Dream Street Beauty Northampton Directors, Leanne and Jonjo are running their heat slightly different to the other 11 franchises!

Dream Street Beauty Northampton Directors Leanne and Jonjo are running their heat slightly different to the other 11 franchises! Read on to find out more... 

What made you come on board as a director? 

I have directed 2 very successful pageant heats before, one to chose the Face of my charity for one year, and another for Face of Europe, the Midlands heat. Jonjo kindly presented the Midlands heat for me, and from there we decided to take on a heat with Dream Street Beauty together.

What heat are you running and when is it being held?

We are running the Northampton Online Heat,

What has been the most challenging part of organizing your Dream Street Heat? … 

I would say trying to get the girls interested in taking part in fundraisers has been the biggest challenge, but even this has not been a large problem, more of a small challenge J

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about joining the Directors Team?

It’s a lovely company to work for and Chloe is extremely helpful and friendly. The Dream Street brand is very popular and is going from strength to strength, so now would be a good time to get on board and would be an amazing opportunity and lots of fun too!

What are you most looking forward too? 

The grand Final & that Hereford Photo shoot location! 

Tell us about the charity you are fundraising for?

 We are fundraising for my own children’s wish charity ‘Pure Imaginations’ We grant wishes and arrange holidays, day trips, events, equipment, toys and offer support to seriously and terminally ill and disabled children from the Leicestershire area. 

When was the charity set up and what was the reasons behind this?

The charity launched in June 2012, and was set up due to my daughter having severe disabilities and heart problems. My daughter is so brave and amazing, and through her time in the hospitals, I have seen just how amazing, brave and inspirational all of the children are, and how much their families struggle as a result. I just wanted to help, and bring a smile and some happiness, even if for a short time, to their lives.

 What do you have planned to raise extra funds for your charity? 

 We have lots and lots of fundraisers planned, from bag packs, sponsored walks and auctions to a charity skydive!

Model Advice - Don't learn the Hard Way

Model Advice

Breaking into the modelling world can be challenging and involves a lot of work and thick skin in order to get to where you want to be, with there being so many model agencies around and many asking you for upfront payments or to purchase portfolio’s over £500 it’s time to say NO.
You should never pay a model agency upfront to join their books, If a model agency is to want you on their books they will take a commission from paid work which is bought in by the agency as they will be getting you the work and NEVER sign anything without understanding the agreements which is being processed.

It’s also important that you NEVER let anyone pressure you into doing anything you are uncomfortable with, before attending castings know which type of model you would like to become which will then help you focus and get where you want to be.
If you are to take a serious interest in your modelling career it is important that you are prepared to get professional images done which could be by a professional photographer and cost around a maximum of £100 for a full portfolio of images which you would own the copyright too, a student photographer may do these for free for their portfolio and this is acceptable too.

Child Modelling:Any person under the age of 16 or in full time education must be licensed to work in modelling or entertainment industries. Reputable agencies which represent children are aware of and adhere to Child Licensing Laws and will organize this for you when needed, At Dream Street Models & Events this will be discussed with a parent or guardian prior to the first casting / paid work is received.

Contact Numbers:It’s vital that when working with clients or as a freelance model you have a separate contact number to give out for safety precautions, not everyone you meet is trustworthy. Always check references and if you feel something isn’t right then it probably isn’t.

Chaperons: When attending shoots and castings it’s important that you take someone with you especially if it’s the first time you are meeting an agent or on a job, Photographers and agents who ask you to attend alone should be kept away from as a reputable company would be happy for you to bring along a friend and talk you both through everything to give you a clear understanding on what is expected. Don’t attend alone and make sure you keep your feet on the ground and be well aware of everything which is going on around you.

Sizes and Photos:It’s vital that you are to keep an agent up to date with your current look even if this is something simple as to changing your hair color, it’s vital that the agency are aware of this as it may mean you are suitable / not suitable for certain jobs.

Restrictions:Many agencies take on Models from 5’7 female and 6’0+ Male as a requirement, Petite models are usually from a minimum of 5’2 female and 5’7 for a male. Plus size varies from anything from a 14+ however at the Dream Street Group we have strong ethical beliefs in which we stand by when representing models, Always check before applying to an agency their restrictions.

60 Seconds with Dream Street Ambassador Ann-Marie Norton

60 Seconds with 14 year old Ann-Marie Norton, Dream Street's New Ambassador  

What made you enter the Dream Street Ambassador search? 
I have been at several events with Dream Street and Chloe, I like the ethos of Dream Street. I am not a size 0 girl or a girl i would say is of typical model material, I have always had confidence issues but every time I have Chloe at Dream Street she has been encouraging and friendly which is very helpful. 

How did you feel to win the title?
It took me a moment to realise it was my name that was called, so many confident, beautiful ladies entered I didn't think I would win!  If you could see me you would see someone who's still smiling, my head is up high and I'm so happy, my confidence has gone through the roof!

What is your plans for over the next year as a title holder ?
I am a fundraiser for The Poppy Appeal and I am going to continue to raise money for this wonderful charity, I would love to do some modelling and enjoy showing that girls come in different shapes and sizes also that we should enjoy people's difference and not judge people because of the way they look.  I will enter as many pageants as I can and wear my sash and crown when I fund-raise or attend events. I have decided to visit some local nursing homes to show that young people can be friendly and are not scary.

What would you say to anyone thinking about entering a pageant?
You really should give it a go, my Mum and Dad was a little concerned when I said I wanted to have a go as they had seen Toddlers and tiaras, and didn't like the thought of me wearing a lot of makeup  and being judged, not all pageants are like that in fact Dream Street is the opposite, they look for the natural beauty.  I have met some wonderful people, someone helped me to learn about hair and makeup, this was fantastic as my Mum is rubbish ( sorry Mum ), my confidence has increased so much it's unbelievable, this also has helped me in life as well, I am more willing to talk to people, this helps with my charity work, my dancing has improved because I have learnt about stand better and to be confident, I have even been interviewed for the radio, some thing I would never have done before pageants.  If you are thinking about entering give it a go, talk to the organizer and other contestant as they will help you, we are a friendly group!

60 Seconds with Dream Street Derby Director, Sarah Foster

60 Seconds with Self Employed Model & Dream Street Beauty Derby Director, Sarah Foster.

What heat are you running and when is it being held?


I am running the Derbyshire heat & this event will take place on Saturday 2nd March 2014.

What made you come on board as a director?

"I had worked on my first pageant beginning of 2013 alongside others, this came from being a self employed model. It was a real eye opener to other aspects of modelling for me & gave me the chance to meet amazing girls with the same aspirations as myself as well as meeting industry professionals. This then opened the door for me to have the chance at being a director alone, with the knowledge and skills i have, i knew this would be the perfect opportunity for me to make a difference & help girls similar to myself! Let alone further my career and still be able to focus on my modelling"

Have you ever entered any pageants?

"Since becoming a director, I have entered Dream Street's Ambassador Search which i thoroughly enjoyed, i gained a lot from this and intend to enter Miss Inspirational this year too."

What do you have planned in the lead up to the UK Finals?

"I want every girl that enters my pageant to walk away with something, all mini/ juniors/teens will take away goody bags, and my seniors will be offered a model shoot day with a few images to kick start there portfolios if they wish to do so, I will offer full support to all my winners that will be competing in the UK final, whether it be one to one training or advice, as the director i believe it is my job to help were i can and make sure my girls get the best out of their experience with Dream Street Derby, i will attend to support my winners In the final and see them go from strength to strength"

What makes your heat different to other directors?

"My heat Is different to other directors as i am spontaneous, you never know what ideas i will come up with and my ideas are so different from pageants i have seen!, 

I commit everyday to helping my girls with all their needs whether it be finding sponsorship, answering questions, supporting them with any concerns, they always get prompt replies and they know they can rely on me"

Walsall Fashion Week

So, here it is, Walsall Fashion Week... Walsall's first ever fashion week... Wonder how that went...

It went spectacuraly well, obviously.

There was loads of press attention about the event, where we featured on BBC Radio WM and much of the popular newspapers and magazines of The West Midlands. 

We had many people come during the week from; Maria Fowler's tanning company, Walsall College Deaf Academy and Public Serivces students, the Paralympic torch... Even Lauren Carre from Big Brother 2012 dropped in to host the catwalk show! 

The designers we had on the catwalk, were simply amazing (very much like our models, of course!) we had the likes of: Debenhams, Emma Finley and Jade Hope's designers strutted by our wonderful models! 

The catwalk show was hosted by Lauren Carre - some may know her from being a contestant on Big Brother 2012 and of course the work that she's been doing lately as in regards to: Charity fundraising and Glamour Modelling. 

Lauren was a wonderful host and so down to earth... She even posed for photographs with the packed out auidence at the end of the show. 
We would love to thank everyone who got involved with Walsall Fashion Week - for making it a wonderful debut to the local fashion scene and hope that it can return next year!

Check out our amazing videos on Youtube - the links are below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgLE4zzpVTo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC7NDR3F_9I

Miss Warwickshire International

The contestants strutted their stuff on the catwalk, doing three rounds which were: T-shirt, sport and evening wear round as they were scrutinised by the 4 industry expert judges, all in the name to find the next Miss Warwickshire International and to fundraise for Arthritis Research UK.

At the event, we raised over £500 for Arthritis Research and at time of writing, we're still counting.

Our winner was Siobhán who is deaf after suffering from meningitis as a child. She said "I am incredibly proud of my title and I will work very hard to raise more money for charity"

Event Manager Chloe Avon Said ""Well done to all those who participated, it was lovely to meet you all! Thank you for all the money you've raised for Arthritis Research UK and I wish you all the luck for the future"

- Post by Dermot Mcnamara.