An A.S.M Conversation With Puma St. Omar

Height 6'2" Chest 38" Waist 32" Collar 16" Suit 38" Shoe US/10.5

Hair Dark Brown Eyes Brown

IG @supaapuma

"I want the world to see its ok to express yourself" .

Favorite Color- Cerulean blue

Fav movie -Losing Isaiah

Fav movie genre - Horror

Zodiac - Pisces

Model/Actor/Dancer

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Hey everyone, FYI this interview was conducted in the beautiful flagship store of #Gucci on 5th ave in #NewYorkCity. As Puma's brother shops around getting ready for his trip to #Jamaica, we decided to take a seat and begin the interview....

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ASM: Hi Puma how are you?

PO: I'm great! I'm great.

How was your year?

My year was an adventure started off good, went a bit rocky but ending very well, actually.

What is your goal in the industry?

My goal is to make a difference and find what my key focus is for me in the #fashion and #entertainment industry.

What do you look for in an agency?

I'm looking for honesty. Im looking for someone who is willing to take a chance someone who is really ready to put me in the right places....

*Sales associate interrupts to bring our drinks"

I don't want to hide taking a job outside the agency I want that trust between me and my agent.

ASM: Ok, where were we?

With all these options to be independent through self booking apps like #Ubooker and #Swipecast. What's going to make you want to sign with an agency at this point?

What's gonna make me want to sign is to have that security for other projects that I'm trying to do. I'm looking for someone

to trust what I want inside and outside the agency. I don't want to hide taking a job outside the agency I want that trust between me and my agent.

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*The following questions were submitted from A.S.M contributor @likaluv

What were your experiences like early in your career?

My experiences early in my career were hard. I was always looking at specific models and trying to emulate that. It would never work even agents would try to pinpoint me to other models. One minute I should thin out, one minute I should bulk up, one minute I should grow my hair the next shave. So it affected me in castings because everything was so sporadic. I would have so many things that were amazing but did not go together cohesively.

How did you go about getting signed to a major agency?

Submission, #digitals, a good #portfolio and personality. Having a great personality showing people that you're willing to work.

What were some things that you were told by the industry early on that proved to not be true?

My body. I would always be told that sometimes I would not be able to fit clothes and then going to #castings I was able to fit everything. I was also told I wouldn't be able to do certain jobs because of the “type” of #model I was which was not true. And a lot of these jobs I

ended up #booking anyway. And it came down to my #agent at the time not trusting my look and my image.

I was also told I wouldn't be able to do certain jobs because of the “type” of model I was which was not true.

Looking back, if you could do some things over what would it be?

If I had to go back one thing I would change is my #confidence. I would've started off confident in who I was and not always challenging myself. I would challenge myself negatively and it would effect me. If I would've challenged myself in the right form that would've helped.

What is the biggest advice you would give to someone in pursuit of modeling?

I would like to tell people to just be their fucking self. Come in and always think that you're great and always have room for positive changes, #positivity, and sources of revolution meaning sources of great income. How are you trying to expand your #brand? Thinking outside of modeling, using modeling as your #career focus but thinking about other things you can use to expand your career.

*Want to be an A.S.M contributor? Follow us on instagram to submit your questions

@allshadesmodel*

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I see myself as the cool sexy guy that does what he wants to do but in a respectful manner.

What do you represent and what do you want to give to the world.

I think I represent the person I'm supposed to be. I see myself as the cool sexy guy that does what he wants to do but in a respectful manner. And for me on a bigger platform I want the world to see its ok to express yourself . It's ok to post a pic of you hanging out with a friend thats not a celebrity on instagram. It's ok to have your off day and say that your pissed off. It's ok to not pick up your phone. It's ok to not record being at this party. It's ok going out in sweatpants and being recorded. It's ok to not have makeup on. Its ok to just be a human being. I think this is what makes you who you are.

ASM:Its ok not to be active on #instagram! Haha its ok its ok!

PO: Its ok social media is not real its dead haha!

What is the last song you listened to?

#Sheabutter by #AriLennox

Keep up with Puma St. Omar! @supaapuma

How has your experience been with modeling?

Feel free to comment below with any tips and tricks ;)

Best Wishes,

By Yvonne H.- Exclusive A.S.M blogger

An A.S.M Conversation With Ashley Harris

Height 5'10 Bust 32" Waist 24" Hips 34" Shoes 10

Agency: Crawford Models

@theofficial_ashleyharris

Theme of the year- Patience

Fav color- Red

Zodiac- Leo

Fav movie- Lord of the Rings

Model/Actor/Writer and Aspiring Polyglot

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So how has your year been?

A journey, it's been great. Figuring out what the next step is for #modeling and seeing if I’m still passionate about it. And knowing that I’m worthy of receiving more. #Patience has been a theme this year.

A.S.M: I feel like patience is an on going theme in the #modelingindustry.

AH: Yes it is. It really is. You ever had the experience where you go to a #casting then your agent calls and says ”hey you’re on option”. And you're like yes! I'm on option this is awesome and then you don't get it? So I had that several times for really big clients. Then you start getting insecure, like what did I do? I was on option they wanted me, what changed that? You really get into your head about stuff like that.

Sometimes there's different seasons and you just have to work on yourself when things aren't happening

What motivates you to keep going?

I remind myself how it was when I first started. How I could’ve quit then. When I wasn't getting any #castings, when I wasn't with an #agency. I could've quit then. Sometimes there’s different seasons and you just have to work on yourself when things aren't happening. Not having all your eggs in one basket is key as well. Work on other skills you have and put energy into that so you can feel fulfilled if one thing isn't working out.

Modeling is still fun but I want to talk!

What's your goal in the industry?

I would love to be in a #campaign and be the face for that campaign whether its for #beauty....hopefully a #natural product. But now I've kind of evolved into wanting to get into #acting more. I was interested in acting as a child so that is more fulfilling to me. Modeling is still fun but I want to talk! Haha. I want to speak and convey different emotions. Be different characters and really kick ass at that. Especially now it's a great time to do that. Go big or go home. I'm a #creative, I would like to get into #writing and #directing.

If you could model anywhere in the world where would it be?

The cold desert in #Africa. I would love to do a tribal shoot in a desert.

I think people are so busy and we get overworked.

What do you represent?

I would like to represent hope. I think people are so busy and we get overworked. I think people need to chill. So I would say hope, comfort and happiness. I think we need to have a break from social media and just be still.

What's the last song you listened to

Black Eyed Peas - my style

Keep up with Ashley Harris! @theofficial_ashleyharris

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How has your experience been with modeling?

Feel free to comment below with any tips and tricks ;)

Best Wishes,

By Yvonne H.- Exclusive A.S.M blogger

Finding An Agency in London

Prepping for Agencies London

I spent about 3 weeks in #London

visiting #modeling

agencies and reaching out to photographers to upgrade my book. Going to London I had no appointments lined up so I went on models.com to get a list of agencies that don’t require appointments to be seen. I went through each agency paying attention to the type of girls they have on their board and seeing if I would be a good fit.

Know Yourself & Know The Agency

When looking at agencies you want to determine whether they are editorial or commercial driven.

Agencies that focus more on #editorial models are looking for models 5'10 and up and measurements are very strict. #Commercial agencies are more flexible with height requirements and weight. Being that I’m able to do both but have a strong commercial book I was looking for agencies that focus on both. In my first week I was able to visit about 3-4 agencies per day.

Getting around London

I was staying in #Brixton, South London. Which is about 30 mins on the #Underground to the city of London. I was able to take the bus for about 10mins to Brixton station. Then, I took the underground 15mins to Covent Garden and from there most of the agencies were walking distance. Public transportation in London is very similar to New York City. Every bus was on time and the subway is very efficient and organized. If you have baggage be sure to look for the “lift” aka elevator to take you up to ground levels.

Open Calls VS Appointments

An open call is when agencies set aside an hour or two to see aspiring models without having appointments.

Most #opencalls only last one hour, therefore the agents are hoping to find a model that fits what they are looking for during that season. When attending an open call and if they are not interested you may hear excuses like, “You’re a little too short for us”, “You’re too commercial”, “Not the right fit for us”, “We have someone that looks like you and don’t want to compete because of similarities.” It’s important to remember that these excuses are bullshit and they should not hold you back at all. I’ve heard the commercial thing over and over until I started to shoot more editorial styles and then people were able to see me differently.

Lesson: Present yourself how you want to be seen.

So basically with an open call you walk in with no one knowing your name with no reference hoping that everyone loves you and your look is perfect. Goodluck with that.

Appointments are taken a bit more seriously because someone in the industry is advocating for you. My #mother agency at Dollhouse Management was able to set up appointments my 2nd week in London. A few of these appointments were with agencies that I attended open calls with the previous week. So it was interesting to see the difference in treatment and trust me there was a huge difference.

So what the mother agency does is send out your portfolio to agencies that would be a good fit for you but most importantly agencies that they have a good relationship with.

Appointments give you more time with the agents and they often give you feedback and take you further under consideration.

As models we all go through the same challenges with agencies, clients and money. Let's continue to support each other with positivity and kindness. Good luck to you all!

Are you looking for an #agency in London?

Feel free to comment below with any tips and tricks ;)

Best Wishes,

Yvonne