Freelance Models: How To Decode Legit NYFS Castings
Fashion Week is like the ultimate peak of excitement for models!
It’s that incredible time when they get the chance to feast their eyes on the hottest emerging collections, meet the geniuses behind those designs, and mingle with the cool staff members in hair, makeup, production, and styling.
And let’s not forget the moment when they finally hit the runway with their signature strut, making jaws drop, while making a name for themselves! But wait, hold up!
With all this buzz and hype, how can models tell if a Fashion Week casting is the real deal and not some sketchy scam?
Let me arm you with valuable tips to steer clear of fraudulent experiences and uncover those authentic opportunities, ensuring that your Fashion Week experience is nothing short of mind-blowing! No more major letdowns – just the runway of your dreams!
How would you know if a New York fashion week casting is legit?
Unlike our signed counterparts, we don’t have agents to handle everything, so we’ve got to be savvy and street-smart!
Now, there are plenty of casting call websites, apps, and networks out there, all claiming to list those golden opportunities. But here’s the catch
– some of them might be legit, while others are just shady pretenders.
How do we separate the real deal from the fakes?
First things first, let’s channel our inner detective skills. Whip out that trusty search engine and Google the brand’s name like a pro.
Check out everything that pops up – interviews, casting notices, reviews, images – the whole shebang!
But we’re not stopping there! Next up, we’re diving into the depths of their social media. Think of yourself as a social media detective, stalking their profiles.
Do they post any snazzy fashion content?
Behind-the-scenes runway show videos? Fashion-forward pics that make your heart skip a beat? If yes, then that’s a good sign!
However, if you catch them sharing content from other brands, that’s a BIG red flag!
Why would they share someone else's stuff if they're the real deal?
Even the big shots like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle Magazine keep a tight grip on their social media content.
They don’t share a single post from the modeling agencies they team up with to feature models in their magazines.
So, why should a small start-up business bother with someone else’s brand? It’s their time to shine, focus on building their own brand with engaging content and live media.
When you start feeling uneasy about something, it’s time to become smart and alert, fellow models.
By doing some research and relying on your instincts, you can tell the genuine from the fake and grab those wonderful, legitimate opportunities!
What do you mean “Posting other brands content?”
Beware of those scammy model pages trying to pull a fast one!
They’ll go to great lengths, like sharing news from fashion industry pages or using pictures of models signed to reputable agencies, just to stay relevant in the algorithm and boost their follower count!
It’s a sad reality, but it happens more often than you think.
But fear not, my fellow savvy models! There are ways to separate the real deal from the fakes.
If the page showcases relevant pictures and behind-the-scenes content from their own work, that’s a promising sign!
Alright, so let’s imagine that their social media and Google results are positive
ATTEND THE CASTING, BUT UNDER ONE CONDITION!
If you’re feeling good about the results, go ahead and attend the casting, but here’s the deal! Bring a buddy along and spread the word!
Let your close friends and family know about the casting by sharing the flyer and asking if one or two of them can join you on this exciting journey!
Your companions can wait outside the casting room while you confidently strut your walk, nailing that runway spot at New York Fashion Week alongside other top models!
Having someone you trust by your side adds an extra layer of security, even if the brand checks out as legit! So, make sure you rock that casting with confidence and support!
Someone slid into my DMs, inviting me to attend a casting call – talk about a major red flag!
Legit casting directors don’t approach models this way.
You see, legit casting directors have their own unique ways of finding fresh talent, and it’s not by sliding into your DMs. Oh no! Instead, model scouts are the ones scouring social media for potential stars.
They’re like virtual talent detectives, seeking out hidden gems to bring into the spotlight!
On the other hand, casting directors have a different approach.
They either collaborate with reputable modeling agencies or make bold announcements on social media, inviting all you fabulous models to strut your stuff on the runway.
So, if you ever receive a DM from someone claiming to be a casting director, it’s time to raise that skeptical eyebrow and ask for an email explaining in detail the casting.
How to Detect Genuine Opportunities
First up, the end of the email handle – a key giveaway of legitimacy.
Genuine emails from industry pros proudly display the brand’s name at the end, just like WomensFitnessCasting@Nike.com or LACustomerService@Forever21.com and even my email ends in LedomStyle!
On social media, beware of slick tricks like repeated letters in the username. For instance, watch out for double ‘I’s’ in the word Nike, like @NiikeSportsWear, or double ‘E’s’ like @NikeeSportsWear.
So let’s outsmart those imposters and make sure the brand name is spelled correctly, no funky characters allowed!
Oh boy, let me tell you about my recent close call with SHEIN clothing
My heart skipped a beat when I saw an email from the famous clothing brand SHEIN.
Immediately I checked the email for fraudulent specs.
The handle at the end of the email, SheinHeadQuarters.Collab.infor@gmail.com, raised a red flag.
Picture this: SHEIN, a massive brand, but with a Gmail account? Nah, it sounds like a fishy scheme to me!
I was excited, but I knew I had to investigate further before diving in.
So, I did my detective work and headed straight to SHEIN’s website. As I browsed their ‘Influencer Program’ page, I noticed something weird – their official contact email was blogservice@shein.com!
Alarm bells rang in my head! A reputable brand like SHEIN wouldn’t use a generic email provider like Gmail for official communications.
It was a no-brainer – having your domain name in the email is 101 business etiquette and a mark of legitimacy!
our intuition becomes a powerful ally in keeping us safe!
I quickly realized that intuition had steered me right.!
Just like I have my own domain name under Ledomstyle, SHEIN would undoubtedly use their own brand name in their official emails.
No need to fall for the scam! I promptly emailed SHEIN, and they confirmed that the email I received was indeed a hoax.
Was I a bit bummed? Yes.
But I was mostly thrilled to know that my instincts kept me from being taken in by the imposters!
Remember, guys, always trust your gut and stay sharp in this dynamic world of modeling!
Navigating the fashion industry as a freelance model is an exciting adventure, but it’s crucial to stay alert and recognize those red flags that could lead us into a dark tunnel.
From misspelled social media handles and emails to questionable casting calls, our intuition becomes a powerful ally in keeping us safe and securing genuine opportunities!
So, trust your gut, my fellow fabulous friends, and arm yourself with knowledge to conquer the entertainment industry!