Vote Endlich for W Magazine

Vote Endlich for W Magazine

Megan Endlich signed with Factor Women is fashionable wherever she goes no matter the season. We at SOMW wholeheartedly endorse fashionable models and Megan is just that so vote for her at www.wdesires.com/chicpicksweeps.

A Word from Megan:

A panel of W editors and other fashion V.I.P.'s chose my submission for my favorite fashion trend, along with 19 other girls. Vote for my faux-fur photo shot by W magazines photo contest winner Angelo Kritikos!

"It isn't easy living in the "Windy City." Winter months in Chicago are unbearable at times, and any fashionista would rather freeze then surrender to wearing a generic winter coat. My favorite fashion trend is "faux fur," not only does it keep you as warm as a real fur coat, but no animals had to be harmed for you to be warm and fashionable.

FACTOR WOMEN MODEL SEARCH IN CHICAGO!

For Immediate Release

Factor Women Model Search

Northbrook Court will partner with Factor Women of Chicago to host a Model Search on June 19 from noon to 3p.m.

Girls ages 13 and up are invited to meet with professional modeling agents, interview professional models to learn about their experiences and preview Summer fashions from great names including Akira, Betsey Johnson, Metropark and more! Participate in a personal mini-photo session and take home a FREE 5x7, compliments of Flash Digital Portraits and mini-makeovers by Red Door Spa. Plus, enter to win one of three prizes given out every hour including a complete look from Northbrook Court with a $300 gift card!

Aspiring models must be 13 or older, 5’6” to 5’11” and have a serious interest in modeling. Bring a great attitude and two non-professional photos to be left with an agent; contracts may be offered on site!

Be one of the first 30 hopefuls and you’ll receive a gift bag including great items and discounts, courtesy of Northbrook Court.

Bring out the Super Model inside!

LOCATION: lower level near Lord & Taylor

TIME: noon - 3p.m.

CONTACT: 847-205-3339

For more information please contact Kasia Koniar at

312 943 3226

Muse Event with Factor Women

Last night we attended the Muse event hosted by the International Academy of Design & Technology and sponsored by Factor Women. The top 5 designers of the Muse competition were featured with their designs presented by Factor Women’s stunning models.

We spoke with La Tonya Williams, competition winner and designer of this early 20’s inspired pinstriped ensemble with red accents and brass button details on the jacket and puff-tapered pants. In her excitement she emphasized that, “it’s great to be in the top 5, having seen the hard work of the other designers and worked together to get to this point.”

Each piece was a wonderfully unique interpretation of high fashion design. Congratulations to all of the Muse competition participants!

Hub of the West

The Chicago fashion market is not as condensed as it may seem. While a great number of shows, designes, and models come from this wonderful city, our market is by far more pervasive.

We are the fashion hub for the Midwest, so many of "Chicago's" models are from surrounding areas: Minnesota, Michigan and even Nebraska.

This is what makes this market so interesting; your commutes to castings may be 100 miles away at the headquarters of a major commercial company in the geographical middle of nowhere. The Chicago market is currently being shaped by new and established agencies like: FORD, Factor Woman and Agency Galatea to name a few.

These agencies, their committed models, Chicago's designers, and ambitious "fashionpeneurs" are willing to take the challenges of this market and create something beautiful, something sophisticated...something worth it.

We would like to hear about your secrets, what you do to stay alive in this difficult but beautiful industry. Whether is about your crazy commute as a model and what happened between points A and B (you can be surprised how many crazy things can happen), or your first steps as a fashion designer...let us know...share with us, spread the word...and lets all work together in building a better fashion world here in Chicago.

A talk with Sam Perry from Factor Women

We recently had a chance to hear from Sam Perry of Factor Women, about her current and past experience with the modeling world:

What work have you done recently?

CS shoot with Russ hd was amazing, it was a vintage yet modern theme, we used vintage cameras for an old and mysterious look for the photos, the shoot went amazing the crew was very talented and kind and Russ the photographer is a master at photography. It was one of the photoshoots i will never forget.

How has modeling shaped you?

Modeling has shaped my life a lot. I started when I was 13 and it has helped me be a more mature and responsible person. I have a different view on things and it has helped my social and business skills a lot. Most of all, it has helped me realize how grateful I am to be a person.

Hayden has Done it Again

Factor Women! We simply wish you a belated congratulations on yet another stellar show. For those of you that missed CS Magazine's--A Night In Monaco, one of the night's brightest models sums it up...

CS MAGAZINE--WAS FABULOUS!

We did a 40's French Glam look---we ended up looking very Gaga-esque. The runway was SLIPPERY! All of us were fearful of wiping out!! But the Mercedes Benz location is gorgeous and sleek, perfect for a show! I had a GREAT TIME. Agga B, is an EXCELLENT DESIGNER, and I was thrilled to work with her. The clothes were gorgeous and chic!

I had a blast!!

Hayden for SOMW

Clearly A Factor - Amanda Lyons

Congratulations to Factor Women, the sponsoring agency of Style Wars whose models tore up the runway. Style Wars 2010 was a huge success hosted that has sharpened the edge of the Chicago Fashion Scene. Pictured above is Amanda Lyons of Factor Women who so willingly shares with us below:

Stylewars was my first runway show, and I was excited to be involved with a charitable event that highlighted Chicago designers. I had the most surreal and beautiful experience with many different factors (no pun intended) playing a significant role. Models were to arrive at 6:30 for hair and make up, and the show was to go on at 8:30 p.m. Backstage was a little hectic because we had every model, make up artist, hair stylist, and designer with their avant garde attire all getting ready at once.

As a stylist left our back room, the door closed slowly and I peeked outside. Of all the people waiting to enter the main event and get seated, I saw my brother standing outside the door waving to me. Just seeing him and the stream of people waiting to enter made me feel extremely anxious and nervous. It was time to finally line up and I could hear the music starting. As I walked my first step ever on the runway I took a deep breath and thought, “Lord, please help me.”

The energy, the people, the clothing, the blinding lights, the music…I cannot quite put into words this euphoric experience, and I am actually content not being able to accurately describe what I felt, because at that moment I was the only person in the entire world that had this adrenaline rush and experience to take in. I realize there are models on the runway everyday experiencing this same feeling as me, and maybe they can better describe it. I heard people cheering from the crowd but I was focused on not falling off the runway and more importantly doing my job by showing off the astonishing garments of several different designers.

Once the show ended, I walked out in my cocktail dress and saw the agent’s from Factor along with my family and friends, some which I was unaware were attending and realized that was where the loud cheers were coming from. It was a remarkable first experience, and I was consumed with emotion because I felt the love and support from all the Factor Agents and my family/friends, and I am forever grateful.

SOMW is equally grateful to and happy for Amanda! Don't forget to send us your posts...We can't wait to hear from you!

Hayden from Factor speaks out

SOMW is an exclusive community composed of models, photographers, bookers, stylists, etc. We all have roles that we play in this beautiful community, each requiring its own special set of demands, obligations, and perks. However, we experience this world individually, thus we each have a different yet beautiful perspective. These threads of difference are the fabric of our pervasive fashion community that reminds us that we are inextricably linked. Every other week we will feature a post of an SOMW Chicago member that gives us a specific perspective on the industry.

Hayden Merryn Neibaur, chic, alluring and represented by Factor Women, shares her perspective on our world:

The modeling world is an interesting one, and I of all people, really love it. It's extremely cut-throat and not for the faint-hearted. I've always been drawn to modeling because of the art that exists so exquisitely throughout the industry, the idea of using garments and people as a means of constructing art is astounding to me. I always wanted to be a part of that masterpiece. Every girl who glides down a runway is a chameleon that blends to the artistic work of each designer who creates a line for a season that will be the beacon for all other clothing items of that season. It is very "The Devil Wears Prada" to say that even people who don't directly look to fashion on a daily basis, are unknowingly submerged in the world of our industry. If someone picks up a clothing item from their nearest Target, they are unaware of the Zac Posen designs that have influenced its structure. The designers, models, and photographers set the stage for everything to be expected from that season, and every human is a part of that. It absolutely blows my mind and intrigues me.

But aside from this aspect, the modeling world is a social one. It's about seeing people and being seen and of course, only being seen looking your absolute best at all times. Every second of every day is a casting for you, and it's hard to not be swallowed alive by it. But those who do it, love it, it fuels there day. The modeling world has a cruel sense of honesty, it does not hold your hand, it doesn't care about your feelings, it does not accept those who are not punctual, and it doesn't give you second chances. It makes high demands of you and doesn't pat you on the back for good work. You have to remember that the people who are at the top were once at the bottom, and no one gave them a gold medal for hard work, it all pays off by where you end up, and some people just can't take it.

I'm new at this, but I've been fascinated by the world for as long as I can remember, and I am fully aware of where I stand in the world, and I am happy with that. I just love being surrounded by the beautiful and exotic symmetry that winning the genetic lottery produces, and the intricate combinations of facial and body structures as they glide down the catwalk or on the scene of a campaign. People don't give enough credit to the talent it takes to be a shape-shifting creature of inspiring beauty, but people should start giving credit to the girls and guys who do it every day.

Tell us what you THINK, what you DO, how you FEEL, and how you LIVE in OUR WORLD...SOMW!

Factor Women's New Faces Party

We were invited to the marvelous presentation of A New Generation of Faces for Factor Women...

The runway show featured 30 beautiful girls, and it was the very first runway for some of them. We got to hear a few of the girls talk about their love for the Factor community. All of the girl are brimming with fresh energy and enthusiasm. We see a very promising future for these girls.

The summer-like evening brought a sizable crowd whose response was exceptionally enthusiastic, we are very excited about the variety of striking fresh faces, and we look forward to see much more of them in the near future...who knows maybe we will be fortunate enough to work with most of them soon...

Congratulations Factor...amazing work and amazing party!