Defining
a once-in-lifetime opportunity...
The
convention plucks two standouts from the crowd as Ms.
and Mr. Barbizon, but nobody goes home a loser at this
modeling and talent competition.
By Carl Dunn
Webster’s
defines opportunity as a favorable juncture of circumstances;
a good chance for advancement or progress.
Once
again, the national Barbizon competition was held
in conjunction with the IMTA convention in New York
City. Barbizon, hosting its International Barbizon
Model and Talent Competition, wowed the agents and
scouts from around the globe as they competed within
categories through IMTA as well as pursuing the accolades
of Barbizon. The top prize? The titles of Mr. and Ms.
Barbizon, and the opportunity to appear within the
pages of Pageantry magazine’s annual Pageantry
and PromTime fashion showcase, published online
(November) and in print (February).
During
and after the competition, Barbizon International
President Debra Hall and Pageantry Chief Executive
Officer and National Marketing Director Carl Dunn
interviewed the finalists. Looking to showcase themselves
as the perfect models to grace the pages of Pageantry,
the finalists from top Barbizon modeling schools
across the country made the case for inclusion. But,
only one male and one female would be given the “opportunity.”
Additionally,
Barbizon scours the convention during the week with
its cameras, while compiling clips to be shown during
the grand finale awards ceremony. Catching the convention’s
top talent as they prepare for the rigorous competitions
or relax during the anticipated downtime, the videographers
produced a multi-media fantasia that certainly enlivened
even the most exhausted attendee.
While
most aspiring talent merely wanted to get the proverbial “foot
in the door,” several Barbizon models and actors came to New York
City with specific goals in mind — objectives such as those voiced
by Rebecca, who wants to be in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition,
and Sammi, who yearns to be a country music singer, and Sidney, who desires
to become a Victoria’s Secret model. Not a bad
set of goals!
When
we asked the finalists, “Have you ever competed in a beauty
pageant?”, approximately half of the female
respondents told us that they had competed. Case
in point: Sydney was scheduled to appear in a pageant
the week following the Barbizon and IMTA competition.
When
asked, “Of all the awards, accomplishments, and accolades you
have received from Barbizon and IMTA, what is your most treasured reward?”,
as if with one voice, Melody, Ivy, Danny, Marisa, Alicia, Philip, and Amy
said they felt they had come full circle in being chosen as finalists in
the Barbizon of the Year competition — a tribute to the effectiveness
of the Barbizon organization. Amy Karwoski was attending her second IMTA
in pursuit of her goal. Her roommate the previous year had captured the
title of Ms. Barbizon, and it was Amy’s
defining goal to capture the title this year.
After
all the kudos, accolades, and grand elocution had subsided,
the Barbizon attendees collectively expressed the feeling
that they had experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As Amy Karwoski and Philip Burrow heard their names
announced as Ms. Barbizon and Mr. Barbizon, respectively,
they realized that, for them, Barbizon had provided
the perfect definition of “opportunity.”
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OF BARBIZON'S BEST – The
comp cards of (L-R) Mr. Barbizon NY ’04
Philip Burrow, Ms. Barbizon NY ’04
Amy Karwoski, and Ms. Barbizon LA ’04
Joanna Dickey. |
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For the complete behind-the-scenes story and
all the details on this and other exciting competitive
events from across America, as well as a wealth of advice
to improve your chances of victory, be sure to order Pageantry today. |
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