So, we got a call from one of the more well-known Talent Agencies in the area asking if I could bring the girls in. They believe the girls are the perfect sizes to become fit models. What is a fit model? Well, here in the Bay Area, we are home to many children's clothing companies (Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Gap, and Old Navy, to name a few). While these companies are designing their clothes, they want to see them on actual children before they are mass-produced. Is the brim of the hat too long - the kid can't see from under it; are the thumbs in mittens too small - the kid can't get their thumb in; etc., etc. You'd hate to find this was the case after purchasing something, wouldn't you? They're smart - they "baby-test" them before they market them. So, fit modeling has nothing to do with marketing or photographs; only production. If you're kid has the "right" measurements, they could become fit models, visit corporate headquarters, and get paid to try things on. They don't have to have stunning looks, just be very co-operative. Having a curious and easy-going personality, as well as being somewhat of a ham, works well in this niche.
So, in we went. Bettina had this by the horns. "You want me to stand here against the tape measure? No problem. You want to put a tape measure around my tummy? Whatever. Stick out my arms like an airplane? That's silly, but I'll humor you."
"She's a natural!" the talent agent says as Tina laughs and proceeds to sit in the stranger's lap playing with the tape measure. "She also has the perfect measurements for a Gymboree model."
Ava, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with that funny looking tape measure. "No!" she protested as she ran away from the agent and hid behind Mommy. That was the end of her fit-modeling career. At least for now.
We went the following day to Gymboree for a "Look/See" - basically, the client (Gymboree) wants to see the model in advance and make sure that the measurements, and the temperament, of the model is just right. Our agent wanted to give Ava one-last-try and said that she could go to the job (normally, siblings aren't allowed) to see if she'd warm up to the industry with a little experience.
The girls really enjoyed meeting our contact, Lilly, who's name the girls will always remember since they have a doll they adore (Lilly the Leapfrog doll) with the same name at home. With Ava in a backpack and thus out of the way, Bettina walked into the giant double glass doors of Gymboree Headquarters like she owned the place. Out the elevator she strode and followed Lilly into a room decorated like "Where the Wild Things Are." Lilly showed Tina what the real fitting would be like - got her familiar with the hats and gloves that needed testing and in turn, tested Bettina and her tolerance to trying on clothes. Not a one problem. "Well, we'll see you tomorrow for the real thing!"
Twenty-minutes later, we're getting back into the car and are signing a 2-year contract with the talent agency for Bettina to be a fit model. (Now, that's not to say that we'll be doing this that long, or working for this client for that long, but, the agency looks to find work for Bettina for that long. Should her size change so that she's no longer appropriate for fit modeling, if they can't find her work for over 3 months, or something else, we can agree to break the contract.)
Bettina's first day on the job:
It goes just like yesterday's rehearsal, only there is a full audience of designers and seamstresses talking about logistics and what/how they want to change, if anything at all. She tries on one hat and 4 sets of mittens. Bettina likes the hat (a little pumpkin beanie) so much, that she insists on wearing it the whole time. Even though they take it off her head, she walked over and put it on again. The mittens (2 of which just have to be Janie and Jack, they are so cute!) are a new concept for her and she doesn't understand that her thumb is supposed to go in the little pocket. She quickly learns (sort of) and they decide the bunny paws need shorter pile material, the raccoons need bigger thumbs, the bull dogs are perfect and the basic knit is good, too. Seventeen-minutes later, we're walking out the door and Bettina's nearly $90 richer.
Things to remember:
For now, I've learned that it's good to pack a couple key things when going to a fit model session. I think it's wise to bring a couple of their favorite toys. Sunglasses and books, for example. Bring a sippy cup, but make sure it's only water. Don't want to mess up the client's project with cranberry juice!! Bring extra diapers, wipes and diaper disposable bags. The one embarrassing thing that did happen is that Tina took a giant dump in the beginning of the session. I was glad to have the baby-powder scented disposal bags!
So, this is new ground for us and so far an interesting path with insight to a whole new industry. We'll see where this takes us and what sort of amusing and interesting stories it brings.
