Two weeks too long – The #ProjectScouted Top 25 get suited up at Phase Five

It’s one of the great pleasures in life to meet like-minded people; people who are as passionate about their goals and desires as you are, people who will support and encourage your dreams even ahead of their own. Everyone at #ProjectScouted has found these people and being in each other’s creative, zealous presence has become a necessity. A two week hiatus seemed incredibly long, but the team were back together on Sunday on Florida Road for the Phase Five shoot featuring the stunning Top 25 girls.

Having shot Phase Four and produced entrancing images, Jessica Lee of Van.Go Photography came back at it to shoot Phase Five this week. (Don’t forget to read about this stunning girl on the blog!) This shoot was in complete contrast to her previous one, as the girls traded their ethereal femininity for suave sophistication. The shoot - titled "Suit and Tie" - took place at the park on Florida Road and as always attracted the attention of the public like moths to a flame because there is no resisting the pull of the Project.

Jessica’s insight behind the theme of the shoot was to portray the Top 25 as strong, independent women in the guise of the 21^st century man of class. Arriving with black skinny jeans and white collared shirts, with the rest of the props and clothing provided, the ladies had their makeup done by the lovely girls of Make-up the College, who have done a tremendous job in bringing the themes alive each week through their artistry.

Shooting in the vicinity of the park across the road from the Spiga D’Oro restaurant; Jessica placed the girls with strong posing and drew out their feisty personalities, which was also channelled through their dramatic makeup and slicked -back hair. The shoot had an urban, metropolitan feel – certainly exuding the sense of being shot in the heart of Durban – whilst remaining intriguingly womanly.

The Project has gained speeding momentum this cycle, with the media being inundated with news of the shoots and the team involved. Having featured in the latest The Umhlanga magazine, #ProjectScouted has Durban abuzz. The recent announcement that the winner of the Project will also receive a full magazine spread in The City magazine, also collaborated by FabMagazines, to the value of R45 000, has lighted the spark of determination in the girls’ eyes. This is going to be a remarkable genesis to one lucky girl’s career.

We love seeing parents and well-wishers at the shoots and even found a few budding parental photographers out to support their daughters while capturing the memories behind-the-scenes. With Just Green our Project DJ keeping the atmosphere pulsing with his mixes, it really was the perfect way for the girls still at school and university to end off their holidays.

One of the biggest highlights in the #ProjectScouted calendar is the fashion show featuring the designs of Shoelaced Clothing by Ryan Francis. We can hardly believe that this phase has arrived and takes place next Saturday at The Factory Cafe with the Top 20 girls – plus the Wildcard! – getting the opportunity to showcase their ramp skills after having honed their photographic abilities. Come meet the faces behind the Project – there is no charge to view the show and we will be celebrating till late!

“There is no good and evil. There is only power and those too weak to seek it.” And #ProjectScouted Cycle 2 has seen that power and separated the weak from the strong.

images used shot by: Dalton Green Photography

#ProjectScouted - Phase Five Brief

Brief by Jessica Lee

Phase 5  Brief- Suit & Tie

Photographer- Van.Go photography

Theme- Suit and Tie

Date- 12^th April (Sunday)

Venue- The Park across from Spiga D’oro on Florida Road

Time- 8am

For phase 5 I have gone with a theme that will challenge the ladies. All girls will be dressed in suit and tie and will get to live in the shoes of a classy man. It’s all portraying the 21^st Century man of class.

Theme and dress code-

All Ladies must wear a pair of Black skinny jeans, a white collared shirt and black heals.

The rest will be provided.

Hair and Makeup-

The hair must be slicked back or tied up in a tight high pony tail.

The makeup must be done to highlight the cheek bones and jaw line just like that of a man. Which means lots of contouring to create a strong jaw line. The ladies can either choose between a dark lip with a nude eye or a nude lip and dark smokey eyes.

Pro model, Iman Sheik, the guest judge for Phase Five of #ProjectScouted

As a professional model with Ice Modelsin Durban, Iman Sheik might only be 17 years old, but we couldn't have asked for a more qualified guest judge for Phase Five of #ProjectScouted. She's stunning, yet simple and down to earth, and isn't unwilling to pass on what she knows about the modelling industry to aspiring models. Having been at the Phase Five photo session at the Chris Saunders Park in Umhlanga this past Saturday morning, she has had the chance to not only see the #ProjectScouted girls in action but also to help with their posing while Phase Five photographer RoyEsterhuysen, who you can also read more about on the blog, did his thing behind the camera.

            Lee Folkard Photography found out more about this beauty who has success for modelling in her name.

            Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Iman Sheik?

            Iman: I'm a 17 year-old-girl from sunny Durban who is currently studying Clinical Psychology. I was really lucky to start my schooling earlier than usual. I'm also a model for Ice Models Durban, South Africa. I absolutely love fashion, food, family and friends.

            LFP: How did you hear about #ProjectScouted and how did you become a guest judge for Phase Five?

            Iman: I'm actually friends with Lee on Facebook and was sent an invitation to the Shoelaced Clothing fashion show in Phase Four at SMG Rocks. I absolutely love the whole concept of what #ProjectScouted aims to achieve and I knew I needed to be a part of it! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a guest judge! I love meeting others who have similar interests that I have and who are passionate about the modelling industry.

            LFP: How did you enter the modelling industry?

            Iman: I was still in school and my best friend encouraged me to enter a modelling competition that was taking place. I reluctantly agreed. And to everyone's surprise, I was suddenly being offered contracts by some of the local agencies. Now three years in, I absolutely love every minute of it! And its all thanks to my best friend, Sonam! Its so important to have friends who motivate you and want to see you succeed!

            LFP: Being a model is tough work. What has been some of the challenges? Would you change anything about the modelling industry in Durban?

            Iman: For me, a challenge has sometimes been my age. Most of the girls start their careers a lot earlier on. It is hard in Durban as the fashion community is still on the rise. A model also needs to have a more mature image sometimes, and I'm still coming to that place. But I know how lucky I have been!

            LFP: What do you love the most about being a model?

            Iman: I love the confidence it has given me. I have learnt to love myself for who I am and not what society wants me to be. This can be really hard for a teenager to do but modelling has taught me how to. At the same time, I'm also obsessed with getting dressed up. And I get to do it on the grandest scale ever!

            LFP: What inspired you to choose Clinical Psychology as your qualification and what do you plan to do after you complete your studies?

            Iman: A few years back, I actually had to visit a Clinical Psychologist after being in a hijack situation. Sitting in that doctor's office, the doctor made me realize in that moment that one day I could have the opportunity to council children who have been victims of far worse situations than I had experienced. I intend on counseling war, rape, and abuse victims. I plan on making a difference!

            LFP: How do you balance your studies and model work?

            Iman: I have a really strict dad who expects nothing less than A's! To be honest, time management and being a perfectionist comes in very handy! I just believe that if you really enjoy what you do, you can do it all!

            LFP: It seems like the destiny to be a model is written in your name.

            Iman: I was named after Iman Abdulmajid and from a very young age I have aspired to be at least half the woman she is. Not only does she have an amazing career, but she truly embraces her African heritage and being a woman of colour!

            LFP: What has been the highlight of your modelling career?

            Iman: Last year I received the opportunity to enter the Elite Model Look competition and made it to the Top 3 in Durban! It was such an honour and experience being one of the youngest girls!

            LFP: What will you be looking for in the photographs of the #ProjectScouted girls when judging?

            Iman: I am definitely looking for girls with a unique factor; I believe that always give you an edge.

            LFP: What goes through your mind when you're posing for a photo?

            Iman: To be honest, I'm usually so focused on my angles and what the photographer wants. But there is that part of me where my inner diva comes out!

#ProjectScouted is getting more and more nail-biting as the phases go by. Iman will be a part of making the daunting and extremely difficult decision of choosing the girls who will make up the much-awaited Top 10. Along with photographers Lee Folkard, Jerome Stoffels, and Samantha Duckworth, all of whom you can read about on the blog, Iman knows exactly what a good photo comprises of. Who better to make that decision?

Pretty girls in a pretty park - #ProjectScouted Phase Five at the Chris Saunders Park

Having had some time to recover and regroup after the major success and experience of the Phase Four fashion show featuring Shoelaced Clothing by Ryan Francis two weeks ago at the SMG Rocks Mini showroom, the #ProjectScouted girls had the last chance to bring their winning personas to the Phase Five shoot on Saturday which will determine who will progress to the all-important Top 10.

            Take a beautiful setting and place some of the most beautiful girls in Durban in it, add a photographer of note and high-fashion poses, and you have a recipe for success. The Chris Saunders Park, right across from the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, is a popular attraction in Umhlanga for its location and ambience, and was the perfect relaxed setting for the Phase Five photoshoot. Contrasting the park's casual atmosphere was the edgy theme of high-fashion chosen by the official Phase Five photographer, Roy Esterhuysen of Firsthouse Photography and Blush Boudoir.

            The girls have had the opportunity to explore the different sides of their personalities as well as the different elements of the modelling industry throughout the Project with this phase encouraging them to build on the attitude and strong poses they were exposed to at the fashion show in Phase Four. Of course it was an added bonus that the guest judge for this phase, model from Ice Model Management, Iman Sheik, was there to throw direction at the girls to get the best from their posing. Braving the early morning were also scouts Tyra Horsley and Jami de Vries; behind-the-scenes photographers Nilufer Yucel of Nilufer Yucel Photography, Jessica Lee Van Goeverden of Van.Go Photography, and Valen Peters-Govender of Wild Willow Media; along with regular judge and photographer, Jerome Stoffels.

            Aiding in the girls achieving a fiesty look were some of the extremely gifted students from Jacqui Bannerman's Make-up the College in Morningside. These make-up artists in the making also took care of the make-up for the Phase Four fashion show and kept up the exceptionally high standard that they had set for themselves at the show. Every look complimented each girl based on their specific features as well as their high-fashion look which had to have a statement colour incorporated into the outfit. Roy's expert use of lighting, with a Canon 580ex flash as a rim light giving a beautiful outline to the models' profiles, brought the images and the make-up to life. As you will see, every girl's shot seems like an image from an international magazine spread.

            After having their full-length and head-and-shoulders shots taken at the park by Roy, the girls were then photographed posing with the exceptional baristas at one of the best coffee-houses in Durban, I Want My Coffee, which overlooks the park. With its green signage and endearing logo, you can't miss the coffee shop owned by the band, Just Jinjer's, foreman, Ard Matthews and his partner Deborah. The coffee shop also doubles as an online radio station, iwantmyradio.com, that can be tuned in to from anywhere in the world. After their shots, the girls were treated to a cup of coffee which was really appreciated on the chilly morning. It was all about good music, good vibes, really good coffee, and amazing people at Phase Five of #ProjectScouted.

            We're nearing the end of the journey of the whirlwind that #ProjectScouted has been and its going to be hard to see some of the girls being let go. Having some of the most talented girls in Durban being a part of this year's Project, some of the girls with unavoidable committments were not able to be at the Phase Five shoot; meaning that only 3 girls from the 13 will be cut to make the Top 10. Nevertheless, that's going to be a tough call for judges Lee, Samantha, Jerome and guest judge, Iman. All these girls have every reason to be extremely proud of themselves!

Images supplied by: Van.Go Photography 

#ProjectScouted : Phase Five : Brief

Words from the Phase Five photographer for the TOP15.

High fashion neutral color outfits with an accent color (accent color can be red/blue/yellow, etc...  accent color can be a watch strap, scarf, belt, shoes, etc) they must use the pose images for inspiration for the outfits. The pose images are also going to be very similar to the poses on the day.

Make-up will be done by: Make-Up The College. 

Hair styles for the girls are tied back like in the examples (unless they have a cool fro) and for those with a short fringe can have the rest of their hair tied back like in hair1.jpg

Hair example

Hair example

Hair example

Hair and Close Up Example

Hair example

We will be doing 3 shots:

Full Length

Closeup (similar to hair and closeup.jpg)

Pose with the barrister @ IWMC