JUDGING
Liya: Hello lovely ladies, and welcome to your fifth judging! This week you ladies all shot photos inspired by different categories based on your Brands, with the Commercial girls portraying Disney Pixar, the Couture girls portraying Tim Burton, the Editorial girls portraying Steven Spielberg, and the Glamour girls portraying classical Romance films. What I didn't tell you during the shoot was that the best girl from each brand will actually have her photo appear in an editorial in V magazine, which is a pretty big deal! So let's take a look at the results, starting as always with the Commercial girls.
COMMERCIAL
Cara - This photo screams Alice in Wonderland, which is unfortunate since you chose Toy Story, but it still works with that too I guess, but what with the blue dress, shrunkenness, and the teacup, I just immediately thought of Alice. You do look very pretty and I'm definitely seeing a story being told of a tiny person wanting to get out of her tiny world. Also, since this is an editorial shoot all around, I do have more leniency for how commercial it needs to be and I think this is just commercial enough. However, I do wish it was more engaging, there's nothing about this that makes it really stand out.
Charlotte - I am glad to finally see that sparkle of cuteness I've been waiting to see from you all along! The wink is great, I'm glad you're giving a bit of personality, and it's finally a truly commercial shot. That being said, however, the open eye looks a bit sleepy and I wish you had done more with your mouth rather than just leaving it agape, a smirk or something like that would work better. Also, I don't 100% see Monsters Inc. here, which is disappointing because I expected you to be the girl to knock this shoot out of the park.
Nathalie - You have been such a consistent frontrunner throughout this competition, but this week, I am completely underwhelmed. This is just boring. Yes, I do see Alice because of the cute, whimsical dress and your innocent, youthful look, and I do like the symmetry of the photo, but there's not much to this photo. You're just standing there holding the ends of your bow without much expression on your face, there's nothing that really catches my attention. Also, Alice isn't actually Pixar, though it is Disney so I could let it slide, but pay closer attention to the guidelines next time.
COUTURE
Kate - A lot of girls thought of doing Alice in Wonderland this week since it is both Disney and Tim Burton, but you definitely captured the haunting Tim Burton aspect I wanted to see. You look like Alice just after she shrunk down and got into the wilds of Wonderland, and you're looking up like "Where the hell am I and how the heck did I get here?" I do wish you had done something a little more interesting with your pose though, even though this is couture you could've gone a bit more whimsical or theatrical and played with the dress or something, but overall well done.
Marcelina - You had a lot of strong photos in your film this week, but I feel like this is the only one that came close to your chosen themes. I do see Dark Shadows here, there is something very haunting and vampiric about you that works very well, and I especially love the way you have crossed your hands over your chest, it looks like you are in the process of rising out of your coffin. You look very beautiful, regal, and ethereal, and your face has a very dreamlike quality that is very captivating. Well done!
Thuy - I almost see Dark Shadows here, because you do look rather otherworldly and vampiric, and I do see a monster awakened from the past into a modern world, but the setting is actually much more Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You do look really stunning, your bone structure is incredible and the wind in the hair is great. Your pose is strong, you sell the dress and you look very statuesque and formidable. I just wish you fit the theme better, partially through the setting or styling, and maybe a fiercer expression would help, but overall this is one of my favorite photos of the competition so far.
EDITORIAL
Bambi - When you first said "Megan Fox's character from Transformers" I was a bit disappointed, thinking you chose a really easy, generic option...but then I saw this shot and I was like "Wow, she even looks a little like Megan Fox here, I totally see it!" So you nailed it, you got the badass, sexy yet tough biker chick look going on, yet your expression looks worried and it shows her compassionate, concerned side. One little thing I need to point out is to watch your angles on your limbs because your arm looks tiny, but otherwise great job!
Kim - I feel like you cheated a little bit by using a TV Show, but since it is still Steven Spielberg entertainment I'll let it slide for the most part. This is a very strong shot, I see the desperation and fear yet power and anger of someone whose planet has just been taken over. The desolate setting and dark fabric add an eeriness that works, and despite crouching down like that, your body still looks great and I love the pose. Your face also looks great and your expression is very strong, but it is a look I have seen from you before so work on varying your expressions a bit. Overall great job though!
Shalom - I went back and forth on your photo about ten times, but in the end I decided that this was the most E.T.-ish. You look very alienesque yet angelic, it reminds me of E.T. looking up into the sky, longing to get back to his home planet. Your body looks so gangly and long, and your arms are very awkward, but in a way that works, like you are about to take flight. I like the neck extension and your face looks beautiful, and I love the longing in your expression, though your eyes are a bit too squinted. Very solid photo overall though.
COUTURE
Eniko - At first I wasn't sure if I saw The Notebook in this, but after looking at it, the era and background fit, and the forbidden romance of a high class girl and a low class guy is very apparent by the styling so I'd say it works. This is a lovely photo, you look very sensual and sexy without going over the top at all, and you truly do seem smitten and in love with the guy. Like a previous critique though, there's a little bit too much stiffness, especially in your hands and neck, but overall great job!
Natasha - If the background were a ship then I would definitely see Titanic here, but I suppose I can ignore the street and just concentrate on the ballroom dance aspect which is very Titanic. You look gorgeous and you really sell that dress, and your expression is very soft and sensual in a way that makes it seem you are quite smitten by the male model. I wish this were a bit sexier to better match your brand, but overall good job.