Fashion: Model Search

Oak Cliff's Bishop Avenue was looking like a Hollywood back lot a few weeks ago.

Makeup artists, hair stylists, agents, photographers, stylists, assistants, and hangers-on trekked from hair and makeup (Alchemy salon), and wardrobe (set up in Make Shop and Studio) to Hunky's, which served as both cafeteria and photo studio. Saturday's outer bands of Hurricane Ike paved the way for a picture-perfect Sunday. Literally.

And for 10 hopeful Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search finalists with magazine covers in their eyes, the day was brimming with possibility.

"I think they were all wondering, 'Is it going to be me?' " says photographer Larry Travis, who shot the finalists' photographs.

"They all want to be the winner. Everyone did a good job of holding up under pressure, keeping their cool and following instructions."

Getting great shots doesn't happen in an instant.

"It was a long day for the kids," says Kim Dawson Agency director Lisa Dawson. "I was surprised to see how comfortable they were in front of the camera. With shows on TV like Project Runway and America's Next Top Model, the finalists seem to have a good understanding of what a photo shoot will be like."

The 10 finalists were among nearly 1,100 original applicants – 800 of whom entered at the annual Search Party at NorthPark Center in August. The initial cut brought that number down to 39, who were then interviewed by model bookers from the Kim Dawson Agency and the staff of F!D luxe. Then it was time to pick the finalists.

"It was a difficult process," says Ms. Dawson. "But we ended up with a very strong, diverse group – some of whom will definitely find work in this area."

"Dallas has become the fashion center for this part of the country," says Mr. Travis. "And it is a great pool for models. A lot of tremendous models come out of Dallas: Erin Wasson, Bridget Hall, Chandra North and Adrian Hilliard come to mind. And, of course, Ali Michael," who, like Ms. Wasson, began her career as the winner of the F!D/KD search.

"This is the first time in front of the camera for many of these people," he says. "They're not used to having so many different people working on them."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

Finalists in the 2008 Fashion!Dallas Kim Dawson Model Search. Check out the end of this story to see where to buy what they're wearing.

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But the fashion photographer knows that not only is winning the Model Search riding on these photographs, the votes for Readers' Choice winner will be influenced, as well.

"Hopefully, the readers will have a pretty accurate idea of what the finalists look like," he says. "No one's look was changed too radically."

Voting for the Readers' Choice winner starts today and continues through midnight, Friday, Oct. 10.

Both the grand-prize and popular-vote winners will be announced live on Sunday, Oct. 12 at a special Model Search runway show during NorthPark Center's Fashion at the Park. (Ticket info at right.)

The winners also will be announced live on DallasNews.com/modelsearch, and in The Dallas Morning News Oct. 13, with profiles in The News Oct. 17.

After the photographer's final frame was shot, the ten wannabes with Gossip Girl looks and crossed fingers headed down the street, back to their own clothes. And civilian lives.

"I would skip school to do this again tomorrow," said 19-year-old Alex Long, getting into her car. "In a heartbeat."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Ashley: Striped T-shirt, $25, Club Monaco; Trovata wool vest, $176, Barneys New York

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"I want to be just like Tyra Banks," says 14-year-old Ashley, who hopes to follow in the megamodel turned talk-show host's footsteps. And to do so, the National Junior Honor Society member clicks to runway action on the Web. "I go to YouTube and type in 'runway' to find something. Then I practice walking the runway up and down the hallway. I just love how the models are out there strutting their stuff. Like 'Hey, look at me look at me! Look at what I'm wearing!' I just love that and I want to do it too."

HEIGHT: 5-9 ½

SIGN: Virgo (Sept. 4, 1994)

LIVES: Arlington

DAY JOB: 8th grade, Boles Junior High School

WALKED IN WEARING: American Eagle T-shirt, beach shorts and flip flops

WORKOUT: Volleyball

GLOSSIES: Seventeen

MAKEUP MUST: Bare Minerals foundation

DOWNLOAD: "Metallica and the old rock bands"

TIVO: Discovery Channel's MythBusters

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "Top Model, of course!"

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL:

"I was like 'Oh my gosh! Are you serious? Are you seriously saying I'm a finalist?' Then I screamed."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

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Born in New York City while his West African parents were there on vacation, Diaby came back to the United States ten years ago. "I love it here," he says. "There's so much opportunity." Such as modeling. Told by a former Model Search finalist that he should enter, the 21-year-old sent in a few photos. Now he's a finalist. "It's trendy, it's edgy," says the recent University of Texas at Arlington grad of his photo-shoot look. "And I get to wear $225 pants. That's pretty nice!"

HEIGHT: 6-1 ¼

SIGN: Scorpio (Oct. 31, 1986)

LIVES: Fort Worth

DAY JOB: Information specialist

WALKED IN WEARING:

Old Navy T-shirt, X2 jeans, American Eagle sneakers

WORKOUT: Swim and work out three days a week

GLOSSIES: TV Guide, ESPN The Magazine

DOWNLOAD: The Truth, Handsome Boy Modeling School

TIVO: "I am crazy about Lost!"

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "I watch America's Next Top Model all the time. It's more cattiness than anything, really."

WHEN HE GOT THE CALL: "When I found out I was a finalist, I kind of yelled into the phone!"

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Kyle: Theory checked shirt, $145, Neiman Marcus; cashmere sweater vest, $99, Club Monaco; Dior tie, $165, Barneys New York

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After an 18-year break, Kyle is back in front of the camera. "When I was 3, I modeled for J.C. Penney," he says. "Maybe that's why it's appealing to me now ... I want to travel a lot and do everything there is to do in this business." But merely posing may not be enough for the 21-year-old. "Hopefully, modeling will open some doors for me to be an actor, like Shia LeBeouf. I want to do movies like he does."

HEIGHT: 6-2

SIGN: Leo (Aug. 12, 1987)

LIVES: Allen

DAY JOB: Eye technician

WALKED IN WEARING: BKE shirt and jeans, Nike shoes

WORKOUT: "I have a Bowflex at home and go to the gym twice a week."

GLOSSIES: GQ

DOWNLOAD: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Ra

TIVO: Entourage

DREAM JOB: Calvin Klein ad campaign

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "I guess America's Next Top Model. I've never seen Project Runway."

WHEN HE GOT THE CALL: "I was at work, so I couldn't be that excited."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Jake: Gant shirt, $115, Barneys New York; striped cotton cardigan, $59. Energie/Miss Sixty

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"I love the camera," says the 18-year-old actor-model hopeful. "I did a play at my school and my director said if I want to pursue acting, this contest would be a good way to start." Jake entered the search at the August casting call at NorthPark Center and one month later, he's one of ten finalists. "I feel really comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera," he says. "This is a turning point in my life."

HEIGHT: 6-2

SIGN: Leo (Aug. 20, 1990)

LIVES: Irving

DAY JOB: Senior, Irving High School

WALKED IN WEARING: Mayday Parade concert T, Levi's jeans, Vans sneakers

WORKOUT: Tennis

BOOKMARKED: Moviefone.com

DOWNLOAD: Three Cheers For Five Years, Mayday Parade

TIVO: Lost

DREAM JOB: "Put me on a beach."

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? America's Next Top Model

WHEN HE GOT THE CALL: "It took a while to sink in. I put the phone down and just sat there."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Michael: Plaid windbreaker, $150, Original Penguin; Lark & Wolff T-shirt, $28, Urban Outfitters

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Michael's favorite part of the Model Search process? The makeover at Toni & Guy. "I don't know if my scalp has ever experienced such pleasure and relaxation," the 19-year-old says. "Whoever paid for that deserves a lot of thanks." (Credit the Toni & Guy team, who donated their services.) The money-minded business major has a right-brain side, as well: He's a part of the Models of Style Exposed group at UNT. "We put on runway shows. It's a lot of fun."

HEIGHT: 5-11 ½

SIGN: Sagittarius (Dec. 4, 1988)

LIVES: Grapevine

DAY JOB: Sophomore, University of North Texas

WALKED IN WEARING: Hollister polo, Guess jeans, Vans sneakers

WORKOUT: Intramural soccer

GLOSSIES: "I don't really read magazines. I'm really busy being in college."

DOWNLOAD: So Close, John McLaughlin

TIVO: Hannah Montana "Dude, Disney Channel rocks!"

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "They're not my type of TV shows."

WHEN HE GOT THE CALL: "I was so psyched!"

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Rachel: James Perse blouse, $144, and cardigan vest, $195, Barneys New York; Levi's shorts, $58, Urban Outfitters

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"I've wanted to be a model since forever," says 15-year-old Rachel. "And I love runway. I put on my heels and walk around and videotape it." Rachel came to the finalists' photo shoot with experience: She attended the KD Studio's modeling camp (not affiliated with the Kim Dawson Agency) for two years. But Rachel thinks about more than spotlights and stilettos. She volunteers for the Miracle League of Frisco, a noncompetitive sports league for special-needs children.

HEIGHT: 5-9

SIGN: Taurus (May 20, 1993)

LIVES: Frisco

DAY JOB: Sophomore, Frisco High School

WALKED IN WEARING: Victoria's Secret jacket, Urban Outfitters shirt, Hollister shorts and flip-flops

DOWNLOAD: Got Money, Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain

TIVO: Desperate Housewives

DREAM JOB: "If I got to do a runway show, I would start jumping up and down."

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL ? "Even though I like runway shows a lot, there is more modeling in America's Next Top Model. It's intense!"

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL: "I was in driver's ed when I found out. Everyone was looking at me like I was an idiot!"

James Perse blouse, $144, and cardigan vest, $195, Barneys New York; Levi's shorts, $58, Urban Outfitters

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Amber: Cotton tank, $39, and knit vest, $119, Club Monaco; Blank Jeans, $68, Urban Outfitters

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"There certainly is a lot of competition," says 16-year-old Amber. "Everyone is so good-looking!" Asked about the highlight of the photo shoot, the student council vice-president shows her political savvy. "Meeting all the other models," she says. The Toni & Guy makeover had her worried, but just for sec. "At first they were going to cut my hair short," confides the cheerleading squad manager. "I was really scared."

HEIGHT: 5-7 ¾

SIGN: Leo (July 25, 1992)

LIVES: Haltom City

DAY JOB: Junior, Haltom High School

WALKED IN WEARING: Shirt and shorts from Target ("My mom calls them Daisy Duke shorts!"), Jessica Simpson flats

GLOSSIES: Seventeen, Teen Vogue

BOOKMARKED: Elitemodel.com

DOWNLOAD: Forever, Chris Brown

TIVO: The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Hills ("I like how Lauren and Whitney dress.")

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "I like watching the poses they do on America's Next Top Model ."

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL: "My first thought was about winning!"

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Natalie: James Perse T-shirt, $55, and cardigan, $245, Barneys New York

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"I've heard about the search for years," says 18-year-old Natalie. "I read about it in the paper and decided to go for it." And Natalie wants to go and go. "I just want to get out of Dallas and travel. I want to live my dream." Modeling may be a way to do that, she says. "Even more than the hair and clothes, I like the process – taking the pictures. Even though it takes forever, it's still so much fun. And it's not something you get to do every day, that's for sure."

HEIGHT: 5-8 ¼

SIGN: Sagittarius (Dec. 2, 1989)

LIVES: Richardson

DAY JOB: Freshman, Richland Community College

WALKED IN WEARING: Victoria's Secret sweat suit, Old Navy flip flops

GLOSSIES: Cosmopolitan

FAVE FACE: Alessandra Ambrosio

TIVO: "Anything on E!"

DREAM JOB: "The Victoria's Secret fashion show"

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? Project Runway "Heidi Klum is amazing. And all the drama on Top Model seems a little fake now."

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL: "I waited to get off the phone, then freaked out for about three hours."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Alex: T-shirt, $25, Club Monaco; Shipley & Halmos leather jacket, $685, Barneys New York

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"I think of modeling as an art form," says the 19-year-old interior design major. "The idea of being a part of art really excites me. So when I saw the Model Search billboard, I thought I would give it a try." Even though trying meant a drastic change at the Toni & Guy makeover. "That was interesting," she says. "They cut off six inches of my hair. I ended up liking it, but I definitely wasn't sure at first."

HEIGHT: 5-8

SIGN: Cancer (June 24, 1989)

LIVES: Wylie

DAY JOB: Sophomore, University of North Texas

WALKED IN WEARING: H & M tank top, skinny jeans from TJ Maxx, Tommy Hilfiger flats

GLOSSIES: Nylon

DOWNLOAD: Viva La Vida, Coldplay

FAVE FACE: Adriana Lima ("She can be beautiful and edgy at the same time.")

TIVO: Gossip Girl ("It's my guilty pleasure!")

DREAM JOB: Ralph Lauren ad campaign

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? "I actually auditioned for America's Next Top Model, so I am partial to it."

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL: "I still can't believe I'm here."

LARRY TRAVIS/Special to DMN

On Kasey: D&G sweater with attached shirt, $455, Neiman Marcus

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Two months ago, 19-year-old Kasey was waiting tables when a customer (who happened to be an art director) told her she could be a model. Fast-forward to her first photo shoot. "I have never experienced anything like this," says the graphic design major. "I love the clothes, hair, and makeup." And following the Toni & Guy makeover at NorthPark Center, Kasey breathed a sigh of relief. "They gave me bangs, which is fine. I just didn't want them to whack off all my hair."

HEIGHT: 5-7

SIGN: Capricorn (Jan. 14, 1989)

LIVES: Dallas

DAY JOB: Waitress, hostess; sophomore, Art Institute of Dallas

WALKED IN WEARING: American Eagle jeans, Aéropostale T-shirt, Keds shoes

MAKEUP MUST: Cover Girl Volume Exact mascara

GLOSSIES: Us Weekly

DOWNLOAD: Viva La Vida, Coldplay

TIVO: One Tree Hill

PROJECT RUNWAY, OR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL? Project Runway ("Heidi Klum seems like so much fun!")

WHEN SHE GOT THE CALL: "I didn't think I would be a finalist because of my height."

D&G sweater with attached shirt, $455, Neiman Marcus

Tune into Good Morning Texas, WFAA-TV (Channel 8) Oct. 10 to meet the finalists. Then head to NorthPark's Fashion at the Park to find out who wins and see previous Search discoveries during a special Model Search runway show Oct. 12. (For tickets, call 888-695-0888 or go to Northparkcenter.com.)Winners also will be announced live on DallasNews.com/modelsearch, and in The Dallas Morning News Oct. 13, with profiles in The News Oct. 17.

All clothing from NorthPark Center. Here, the where-to-buy details from their group shot (from left to right):

ON JAKE: Lark & Wolff T-shirt, $28, Urban Outfitters; windbreaker, $299, Energie/Miss Sixty; A.P.C. jeans, $155, Barneys New York; Prada shoes, $690, Neiman Marcus; belt, $89, Club Monaco

ON RACHEL: Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket, $798, and wool skirt, $328, Neiman Marcus; Marc by Marc Jacobs shirt, $238, necklace, $345, and boots, $955, at Barneys New York

ON MICHAEL: William Rast leather motorcycle jacket, $730, Neiman Marcus; Gant shirt, $115, and Naked and Famous jeans, $135, Barneys New York; John Varvatos boots, $698, Neiman Marcus

ON KASEY: Shipley & Halmos skirt, $280, Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket, $458, and pearl necklace, $345, Barneys New York; ankle boots, $349, Energie/Miss Sixty

ON AMBER: Marc by Marc Jacobs wool skirt, $258, mohair cardigan, $258, and Marni shoes, $435, Barneys New York; cotton blouse, $89, and belt, $59, Club Monaco

ON DIABY: Converse suspender pants, $115, and fedora, $28, Urban Outfitters; James Perse T-shirt, $45, and Converse sneakers, $125, Barneys New York

ON NATALIE: Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, $798, and Loeffler Randall shoes, $575, Neiman Marcus; Miu Miu cardigan, $670, and pocketknife necklace, $335, Barneys New York ON ASHLEY: D&G leopard-print skirt, $365, and Prada ankle boots, $575, Neiman Marcus; T-shirt, $22, Club Monaco; 3.1 Phillip Lim leather jacket, $950, Barneys New York

ON KYLE: Levi's 501 jeans, $49, Urban Outfitters; Marc by Marc Jacobs shirt, $178, and cardigan, $288; and Dior Homme lace-ups, $780, Barneys New York; knit tie, $69, Club Monaco

ON ALEX: Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, $728, Neiman Marcus; Tara to the T headband, $22, Make; Marc by Marc Jacobs boots, $940, Barneys New York; gloves, $38, Urban Outfitters