Ottawa’s fashion event insider, Julia Vorob’eva is always invited to all of the best fashion events in Ottawa so it was of no surprise that she attended the annual Angie’s Models & Talent International showcase. Julia Vorob’eva is a fashion blogger from The Fashion Keeper and is involved with Blackbook Lifestyle. She interviews local stylists, designers and bloggers, and talks about the latest trends in the world of style and beauty. Here are Julia’s runway photos from AMTI and her backstage conversations with Ottawa’s leading fashion designers and showcase organizers.
While Ottawa is on its way to becoming Canada’s next fashion destination, Angie’s Models & Talent International annual showcase organized at the Canadian War Museum on May 28th helps the capital achieve this honourable title.
Each year Angie’s success stories attract more and more top agents from “A” markets. This time the AMTI invited such world renowned agencies and talent agents as: DNA Models New York, Elite Worldwide, Bravo Models Japan, Paul Weber, the head of casting for MGM Studios in Los Angeles, and Al Onorato, the man who catapulted the likes of Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez and Tyra Banks into the international spotlight.
“The showcase is very important because of what a model can accomplish in one weekend, it takes years to do. It gets them in front of the major markets
from around the world,” said Angie Sakla-Seymour, owner of Angie’s Models and Talent (AMTI). “It also gives them experience and makes them develop and gain skills such as castings, fittings and actually walking in designer’s collections and get the feeling of how it can be in New York, Milan or Paris.”
Proudly hosting the night, Angie Sakla-Seymour, entertained the audience with her life stories about meeting Lou, husband and co-owner of AMTI, and giving birth to “two beautiful chocolate swirls” – their children.
More than 100 models of different body types and ethnicity rocked the runway presenting Canadian designer collections, trying to impress the agents. Among the models was also Herieth Paul, 16, who was featured in Italian Vogue’s “The Power of Glamour” editorial as well as Calvin Klein and Diesel campaigns.
“For us, the most enjoyable part of the showcase is seeing those gorgeous models looking great and comfortable as well as feeling confident in our clothes,” said Emilia Torabi from Panache by Jana Hanzel and Emilia Torabi.
The annual showcase creates not only a great exposure for models, but it also helps young and local designers to present their collections in front of hundreds of people. Designers agreed that participating in the Angie’s Models’ and Talent showcase is a greatly rewarding experience.
“It’s a way for a designer to get more contacts in the industry and get to know models better,” said Amber Watkins from Amber Watkins designs.
After long weeks and late nights preparing for the showcase, designers indulged in the atmosphere of beauty represented by models on the runway.
“As a designer, I put in so much time, effort and love into what I create. It brings me so much joy to be able to share a collection and see the audience’s reaction,” said Fisher.
“I always know that Angie’s Showcase will be stress-free, because all of her models and staff are so professional!” said Angie Fisher, owner and designer from Demü Label. “The show is always a blast and we have so much fun backstage.”
Despite some of the challenges with finalizing the VIP & Media lists, coordinating volunteers and preparing swag bags, Grace Odumo, a public relations intern at AMTI, loved her job every day because of the wonderful people she got to meet there.
“During my internship I’ve become friends with a lot of actors and models, so I was very excited to see them shine, and I was crossing my fingers for them all to be successful,” said Odumo.
Over the years the showcase has rapidly evolved. The new faces are more motivated by already successful models building their careers at AMTI.
“The biggest highlight at the showcase was seeing a career blossoming right in front of my eyes,” said Angie Sakla-Seymour.
