Rating:  Summary: Interesting Review: An intelligent book about the modeling business seems a contradiction in terms, but Michael Gross writes well and informatively about the models and their agents/scavengers/parasites. There are some caring agents, but the business also attracts oversexed adult men/agents whose main reason for entering the business is so they could have serial sex with 14 year old girls. If you have a 14 year old model daughter, who is going to a fashion shoot and/or show in Milan, GO WITH HER. Unless you want her deflowered prematurely, and to end up in rehab 10 years later. Yeah, she'll have enough money to PAY for rehab, but better she not have to go there in the first place. A model relates in this book how she was about 21 years old, with a friend the same age, walking through Paris, when they happened upon Jack Nicholson, who they had never met. They said, "Hi" and he invited them to a party at Roman Polanski's. Nicholson and Polanski were in their fifties or sixties. When the two girls entered the party, all they saw were 14 year old girls, and they thought, "We're too old!" (Girls in their early 20's, I remind you! ) The model took a puff on a cigarette handed to her, and passed out. She and her friend got out of there with their virtue intact. But what was Roman Polanski doing, giving something to 14 year old girls, that would make them pass out? What do you think he did with them once they passed out? Anyway, that was only part of the book, but it haunted me while reading the rest of it. These people are overpaid, overpraised (both the models and agents), often immoral, and you learn a lot about them when reading MODEL.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent book for anybody interested in the subject Review: Heard and enjoyed the taped version of MODEL by Michael Gross . . . its subtitle says it all: The ugly business of beautiful women . . . methinks that this is an excellent book for anybody thinking of entering the profession--or if you know somebody who is . . . although the field may seem glamorous, in reality, it is anything but that.Though the book was non-fiction, it sounded like I was listening to a novel . . . also, I liked hearing about the backgrounds of such famous models as Twiggy and Cindy Crawford. The edition I heard was from the mid-1990s . . . I understand that a paperback edition in 2002 has since updated MODEL and might be worth getting if you find the subject of interest.
Rating:  Summary: Model is the most comprehensive book on modeling ever publis Review: I didn't expect to learn anything from Michael Gross' book, but Ihave
to admit, it is the most comprehensive book on the modeling
industry ever published. It's so good at separating the myths from
fact that it was hard to read.
Rating:  Summary: A complete and detailed account of the modeling industry Review: I have been developing the most ideal modeling agency for the past 2 years. I am at my last round of revision on the business plan before meeting with investors. On this book alone, I found information that 2 years worth of research didn't provide. I haven't finished reading it yet, but find it hard to put it down, until I realize it's 2 hours before I have to get up! This book has provided strong insight into what I must watch out for and what I must do to succeed with my agency. His description alone of Eileen Ford, her personality , and the results of her attitude, helped me realize I have nothing to fear. That my concept can succeed. If Mr. Gross ever reads this, I would like to say thank you. my success will be built on this book.
Rating:  Summary: A complete and detailed account of the modeling industry Review: I have been developing the most ideal modeling agency for the past 2 years. I am at my last round of revision on the business plan before meeting with investors. On this book alone, I found information that 2 years worth of research didn't provide. I haven't finished reading it yet, but find it hard to put it down, until I realize it's 2 hours before I have to get up! This book has provided strong insight into what I must watch out for and what I must do to succeed with my agency. His description alone of Eileen Ford, her personality , and the results of her attitude, helped me realize I have nothing to fear. That my concept can succeed. If Mr. Gross ever reads this, I would like to say thank you. my success will be built on this book.
Rating:  Summary: Raji, please can I have your e-mail? I have a question! Review: Raji, I saw your posting under the reviews. I don't know any other way of communicating with you, so I hope this finds you. You were talking about how much these books help your knowledge in the fashion world. I have a few/many questions about your agency that you mentioned that you were going to open. Please, when and if you read this e-mail me! ktaylor41@hotmail.com
Rating:  Summary: Raji, please can I have your e-mail? I have a question! Review: Raji, I saw your posting under the reviews. I don't know any other way of communicating with you, so I hope this finds you. You were talking about how much these books help your knowledge in the fashion world. I have a few/many questions about your agency that you mentioned that you were going to open. Please, when and if you read this e-mail me! ktaylor41@hotmail.com
Rating:  Summary: Revised Edition Review: The paperback of Model contains an update chapter bringing the story of the modeling business into the present, including the decline of the Supermodels
Rating:  Summary: Informative historic review of modeling Review: The strong points of this book become easily evident if even one only looks at the several-page-long bibliography. Mr. Gross has done a commendable job of research and has presented a voluminous material, including multiple interviews, pictures, etc. From a historical standpoint, there is probably no better book written on the modeling business (particularly in the US).( There is actually and afterward to the paperback edition, which brins some current news as of 2002.) The weak points of the book are rooted in its failure to discuss what its title promises -- "business". Yes, there are salary numbers, but that is about where Mr. Gross stops. In describing the business he talks at length about modelling agencies, magazines and the like, only it happens in a somewhat gossipy style (describing personalities, political battles, etc.), while failing to provide any financial (or any other business) information so as to give the reader an idea of, for example, of how big this business is. As a result, after reading the book, one is short of truly understanding how the business really works, including the interaction of its multiple participants, such as publihhers, designers, etc.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting read Review: This book does exactly what the title says, it reveals the ugly side of the modeling business. However, it is an older book so you won't hear any recent names. There is another book out there, "Shut up and Smile" that covers more recent models. But the writing from that book is no comparison to this one. This book is by someone that knows how to write and the stories are very in-depth which can only make the book better. The pictures are also better in this book.
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