Has anyone ever dealt with Barbizon, the modeling "school"?

[madinmaryland]

Our daughter is trying to get us to enroll her in it. $2,400 for a 48 hours course.

[monmouth]

1. "Scam" pops up a lot when you google barbizon..Better double-check it out.

http://barbizon-modeling-school.pissedconsumer.com/barbizon-3a-not-a-scam-20110808254233.html

[supernova]

2. My niece went to it in the early 80s

I don't know what they do now, but then it was more like what the victorians called "finishing school." I think she was 10-12 at the time. They taught you a lot of stuff that beginning actors are taught: how to stand, walk gracefully. How to do your hair and makeup in a way that flatters you. What colors and styles flatter you, and so on. They also took glossy professional photos of you so that if you wanted, you could sent those out for audition purposes.

I have no idea what that cost was at the time. But 2,400 seems :wow: to me. I think you could get the same thing taking acting lessons and much cheaper.

Was it worth it? My niece is now a lawyer who does wills and estates. She outgrew her fascination with modeling and she's not interested in a public persona, so to speak.

edit: She does dress well, and does present herself well. However, it's nothing that she didn't learn from the rest of the family growing up. ;-)

[blogslut]

3. I would not advise it.

Basically, those places are scams. They get girls to spend money on classes, clothes, makeup and headshots that end up in the trashcans of real modeling agents.

[Vincardog]

4. They are like MOST dream schools. You would probably be better off spending a few hundred on head

shots from a professional photographer, after having your daughter made up and dressed up. You could spend $500 on the cloths makeup and photos.
Send the shots to a few agencies/agents and see if you get any response.

[catbyte]

5. Hate to quote Tyra Banks, but she says

if you have to spend a dime to become a model, it's a scam. I guess she should know.

[LoZoccolo]

15. I like to quote Tyra Banks when she says this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Shpn5WCFs

[yellerpup]

6. Ask me anything.

I worked for them in Oklahoma in the 70s and again (very briefly) in NC in 2004. I quit the NC job because I just couldn't stand to manipulate and bully insecure teens & tweens (and their parents) into paying such prices for what is essentially, a primer on presentation and charm skills. It's not a worthless program because kids do come out with more self-confidence, but it is at bottom, a sales organization, and they only care about getting your cash.

[chowder66]

7. You might want to watch "A Model Life"

Don't spend the money on those schools. Just don't it is not worth it.

http://abc.go.com/watch/abc-news-specials/SH559036/VD55143142/celebrity-secrets-a-model-life

[JNelson6563]

8. Much can be taught/learned without all that

Grace & poise, how to stand even! All things that can be learned without rip-off "schools" like that!

Head up, good posture--you want to look tall & straight. Figuring out what sort of clothes are best for her figure, not too terribly hard.

Julie

[AngryAmish]

9. Run.

My daughter is a model (she is three). There is nothing she can learn from a school you can't learn in about thirty seconds. Every legitimate agency has open calls. Just find out who the legitimate agencies in your area and look at their websites about their open calls. Agencies WANT models. They just don't want those people who they can't sell.

Also there are very specific height and weight requirements. My tot is growing out of one size so she is not going to be working much until she gets a bit bigger and into a size they can use again.

[MADem]

10. OMG--that outfit is still in business? My first impression? BEWARE

I have some light reading for you (and the ones that say the place is great smell like astroturf written by the same person--the complaints sound entirely real to me): http://barbizon-modeling-school.pissedconsumer.com/

Barbizon Modeling School - Mall sign-ups for teens without parental consent
We took our daughter and friend (both 13) to the local mall and went our separate ways once inside the mall. These 2 teenage girls were approached by Barbazon "reps" and had the g...
#274816Nov 14, 2011 204

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon usa
I'm reading all the complaints for Barbizon. I was a Instructor at Barbizon for several years. For the first few years Barbizon was amazing. However, recently they have made lots...
#273011Nov 05, 2011 394
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Marianthe1 Barbizon Modeling School - I think barbazon is a rip off.
I think if your kid is as great as they say, and has the " look" like they tell you he does. Why do we parents have to spend almost 6 thousand dollars to take them on a cruise ...
#269212Oct 19, 2011 387

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon
I. Took my daughter to a audition type thing on oct 2nd everything souned good I didn't mind paying the 3000 because its my daughters future but the following Tuesday I went to...
#266478Oct 06, 2011 759

Carreraj... Barbizon Modeling School - Barbazon......They just want money
We paid $2000 for classes...then they sent her to another competition which she was chosen to go on a cruise. The only thing is now they want $4000 for her to go on a cruise to me...
#265647Oct 02, 2011 520

Yoyo Barbizon Modeling School - Not happy with Barbizon
I think i've been scam just like everybody else on 10/02/2011. I just came back from the audition and i just felt like something was up i look them up on the internet and i see...
#265639Oct 02, 2011 627

MelissaH... Barbizon Modeling School - OKAY PARENTS LISTEN UP! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE REAL INFORMATION ABOUT BARBIZON PLEASE READ THIS! I
A Barbizon Admissions Director is a dressed up name for a Telemarketing/Sales Representative. There are many ways to get into modeling/acting, and Barbizon is one of those vehicle...
#264745Sep 28, 2011 964

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon classes constantly cancelled, NOT getting moneys worth
I realize Barbizon is classes, not an agency, although they did guarantee my DD would be working by now, realized this was a BS, but daughter did want to take part for the enjoym...
#263458Sep 22, 2011 446

Karlad Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon Modeling Toronto
Met with Barbizon Toronto on Sunday July 3/2011, advised them I wanted to discuss this with my husband. Was told I needed to give all info that day or my daughter would not have a ...
#263447Sep 22, 2011 350

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Job already
I have never experience any problems so far. My daughter has only attended three classes with Baribzon in Atlanta. She has already been chosen to do a job this weekend. She only 9 ...
#263238Sep 21, 2011 430

Addingsk Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon should be SUED
I gave them my credit card but within a day I called the rep to say my daughter did not want to do it. I said please make sure not to have my card run through. She told me "no prob...
#260637Sep 08, 2011 574

Heather681 Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon Scam
Recently my daughter attended Barbizon "training". True they do tell you they can not guarantee that your child will be signed. They sell you this saying they will prepare your chi...
#260142Sep 06, 2011 864

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Beware of Barbizon! What to Expect.
A representative from Barbizon approached my daughter and me at a mall in Northern California, telling us how beautiful my daughter (age 12) was. She handed us "an invitation" to ...
#257710Aug 25, 2011 779

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon not a scam its a school
Barbizon is not a scam its a school, I just enrolled my daughter and look forward to her experience there. Barbizon has made no promises or false claims to me. All these complaints...
#257409Aug 23, 2011 494

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon SF. CA/ International Performing Arts Academy
As all reports in this site, we also experience a mall approach by a scout with our kids about a screening for talent show. We proceeded with the scheduled meeting and after all is...
#256345Aug 18, 2011 627

Anonymous Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon: Not a scam
Ive read alot of complaints on here and its usually the same thing: too much. Just because you have to pay for something doesnt make it a scam. It does usually cost money to become...
#254233Aug 08, 2011 558

Laurie1750 Barbizon Modeling School - Barbizon Modeling Scam
My daughter was contacted on a Wed. to come to Ronkonkoma for an interview. I asked how they got her name - "someone" recommended her. I was given a 4:15 appt. time for that Sund...
#253113Aug 03, 2011 2444

Tennisfr... Barbizon Modeling School - Ripped off
Barbizon acquired my information by sending a representative to my school at lunchtime, pretending there was a contest to be won. So naturally everyone put their names and phone nu...

MY advice? See if your local community college has a few cosmetology or hairdressing courses she can take. Way cheaper and she'll get some training she can actually use as a fall-back should she decide she doesn't want college. Unless your daughter is ten feet tall, weighs ninety pounds, has a large head and flawless skin, she's not modeling material....and most kids are NOT. Why? Because they look normal and real.

[Still Blue in PDX]

11. Yes. High on the list of stupid things I have done in my life. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. working models say 'Don't go to modeling school". Watch the runway shows, read the magazines

see how others model. But don't waste money on modeling school.

[firehorse]

13. I have a bridge for sale

[meegbear]

14. Does she want to be a model or just look like one?

[JustAnotherGen]

16. Not me

I was 'discovered' by a Kodak photographer (Rochester NY) at age 5. If you have an old polaroid box you'll find me on it. :-) That lead to other 'gigs' - but it wasn't a 'big deal' for my parents and most certainly not my mother (she hates the 'culture of cute' in America).

Really - all you need for a child is a simple few snapshots. Even for a tween - hair and make up is not necessary.

My *schtick* was my complexion and perfect teeth. Kids who get into that have a 'spark' - it' something about them that the decision makers like.

Modeling schools can not give that 'spark' - they either have it or don't. Better to get some simple snap shots/head shots and just send them to a local TRUE modeling agency than waste a single cent on Barbizon. If they like her - they'll call her in.

[RebelOne]

17. I knew a Barbizon model.

This was in the '50s, and at that time Barbizon was legitimate and not a scam.

[shanti]

18. don't do it

not worth the time.

if you've been told by others that your child has modeling potential, pick out several modeling agency websites (in your area or close), and submit a couple of everyday pictures that you have taken yourself (headshots not necessary yet, but if your child is picked you will pay for them-i did-and they run around $200-400). if your child has potential, you will be contacted. many modeling agencies have certain times and dates that you can submit, so don't overlook that.

this is from experience and after spending 100's of dollars on a pricey model/talent search. my son was one of the few picked to chat with a few LA agencies, so he had the potential. however, our local modeling agency picked him up after we had already paid for the model search. he had a few commercials and print work right out of high school, and moved to LA for a while, but moved back home and is not really modeling or acting now (although still on the agencies website).

difficult field and only the few make it big time.

just my dos pesos.