Our agency was thrilled to help out with a casting call put forth by design label VAWK to launch its new sister label VAWKKIN during World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. The catch? Designer Sunny Fong wanted to choose his consumers to debut the line and asked us to help with casting and training the group.  The many applicants from all walks of life, different sizes, ages, heights and backgrounds were narrowed down to 16. After some initial nervousness at our runway boot camps, the ladies quickly got the hang of the model strut and were excited and eager for their runway debut March 14th in front of hundreds of guests and media.

We were so proud to watch this dynamic group of women walk the runway with such confidence and poise! Their turn on the catwalk hit a chord with the fashion crowd in attendance with many supportive comments being passed along via social media. The press also greatly supported the initiative and several great articles emerged regarding the need for diversity in fashion as well as this empowering CTV segment in which you may learn more about some of these great women. Fashion blogger Sharon (in top photo) chronicled her experience with lots of insider details and behind the scenes photos through her site The Backseat Stylers

Here’s the video to see the show for yourself! It opens with the VAWK collection with the VAWKKIN debut commencing at the 6:30 mark. And make sure to see photos of all VAWK and VAWKKIN outfits!

Runway Photos: Toronto Life

Group Photo: Ben Barry Agency

Dita Von Teese launched her lingerie collection Von Follies for Target Australia March 10th at the  L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival and her model casting decisions have been making waves around the world.  After two days of auditioning models, the burlesque celeb offered these casting comments to the press:

“Of course I want to show all different types and more voluptuous girls.  The times where we said no to models were mostly when they were too skinny. We gave a lot of models the axe for being too skinny – we probably turned away a dozen.  It’s important to me we show curvaceous women and fuller-figured girls … lingerie looks terrific on girls with shape.”

In a world in which models sized 0-2 primarily dominate the largest runway shows, it was quite noticeable having slim to curvier models in a variety of sizes represent the line. It was an especially noticeable move to use a variety of sizes for a lingerie show which is rarely done – especially in a show starring a celebrity with the power to garner worldwide attention. The Target line ranges up to an E cup for the bras and the designer wanted to reflect these sizes on the runway. Interesting to note: many of the larger sizes have been the first to sell out.

For the full show visit here .  We look forward to more shows like this that include a variety of sizes!

Photos: Herald Sun