Kasia Konair, who handles publicity and marketing efforts for Elite Model Management Chicago, knows a thing or two about modeling—and she learned none of it from Tyra Banks. To give aspiring models a realistic peek at the industry's inner workings—and not what she called the "more TV-made and dramatic version of it"—Konair recently developed E-Tube, a video Web site that showcases Elite models participating in everything from casting calls to makeup sessions and photo shoots. On Thursday night the agency celebrated its new site with a launch party at Crimson Lounge.
A flashy fuchsia sign on an easel outside the lounge showcased the E-Tube logo; inside the venue, oversize model cards featured semifinalists from the site's online contest, which gives participants a chance to win a contract with the agency. Above the bar—where bartenders slung Veev cocktails with thematic names such as "Runway Spa Cooler"—two flat-screen TVs broadcast the Elite logo and photos of the agency's fresh-faced talents. Branding efforts continued to the Elite-logoed tank tops that served as uniforms for circulating models.
The event drew 425 guests from a blend of professional sectors. "Obviously we are expecting the Chicago fashion community, from PR reps to retailers, and of course the media," Konair said before the event. "But we also wanted to open the list to other Chicago movers and shakers, such as restaurant and club owners, musicians, and artists."
Konair said that the planning process for last night's launch party took about a month, "but not of constant work." The happening was "fairly easy to put together," she said, "as we have an in-house art department [that handled signage and the email invite], and Crimson helped with the rest."
She added that finding the right venue was similarly painless: "I attended an event at Crimson in December, and when I walked in I knew this was the place I wanted to host the launch," she said. "Crimson is elegant but with an edge, just like Elite."
