Charley Speed on why the BINTM Live Event should not be missed
With the series all wrapped up for another year, seeing Jade Thompson from Stoke-on-Trent being named the 'Next Top Model', you'd be forgiven for thinking that's it for another year. Think again...
Coming to London's Excel Centre, the second annual Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Live Event returns for three days of fun, fashion and facials. First male model and show judge Charley Speeds tells FemaleFirst all about it.
"There is so much going on including the open catwalk so people can come along and they can strut their stuff - Charlotte Holmes, one of the runners up from last year is going to be running that.
"There are little make over booths, the chance to have your photograph taken and put on the front of company magazine to see how you look on the front of that. And obviously the massive catwalk shows with one of the biggest runways I've seen in my life seeing lots of dancers and of course, all of this year's competitors in their first pro catwalk since the season finished."
If you think you have what it takes to become a model, Charley recommends heading to the event too, as winner and fellow contestant Imogen were spotted last year. So what was it about Jade that made her a winner for Mr Speed?
"She's a great all rounder, a lovely person and I think she'll be a great ambassador for the brand and for women in general. She's wonderful. She strikes the balance between quite commercial but she can also do the edgy editorial, which is very rare to find, so it's brilliant. I'm very happy," he explains.
"There's just something unique about her."
Winning the competition was not an easy process, as the judging panel made up of industry experts model Elle MacPherson, designer Julien MacDonald, stylist Grace Woodward and male model Charley, all put the girls through their paces as they would have to face in the real world, seeing them face global fashion superstars, challenging underwater shoots and even working with birds of prey.
"Speaking from personal experience, some of the bizarre shoots that I've done in my early career are maybe not identical but they're challenging. Just getting changed in the most bizarre of places is something one has to get used to being a model," say Charley.
"It wouldn't be fair not to give them any challenges, because if they did make it in the competition and into the industry then it would be a massive shock if we were to mollycoddle them."
Though there is plenty of entertainment, drama and of course beautiful poses, the show would not be the success that it is without the gelling of it's judging panel. Charley thinks that each of them impart something different to the girls to help them on their way in the daunting, competitive industry.
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"Julien obviously brings a designers point of view, he knows what he would put on his own runway and he knows what he wants to see on the catwalk and what works in an editorial shoot," he explains.
"Grace as well is incredibly knowledgable. She's been casting for years for editorals, campaigns and commercial work."
"For me, I'd like to think I can impart some of my experience. I think it's very important that I'm honest with the girls and let them know what I could have done a little bit better and what I shouldn't have done."
"And of course, Elle is Elle. She's incredibly warm and she's very good at taking the girls to one side and giving them a bit of a pep talk and some confidence."
TV stylist and fellow judge Grace Woodward will also be attending the Live Event and will be appearing in Q&A sessions with Charley. Not only does it give you a chance to get up close and personal to the judges, but it gives fans the chance to ask them 'within reason', whatever they like!
If the opportunity to see the show's friendly faces and the chance to get talent spotted isn't enough, the Live Event also boasts live music. Last year, queen of the MOBO's Jessie J made her debut performance, so who know what upcoming talent will be onstage at the end of the month.
With buzz of a third series already underway, Charley enthuses at the prospect of taking part again. "I would be well up for doing a third. Best of three I think."
"I would certainly be up for doing a Britain and Ireland's Next Male Top Model too..."
You heard him girls, remotes at the ready!
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Live Event runs from 28 - 30 October 2011 at London's Excel Centre. For tickets and more information go to BINTMLive.com
FemaleFirst Jenna Fordie twitter @Jenna_FAM