Not much to report. Designs are plentiful! I’ve been working real hard on Nizhoni Way Apparel and DKC*fx. Two labels that are to represent the extremes of my design talents. Nizhoni Way is for the more mature and conservative individual while DKC*fx is for the more daring fashionista! I’ve been hit with a great deal of creativity as far as what to do with my next collection(s).
Interest in my design talents have been peaking. I was recently asked to register for L’oreal Fashion Week in Canada. I’d love to but it’s less than a month away and hardly enough time to get ready but I have not abandoned the idea of attending as a spectator.
Still writing. I recently wrote an article for a local paper covering a charity fashion show I produced. Many cancellations by models mostly-they wanted to stay in the cities to get drunk and get laid at the superbowl parties-I guess. The funny thing is that they begged me to book them for my next show. Needless to say, that those models will never be working with NuGen ever!
Fall/Winter 2008 Native American Fashion Week (NAFW). With Glacsy relocating to Tucson, NAFW will also be heading into Tucson as well. Tionne from Glacsy will be scouting locations for the event. She will be working with MAC cosmetics beginning in April. Glacsy is simply relocating and not closing up-to the chagrin of Native Model Studio!
Speaking of the Devil, Native Model Studio thought it would be a good idea to have a “Model Workshop” in Phoenix in the last weekend of February. Despite the fact that they have no industry experience or industry connections, they are charging models $200 for attending. I feel that this is morally wrong because they are offering something they cannot deliver. They are taking advantage of inspiring models desperation to “break” into the industry. I have personally been campaigning to put a stop to this and make more people aware. By letting them know of such organizations as: Northern Styles, Spirit Model Executive. Also, directing models to Modeling Advice to give them legitimate advice on breaking into the business and how to spot scams.
A Toronto-Based Agency and subsidiary companies Lure Hundreds of Consumers with Exaggerated Promises of Lucrative Modeling/Acting Jobs
Toronto Ontario -Owner Charmaine Logan of Northern Styles, SMEX-Spirit Model Agency, Native Talent Agency & Top Native Model are deceptive, shady, unethical businesses with no integrity and does not pay their employees.
Scamming since 1995 -Charmaine Logan owner of Northern Styles and subsidiaries was found and ordered to pay unpaid wages and reprisal pursuant to section 102 of the Employment Standards Act 2000 . The Ontario Labour Board found in favour of her executive administrator and now ex employee.
These business scam operations ran by Ms Logan continue to conduct fraudulent and misleading business practices. These types of companies have no intention of delivering on what it promises. They make big promises and states “they employ” there models but usually ask for money up front. This is a fine example of a modeling scam. These companies and the owner Ms Logan and there reps claims to have work but really what they are doing is trying to sell photo shoots and modeling courses to aspiring models.
SMEX, Native Talent & Northern Styles and Top Native Model charges talent for the following:
ULTIMATE Models Guidebook for $20.00 which most of the information can be found on the internet
Comp Cards, All Prices include lay out and design. Delivery fees will be applicable.
4 X 6 500 cards – double sided full colour $ 199
4 X 6 1000 cards – double sided full colour $ 299
5 X 7 500 cards – double sided full colour $ 249
5 x 7 1000 cards – double sided full colour $ 299
A Photo shoot $100 this includes: One look with style and pose assistance (All photos on CD).
A 4-6 hour seminar at a cost of $175 per participant these seminars a ran in Calgary Edmonton Winnipeg and Toronto
Training to First Nations “FASHION FOCUS- Esteem & Employment Program” a two day workshop $ 3000.00
Top Native Model entrant fees: $125 junior $175 Adult
In the SMEX executive outline; it states the following: Applicable to all reps of NS, NT and SMEX- Seminar Commission- each person that refers a paid participant in any of the NS and NT summer seminars will receive $25 per paid participant. Be sure and instruct your participant to input your name as the promotional person for their registration. Failure to do so will result in loss of commission fee.
If you look at these businesses web sites it’s a pay online with no refund policies.
With promises of big breaks in their future, unknowingly these people who pay these fees to these companies see little in return. Would-be models and actors and employees are still being ripped off and young people desperate for fame are charged up-front fees but not found work.
The Toronto based company, and its affiliates, are misrepresenting and deceiving these young people to become models and actors, and misleading consumers to believe they “Create Employment”. In order to convince the consumer to pay for the training program, the owner and reps falsely represent that they are highly selective in their scouting, screening and review process; that acceptance into their training program is extremely limited.
The most common modeling agency scam is what is known as a “portfolio mill” or “photo mill”. This company makes it money by sending models to photographers that are ON STAFF to shoot expensive photos to produce worthless portfolios and comp cards. Ms Logan has an in-house photographer and with herself, prints her photos on a basic Lexmark printer and buys printing paper from the dollar store. In return you are charged $100.00 per shoot.
This agency does not make much money by booking real work. Instead, they sign up anyone and everyone for low quality photo shoots and book very few jobs, if any.
DO NOT BE THE VICTIM-For all aspects of modeling try to learn as much as possible before investing your time or money.
A real agency will not ask you for money for photography services, enlargements or comp card printing. They may suggest a few places, but they will advise you go see them on your own. A real agency will not ask you for money for photography services, enlargements or comp card printing. They may suggest a few places, but they will advise you go see them on your own.
Never pay an agency for the “privilege” of having them represent you or for “classes” or runway training or pictures. In fact, NEVER buy anything from or through a model or talent agency. Under no circumstances should an agency require you to attend a particular class or to buy anything from them – not books, not photos, not classes, not workshops, not runway training, not tote bags, not “exposure” on web sites or on CDs.
Comment by cindy — October 27, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
Slanderous Cindy Strikes Again. You know, NW there’s 2 sides to every story, and Cindy here is nothing but a pissed off Saboteur who couldn’t have her way with me. You can contact me anytime at my personal direct email, where I will give you a link to my blog that shows evidence on her countless acts of malice, proof of her thievery, lies and deception, and more. Be careful how close you let her get to you.
Her slander, defamation and lack of character has caused public scrutiny on many good people we associate with. I encourage you to learn both sides of the matter before promoting her vendetta.
Comment by Charmaine Logan — December 20, 2008 @ 7:28 am
Ok Ms Logan that is why the Ontario Labour Board has found in favour of me. The Ontario Labour Board found Ms Logan and owner of Northern Styles in violation of wage, vacation and termination provisions of the Ontario Employment Standards Act.
An ORDER had been issued to Ms Logan. To date, the employer, has neither complied with the Order, nor requested a review.
Ms Logan owes her former employee $2865.86
FILE #70034832-4- Charmaine Logan Operating as Northern Styles
THOSE ARE FACTS I am just letting people know what type of deceptive and RIPOFF companies your run
Comment by cindy — February 7, 2009 @ 7:06 pm