Have you got the look?

THE natural girl is in which translates  to no implants and no augmentations! For the guys, the slim, sleek and polished look is the one that would almost guarantee you a spot in an international poster or magazine ad. That’s according to Fairgrounds International (FGI) manager, Anthony Gomez, who will be looking for such traits when he stages the 2004 Fairgrounds International Model Search on May 31 at Pier I Chaguaramas. The show serves the dual purpose of sourcing models to fill FGI’s portfolio, as well as the crowning of a new “Mr and Miss Abstract.” The winning couple will both receive a $10,000 cash prize among other gifts.

The show is open to both men and women throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Applicants must have two passport-sized photographs and two full body portraits of themselves and a registration fee of $75. The dress code is black trousers and for ladies who wish to wear a dress, it must be black. Applicants can call 645-7142 for more information. Models who are chosen will undergo training in the art of runway, commercial and spokes-modelling for the US line of Black Opal and L’Oreal. They will also learn the art of drama for local, regional and international print, press and television advertisements. “Then we’ll begin to image them in terms of weight, hairstyle and skin tone,” Gomez said. This is in keeping with current trends to fit a wider market, he informed.

Fairgrounds International is also scouting for children 1-13 years for commercial ads. FGI has been successful in creating, among their slate of beauties and handsome hunks, four Caribbean supermodels. Annalise Brooks of Arima, Arvelle Harewood of Trincity, Kyron Grandison of Champs Fleurs and Lyndon Emmons of Arouca have not only been able to make their presence felt throughout the region, but they have also penetrated foreign markets. Gomez, who is also editor-in-chief of Abstract Magazine, said his organisation is currently in talks with the owners of Revlon, which he said would open up avenues for his models to work with the international hair and cosmetic line. Abstract is widely distributed throughout the Caribbean, the US and can now be obtained at the counters of some of the main fashion outlets in Germany. Annalise, 23, has been with FGI for three years. She has done numerous print and television ads for Sprite, Nescafe and Busta, locally and in Grenada and Barbados. Recently, Annalise was casted for a lingerie and cosmetics company in Europe. An 18-month contract with the company averages US$75,000.

Arvelle, too, has done work for clients “down the islands,” and has worked with Catwalk clothing company, drinks Viva and Sprite, and Stayfree. Apart from being highlighted in local and regional ads, Kyron has also been featured in posters for a popular clothing line. Like Annalise, Lyndon was cast by an international crew, this time for a fashion designer in New York and has been featured in television commercials and newspaper advertisements. Like the FGI Caribbean supermodels, models selected would have their faces grace the pages of Abstract, get the chance to work with make-up artist Leasel Rovedas and photographer William Aguiton, wear designer clothing and be featured in local and foreign commercials.

Featured on the cover of the April-June 2004 issue of Abstract, which will be out in stores in one week, are 2003 “Mr and Miss Abstract” Jason Batson of Arouca, and Crystal Cunningham of St Ann’s. The two emerged winners in the first pageant of its kind last July when FGI staged a beauty pageant at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. “This came out of the number of calls we got out of 18 contestants and judged from seven categories physique, general skin tone, congeniality, elegance, intelligence, ‘Miss Diva’ and ‘Miss Divo’ and photogenic.” Jason and Crystal have come to the end of their reign. During that time they signed autographs and travelled to Bermuda and Grenada in promotion of various FGI ventures. Mr and Miss Abstract also visited the Princess Elizabeth Home and paid a courtesy call on Mayor of Port-of-Spain Murchison Brown.