Fashion Bomb Daily was on the scene as Crowned Skin founder Darrell Spencer marked another trip around the sun in signature style, transforming Carbon Steakhouse at 1204 W Lake Street in Chicago into an Ibiza-inspired evening for the ages.
The Midnight in Ibiza birthday celebration drew a curated crowd of celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes, and tastemakers, all gathered to raise a glass to one of Chicago’s most exciting rising entrepreneurs. The venue set the perfect tone — sleek, sophisticated, and electric with energy from the moment guests arrived.
Jacquees, Darrell Spencer, Chance the RapperCrystal PetersDarrell Spencer, Claire Sulmers
As the founder of Crowned Skin, Spencer has carved out a lane at the intersection of premium grooming, culture, and community. The evening served as a testament to the brand he has built and the influence he continues to grow.
The night reached its peak when Chance the Rapper took the stage for a surprise performance, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The celebration was capped off with a birthday cake presentation that brought the room together for one unforgettable moment.
The fashion was not to be overlooked. Guests arrived dressed to impress, serving looks that were as memorable as the evening itself. From sleek tailored ensembles to bold statement pieces, the style in the room was a reflection of Midnight in Ibiza theme.
Take a look:
All in all, the event was bomb, and if this is any indication of what’s next for Crowned Skin, Darrell Spencer is definitely one to watch.
The most common furniture mistake people make isn’t choosing the wrong style, rather it’s choosing the wrong size.
This usually comes after the purchase has been made.
A sectional that’s too large for a room becomes the room. It redirects traffic, shrinks walkways, and crowds out every other piece of furniture that was supposed to live alongside it. Getting a sectional right requires a different kind of planning than almost any other furniture purchase — don’t skip the steps necessary during this planning process so you’re not overcrowded and pushed out of your own living room, a place that’s supposed to be comforting, not stressful.
Measure the Room Before You Fall in Love With a Piece
Here’s the most direct advice for anyone looking to purchase a sectional: measure first, browse second.
Living with that outline for a day or two tells you more than any showroom visit will. Showrooms are designed to make furniture look smaller. Your living room is not a showroom.
Understand What Shape Your Room Actually Needs
Sectionals come in three primary configurations, and the right one isn’t always the one you find most visually appealing.
L-shaped is the most versatile, tucking naturally into a corner, works in both small and large rooms, leaving more open floor space than the alternatives. For most living rooms — particularly those with a single focal point like a TV or fireplace — an L-shaped configuration is the starting point worth working from.
U-shaped provides maximum seating but demands significantly more space. It creates a natural conversational enclosure, which makes it excellent for households that entertain or for large, open family rooms — but U-shaped sectionals can run 108 to 156 inches in either direction, meaning a room needs to accommodate not just the footprint but the clearance on all sides.
Modular configurations offer the most flexibility over time. Individual pieces can be rearranged to fit different layouts, reconfigured as the room evolves, or separated entirely if you move. For anyone who anticipates change — a growing family, a different home in a few years, a living room that doubles as a workspace — modular sofas are worth the price tag.
A sectional couch is one of the most effective tools for the open floor plan home. Positioned with intention, an L or U-shaped sectional creates a living zone within an open plan without requiring a physical partition. The back of the sectional becomes a natural room divider. The interior of the configuration faces the seating area, drawing people in rather than pushing them out. In spaces where nothing else gives the room a sense of boundary, the sectional just that.
And believe it or not, having no boundaries can create a kind of tension and stress that you’re not expecting. Creating natural walkways and paths in your home takes the guessing out of you and your guests.
Why Material Matters as Much as Configuration
The upholstery of a sectional will determine whether that investment holds for three years or thirteen. The strongest case for longevity? Full-grain leather.
The topmost, uncorrected layer of a hide contains the densest natural fibers — the ones that resist surface wear across years of daily use, household traffic, and the general pressure a sectional bears simply by being the most-used piece of furniture in the room. Unlike performance textiles or microfiber, which show wear patterns and begin to pill over time, full-grain leather develops a patina — a natural deepening of color and character that makes the piece more interesting the longer you own it.
For homes with children or pets, semi-aniline leather adds a subtle protective topcoat over the same full-grain base, making it significantly more resistant to everyday wear while retaining the look and feel that makes leather worth choosing in the first place. The difference in maintenance between the two is meaningful; the difference in quality between either grade and synthetic alternatives is more meaningful still.
The One Step Most Buyers Skip
Order swatches before you commit to a color. Leather reads dramatically differently on a screen than it does in real light — and it reads differently under your specific home’s lighting than it does under anyone else’s. A cognac tan that appears warm and rich on a monitor can look orange under certain bulbs. A deep chocolate brown can look nearly black in a north-facing room.
Most quality retailers offer swatches for exactly this reason. Taking the time to see a material in your actual space, under your actual lighting conditions, before placing an order for a piece this large is one of the few pre-purchase steps that consistently prevents regret.
Two icons, one stage. Monica and Brandy linked up backstage at the Roots Picnic, and the fashion was just as iconic as the moment itself.
Monica arrived in a custom MCM monogram leather baseball jersey and matching trousers, paired with tan boots — a look that was equal parts streetwear and luxury. The cognac-toned ensemble featured MCM’s signature Visetos pattern throughout, making for a head-to-toe statement that was hard to miss.
Brandy complemented the energy in a custom Cross Colours black multicolor patchwork oversized jumpsuit, accessorized with a red LA cap and gold chain necklace. The look nodded to the brand’s roots in 90s hip-hop culture while feeling entirely current.
Together, the duo delivered a masterclass in custom dressing — proving that when icons show up, they show up fully.
May 2026 delivered some of the most talked-about fashion moments of the year. From red carpets to pool decks, our readers could not get enough. Here are the top five looks of the month as determined by Fashion Bomb Daily’s most viewed posts.
Coco Jones led the pack with the most viewed look of the month. The singer and actress wore a powder blue tiered tulle midi dress adorned with satin bow embellishments by Geyanna Youness to the Strung screening and opening night of the 30th Annual American Black Film Festival, drawing over 605,000 views from our readers.
Remy Ma’s birthday dress came in at a close second, racking up 563,404 views. The rapper celebrated in style, turning heads in a green satin cutout gown accessorized with statement jewelry. It was a birthday look worthy of the occasion.
Megan Thee Stallion brought the heat to Miami Swim Week, appearing onstage in a neon green bikini set that sent the crowd wild. With 375,016 views, Meg proved once again that she is one of the most fashion-forward entertainers in the game.
Queen Latifah made a powerful statement at the AMAs, stepping out with her family in a sharp forest green skirt suit. The look drew 277,921 views and served as a reminder that classic, tailored dressing never goes out of style.
Rounding out the top five, another standout moment from Mariah the Scientist at the American Music Awards, styled in a custom look from Ebay by stylist Jac Fleurent . The look kept readers clicking and commenting with 268,860 views, proving that May was a month full of unforgettable style.
Which look was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Jay-Z made his return to the Roots Picnic stage in Philadelphia and brought more than just his catalog — he brought a brand new look.
The rapper and mogul debuted a full afro, a notable departure from the locs he wore for years. According to reports, loctician Letisia Ravelo spent four days and four bottles of Cecred to comb out Jay-Z’s locs ahead of the new style. The fresh afro turned as many heads as the performance itself.
On the style front, Jay-Z kept it sharp and understated in an all-black Fear of God ensemble, styled by longtime collaborator June Ambrose. The look — consisting of an oversized utility jacket and coordinating pieces — was effortlessly cool against the electric stage lighting, proving that even at a festival, Jay-Z moves with intention.
Together, the hair and the fit sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans and fashion observers alike weighing in on the rapper’s new era aesthetic.
Ciara Miller made her presence known at the Summer House reunion, arriving in a look that was anything but ordinary. The reality television personality wore a Dipetsa SS26 piece from the label’s Archaeology of Self collection — a sculptural rope fringe bralette paired with a draped maxi skirt, both constructed from the brand’s signature intricately looped rope detailing.
The Greek label, founded by Demetra Pinsent, has built a reputation for designs that blur the line between fashion and art. The Archaeology of Self collection drew on themes of identity, memory, and the body, with each piece functioning almost as a wearable sculpture. Miller’s look embodied that ethos, with the cascading rope fringe creating dramatic movement that translated seamlessly on screen.
The look was captured and shared by makeup artist Kase, who also handled Miller’s beauty for the appearance.
Naomi Osaka brought high fashion to the clay courts of Roland Garros during the 2026 French Open, turning heads with not one but two custom looks crafted by designer Kevin Germanier in collaboration with stylist Marty Harper.
For her first appearance, Osaka stepped onto the court in a bronze sequined peplum jacket and black tulle skirt, both constructed from reworked Nike garments. The look, created in collaboration with designer Nguyen Tien Truyen, drew on a previous design the two had worked on together, reimagined through Germanier’s signature lens of sustainable luxury.
The second look continued in the same spirit — a gold and bronze sequined puff-sleeve top paired with a dramatic flowing ivory tulle skirt, once again crafted entirely from upcycled Nike pieces. The combination of athletic heritage and couture-level construction made for one of the most talked-about court entrances of the tournament.
Both looks underscored a growing conversation at the intersection of sport and fashion, with Osaka continuing to establish herself as one of the most compelling style forces in professional tennis.
The 30th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival kicked off in Miami Beach with the world premiere of Strung, drawing a constellation of talent to the red carpet for an evening that was equal parts cinema and fashion.
Chloe Bailey, who stars in the film, set the tone in a $3,200 Avaro Figlio Radiance Jacquard Ball Gown — a sleek black strapless corset bodice anchored by a dramatic silver jacquard full skirt and sweeping train. She later took the stage with the cast to officially open the premiere.
Coco Jones arrived in a powder blue Geyanna Youness tiered tulle midi dress adorned with satin bow detailing throughout, bringing a soft, feminine energy to the red carpet.
Lynn Whitfield kept it polished and timeless in a $595 Milly Queen Leopard-Print Bustier Midi-Dress, pairing the structured silhouette with gold accessories for a look that was equal parts classic and bold.
Beauty, for Terry McDonald, has never been surface-level.Â
It is a ministry. It is confidence. It is healing. It is the quiet transformation that happens when someone looks in the mirror and recognizes their own power again.Â
As the founder and CEO of T McDonald Cosmetics, McDonald has created more than a beauty brand. She has built a movement grounded in faith, wellness, education, and empowerment. Her work speaks to the modern beauty consumer, the emerging artist, the runway model, and the everyday person searching for alignment between who they are and how they show up in the world.
With more than 13 years in the beauty industry, McDonald’s journey has been shaped by her work as a makeup artist, educator, mentor, and creative force. Her rise has not been defined solely by flawless application or high-performing products, but by the deeper purpose behind them.
“T McDonald Cosmetics is a clean, vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand created to empower individuals to align their inner and outer beauty,” McDonald shared.
That philosophy is at the heart of everything she creates. T McDonald Cosmetics was built for beauty that feels intentional. The brand’s clean, vegan, and cruelty-free approach reflects McDonald’s commitment to products that support confidence without compromising values. But beyond formulation, the brand carries a message: beauty should not mask identity; it should help reveal it.
McDonald’s own story is deeply connected to that mission. Her work is rooted in empowerment, healing, and leading with faith. She understands beauty not only as an art form, but as a personal experience that can restore confidence and help people reconnect with themselves. That perspective has allowed her to create a brand that is both professional and personal, commercial and spiritual, polished and deeply human.
Her Barbudan and Jamaican heritage also informs her artistry. There is vibrancy in her creative direction, but also discipline. There is culture in her expression, but also universality. McDonald brings a distinctive point of view to beauty, one that honors where she comes from while creating space for others to feel seen, celebrated, and powerful.
Over the last several years, that vision has made her a sought-after leader for New York Fashion Week productions. As beauty teams become an increasingly important part of runway storytelling, McDonald has proven that strong beauty direction can elevate a designer’s collection, sharpen the visual identity of a show, and strengthen the confidence of the models who bring the garments to life.
Her work with Caribbean Fashion Collective is a clear example of that impact.
For CFC’s NYFW SS26 showcase, T McDonald Cosmetics served as the exclusive makeup sponsor, with McDonald leading as Head of Hair and Make-Up. The collaboration brought together fashion, culture, beauty, and purpose in a way that felt both intentional and necessary.
Founded by Xavier Walker, alongside co-founders Norka Vasquez and Stewella Daville, Caribbean Fashion Collective is dedicated to spotlighting designers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, with a special focus on Caribbean creatives. The platform has become a space where designers can expand their visibility, connect with new audiences, and present their work on a global fashion stage.
For McDonald, the partnership was more than a sponsorship. It was an alignment of values.
“I’m honored to partner with Caribbean Fashion Collective for NYFW SS26,” said McDonald. “This collaboration represents the perfect blend of artistry, culture, and purpose. My goal is to elevate each designer’s vision while empowering every model to feel confident and unstoppable on the runway.”
Backstage, that mission came to life. McDonald and her team worked to ensure that each beauty look supported the designer’s vision without overpowering it. The makeup was not treated as an afterthought; it became part of the storytelling. Each look helped frame the garments, highlight the models, and add cohesion to the overall runway presentation.
That is where McDonald’s leadership stands out. She understands that runway beauty requires more than talent. It requires preparation, communication, speed, discipline, and sensitivity to the creative vision of each designer. It also requires the ability to lead a team in a high-pressure environment while still creating a space where models and artists feel supported.
Her presence backstage brought that balance.
McDonald’s return for Caribbean Fashion Collective’s upcoming September 10 show speaks to the strength of the partnership and the impact of her contribution. Her continued involvement reflects a shared commitment to excellence, cultural representation, and the elevation of designers and models who deserve to be seen on major fashion platforms.
Norka Vasquez and Stewella Daville, Co-Founders of Caribbean Fashion Collective, previously praised McDonald’s creative leadership and spirit of service.
“Terry brings a rare combination of creative excellence and genuine passion for uplifting others. Her vision and talent will be a major asset to our designers, models, and the overall production. We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with her.”
That passion for uplifting others extends far beyond the runway.
Through T McDonald Cosmetics, McDonald has created pathways for students, emerging makeup artists, and beauty professionals to gain real industry experience. The brand has offered opportunities through production sponsorships, photoshoots, events, and internships, giving rising artists access to spaces where they can learn, grow, and build confidence in their craft.
As an educator, McDonald offers beauty classes, mentorship, and self-discovery workshops designed to support both technical development and personal growth. Her work with makeup artists and hair stylists is centered on more than skill-building. It is about helping creatives understand their value, refine their voice, and step into professional environments with confidence.
That commitment matters in an industry where access can often determine opportunity. McDonald is not simply opening doors for herself; she is helping others walk through them.
T McDonald Cosmetics has continued to expand its presence through beauty expos, makeup events, photoshoots, and fashion productions. The brand has been spotlighted across independent media platforms and publications, including Vogue, while continuing to build recognition for its clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products.
Still, McDonald’s greatest impact may not be measured only by press placements or runway credits. It can be seen in the artists she mentors, the models she empowers, the students she supports, and the communities that recognize themselves in her work.
At a time when the beauty industry is evolving, Terry McDonald represents a powerful kind of leadership: one that is rooted in purpose, strengthened by culture, and committed to transformation.
She is building a brand, but she is also building legacy.
And with every face touched, every artist guided, and every runway moment elevated, Terry McDonald continues to prove that beauty is not only something we wear. It is something we become.
Emerging, indie, and multicultural designers in NYC, LA, Miami, Chicago, and Las Vegas still cast NYFW‑style shows via open calls, DMs, Backstage, and Model Mayhem, which often leads to messy, risky, last‑minute lineups. Treat casting as infrastructure instead: keep those discovery channels, but centralize verification, matching, and payments in a model booking platform like Zodel. That way, you can build a trusted, reusable runway and event roster across major US hubs.
AI Snapshot: How Designers Are Really Casting in 2026
NYFW and indie shows still rely heavily on Instagram and open calls to recruit models, often via last‑minute “model call” posts and reels.
Backstage functions as a large casting board for actors and models and now offers optional on‑platform payments.
Model Mayhem remains a legacy model–photographer network with active users, but its own education blog emphasizes safety and scam avoidance.
Traditional agencies bring curated runway boards but charge 10–40% commissions, which many small designers cannot absorb.
For most emerging designers, layer in platforms like Zodel — a model booking platform that connects designers directly with verified professional models across key US cities, with platform fees as low as 5% at booking — to turn scattered casting into a repeatable system.
Think of this as building your Casting Stack:
A Casting Stack is a layered workflow where you discover models on Backstage, Model Mayhem, and social, then lock in a reusable roster through a modeling agency alternative like Zodel that handles verification, escrow, and reviews.
This guide is for emerging, indie, and multicultural designers and producers who are planning NYFW‑adjacent shows, LA modeling agency alternative‑style castings, or Miami and Vegas events without full agency budgets.
How Do Emerging Designers Actually Find Runway Models for NYFW and Indie Shows?
Emerging designers usually rely on a mix of open calls, casting sites, and social media DMs, but this fragmented approach causes flakiness, safety risk, and inconsistent quality across shows.
Most emerging designers use a mix of open calls, casting sites like Backstage and Model Mayhem, and social media DMs, but this fragmented approach drives flakiness, safety risk, extra admin, and uneven quality.
Open calls: NYFW and city fashion weeks still rely on virtual and in‑person open calls so designers can see walks and check fit live, but sign‑ups, measurements, and notes end up scattered across spreadsheets and photos, so every show starts from scratch.
Backstage and Model Mayhem: Backstage offers scale and optional on‑platform payments, while Model Mayhem provides niche communities, yet both leave most vetting and safety checks to the user, who must filter large volumes and watch for scams.
Instagram, TikTok, and DMs: NYFW hashtags, Reels, and “Casting Call” posts surface diverse, agency‑free talent, but applications arrive via DMs and comments, so confirmations, measurements, and payment details are easy to lose—turning show week into a high‑risk puzzle instead of a controlled call sheet.
What’s the Real Difference Between Backstage, Model Mayhem, and New Casting Platforms?
Backstage and Model Mayhem specialize in discovery, while modern model booking platforms add verification, structured matching, and escrow payments so indie designers can build a repeatable runway casting system across cities.
Comparison: Legacy Tools vs Modern Model Booking Platforms
Tool / platform
Main use case
Strengths
Risks / gaps
Backstage
Broad casting board for actors and models
Huge pool, familiar brand, now supports integrated payments for some jobs
High noise, manual vetting, and you still define runway standards and manage non‑Backstage communications
Model Mayhem
Legacy model‑photographer network
History, niche communities, active members in art and fashion
Mixed reputation, safety concerns, and user‑driven vetting; its own blog stresses caution about scams
Traditional agencies
High‑fashion runway and major campaigns
Strong curation, agent‑managed bookings, industry cachet
10–40% commissions, slower sales cycles, and often inaccessible to small or self‑funded brands.
Modern model booking platforms (e.g., Zodel)
Fashion shows, events, and content shoots across key US cities
Verified talent, curated matching, escrow‑backed payments, built‑in chat, and reviews
Requires learning a new workflow; some freelancers still work only through legacy networks.
Backstage, Model Mayhem, and traditional agencies all belong in your casting toolkit, but they function as tools for one‑off projects. Zodel’s model booking platform is designed as a modeling agency alternative you can build on season after season, keeping agency‑level curation and payment protection while replacing 10–40% agency commissions with as‑low‑as‑5% platform fees and faster confirmations.
Zodel is a model booking platform that connects clients directly with verified professional models across the United States and acts as a practical modeling agency alternative for indie runway and event casting in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Clients post a job, Zodel matches models, and funds are held in escrow until the job is complete.
How Can You Vet Models Quickly Without Sacrificing Diversity or Professionalism?
You vet models fast by standardizing your brief, prioritizing verified identities and reviews, checking portfolio fit and runway experience, and finalizing bookings via written confirmations and escrow‑backed payments instead of informal DMs.
Checklist: fast vetting that still feels rigorous
Clear brief – Define sizes, vibe, walk style, city, call times, and pay structure (including fittings and rehearsals) for runway and atmosphere roles.
Verified profiles and ID checks—Favor profiles where identity is verified and accounts are approved before activation and where clients and models can leave reviews.
Portfolio fit and runway filters—Require walk videos and relevant credits (NYFW‑adjacent shows, trade shows, editorial, or commercial campaigns) that match your aesthetic.
Written confirmations and escrow-backed payment—Confirm bookings in writing and use escrow so models know funds are secured before show day.
Legacy tools leave most of this work manual: you copy details into spreadsheets, chase confirmations across apps, and handle payment via cash or generic payment processors.
On Zodel, you post a job with category, location, date, pay rate, and model count; the platform pre‑selects matching runway, trade show, atmosphere, commercial, or catalog models; you review a curated shortlist, pay into escrow, coordinate via built‑in chat, and release funds after the event. That means verification, matching, communication, invoices, and reviews all live in one workflow.
What Casting Mistakes Quietly Sabotage Small Fashion Shows Before They Open?
The mistakes that quietly hurt indie shows are posting calls too late, relying on unpaid “exposure,” neglecting inclusive sizing and representation, and paying in cash without agreements or protection.
Common pitfalls
Late calls or changing concepts post‑casting – Announcing a casting weeks too late or shifting the collection’s silhouette after casting forces emergency refits and undermines your runway story.
Relying entirely on unpaid castings—”exposure only” slots, especially in expensive cities, make it easy for models to prioritize paid gigs and no-show your event.
Ignoring inclusive sizing and diverse representation – Planning everything around one fit model leaves you scrambling backstage to make looks work across real bodies.
Paying in cash with no documentation – Cash envelopes and vague messages create misunderstandings about rates and hours and make disputes hard to resolve.
What happens without a system
Picture a NYFW‑adjacent show produced mostly out of DMs. You post a general “Casting Call” reel and confirm people via screenshots. On show day, about 30% of your models don’t arrive. Several who do arrive don’t match the measurements you jotted down, so looks don’t fit, quick changes run long, and the show starts late.
A structured platform workflow—clear briefs, verified profiles, escrowed payments, and centralized communication—doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it sharply reduces no-show rates, misfit risk, and day‑of chaos while preserving your ability to scout broadly on social and legacy platforms.
How Can You Build a Reliable Model Roster in NYC, LA, Miami, Chicago, and Vegas?
You build a reliable cross‑city roster by discovering widely on Backstage, Model Mayhem, and local open calls, then formalizing only your strongest models through a model booking platform and modeling agency alternative like Zodel.
Use a three‑layer “casting stack” across NYC, LA, Miami, Chicago, and Vegas: discover agency‑free talent via Backstage, Model Mayhem, and NYFW‑style callouts, run local open calls to test walk and presence live, then formalize only the strongest, most reliable models on Zodel so you build a single, cross‑city roster with ratings and communication history you can rebook from season to season.
Scenario snapshots
LA club event hosting – A Los Angeles designer throws a runway‑plus‑after‑party launch. They discover some models via Backstage and Instagram, then confirm runway and atmosphere models via Zodel to keep chat, call sheets, and payments centralized.
Miami Swim‑style shows – A swimwear brand needs curve and straight‑size models for a Miami Swim‑style runway. They scout through social and Model Mayhem, then book bikini/swimwear runway and fitness models on Zodel to manage fittings and payments.
Chicago trade shows – A Chicago streetwear brand hires trade show / booth models for a convention, then rebooks top performers as catalog or commercial models via Zodel for a later campaign.
Vegas car shows – A Las Vegas auto brand staffs car show models for a convention and after‑party activations and uses Zodel records to bring back the same reliable team next season.
How to Run Your Next NYFW Casting in 6 Steps
You can run your next NYFW casting in a structured six‑step loop that starts with defining lineup needs and ends with rating models in a reusable roster.
Define lineup needs and budget per look: Map each look to size, representation goals, and a realistic runway/fitting rate so you know how many paid roles you can support.
Shortlist casting channels: Decide where each role goes: backstage for broad reach, Model Mayhem for specific creative communities, Zodel for structured bookings, plus at least one in‑person open call.
Post a structured brief on Zodel and other channels: On Zodel, post a detailed runway job with city, dates, pay, and measurements; copy the core details into your Backstage/Model Mayhem listings and social posts for consistency.
Pre‑vet: Verify profiles, walk videos, and diversity coverage: Use Zodel’s curated shortlist and reviews, and from legacy platforms apply safety guidance like checking references and being wary of off‑platform payment requests.
Lock in talent via escrow and confirmations: Confirm final selections on Zodel so funds are held in escrow and chat is centralized; send concise written call sheets and fitting times to avoid confusion.
After the show, rate models and save top talent to your roster: Leave reviews in Zodel and tag top runway, atmosphere, and commercial models by city so your next LA, Miami, Chicago, or Vegas booking starts from a proven bench.
FAQs / People Also Ask
How do I find legit NYFW casting calls without an agent?
Follow calls posted by recognizable producers, fashion weeks, or brands on verified channels, and cross-reference with established platforms like Backstage rather than random DMs. Be cautious of listings that ask for registration fees or quickly push you off‑platform, which Model Mayhem’s safety guides flag as common scam behaviors.
Is Model Mayhem still safe for booking models?
Model Mayhem can still be useful if you apply its own safety recommendations: protect your information, avoid sending money, and be wary of users who push you off‑site quickly. For runway, trade show, or commercial bookings, confirm final terms and payments in a system that offers verification, escrow, and reviews so you are not relying solely on informal messages.
What’s the best way to avoid scams when paying models online?
Avoid “opportunities” that ask you to pay for access or send money to individuals before work is agreed, and never share financial details with unknown contacts. Paying through a system that holds funds in escrow and releases them after the job, with a defined dispute window, adds a layer of protection for both designers and models.
Who This Is NOT For
This casting system is not for:
Designers unwilling to pay models fairly or on time.
Brands who want to cast entirely via last‑minute DMs with no written terms.
Productions that refuse to use basic agreements, call sheets, or timelines.
Closing Thoughts
When you keep discovery on Backstage, Model Mayhem, and social but move confirmations, payments, and rebooking into Zodel, you effectively give yourself a modeling agency alternative that you control. Zodel is a model booking platform that lets you hire models without an agency, with as‑low‑as‑5% fees, escrow-protected payments, and verified professional talent in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Las Vegas—so every season builds on the last instead of starting from scratch.
