FRESH AT THE MISS ENGLAND SEMI FINALS – after the Heats, THE HEAT IS REALLY ON

We are honoured and privileged to have been part of the judging panel at the Miss England Semi Finals, which were held on Monday 13^th June.  Rain didn’t stop play and what a fantastic day was had by all, contestants, organisers and judges alike!  Firstly, the venue is fabulous if we say so ourselves.  Who doesn’t want to spend time at Champney’s Springs, Leicestershire – The Champney’s Group recently won the award for the 2011 Conde Naste Readers Spa Retreat of the Year which went to their Forest Mere Spa. We definitely were impressed with the stunning location; glorious landscaped gardens and delectable food, everyone who attended were so well looked after…we’ll definitely be going back. For a tense fixture in the calendar it’s the perfect place as it’s aura of calm and serenity most definitely helped all beautiful semi-finalists be much more relaxed for this important day. 

The rounds were split into four and there were a total of 54 fantastic girls who all took part.  We always find it hard to judge these events as there is something special in every girl that takes part, in fact, every girl who comes into our Fresh Academy Studio has a certain something that makes them all uniquely beautiful.  The Semi Finals have a boot camp in the morning and an interview later on, plus a superb fashion show which was set in a breathtakingly decorated marquee.  This is known as the “Eco Round” and the “Evening Wear Round” – we think that’s our favourite, always great to see the girls dressed up for a stylish party!

Amongst the 9 Semi-Final judges, we were represented by Charlie Kaufman who is the founder of Fresh, a top photographer himself, with years of outstanding experience he knows exactly what he’s looking for when looking at beauty, behind a lens and in front of it. The judges come from all different areas of the fashion, media and beauty industries, from former beauty queens to hairdressing, and the current Miss England herself, Jessica Linley. Each was looking for something individual and has their own ideas and opinions on who should go through – believe us, it was one tough selection process.  As well as the obvious, which of the finalists are the most gorgeous, personality is a key factor in going further in the competition, as is community work, and we spent a long while deliberating all the ladies who were in the Semi’s.  Every one of the girls was debated and it is always hard letting the ones who don’t make it go as they’re all fantastic.  No doubt the finals are going to be extremely difficult to decide. 

Obviously this event is key as it’s the run up to the Miss England Finals on the 18^th and 19^th July.  Here’s a list of the amazing girls who are going through to the Miss England Finals, we wish each and every one of them GOOD LUCK:

Miss Bath City Amy Willerton

Miss Harrogate and District Alexandra Devine

Miss Sutton Coldfield Roxanne Smith

Miss South West London Margarita Nazarenko

Miss Wigan Abbie Green

Miss University Katie Farr

Miss Fylde Coast Sophie-Leigh Anderson

Miss Blackburn Harriet Noakley

Miss Newcastle Hannah Gray

Miss Preston Runner Up Hollie Robinson

Think you’ve got what it takes for 2012?  Then let us know and check out our website www.freshacademy.com for further information on our Fresh Academy photography, make-over’s and our stunning portfolios.  Remember this, the winner of Miss England will go on to compete in Miss World, where the prize is an astounding $100,000!

Leanne, our Studio Manager tells you all you need to know about being the Fresh Studio Manager...

We thought we’d do something different this week and give you an insight into the world of the Fresh Academy Studios.  For those of you who have passed through our doors you will have met various members of our fabulous team, including our Studio Manager Leanne Pearson. 

Leanne makes it all happen!  She co-ordinates all of our fantastic photo-shoots and keeps you comfortable and happy making sure your Fresh experience is 100% brilliant!  Leanne has bags of experience and knows exactly what works for our customers.  How does she know what works? How does Leanne co-ordinate all these shoots?  How did she manage to get such a great role at the Fresh Academy and how does she keep so calm and relaxed when things get really busy… We asked lovely Leanne lots of questions that you often ask us and also give all you budding Studio Managers out there a glimpse into “A Day in the Life of a Studio Manager”.

1. Who’s the most famous person to pass through the studio’s doors?

Probably Danny Jones from McFly. We also had a few of the Britain's Next Top Model girls in for portfolio updates.

2. What’s the worst thing that has ever happened to your team at the Fresh Studio?

That would be when a girl who came in for a portfolio shoot left her bag of clothes and shoes on the train. Luckily we have a cabinet of accessories here that she could borrow, and a few nice members of staff willing to give up some items of their clothing!

3.  What’s your favourite set?

Our sets are always changing in the studio to make sure everyone gets something different from their shoots, but if I had to choose a favourite I'd say our blue/grey door as it is the perfect most flattering beauty shot lighting.

4. What’s your favourite “look” to shoot?

 My personal favourite “look” to shoot is quite quirky, trendy and a bit daring;  although of course we can have fun with every look that comes through the studio door.

5. What’s the most amount of people you’ve had for a photo-shoot in a day?

The most amount of people through the door in one day has been 18. It was a long day for all, but everyone still managed to love their photographs!

6. What’s the strangest request you’ve ever had?

That would have to be a lady that wanted to BE a cat- she wanted to look as feline as possible in her pictures and even brought in whiskers to apply to her face and a tail as well!

7. What’s the most popular request?

The most popular request is an obvious one- to look as beautiful as possible, and to be directed through the shoot by our team!

8. What would you like to see as a set at Fresh Academy?

I would still love to have a bath tub put into the studio- filled with beads or jelly beans!!

9. How did you become a Studio Manager?

I became Studio Manager after a few years of working as an assistant then as a photographer at Fresh. My hard work and organisation skills were recognised by the Directors and it just shows that dedication to the company pays off!

10. How did you get your job at Fresh?

I got my job at Fresh whilst i was studying photography; it was a weekend assistant job. I heard about Fresh through my hubby who is a hairdresser and has styled hair for shoots for his salon at Fresh.

11. What are your qualifications?

My qualification is a National Diploma level 2 in photography. However this is an industry where you learn just as much “on the job” as you do in college or at university. It is all about creativity.

12.  What advice do you have for anyone who wants to be a Studio Manager?

My main piece advice would be to keep organised! There are always a million and one things to do, all of equal importance. I need to remember to check my staff diary to see which photographers are booked in for which days, and how many make up artists are needed on each shooting day. To be a studio manager you have be dedicated to the company and have faith in your team.

13. What’s your favourite photograph ever?

I don't have one singular favourite photograph from Fresh, but I love the set of pictures taken for the Boudoir by Fresh launch. The lighting was beautiful, the models were fabulous and the mood of the pictures was perfect for the whole Boudoir scene.

14. What suggestions do you have for any wannabe models?

Any wannabe models need a nice strong set of images to email through to model agencies. The pictures should show a variety of expressions and a variety of crops to show full length, half length and close up. Also for aspiring models patience is a virtue. It is highly unlikely that the very first ever agency you approach will take you on immediately.  Don't give up- keep trying, and keep updating your portfolio...

15. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?

Trust in your instincts- they are almost always right!

16. What’s the best thing about being a Studio Manager?

1) Your days are never monotonous as a studio manager. No two days are ever the same.
2) You build relationships with all members of staff in the whole company
3) You're the only person who sees a customers whole entire journey with Fresh through from beginning to end. From their booking, to their consultation, their hair and make up choices, their shoot, their viewing, the retouching of their images, the printing and then finally overseeing the finished product.

17. Who is your fashion icon?

Without question Nicola Roberts. Her style is quirky yet sophisticated, and her hair and make up is always perfect for her complexion- she makes us pale people feel proud!!!!

18. Describe a typical day!

A typical day in the studio begins with the staff member's viewing the job sheets (diary) for the day so everyone knows who is coming in for a shoot, when, and why. Then the make up artists are briefed on times their customers will be sent up to them. We set up the studio- turning on all the lights, getting the camera set up. Then customers begin to flow in! Each customer has a consultation to discuss why they are here, what they are looking to achieve from the session and what end product they are aiming for. They are then sent to either hair or make-up if applicable, or straight into the studio for their shoot. After their fun filled photo-shoot we take them for an instant viewing on our cinema screen in the viewing room and show them through all the images that have just been taken. They then select the ones they would like to order usually with our professional opinion thrown in for good measure! Then this is all repeated for every customer who comes through the door. A typical day at Fresh is fast paced and busy, but we make sure every customer is looked after throughout their whole Fresh experience.

19. Tell us a little about the team at Fresh…

The team at Fresh are all young and enthusiastic, have an extreme passion for their art, and enjoy making people look and feel fantastic!

20. Finally, what’s the best thing about working at Fresh?

It’s making people look and feel fantastic!!! Creating amazing images that people can keep and treasure and show off forever! Above all, on a personal note, it’s great to turn a hobby into a career.

Thanks to Leanne Pearson for her words of wisdom – I’m thinking of making a career change now!

Don't forget Father's Day

As if you needed reminding but just in case…don’t forget that Father’s day is on the 19^th June, that’s less than four weeks away!  We know how difficult it is to find the perfect gift for Dad, so we’ve put our thinking caps on and come up with an idea that is guaranteed to make Dad smile on Father’s Day and in fact every day!

We know Dad's are sometimes camera shy so we think a great way to persuade Dad into the studio would be with his family, so we're excited to offer a fantastic FREE family shoot worth £75! Your family will enjoy a terrific fun and memorable day with us at Fresh Academy www.freshacademy.com and after the photo-shoot a selection of stunning photographs will be available for you all to view and choose from.

Maybe your Dad still won’t have his picture taken, in which case, having had your amazing Fresh Academy www.freshacademy.com or Fresh Families www.freshfamilies.com experience with us, you already have a selection of stunning photographs of yourself or your children. Why not pick out your favourite and get it printed for Dad? Choose either a photographic print in various sizes ranging from 5 x 7” to 10 x 8”.  Alternatively you could really splash out and show him how much you care by buying him a stunning wall hanging so that he will always be reminded of you each time he walks into his favourite room.  We have “The Block” a stunning, modern acrylic wall hanging which comes in four sizes, 6 x 4”, 5 x 7”, 8 x 6” or 8 x 8” these add an extra stylish touch to any room and adds real drama to an image.  Each acrylic block comes gorgeously gift boxed with a ribbon.  The blocks start at £125 going up to £245 and here’s the really good part!  As a valued customer of ours, we want to give you 25% off any Father’s Day orders, so you’ll not only make Dad happy but you’ll also keep your wallet pretty pleased too!

Just give our friendly team at Fresh Academy www.freshacademy.com a call on 01923 212 673 and someone will be delighted to help you.  Quote “FreshDads” and you will be offered your 25% discount.  It’s as easy as that – you don’t even need to leave home or office, now that’s what we call a perfect gift!

Some Fresh advice from BNTM Runner Up Charlotte Holmes

Hurry up!  It’s certainly summer time outside so where’s BNTM 2011??www.bntm.tv/

We know it’s due this summer but when?  Rumour has it some time end of next month when we’ll see the line up for the 2011 series.  How many Fresh Academy models are going to be in it?  That’s what we want to know!  We definitely know how to make a success of our girls as you Fresh Academy followers know, Charlotte Holmes came fourth (yes fourth!!) last year and we are sooo proud to be associated with her.  Not only is Charlotte a total beauty she’s also the nicest girl to work with.  We love her here at Fresh Academy and we’re hoping that one of our girls will also end up on 2011 BNTM www.bntmlive.com/and following in her footsteps.  Any of you out there who want help with putting together a portfolio just come on over to Fresh Academy!  www.freshacademy.comIn fact, take a trip round our reception area and you will see Charlotte’s Fresh Academy photographs adorning our walls.

Anyway back to BNTM.  We want to see ALL the looks and ALL the hairstyles now!  As it’s our business to make gals look their best BNTM is our favourite programme ever.  Charlotte is a testament to our work.  Her natural beauty was easy to capture because she really has got what it takes.   Charlotte has had a whirlwind 9 months since leaving the 2010 Britain’s next top model, modelling, presenting and being an exciting new celebrity in her own right!  Exactly what she wanted to do and the best result for our favourite BNTM top four finalist.

Any of you budding models out there have to hear Charlotte’s advice!  After all you don’t get to being 4^th on BNTM without being clued up.  Charlotte’s best advice is to totally be yourself!  No airs and graces, no “wannabes” and no bitching required!  Charlotte laid low in the house and had fun.  Just be natural and normal – that way you don’t need to put on an act (acts are hard to keep up at the best of time, never mind in front of millions of viewers!)  Always be a good listener too, you’re making friends not “frenemies” in the model world.  Don’t worry about your weight!  Not everyone is cut out to be catwalk, not every model needs to be catwalk!  There are plenty out there looking for models for TV, magazines, advertising campaign and even plus size so if you’re not a US size 0 all is not lost.  It’s better to be a healthy size 8 than a poorly size 4.  Plus with the wake of Christine Hendrix from Mad Men and singer/songwriters like Adele, the world is changing – big can be beautiful too!  Charlotte loves her curves – and Charlotte we love them too!  Charlotte keeps fit by following a regular exercise regime and she just ran the London Marathon and raised money for the Variety Children’s charity too.  That’s another thing we all love about Charlotte, she is always thinking of others. 

Charlotte also says to work hard and you’ll get what you want, never stop believing in yourself and never doubt your abilities!  You have to be a strong person to become a model! Don’t forget your studies too, it helps to have something to fall back on and Charlotte’s a bright spark too – with 10 GCSE’s and 3 A Levels.   As well as modelling Charlotte is also an accomplished TV presenter being a natural in front of a camera ….brains and beauty (sigh) she’s got it all!

 www.freshacademy.com

Fresh News! Is this one of Britain’s next top models?

Fresh from one of our photo shoots, this lady wins our Portfolio of the Month!

We’re pleased to introduce Chloe Hawkins to all of you Fresh Academy www.freshacademy.com fans out there!  We think she’s got what it takes to go far.  Chloe came to see us back in March to put together her stunning portfolio for Miss Fresh Photographic, which is one of the photographic heats for Miss England!  As you can see, the photographs themselves are pretty impressive.

Chloe is from Bristol and is 18 years old.  She’s enjoying a great gap year experiencing as much as she can before continuing with her studies.  Chloe was a pleasure to have at the Fresh Academy and everyone here hopes to see her again soon.  Her photographs speak for themselves; she’s a natural beauty with a strong, sultry look together with sparkling green eyes and a figure to die for!  Chloe, we hope all your dreams come true be it for a modelling contract in the future or with whatever you choose to do with your studies.  Please come back and see us soon, you’re always welcome at Fresh Academy!http://www.bntm.tv/

Wondering if the Apprentices get Fresh in the boardroom?

Woohooh! The Apprentice is back for its seventh series next week starting on Tuesday night.  No night out for me then - I’m going to be glued, are you?  The advent of the new series got me thinking about the looks that some of the girls go for when going through the series.  Last year’s winner Stella seemed to go for a fairly fresh face with mascara and lipstick and a little blusher, in stark contrast series 5’s Kate managed a full face on every day!  In fact she amazed me because she always looked so perfectly turned out.  Frankly it’s a mystery to me that they get time at all to even put a lip-gloss on.   Supposedly Lord Alan gives them half an hour from getting up to getting out the door!  Works for some, definitely doesn’t work for me.

So the question is boardroom beauty?  Yes or No!  Lot’s of people think that too much make up detracts from hard graft.  I’m not convinced but that’s only my opinion.  Why shouldn’t working women want to look their best at the office?  Having your make up on gives you confidence, right?  Some women like a powerful red lipstick to show who’s boss – wonder if Sir Alan likes a nice red lipstick (not for him of course!).  Others go for a totally natural look, barely there make-up, less is more so to speak, as Stella showed us last year.  I prefer a full face on! 

Fresh Academy could certainly offer some pointers and tips on creating the perfect boardroom look in less than fifteen minutes, although when in our hands we prefer to take our time when creating our looks.  Nevertheless, we’re thinking about that uber executive women’s make up look for work.  Sometimes less is more, or is an office siren the look you want to achieve?  Interesting to see who the Series 7 ladies on the Apprentice are and what they’re going to wear this year.  I will definitely be mentioning their style in the coming weeks.  Back at Fresh, we’re  hoping that we get some boardroom beauties at the Fresh Academy, with our 15 different purpose built sets and collection of furniture, wall-coverings and backdrops we probably could furnish a boardroom look!  Perhaps The Apprentice will inspire some of you to give Boardroom Beauty a go! Who’s going to be first in then? XOXOXO

FRESH from the Royal Wedding!

Well all that I can say is WOW, didn’t Kate look unbelievably beautiful? Every detail was just perfection, hair, make-up and that DRESS!! I thought she’d have her hair up in a chic chignon rather than half up, half down but I was almost right! Nevertheless, it was the right style, although I would have loved to see more of her lace bodice across her back and shoulders. The hairstyle was truly magnificent and I think I heard through the grapevine that she had a dramatic hairpiece sewn in to keep that amazing tiara in place and really give a cascading wave down her back.

Her make up, understated but natural was as suspected, rumour has it she did it all herself – she can have a job at the Fresh Academy anytime! As if she needs it! On a serious note, it was to perfection, her creamy skin was shown off with a delicate rosy glow and natural, earthy tones on her stunning almond shaped eyes – the effect was just breathtaking.

As for the dress – any bride would have been over the moon with a creation by the head designer at Alexander McQueen – Sarah Burton did him proud and what a well kept secret! I’m sure he was smiling down today as the now Duchess of Cambridge swept down the dramatic aisle at the Abbey, looking resplendent. I wish I had been a guest! Back to the dress, a creation of sumptuous lace and duchess satin. The bodice was fitted with an overlay of the most gorgeously crafted lace – did you see the tiny covered buttons at the cuffs and down the back? The lace was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework in secret. Apparently, the flowers in the lace are all emblems of the United Kingdom, the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock, how patriotic! The train measured 2 metres and 70 centimetres. As for the veil, it was ivory silk tulle with hand embroidered flowers.

A simply awe-inspiring day and I know I spent most of the time looking at all the guests scrutinising designer outfits, hair styles and make up. The rest of the team at Fresh were also glued, we love gathering inspiration from these incredible events so we can re-create all the sensational Royal Wedding looks for all our Fresh devotees! I’m wondering how long it will be until someone asks us to re-create Kate’s look…

What did YOU think?