabling them to contact you in future.

Modelling is all about promoting a healthy body image. Therefore use the philosophy 'your body is your temple.' You never know when you are going to be asked to model for a client, and so you need to look your best at all times. This includes skin, hair, nails and eyebrows.

1. Skin: Breakouts are inevitable, unless you're a robot whose skin doesn't product sebum (The skins natural oil) then you're going to get spots from time to time. The best way to take care of your skin is to wash it every morning with a facial cleanser. Splash your face with warm water to open the pores then use the cleanser, not scrubbing too hard. Use your fingertips and exfoliate the skin using small circular motions, concentrating on areas that tend to get greasy the most, such as around the nose, forehead and chin. Afterwards rinse with cold water, this closes the now clean pores, preventing immediate build up. It's always a good idea to follow this with a toner. Apply to cotton wool and sweep over the face. Follow with a light moisturiser so the skin doesn't become dried out. Another tip: Always take your make-up off before bed. Sleeping in make-up over night can cause the pores to become blocked, increasing the liklihood of getting spots.
2. Hair: Having healthy hair is always a positive. It's easier to style if you have no dead ends. Go for regular cuts every 6-8 weeks to ensure that the hair continues to grow and is free from split ends. If your hair is coloured, keep up with your roots which inevitably show up on camera if they're too grown out. Once a week it is useful to use a deep conditioner to nourish the hair keep it strong and healthy.
3. Nails: Medium length with no nail polish, except usually clear, is usually what is asked for. Stained nail beds or half picked off nail polish isn't a good look. Make sure you take off all old polish, file the nails and make sure they are clean underneath.
4. Eyebrows: Keep your eyebrows tidy by plucking them into a neat shape. You know what works with your face and what you are used to so stick to that. Top tip: Use a bowl of hot water and cotton wool. Squeeze out the cotton wool and apply to the eyebrows before plucking. The heat will open the pores and soften the hairs, making it easier for you to pull them out.

Diet and Excersise

You'll feel a lot better, both inside and out if you eat clean and do regular excersise. Drinking plenty of water will aid the skin, nails and hair, helping to keep them healthy and strong.

Eating better will reduce the liklihood of you getting spots from eating foods higher in fat, in turn again helping your skin. Plus, you'll feel less bloated and better for eating clean.

Excersise will help in more ways than you think. You will have a better sense of well being, in addition it will increase your endurance levels, great if you're shooting all day/travelling, you'll be able to last all day! Plus you'll be able to increase your flexbility, enabling you to create a diverse range of poses.

Overall, it takes a lot to be a model. It's not all glamour and glitz, being served on a throne all day whilst people pamper you. It's hard work. There's lots of travelling, waiting and long days. It's being out in the cold, it might be raining, you're shivering, you hate your outfit, you're tired...but you work it. You perform the best you possibly can to get the shot that your client wants. That's the attitude that will get you bookings time after time, and will help you to succeed in this industry. It's the perserverance and determination in someone that prevails over their looks anyday

Penelope Williamson: Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model!

Penelope Williamson is the latest casualty of the BINTM judges. The Leeds lass, who prior to the show worked in a call centre, stood out for her ability to voice her opinion (Especially to designer Julien Macdonald) and stand her Northern ground.

But her heels weren't dug in hard enough and she was criticised for lacking confidence, resulting in her eviction from the show on Monday night. I caught up with Penny to find out about her time in the model house, what the judges were really like, and her thoughts on her less-than favourite model makeover...

Image subject to copyright/Sky Living.

How long have you been modelling for?

I had no experience before BINTM, so a few months...not long at all!

What made you audition for BINTM?

Boredom! I was at university but dropped out. I always wanted to be a model but I know I'm not quite as thin and toned as you need to be, but due to the TV side of it aswell I thought I'd try my luck with my personality, haha!

Tell us what the casting day was like.

Casting was literally ten minutes in front of producers and a Models 1 scout. Really quick and didn't give you much of an idea if you had done well or not!

How did you react when you found out you were going to be on the show?

I was so excited! But I still didn't know how far I'd gotten, so I didn't let myself get carried away. We didn't know we were in the top 20 until the day!

It was so great seeing a Leeds lass representing us Northern girls, how was it living in the model house?

The model house was a good crack. The sink did get blocked and we didn't have hot water for a while though, so it's not all glamour. But there was plenty of wine to distract me and Anita!

Now, you made it pretty clear that you didn't like your makeover. Tell us about your initial reactions to your 'new-do.'

I started crying! So unlike me. I like to think I'm tough, but I just though what the f*ck have they done, I look like a stripper, haha!

Penny with her 'mega blonde' extensions in a photoshoot for Casio watches.

We take it you didn't keep the extensions then?

The extensions were out the day I got home! I totally get where Elle was coming from, I have quite a round (chubby) face, so I do need long hair. So I am trying to grow it and am keeping it mega blonde! So hopefully I am en-route to the Bardott look after all!

The golden question. What are the judges really like?

It's hard to say what they're really like, there are always cameras which everyone is really conscious of. I think their TV persona's are pretty much what everyone sees. Elle is very calm and caring. Whitney is feisty and honest, with amazing style. Julien, utterly bonkers! Tyson, a bit arrogant and boring, haha!

If you could relive the experience, would you do anything differently?

Naaa. I would love to have gotten further but I'm not going to change or kiss people's arses to get far in life. I'd rather achieve something for being good at it and sticking to my guns!

And finally, what advice would you give to any aspiring models out there?

Don't be unrealistic! If you're not 5'10 and a size 8, things are going to be hard. Even if you're 6ft and a size 0, you still might not be right! Do test shoots, see what you're good at, find out what angles are good for you and find an agency that suits your look! Don't let things get to you and don't get upset or body conscious, embrace what you have and make it work! If not, try doing something else in the fashion industry, like photography (which can probably pay more anyway!)

So Penny's journey in Britain and Ireland's biggest modelling competition is over. So what's next for the blonde beauty? Well, she recently moved to London to carry on pursuing her modelling dream, with the hopes of making it big. It just shows that with enough determination, a strong personality and a winning Leeds lass charm you can get noticed by the industry giants. Just stay grounded, speak your mind and stick to your guns!

Follow Penny at: @PenelopeLane8

Keep following the remaining British beauties on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model at 9pm, every Monday on Sky Living.

Kirsty's A Model, Why?

So, I get a lot of questions about my modelling. The main one being how did you start? That's a story for another post. I think a better one to focus on is 'Why did I start?'

I've always loved fashion, and used to spend my pocket money as a teenager on buying fashion magazines. It was a place where 'skinny' girls were considered beautiful and pretty. We all know that kids can be cruel, and my childhood was no exception. I was the girl who was always the tallest, with a spangley frame and no boobs. The first in the queue for the back row on picture day, being the only girl in a back-row sea of boys.

Being so made me a prime target when I went up to high school. When the other girls were all filling out and becoming more curvacious, getting rounder hips and actually having something to put into a bra, I just stayed the same. No curves, just straight up and down. The names flew about, naturally. I was always called a boy for not looking more womanly and called 'chicken legs' because mine were so thin. I hated being thin, I hated it.

August 2007, aged 14. (I'm the one on the left.)

Non-uniform day was the worst. I couldn't find jeans to fit me. The length was fine (I had to buy a womens size 8) but at only 11 years old, my waist was too small! Without a belt they just fell to my knees; and with a belt, the material was all scrunched up around my waist and you could see it through the t-shirt I wore. Nightmare. Not one belt I had didn't have a custom made hole, forcefully created by my Mum and her knife she used for chopping vegetables.

I saw being thin as some kind of curse. I longed to be able to wear a bra and actually have something to put in it. Be able to go out with my friends and buy pants that fit, not constantly having to wear draw-string tracksuit bottoms because they were the only thing that stayed up.

I should have gone to an agency then. But confidence was the issue. Being set back by so many people made it hard for me to believe I had it in me. So I just battled on, through my teenage years. Thank God for the jeggings trend, that's all I can say.

When I got to around 18, after I had left school that's when I started to look into modelling more. I had never lost my love for it, I was addicted to America's Next Top Model and was even more excited when they introduced a British version. Tyra was my Goddess. She's taught me so much, and even though at this time I was too shy to put it into use, it was all up there.

I used to practice for hours, poses from magazines, the way light creates shadows, making different shapes with my body and the most famous, the smize. Smizing was key. The signature move, created by Tyra herself involves you 'smiling with your eyes.' You name it, I had tried to learn it.

Admittedly, more than anything I wanted to show the people back in school that being skinny wasn't a curse, it was a beauty and that you shouldn't fight it. (Well I my case I had no choice, having a Dad who was 6'4 with the same build as me made it inevitable. Also having a ridiculously fast metabolism meant I burned off fat quicker, making me unable to store it.) So there was actually nothing I could do. Overeating became a habit. Snacking on chocolate and crisps in the hope I'd gain weight became a regular habit, but nothing worked.

People always say. 'Oh my God, tell me what diet you're on' or 'I bet she doesn't eat.' I had that a lot, people thinking I had an eating disorder because I was so slim. Nope, I ate (and still eat) like a horse; and didn't my family and close friends know it. I can put food away, no doubt about that just see me at meal times, I'm always the first person going up for seconds.

So how about now? Well I'm still thin, my overactive metabolism makes sure of that. But I've learned to embrace by figure and see it as a blessing and not a curse. What do people say now? I get most women saying 'You have such a lovely figure.' 'Aww give over, thank-you.' I reply modestly. But to hear that means lots. Although it was just comments, it hurts more when you're younger and the verbal scars don't heal as quickly as you'd like. They've stayed with me for a long time.

Me earlier this year on my 20th birthday, slightly more filled out.

It was kind of justification when I ran into one of those guys I used to go to school with, on my recent birthday. He came up to me and said 'Are you a model now?' As much as it's kind of petty to say, I loved it. I just nodded my head and smiled, and replied with. 'Yes, yes I am.'

See my modelling progess at www.facebook.com/kirstybuttlemodelling.

Thanks for reading guys, feel free to ask me questions by e-mailing me at kirstybuttlemodelling@hotmail.co.uk, or add me on Twitter @KirstLeedsModel. :)

Kirsty xxx

Intropost: About Kirsty

So for my first post, I thought I'd do a little introduction so you can get to know what kind of person I am.

So here goes...

My name is Kirsty, people closer to me call me Kirst. I'm 20, with my birthday being on January 14th, making me a capricorn. (Although I dont follow the horoscopes and all that.)

I live in Leeds, but hopefully soon to be moving to Harrogate with my boyfriend. The old lady inside me likes how quieter it is and how everything seems to be in one place. People from the city say I'm crazy, but hey it's only a train ride away. I could never leave Leeds behind totally, it has everything and everyone that I love there. I built up my modelling within Leeds, starting around two years ago.

(I'll be blogging more about that soon.) I studied journalism in Leeds, which opened lots of new doors and granted me lots of opportunities.

I love fashion, and have a slight obsession with fashion magazines. Seriously!

That's probably not even all of them, I swear I have some more Vogue's boxed up somewhere! Getting a yearly subscription from the fella doesn't help matters either. I practically ambush the postman when my next copy is due.

I love to settle down with a cup of tea (another mild addiction I have) and get lost in a fashion magazine.

What else about me? Erm... oh I have about 60 pairs of shoes. No kidding. I have worked for Faith, Kurt Geiger and now I work for fashion giants Harvey Nichols. Getting to see Christian Louboutin's, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana everyday is heaven. A dream. Although at the same time, a nightmare! I'll admit, I do have a sneaky try on in the stockroom when it goes quiet, but can't really afford all the ones I so desperately crave. However, thank you for staff discount! I've only been there a couple of months so haven't had time to abuse it yet, but I assure you when I do I'll let you know what the first purchase was!

So yeah, short and sweet but that about all I can think of to tell you. Want to know anything, just ask! Contact me via my facebook page:

www.facebook.com/kirstybuttlemodelling or e-mail me at kirstybuttlemodelling@hotmail.co.uk. I'll answer your questions in my next blog post!

Kirsty :)
xxx