Take a Peek at Rufskin 2013

We love RUFSKIN, we love Catalan, and its swimwear season.  What's not to love about this promo from RUFSKIN featuring all three, plus a bunch of buff male fitness models?  

You're welcome & enjoy.  

Get Inspiration from Top 5 Male Models

Let’s face it. There has been a perpetual change in the top five male models owing to the clients’ choice, bookings and selections and are the cardinal factors that make or break not only male but also female models. 

The general trend at the moment to get oneself noticed in the modeling industry is getting help of male modeling agencies. I do not contradict their contribution towards promotion of new talent, but following the footsteps of successful male models is not a bad idea. Learning from their modeling experiences, will guide new comers to understand the changing modeling trends.

 

 Benjamin Eidem by Georgie Wileman for #8 Carbon Copy

Baptiste Radufe #5

Chosen by YSL for its Spring/Summer men line, Baptiste’s high cheek bones, perfect pout and prominent bedroom eyes made him the hottest new comer of the season. A glance at his profile shows he is part of Gucci Resort 2013 campaign along with Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer collection 2013.

Benjamin Eidem #4

It has not been long since Benjamin Eidem made his debut as MDC’s Top newcomer and walked the ramp for Louis Vuitton and Prada. His looks of a classic movie star made him noticed by a number of prominent brands such as Margaret Howell and Calvin Klein.

Clement Chabernaud #3

Since several seasons Clement Chabernaud remained the face of Jil Sander. Owing to this epicenter features Clement Chabernaud soon graced cover of a number of men’s magazine. Other features in his modeling cap include campaign with Prada and Cavalli, thus making his mark in fashion industry.

Simon Nessman #2

Simon Nessman has not only made his presence felt in fitness modeling but also his innocent and romantic looks attracted plethora of campaigns including those of Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, H&M to name a few.

Sean O’Pry #1

Having an enviable career, Sean O’Pry has been successful in keeping high profile brands such as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Armani and Versace in his booking campaign. Widely hailed as the greatest presence in male modeling, Sean is highly professional and knows where to invest his looks.
 

client: Uniqlo
source: uniqlo.com
published: Fall/Winter 2009

Finding the Right Model Agency

Fitness Model Rowan, for Bleep Models

A quality male model is hard to come by. You want someone who can represent your brand, and can connect with your target customers. Here are some characteristics of a good male model.

Six pack abs. - A good physique is a must. Male models should look good in anything that they wear. Looking handsome is a start, but it's not enough. Some products require the male model to show the upper torso. For instance, a sports brand will want the model to look athletic. The average Joe on the street can't get this type of look. A model who has worked hard to get a chiseled body will certainly allow a sports brand to stand out.

Understand that it is not easy for an individual to have a good physique. A professional model works out regularly and watches his diet. Often, body fat percentage is 10% or lower, which leads to the shredded look. This requires a great amount of discipline and professionalism. If a model does not have a good physique, he is not ready to take on assignments.

A great personality. - Having a great personality has its advantages. Working on the set doesn't mean standing still and taking photographs. The model has to work with the crew to get the best possible effects. This requires the model to communicate with the crew. Having a pleasant personality makes the model easier to work with. Does the client care about this? Of course! This is because the end result is always more natural looking photographs. And it all stems from picking models with a great personality.

The X factor. - The X factor is a unique characteristic that can sometimes be hard to find. Ever look at someone who doesn't have to work hard to look charming? People just seem attracted to this charming individual and everyone wants to work with him. The charm shows on the pictures as well. For the younger models, the X factor manifests as boyish charm. For the more mature models, there is that calm confidence that often goes together with that rugged manly look.

As the client, you don't have to worry about any of the above. You just need to pick the right modeling agency to work with. A good agency should have a deep understanding of all that we have just discussed. They screen models on your behalf. The screening process will allow the best models to shine. As for those who are not quite ready, the agency will provide guidance and prepare them for upcoming projects.

You also want to work with an agency that represents many professional male models. The reason is that you want the agency to have a variety of models that you can choose from. Having options allow you to pick the best model to represent your brands.

Best Bodies of 2012

Need some New Year inspiration to kick-start 2013?  We've got just the thing.  Here's a quick rundown of the 'Best Bodies of 2012' features four World Champions, two European Champions, and five National Champions. Shot in the UK, Toronto, Miami, Las Vegas, Iceland, Paris and Bognor Regis - these guys are truly the Best of the Best.  - compilation via STORYOFSHIRTLESS

Model Scams: Be Aware

Are you an exceptionally good looking man, who has been told that you would be a great model for magazines, catalogs, etc.?  Much of the publicity for models usually will go to women, but there is certainly a healthy and booming market out there for male models who want to step into the modeling industry.

If you are one of these individuals, and you want to be a model, it can be a highly lucrative career, but it is very important that you’re well informed of scams that might come your way. Wherever there is money to be made, there is also a scammer looking to take advantage. In order to avoid the hassle and keep your modeling career on the right path, it is recommended that you adhere to the following tips. 

1. Big Pay – Little Work.
Fairly obvious but worth saying, everyone would like to make as much money as they can for as little work as possible. Bottom line: it's called efficiency, not greed. Maximizing it will ensure that you earn more for every bit of effort that you put into something. Many male modeling job scams will promise the world and make it seem absolutely too good to be true. If the tone of an ad is that acceptance is easy, or that you will somehow have jobs the next day, then you need to be leery and ask lots of questions. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is, and you can get discouraged if you find yourself taken advantage of.

2. Pay to Work – NO!
Many so called "agents" will make it sound as if they can work wonders for your career, but they require a great deal from you in way of monetary expenses before they actually deliver any results. As a general rule for any industry, you should never pay be able to work for someone (agency or not) specifically. Attaining a certificate or degree of education from a college, university or accredited institution is one thing. Paying someone money to get a modeling gig for photos, representation or otherwise is an outright scam. Stay as far away as possible.

3. Do Your Research
If the ad/agency seems legitimate, you should still log on to third party sites and see what others are saying about the modeling agency granting you the opportunity.  If someone has been done wrong or scammed by this group, it will not take long for you to find them on the Internet. However, you should be careful with this aspect. Just because someone has made an enemy, that doesn't necessarily mean it was their fault. It is important to check with the Better Business Bureau if you have any remaining questions about someone's reputation.

In the end, its best to reflect on what you've been told and your own spirit. Not everyone is a model. While you may be good-looking or take a great photo, who's encouraging you?  Are you truly model material?  Often times, applicants answer that their mother or other relative has told them they have a great look. Ask yourself, beyond family, does this ring true?  In your own heart, you most of all, know if you possess what it takes to be a model.

Ready or Not ... it's Swimwear Season

In an ideal world, those of us in the modeling industry would have been good boys and girls during those winter months and fully be prepared to confront Summer head-on, with perfect tone, shape and skin. The reality is, while we may not be completely camera ready, there are simple changes a model can make to ensure that he/she is in peak condition when that photo shoot comes.

It is said that we are our own worst critic, and as a professional model, you’ve got an even better idea of what photographers are looking for, so put that “skill” to some actual use! You know what aspects of your physicality are irking you, so make a “to-do” list for yourself. Don’t dwell on it, put it on paper, acknowledge it and change it! No negativity necessary, approach the list with a positive, enthusiastic outlook and put your own spin on it! 

Surely, diet figures in somewhere on that list, as what a model eats influences not only body aesthetic but also the appearance of your skin, and you may have adopted some less-than-healthy habits during the holiday season. Most importantly, drink enough water. The simplest way to calculate how much water you need per day is to take your weight (in lbs.) and divide it by 2. This number is how many ounces you need per day if you do not workout, live in a hot climate, high altitude and are feeling well. So you will obviously need to consume more than that if any of those factors apply to you. Other dietary changes that will help you get swimwear model-ready are limiting sugar/refined carbs and upping your intake of fresh fruits/vegetables.

With all of the above dietary changes, you should see results in your muscle definition already but, in combination with exercise, you will reach your optimal model shape in no time. Make sure to get some quality cardio to tone all over and get rid of any fat that may be hiding anywhere. Add to that some targeted ab work and any other area you have noted as needing improvement and Voila! Within a short period of time you will have gained some positive, healthy habits and achieved the model look you desire. I’d say, “Good luck,” but we both know you are well on your way to success!!