Saturday, June 18, 2011

BUILDING A PROFESSIONALLY SUSTAINABLE FASHION INDUSTRY IN COLORADO Town Hall Meeting + Panel Discussion | Friday, June 24th 2011


In order for Denver and/or Colorado to become a competitive player in the professional Fashion Industry--regionally, nationally and internationally--it must have a very well organized and generously supported agenda.

By support, I mean support from, and at, the local government level.
By well organized, I mean a distinctive and focused authoritative voice.

Local designers must uphold themselves to the highest standards of excellence in everything they put out; ...local professional fashion modeling agencies must make it their highest priority, and responsibility, to offer the best professional training and grooming possible to their roster of talent; ...the local beautician professional community must challenge themselves to constantly stay up-to-date with worldwide trends within the beauty industry: to these ends, there should be no sign of mediocrity whatsoever, and when-so-ever.    

Everything, and anything, we put out Fashion-wise in Colorado must be the best it can be; …everything that we produce; …everything that we present must simply be the best it can be, pure and simple.  It is only by so doing that Colorado can emerge as a true ‘Fashion Capital of the West.’ 

What initiatives are needed to effectively help develop a fresher generation of professional fashion industry talent for Colorado?  What initiatives are needed to develop a credible professional community of Talent that, and who, will stay in Colorado after graduation because there are actual career opportunities for them here?

What are the concerns, frustrations and/or struggles of Local Professional Fashion Designers? 

What are the frustrations of local professional modeling Agencies?
What are the concerns of local aspiring professional models? 
What are we doing right and what needs improvement? 

This series of monthly Town Hall Meetings and Panel Discussion roundtables is my attempt to help create, and maintain, a clear sense of direction for "How We Can Build An Economically Sustainable and a Highly Respected Professional Fashion Industry in, and for, Colorado.

Please join the dialogue by showing up to our first Town Hall Meeting (on Friday, June 24th, 2011) to share your thoughts, ideas, frustrations as well as your success stories as a local fashion industry professional.

For questions, please contact me/us at: jtalentagency@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Justice kwesi kwarteng, bfa, mfa
Founder, the jta group

[TOWN HALL MEETING Info]

WHAT |
:: The JTA Group invites you to join us for a professionally curated Town Hall Meeting & Panel Discussion on “How We Can Build an Economically Sustainable and a Deeply Respected Professional Fashion Industry in Colorado.”

:: We strongly encourage local professional Fashion Designers, Fashion Design Students, Fashion Photographers, Fashion Models, Hair Stylists, Make-Up Artists, Fashion Stylists, Image Consultants, Fashion Boutique Owners, Local Fashion Buyers, Advertising Production Houses, PR Agencies, Publicists, Fashion Manufacturing Companies, Fabric Store Owners and Creative Directors to join us for this inaugural monthly meeting.

:: Each Town Hall meeting will feature panelists with diverse backgrounds in the professional fashion and lifestyle industries--who are either based in Colorado and/or has strong connections in the international fashion industry.

WHEN |
:: Friday June 24th, 2011 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm 

WHERE |
:: 841 Santa Fe Dr. Denver @ Colorado Arts Center, Inc - CACI 
:: (This is a new non-profit art gallery and event center)
:: (Please donate $2 at the door for the use of the space, mic, chairs, etc.)

The PANELISTS [for Town Hall Meeting # 1]
:: Matt McDonald | VP of Marketing, The GRO Project (confirmed)
:: Matt McDonald | VP of Marketing, The GRO Project (confirmed)
:: Brandi Shigley, Founder + Owner of Fashion Denver (confirmed)
:: Katherine Salzgeber | Professional Jewelry Designer, Owner Boutique de Bijoux (confirmed)
:: Jose Duran | Fashion Designer, Denver | in-house fashion designer @ Lumos & Nox (confirmed)
:: Tyler Lewis | Owner of Lumos & Nox Fashion Boutique @ 3107 E. Colfax, Denver, CO (confirmed)
:: Holli Gibson, Executive Director, DDI + CEO of LamanBlu, a children's designer clothing line (confirmed)
:: Mona Lucero | Fashion Designer + Boutique Owner, Mona Lucero Design Boutique @ 1644 platte st.(cnfrmd)

PRIMARY QUESTION + TOPIC of DISCUSSION |
:: "How Do We Build an Economically Sustainable and a Highly Respected Professional Fashion Industry in Colorado?”

[1st Sub Question + Topic of Discussion]
:: What can we, and must we, do differently to effectively lay the foundational ground-work for an
enduring professional Fashion Industry in Colorado?

[Other Core Sub Questions + Topics of Potential Discussion for Town Hall Meeting # 1]
a) “How Does Colorado Position itself to Become the True Creative Capital of the West, like it seeks to?”

b) “What Must Colorado do to best Position itself as the True Fashion Capital of the West, like it seeks to? 

c) “Does Colorado have What It Takes, in regards talent and resources, to be serious player in the Fashion Industry?” 

d) “Do we have a quality enough professional Modeling and Talent Management Industry in Colorado to support an industry standard fashion editorial and runway market-industry?

d) “What do think are the factors that impede, and/or has impeded, the establishing of a highly credible and respected professional Industry in Colorado?”

e) “How can we build one centralized, and/or a collectively focused, professional fashion industry market in Colorado?”

g) “How do we bring, and/or get national & international fashion buyers to attend a Colorado-based Professional Fashion Week; ...or a Colorado-based professional Fashion Trade Show?”

h) “What are the core frustrations and concerns of professional members within the local fashion industry?”

MODERATOR + Organizer |
:: Justice Kwesi Kwarteng, Founder of the JTA Group + Justice Talent Agency
:: professional casting director | executive producer | creative director | talent coach + agent

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE | 
To Sponsor, contact us above listed Email address. [Available Sponsorship Opportunities + Levels: ‘Platinum Sponsor’ | ‘Gold Sponsor’ | ‘Founding Sponsor’] 
[++This is a monthly Town Hall Meeting + Fashion Industry Networking Event Series++]

PRODUCED By |
:: The JTA Group | www.justicetalentagency.blogspot.com |www.jtamodelingnetwork.com |www.jmodelsandtalent.ning.com
:: this is an economic + business development initiative of JTA Fashion Productions + the JTA Group | HQ in
   Denver/Boulder, Colorado

Please SUBMIT Questions to Justice Kwesi Kwarteng @ JTALENTAGENCY@GMAIL.COM

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The JTA Group
to Produce  + Creative Direct the Runway Presentation for the "inspiredby vitaminwater Fashion Show on May 18th,  2011 |  @ Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, CO | please RSVP Here: rsvpdenver@drinkglaceau

Monday, April 4, 2011

ALEXIS Rose | JTA Management Model | For Bookings: JTALENTAGENCY@GMAIL.COM



WHAT
:: JTA Management Board Model

VITALS |
:: Height: 5'11
:: Bust: 34
:: Waist: 31
:: Hips: 37

PHOTO
:: Erin K. Sturga

MAKEUP
:: Heathyrre Kautz

CREATIVE DIRECTOR + FASHION STYLIST
:: Justice Kwesi Kwarteng, BFA, MFA

For BOOKINGS | Contact The Justice Talent Agency @ | JTALENTAGENCY@GMAIL.COM

Saturday, September 11, 2010

HOW TO DETERMINE A CREDIBLE MODELIN AGENCY| compiled by jkk for aspiring professional models

A LEGITIMATE MODELING AGENCY
invests money and time into developing their talent so they can increase their status within the industry.

:: A top and credible agency will help train modelsget test shootslayout portfolios, and put together “comp cards” and the various printed materials the model/talent needs  to effectively launch and establish a career.

:: A Legitimate Agency will find work for models by presenting them to designers, photographers, and ad agencies.  

:: The agencies are also responsible for booking the jobs, billing for the jobs, and eventually paying the models for their time. By handling the details, an agency allows a model to focus on modeling and not on the business end.

:: A legitimate Agency will have contacts with good professional photographers, graphic designers and printers to prepare a model's marketing/publicity materials for their talent

:: Because modeling is a very competitive, fast moving business that extends beyond the traditional business hours, an agency will generally handle business side of the talents career 24/7

:: The Bigger Agencies typically have a service or an operator to handle emergency issues after hours [an emergency is a cancellation + a rush job]

:: No reputable agency charges for representation, but the agent may recommend steps that will cost money, especially when talent is starting out

Friday, August 20, 2010

JTA's AMY Loubris Blogs about her VICKERY BOOKING & PHOTO SHOOT friday, july 30th, 2010

AMY Loubris: a JTA Management Board Model | Photo: Erin K Sturga | Hair: David Rico | MUA: Heathyrre Kautz | Fashion Styling: Justice Kwesi Kwarteng | Photo Shoot Creative & Art Director: Justice K. Kwarteng | Agency: JTA | www.jmodelsandtalent.ning.com | www.jtamodelsblog.blogspot.com | www.jtamodelingnetwork.blogspot.com | www.amyloubris.blogspot.com

This past Thursday I had a photo shoot with Vickery. It was so much more fun than I was expecting. I wasn't exactly nervous - just didn't know what to expect. They had me arrive with my hair curly and natural looking makeup on. They touched up the makeup for me. I think they shot me in 5 different outfits. All of which were super comfortable, which I know is rare in a photo shoot. This was especially fun because a bunch of women were in the room with me.

Therefore it wasn't awkward at all! I had a dressing room and wasn't rushed at all. I learned some new things... Such as when photographing just pants on a model they must lift their arms up as if they're about to dive into a pool. This lifts and tightens the appearance of the hips and belly area. Never knew that!

It was very comfortable, the whole shoot because they were guiding me every step of the way. I was gliding along with my poses. The whole time I was thinking "wow I really wish there was someone here to video tape this for behind the scenes footage." Oh well. It's the image in my memory that counts the most.

This shoot was very uplifting because the whole time they were all saying how beautiful I looked and how awesome my poses were and how seeing the photos of me it really made them want to purchase most of the items. I can't wait to receive my check in the mail along with the photos somehow. I can't wait to see MY face on an internet or real catalogue!

Finally my Amy Loubris name will be official. It'll be on the record. It'll come up in searches. I cannot wait.


This shoot definitely had a different style of clothing an shoes than what I'm used to. There were heels I had to wear but they weren't tall and "high fashioned" like what I've been practicing in at practice. I kind of had to start new ways of posing. It was a very good learning experience.

Here is a LINK to the tear sheets from the shoot:

Thursday, August 19, 2010