Carlsbad girl signs modeling contract

By: JESSICA MUSICAR - For the North County Times | Sunday, November 7, 2004 12:05 AM PST ∞

CARLSBAD ---- Being taller than the other girls and boys in school isn't an easy thing for a teenager to deal with, but Brittany Barbour's parents saw her height as an advantage rather than a shortcoming.

Already towering over her school chums at 15, Barbour decided to go into modeling and ---- in the four years she has spent doing catalogs and runway shows ---- her career has blossomed in part because of her height.

Now 19, the 5-foot-10 1/2-inch MiraCosta College student was recently awarded a national modeling contract with the B-Box cosmetic line during a contest in New York City through the International Model and Talent Association's biannual convention.

Barbour said she likes modeling because she is fond of fashion, and has the ability to meet new people and travel.

"I thought it always looked fun and glamorous," Barbour said.

Becoming a model is much more than looking thin and pretty, Barbour said.

Rather, it takes a great deal of training and discipline. Barbour takes classes at John Robert Powers in La Jolla, a national modeling and acting school that teaches its students how to walk, look and act like models. Even knowing where to look, how to use your hands and how to pose are art forms in modeling, Barbour said.

"Everyone has something they need to work on," Barbour said.

Barbour added that a model has to be able to take criticism well, because trying out for an advertisement, commercial or runway show opens her up to scrutiny.

Jim Crawford, Barbour's coach at John Robert Powers, said he has worked extensively with the young model to improve her posture, her walk and her self esteem.

"They can't look like a deer in the headlights," Crawford said of models. "They have to create an allure about themselves that people immediately want to look at."

Crawford said that as Barbour grows as a model, she keeps her attitude in check despite her success. He said this is because she comes from a good family that constantly supports her.

"I think (Brittany) is a beautiful girl with great potential," he said. "She also is a sweet person without an attitude, which is not common in this business."

In addition to work with B-Box, Barbour has been featured in runway shows for several companies and designers including Wrangler Jeans, Skin Market ---- a cosmetics company in Fashion Valley ---- and has modeled for a crocheting catalog.

She currently has agents in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.

While Barbour is striving to take on a full-time modeling career, she said it is important for her to stay in college so she can be prepared for a life after modeling. She said most models get out of the business by the time they are 25 because they are considered too old.

Despite what may come of her modeling career, Barbour's mother, Claudia Barbour, said she supports her child 100 percent. No matter what she does in the future, the skills Barbour learns through modeling will give her a competitive edge in the business world, Claudia Barbour said.

"I hope as long as she is happy doing it, that it is a long and successful (career)," Claudia Barbour said. "When she graduates from college, I think she will be twice as prepared because of this."

Ultimately, Claudia Barbour is happy with how her daughter is growing up, and while modeling makes some women vain, she does not see this happening with her own child.

"Britt to this day does not see herself as a beautiful young woman," Claudia Barbour said. "I think that makes her a lot prettier on the inside. She is confident, but she is not full of herself."