Will she or won't she?

It's been quite entertaining and informative to keep up with all of your comments on the previous post. I guess I didn't realize exactly how much some of you care if Freja walks this season or not. For me, I just kind of accepted the fact that she wasn't going to be walking, welcomed the break from chronicling her season, and took the opportunity to follow the shows more closely. But if Freja is your absolute, hands down favorite model, then I can absolutely understand the unwavering hope that she will eventually turn up this season.

So to stoke that hope even further, models.com has put up IMG's Paris showcards and Freja's is included in the bunch. But don't necessarily take this as confirmation of anything, for Freja had the same showcard for Milan and didn't show up at any shows. At this point, all we can do is wait and see.

Even if Freja ends up skipping the season entirely, her career won't be much affected. She's cemented her status as a top model, working icon and cult figure. She's reached the point that all models hope to reach: the point were her career is self sustaining based on her reputation, extensive oeuvre, and all the hard work she put in for 12 straight seasons. One missed catwalk season isn't going to push her out of the minds of the photographers, editors, and stylists who have worked with her before, and who want to work with her in the future.

Some of you might still remember SS08 when she missed most of Paris, or SS09 when she missed most of Milan and ALL of Paris. That was earlier in her career and she managed to bounce back, no problems. In fact, she came back stronger than ever. I guess if you're a seasoned Freja fan, you've come to expect and learned to deal with her runway absences.

So in the meantime, let's enjoy her Vogue Brasil cover shot by Henrique Gendre, and be happy that she's being given the opportunity to display all the other facets of her modeling abilities. Feminine Freja FTW! ;)

Image Credits: models.com

The case of the missing showcard

IMG showcards are finally out, and curiously missing from the pile? Freja's. Maybe not so curious if Freja doesn't plan on walking NY this season, but I really have no idea. It wouldn't come as a huge surprise since missing NY seems to be in vogue, with Abbey Lee taking leave for London.

Or maybe Freja is just at the level where she doesn't need a show card anymore. After all, no showcard doesn't always mean no model. Luckily we only have a few days to find out for ourselves whether Freja will be walking down those Lincoln Center catwalks.

Disappointingly enough, the time that IMG finally decides to spring for a design team is the time that Freja either decides to sit out, or decides that she's too established for a showcard like the rest of them.

If anyone does know what the situation is, feel free to leave a comment.

The Time Has Come

Showcards are out, and true to IMG's usual form, there's little to be had in terms of bells and whistles here. The formula being: take a recent shot, slap it on a one color background, add stats and call it a day. Minimal effort....or should I say minimal "design." But when you're an agency as big and powerful as they are, I guess you don't need a lot of superfluous visuals. You can just let the overall image, power and attractiveness of your board speak for itself. With perennial powerhouses like Lara and Freja; rising stars like Jac and Frida; and new faces like Ajak and Barbara to manage, maybe IMG doesn't have the time to shoot, design and create anything other than what they did.

Still, it would have been nice to see some creativity in their cards, not that I was really expecting it. However, this season theirs looks even more mundane when compared to the plethora of other packages, each displaying its own personality, image, and crafted message. All the other agencies seemingly stepped up their game and IMG either refuses, or doesn't feel the need to take part in the new intricacies of show package gamesmanship.

I actually go back and forth in my mind as to which approach is best. And maybe there isn't necessarily a "best" approach; but rather, an approach best suited for each particular board. It is just a bit of a letdown though. Oh well....it's a safe bet that their models will make up for it on the runway. :) Thoughts? Do you think IMG should step it up?

Also, regarding the upcoming shows: I'll probably stick to my usual method of updating for the first show in a city, and then only doing another cumulative runway update at the end of said city. This way I can avoid repetitiveness and still retain some semblance of a normal life. If you happen to be in any of the cities during the shows, tips or pictures are always much appreciated. Sad to say my NY girl on the streets Cameo won't be there this season. :( I'm so grateful that we had your kind tips for a few seasons, and we'll miss you and your updates this time around Cameo!

Image Credits: imgmodels.com

Showcards

IMG's showcards are up finally, and I'm happy to see that they're much better than last season's rush job.

It's interesting that both of Freja's shots are from her most recent editorial. They're good and striking, but I think IMG could have picked another shot from a different ed to display her range and versatility. Although, at this point everyone already knows who Freja is and what she's capable of so showcards are more of a formality.

If you get the chance to browse through the rest of the girls you'll see other IMG stalwarts like Lara, Heidi, Marina and Sasha. I'm so happy to see Jenny S, but doesn't it seems like there are less newer girls this time around (Out of all the ones that caught my eye last season, Bara is the only one returning with a showcard). I don't know if this is actually the case, or if it just seems that way to me because I'm more familiar with a lot of the names? Go figure. Of course, no showcard doesn't mean absent model, so keep that in mind if some of your favorites (both old and new) from the various agencies are missing. Is there anyone else besides Freja you're looking forward to seeing?

Image Credits: imgmodels.com

Showcards? Really?

IMG's showcards are out. Although, looking at the whole bunch, I have a hard time believing these are actually it. They look like they were put together last minute by an intern who used Photoshop and pictures from all the girls' tFS threads. Most of the cards, including Freja's, use a newer picture. Lara and Sasha's cards even feature their latest September covers that came out not too long ago. None of the cards are in color and they're all missing model measurements, a crucial component of the showcard. This is why I think these cards were a rush job, cobbled together as an afterthought.

Maybe these are just temporary showcards? Is there even such a thing? IMG usually puts out decent ones. They're not on the level of Supreme's, but I don't think anyone expects them to be. I guess I'm just confused because I thought they'd look better than this. With the quantity of high profile models on their roster, you'd think IMG would invest a little more in making their showcards. Or is it precisely for that reason why they don't? They're already so successful that showcards are a mere formality now?

Anyway, the cards remind me of this old models feature in Vogue Paris. Similar graphics and feel. Do you see it?

Just some final notes:
-Cato has moved up to the Women's board. I guess doing Models.Live helped her more than it helped Madeline and Austria who don't even have showcards and are both still on the Development board.
-Caroline Trentini makes her IMG showcard debut.
-Daria has no card. I guess I can stop hoping that she'll make a runway comeback.
-There are some great new faces who I'll be keeping my eyes on, but I'm putting my money on Bara for a breakout season.

Image Credits: imgmodels.com

Stuck at 9

Models.com updated their Top 50 Rankings on Thursday. Freja is tied at number 9 with Eniko. Catherine, MCB, Coco, Anna J, Stam, Agyness, Lily, Anja, Lara, Sasha, Poly, and Raquel round out the rest of the top girls. Freja has been stuck at this position for a while now. I thought she'd move up considering the fabulous campaign season she's been having, but I guess magazine covers count for more than I thought. And Freja hasn't had a major one in a while now.

Yes, she's on the cover of Purple, but when was the last time we saw her face grace the cover of one of the four major Vogues? Maybe Vogue UK will hear my cries. They actually give her consistent editorial work and they don't shy away from putting models on their covers. Come on Alexandra Shulman!

Anyway, show cards are coming out now. If you haven't seen Supreme's excellent package, check it out here. I'm living for Karolin at the moment, and I'm totally impressed by Hanne's card. IMG's will probably come out this upcoming week, but they usually use editorial outtakes for their cards. Nothing too exciting. At least it reminds us that fashion month is just around the corner!

For your time, Karo and Hanne emoting in various states of undress:

Image Credits: models.com

Thanks JD

I've always wondered what Freja's model card at IMG looked like. Now, thanks to JD Ferguson and his blog/twitter, I know:

Most agencies have a wall of photographs displaying all their models. You can kind of get the sense of what a wall would look like from Daria's recent editorial in US Vogue:

These cards are different from the model show cards that come out prior to fashion week. Sometimes they're the cover of a magazine or just a shot from an editorial like Freja's is. I really have no idea what these cards are used for. I would venture to guess they're used as advertising to potential clients, and the wall itself is probably like an achievement wall for the agency.

I wonder how they decide what image to use? Freja's card shows great body movement, but it doesn't really show her amazing face or her versatility. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at IMG so I could get more insight into what happens behind the scenes. That's where all the juicy stuff happens anyway....

JD has been a fan/friend of Freja's since the very beginning. If you search his blog you can find mentions and pictures of Freja going all the way back to '07. Here's hoping Freja makes another appearance there soon.

Image Credits: twitpic.com/photos/jdvision, mariotestino.com

Milan Showcard

While the London shows go on, we can use this week to take a breather, mull over Freja's New York season and get ready to see her in Milan!



Image Credits: models.com

Get Excited

Showcard for New York Fashion Week FW0910

Here's to seeing our girl dominate the NY runways!

Image Credits: models.com