JUDGING
Liya: Hello lovely ladies, and welcome to your second judging of Battle of the Brands! This week was about self-expression; in the challenge you expressed your personalities, and in the photoshoot you expressed how you would brand yourselves if you were given the chance. Since you got a break from the assigned brands this week, you will all be judged completely individually and no Branding group will be given immunity. So let's go through this alphabetically, starting with Andie.
Andie - Your film was very deer-in-the-headlights, but when portraying innocent, that's not necessarily a bad thing and your brand is definitely an instance in which deer-in-the-headlights works...just be careful of looking bored because about half of your photos were like that. This photo is very beautiful though, it screams innocence, it looks like a portrait of a young girl from a century ago. I can't think of much else to say really, it's just a good photo.
Bambi - Gorgeous, this reminds me of an 80s supermodel! This is very glamorous, you look so alluring and sexy, I love the popped hip and arch in the back and even though I wish the jacket weren't in the shot so we could see more of your body, you're working it and selling the jacket very well. Your face transcends into sexy surprisingly well and your eyes are very enticing, though something about your expression could use a little more...something, I can't really put my fingers on it, I think it has to do with your mouth. You could also use a little more neck, but the flaws I pointed out are very minor and overall this is a very strong shot.
Cara - I have two things to say before I talk about your actual photo: firstly, I considered having a fifth brand of Beauty, and if I had, you might've been placed in there so good choice. Secondly, the only things that stopped most of your film short of flawless were your mouth and nose, you have very pronounced nostrils so figure out your angles for that, and you don't seem to know exactly what to do with your mouth in photos and it was often awkwardly agape, so figure that out as well. However, your mouth and nostrils came together just fine in this photo, this is stunning. You have some of the most beautiful eyes in this competition, your skin is radiant, your skin looks lovely, and your hair also looks great. This is just an effortlessly beautiful photo.
Charlotte - I LOVE this photo, I really do, but I'm just not sure that it's a model shot and that's how I felt about most of your film. They were mostly lovely photos, photos I'd want to hang in my wall, but not necessarily photos I'd want to put in a magazine. I do think you look very beautiful though, there's something very serene and mystical about this that I love, and I also love how unfazed you are by the butterflies, I'm not sure if I could stay calm with them crawling near my eyes and onto my mouth like that! It's a very lovely shot, I just see it more as artwork or a movie poster than a fashion shot.
Eboni - *laughs* I see you really branched out from the 30-never. You did have a better shot in your film, but this one really exemplified your Brand so I went with it instead. This is great, totally youthful, you look like a child trying to grow up who's sick of being treating like a baby. Your body looks good, your face looks cute, you're connecting with the camera, and this just works really well for the shoot. You could've given more umph I guess, but overall well done.
Eniko - I'm a bit confused, I didn't particularly see "Daring" in your film, I mainly just saw "Sedcutive." I guess baring it all and going nude is daring in a way, but when I think of Daring I think more of adventurous, bold, unique, risky, etc., and I just didn't really see that with your film so I just chose the best picture. Your legs look so long and wonderful, your skin looks amazing, and overall the pose just works really well for your body. Your face looks beautiful, very feline actually, and your expression is mysterious and haunting. On the downsides, you have no neck at all and your eyes are looking in different directions, and I still just don't really see daring here.
Kate - I also considered making runway a Brand, and realistically it is, but it would've been a weird dynamic to solely judge one group on their walks when everyone else was taking pictures, it would be like apples to oranges, you know? Anyway, if I did make a Runway brand that's where I would've placed you, and this week you proved that's exactly where you'd fit in. You have a great runway body and a strong yet casual walk that really works, you sell the outfit and you still look great doing so. My one critique would be to work on your mouth a little bit, in this pass it's not a big problem but in a few of your other passes liked your second and fourth it look like you were sucking on a lemon.
Kim - I was rather underwhelmed going through your film, you had several photos with minimal retouching that were simply ghastly, so it surprised me how dependent you are on photoshop and styling. Anyway, this shot is actually very strong, you look very racially ambiguous with this golden skin which I like, and you also look very alienesque and otherworldly. Your eyes are very piercing and have a good connection with something in the distance. Though I do like how the shadow adds a sense of mystery, I still wish you had found the light better, but overall great job.
Marcelina - I'm not sure if I'd exactly call "Siren" a brand, perhaps it's just a highly specific one, but either way this photo is simply breathtaking. First of all, I am so impressed that you were able to maintain such control in such an enormous gown underwater! You make it look so effortless, the dress just flows around you perfectly and you make me want to buy it. I love your pose, the kick of the leg and the thrown up arms make it look like you are dancing underwater. Your face also looks great, I love the serene and sensual expression. Marvelous job!
McKey - Wow, this photo is out of this world! You look like this outlandish, alienesque creature who literally just fell onto a new planet. Your skin looks flawless, your jawline and cheekbones look beautiful, and this platinum blonde hair actually looks quite nice on you. Your eyes are so beautiful and though I wasn't initially a big fan of your mouth, it looks like you are trying to taste this new planet or you're whispering secrets to the ground or something. Anyway, great job again!
Natasha - I totally see Glam Couture here, that brand fits you quite well! Your pose is great, you have a very strong stance and the perfect amount of tension, and your leg looks so great. I also like the hand on the forehead, it could've come across as cheesy or cliche but it actually works here, combined with the piercing eyes that are connecting with the distance you look like you are awaiting your ship to come ashore. You're also selling the outfit, bag, and shoes quite well. Great job!
Nathalie - You know, I almost placed you in Glamour and this shows you would've fit in just fine there, sexiness comes very naturally to you! This is a great shot, you look very effortlessly sexy, I could see it in a magazine like GQ or as an ad for a Brazilian swimwear company or something. Your skin looks amazing, I like the little booty tooch, you have a lovely profile, I love the sensuality, and you are interacting with the male model quite naturally. The only minor flaw is that one arm hanging limp by your side, it's a bit awkward, but otherwise smashing job!
Shalom - Well, I'd take it that you agree with your branding, you really are an editorial girl! Anyway, your film was pretty solid, but there wasn't a shot that made me stop and go "Oh wow!" This is definitely a strong shot, your body looks great and you're selling the clothes, and I love the androgyny here. Your face also looks incredible at this angle, I especially love your jawline. The one problem is that it's just a bit posey, you never really got in the moment.
Sonia - This is very beautiful, you were another girl who I probably would've placed in beauty if I made that a brand. Your skin looks luminescent, I love how you are caressing the flowers with your lips, your eyes have a great connection with something in the distance, and you're selling me the makeup. I could actually see this as a cosmetics ad, but of an actress, not a model, and that's my one critique for this. But other than the actressy aspect, it's a lovely shot.
Thuy - OHMYGOD LEGS. You might have the best legs here, and there are some pretty good legs this cycle so that's definitely a big compliment. I love how you extended them and put on up on the car, it makes you look good and sells the shoes quite well. I also like the overall contortion of the pose, though the way your but is angled at camera is a little awkward, perhaps it would've been wiser to switch which leg you put up on the car. Anyway, your expression is very strong and your face looks very beautiful, and I would say this is definitely an edgy photo.
