By Nicole Bennett

Calling all aspiring models! From Saturday, June 14 to Friday, June 20, the second annual Columbus Model Quest will be held at BoMA, the Bar of Modern Art.

This year, CMQ is hoping to assist in launching the careers of models in the Columbus and surrounding areas. The event is encouraging people of all sizes to enter into the competition, in order to be as inclusive as possible.

The contest has a panel of judges who will determine the male and female winners based on their style, poise and personality.

The six-day event will take models through a true model experience. On June 14 and 16, they will be invited to participate in a “Fresh Faces” photo shoot. The models will have personal interviews with the judges on June 17. 

On June 18 and 19, there will be a “Challenge Shoot." Rounding out the event, the model finalists will participate in the “Catwalk Challenge." This is a red carpet fashion show, and tickets need to be purchased ahead of time.

Models should expect to gain exposure and valuable insight into the world of fashion. They have the opportunity to build professional relationships with modeling agencies from around Columbus. A scout from Elite Models in Chicago will be in attendance. Last years winner, Dominique, is currently a contestant on America’s Next Top Model.

Aside from the two winners of the competition, male and female, there will also be a “Best Commercial Print” model winner. The judges will assess the models on multiple characteristics. Some of the judging will be based on their photos, overall poise and build, and their ability to handle themselves in an interview. These winners will receive recognition and awards, along with gifts from the sponsors of the event.

The models are not the only people getting exposure through this event. “Our goal is to bring fashion back from where the exposure started with Les Wexner projects,” says Clint Elmore of Finaki Management, who is putting on the event. “We need to capitalize on that again, but take it to another level by marketing and promoting new fashion designers coming out of Columbus.”

Through the continued success of the event, they hope for Columbus to be recognized as a fashion powerhouse, one that attracts and produces great fashion, designers, and retailers.

 
Aspiring models and fashion designers aside, the 2nd Annual Model Quest is also helping to raise funds and awareness for the Central Ohio Diabetes Foundation. “That’s what ‘Fashion for a Cause’ is all about, helping those in need while exposing the artistic value and ‘budding’ fashion scene that exists in Ohio,” says Elmore.

Models interested in participating in the event can visit www.columbusmodelquest.com to register. CMQ is offering special sponsorship packages for businesses looking to get involved in the event. For more information, call Finaki Management at 614-445-8799.