'Fresh Face' model contest returns to Eastern Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Mother Model Management, based in St. Louis, is bringing “Fresh Face of Iowa” model contest to Klik's Photography, 808 Third Ave. SE, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27.

Attendance is free and one overall winner will receive a prize package.

"Our models exemplify fresh, young Midwest beauty and continue to gain international recognition," says owner Mary Clarke, a Cedar Rapids native who helped launch Ashton Kutcher's career.

"We are redefining beauty standards in the industry by taking a fresh approach to the look of modeling. Our goal is to discover real people who represent the new face of today's youth.”

Contestants ages 13 to 21 should arrive with simple, pulled-back hair and no makeup.

Clothing should be simple, current and figure-flattering. Female contestants should be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall and male contestants should be between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches.

Clarke held the first “Fresh Face of Iowa” model contest in 1994. The contest has since gained national recognition and been featured in Rolling Stone, GQ and Teen People.

Former “Fresh Face of Iowa” winner Ashton Kutcher publicly attributed the launch of his acting career to the event on his appearances on “Oprah” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

About Mother Model Management

Jeff and Mary Clarke, owners of Mother Model Management, have spent the past 15 years scouting and placing models. They are responsible for launching the careers of celebrity actor Ashton Kutcher and world-ranked* models Karlie Kloss and Katie Fogarty.

Kloss most recently is featured on the May 2010 cover of Teen Vogue and models in advertising campaigns for high fashion designers including Christian Dior, Hermès, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs.

Fogarty is also regularly featured in designer campaigns and fashion editorials for magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Teen Vogue.

The Clarkes have discovered many young people from the Midwest who are regularly featured in Vogue magazine and other top fashion editorial campaigns around the world.

*according to www.models.com