Catch good lighting
Without a shadow of a doubt (no pun intended here!), good lighting is key to making your outfit selfie pop up. You want to be the centre of attention in your images minus any distractions such as shadows, dark, blurry areas and objects that aren’t a necessary addition to your pic. All eyes should be on you.
If you’ve got the almost perfect pic but need to make some edits then go ahead and crop out what you don’t need or switch up the contrasting colours to help it stand out. Whether you’re a female model or a senior one, these points will be sure to help!

Take a full image of your outfit

If you’re taking an outfit selfie it only makes sense to go for an image that encompasses the outfit in its full glory. Your choice of ensemble for your outfit should be showcased and added to your ePortfolio collection, after all that’s what a selfie outfit is for.

Glow up with accessories

To accessorise or not to accessorise, that is the question. Well, it really shouldn’t be if you’re out to light up your Instagram feeds and of course your ePortfolio. Models Direct has been seeing clutch bags (mini and oversized), silver jewellery and cute tights on the fashion scene so whether or not you have these accessories in your drawer or jewellery box, get some extras out that you could team up with your look and get snapping.

Bring along your friends

Friends, besties, to all the people you have in your friend’s circle, invite them over. They’ll cheer you on and support you (because that’s what true friends do!) and chances are, you’ll slay your pics! Have some of them join you too and these to your feeds.

Polish up like a profesh photographer

What we mean is, to use editing apps to refine your images if you need to. We know we say not to use filters, but editing is fine especially if you have to get things like the colour balance right if you’ve snapped a spectacular piece. Our suggestions? Try out Adobe Photoshop Camera, Snapseed and Lightroom Photo and Video Editor if you already haven’t.

We hope these five tips take your top spot for outfit selfie ideas for your Insta feed and other socials, not to forget your modelling ePortfolio!

With a million things that can distract us, one being our devices, it’s pretty challenging to stay on task. However, trailing off is super easy with all the turbo-fast access to information around us. Concentration needs to be worked at and takes mental strength to achieve. It doesn’t happen, overnight folks, sorry. We’ve been there and done that. But when the going gets tough, like you’ve got a modelling assignment coming up alongside a project to hand in at uni, a presentation to prep for or an important upcoming appointment, the key is not to give up!

Here are some useful tips you can try to stay focused and keep on track!

1. Remove distractions
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Start by removing triggers and entering into a space of calm. Avoiding every single distraction just isn’t possible and realistic but you can certainly start with some small steps.
• Move to a quiet space
• Turn off notifications on your devices
• Inform others about what you’re trying to achieve so everyone is on the same page

2. Place realistic boundaries on your internet usage
If you limit your time on the internet, you’ll have more time to inject elsewhere. We know it’s hard not to scroll through your feeds and emails every 5 minutes but there has to be a boundary. The hardest thing is, that you’re the one in control of the boundaries. Where do you start and stop? You’ll have to set yourself a reasonable time limit to allow yourself to scroll and swipe. You’ll free up more time to concentrate on the things that are important for you to cover.

3. Fuel up on power foods
Our brain uses 20% of the energy produced by the body. If we don’t feed it the good stuff, we may decrease capabilities such as sharp focus and memory.

Optimise your focus with:
• Healthy fats like avocados, nuts and salmon.
• Leafy greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli.
• Berries like blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
• Don’t forget, drink plenty of water!

4. Sleep better to stay focused
You’re probably quite aware that we all need a good night’s sleep – and it rings true. Sleep and focus are interconnected but can have a knock-on effect if the optimum level of sleep is not consistently maintained. Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep whilst children need between 8 to 13 hours depending on their age.

Some tips we can offer for a peaceful nighttime routine are:
• Set bedtime the same for every night including weekends. Your body will fall into a natural rhythm making it easier to sleep. Intend to wake up at the same time too!
• Switch off all devices in and around your room so your body is free from any technological distractions.
• Create a calm and relaxing bedtime so you can start to wind down from your demanding day.
• Avoid eating and drinking late (this is a tough one!) as it takes time for your body to process food and fluid. Having a late late dinner will leave you feeling sluggish, causing digestive nuisances such as reflux, flatulence or extra trips to the bathroom.

Our team, Models Direct, hope that you all find these tips useful. If you have any tried and tested tips of your own, give us a shout on social to let us and our readers know what helps you stay focused.

The thing is, do you want to go into town now? With the cost of living going through the roof, many of us are having to make a decision – to buy or not to buy. Heading out to town might have been your weekly routine but you might be thinking you now need to make lifestyle changes to pay for those eye-watering price hikes of everyday essentials.

Getting fashion items you want or need with a reasonable price tag can happen – even those luxurious designer pieces you have your eyes set on can make it into your wardrobe. How? Because high street brands like Primark replicate the latest catwalk collections so that you can enjoy fashion fun to the max without breaking the bank!

Fashion mags or articles have sometimes offered us price comparisons for super expensive statement pieces with high street alternatives. Sometimes they’ve been a hit where the similarity has been so close it’s been hard to tell the difference while others have been a good attempt to give it a go for fashionistas. Either way, they haven’t missed the point – it’s achievable and affordable to look like a runway model, and sometimes you can look even better than the OG outfits.

Dress for less with lookalikes

Fashion editor’s picks don’t always have to be high-end luxury and we see that with the deputy editor of Vogue UK, Sarah Harris, who recently wore a plain white tee with an embellished jacket and ripped denim jeans. Her white t-shirt made the outfit look crisp, fine and of course, affordable at only £19. She looked awesome!

Influencer Alexandra Lapp had another take on the white tee with YSL although hers came up to a whopping £355. With such a huge price difference the plain tee looks great even on a budget, and ultimately anything can look good; it’s all down to how you dress it. What you decide to team it up with, which accessories you want to add, and how you style your hair and makeup can make such a difference. It can take a look from ground level through to the top!

Like the sound of that?

It’s been great bringing this blog to you. We hope it has inspired you to see that fashion doesn’t have to be dear, especially during the times we are living in. High street brands are just as great at pulling off excellent looks as luxury brands, and you can enjoy this without worrying about your bank balance.

We’ve got more enriching modelling content where this has come from. You can explore it right here in our blog bank or head on over to our social media platforms to learn more about us, the latest we’ve been involved in and what’s being forecasted. Year in and year out, our agency continues to thrive because of you and our clients. We all work together to bridge stereotypical gaps in the modelling industry and our diverse and inclusive stance continues to flourish. Stay social and subscribe to our blogs for up-to-date info and news.

Bottom line: let your styling do the talking and look your best with affordable replicas that will make you look like a fashionista superstar. High street brands, here we come!

This unique period is certainly testing, but it can be made that more tolerable by following a few recommendations. So what is the best advice to follow to cope with self-isolation. Read on, and you never know – you might even grow to like them…

First and foremost, the most crucial aspect when dealing with self-isolation is to keep busy. There’s nothing worse than being restricted in your own home without things to occupy the mind and body. We read a short story recently, credited to a released prisoner. The changed character related how, in almost solitary confines, he committed to reading every day, followed by exercise – without fail. The ex-convict read 10 pages, then did 20 press-ups. He repeated this routine every day for about a fortnight, then ramped it up to reading 20 pages followed by 30 press-ups. We’re not saying this should be followed to the letter, but it shows how you can occupy yourself with two basic activities. And the benefits (exercise and increasing your brain power) won’t be lost on your friends when you’re allowed out. It’s a win-win situation.

Don’t look at screens all day. Sure, watch TV, go on your laptop or iPhone, but limit your screen time. It’s all too easy to plonk yourself in front of a screen and waste the days just sitting and watching. You’ll also find yourself getting more tired each day, too.  

Stay connected. Even though you might be self-isolating with somebody else, think of those who do it alone. Phone your friends and family a couple of times a day. This is not for idle gossip – conversations and social interactions are proven factors in the fight against boredom – and depression. 

Stay calm. This is an important piece of advice, but easily ignored. Different people have varying degrees of dealing with serious situations, but it’s not beneficial to always fear the worst. Try to avoid checking the news every other minute to see how the circumstances have worsened (depending on the crisis, it could’ve even got better). Above all – remember that you’re in self-isolation for the greater good. So, just by doing your bit (albeit in a restricted environment), you’re actually helping the cause. 

Try to eat well. No, not like a gluttonous king returning from exile, but it’s important to stick to a sensible diet, with plenty of fluids. 

Sleep well. Set a time to go to sleep, and a time to wake up…and stick to it. A regular body clock will reduce anxiety and improve your general well-being. 

Go for a walk. Depending on personal circumstances, self-isolation doesn’t mean a total lockdown. Spend a hour outdoors – keeping the safe 2-3 metre rule – to keep break up the day. 

Start a new hobby. Self-isolation is the ideal time to begin new projects and hobbies. This will keep your mind off other things and will provide an enjoyable pastime. In what will feel like no time at all, you’ll gain new interests to continue when the self-isolation period is over. 

We’ll go back to the first piece of advice – keep busy. Be safe, use your common sense, and try to have fun. Here’s to the end of self-isolation, and more modelling contracts!