Now You Can Be Gisele Or Tyra for a Day

Even her name has a model-y ring to it: Meagen.

Not plain Megan. Nor the fancier Meghan. But the even more distinctive Meagen.

(For the record, her last name is Kennedy. But in modeling circles, last names are so not-chic.)

Not that the 20-year-old fluttering her first set of false eyelashes is a real model. Not when she measures just 5 feet 4 inches from the top of her blond head to the tip of her French-manicured toes.

No, Meagen is merely a model for a morning, thanks to Modelstar, an outfit that provides the fashion-shoot experience - for a fee - to supermodel wannabes.

The rest of the time, Meagen is a third-year University of Central Florida psychology student who dreams of opening her own counseling practice someday.

"But I've always wanted to model," says Meagen, whose Modelstar experience is a birthday gift from her boyfriend.

So here she is, on the rooftop terrace of a downtown Orlando photo studio, sipping San Pellegrino water while hair-and-makeup artist Marjorie Robinson preps her for the cameras.

Down a short flight of steps is the studio, a wood-floored space with exposed-brick walls and indirect sunlight (the most flattering kind) flooding in through a large, north-facing window.

In the far corner, stylist Sam June matches belts, gloves and necklaces to a selection of outfits on a rolling rack. Photographer Curt Littlecott snaps a fresh memory card into his Nikon D2X digital camera.

Music - loud music - pumps up the excitement level. It wouldn't be a photo shoot without that thumpa-thump-thump.

There was a time when the world of the supermodel was as remote and mysterious as the dark side of the moon. But that all changed when the probing cameras of TV reality shows such as "Project Runway" and "America's Next Top Model" zoomed in on the glamorous profession.

To millions of (mostly female) viewers, it all seems such fun: the primping, the posing, the pictures.

Not that most viewers would seriously consider modeling as a career. But to star in a photo shoot just once? Now there's an idea ...

Littlecott and June think so.

"We decided to launch Modelstar as a way for a person to capture the model experience," explains June, who has worked as a stylist for Littlecott at interior-design and fashion shoots for three years.

With Robinson as the third member of their "dream team," they tested the concept on a few female friends, even providing limo service and throwing small after-parties.

"They loved it," says June. "So we broke it down cost-wise and decided it could be done."

Much of what they need was already in place.

Littlecott's Nu Visions studio is newly renovated, and as a wedding photographer, he has limo drivers and caterers on speed-dial. June is a longtime collector of vintage fashions, which are perfect for the venture. And Robinson, thanks to her experience in hair competitions, is a whiz at transforming a model's look with creativity and speed.

Then the three got to thinking: Why not do model parties for birthdays, bachelorette events and the like? And why not include little girls, who love playing dress-up?

So they devised three Modelstar packages: one for a model and friend; one for a model and five friends; and a third for a young birthday girl, five friends and two chaperones. Each experience lasts two hours, includes several looks, limo service, wrap party, and a composite card and CD featuring images from the shoot. Prices start at $895.

Modelstar's official launch was April 20.

Susan Southerland is among those who sampled the Modelstar experience recently.

"I had a blast," says Southerland, president of Just Marry!, a wedding-consultant business in Orlando, Fla.

She thinks brides and their bridesmaids would enjoy the experience - as would her 10-year-old daughter.

One last dab of lip gloss, and Meagen is ready for her first outfit.

"Very Jackie-O," says June, as she emerges from the bathroom in a sleeveless shift of gold-and-aqua brocade.

He adjusts the fit with clamps down the back, a standard photo-shoot trick. Then he fastens a double strand of turquoise beads around her neck and hands her gloves and gold sandals.

Littlecott takes over: "Let's start with your leaning against this wall. OK, now arch your back and drop your chin just a little."

Meagen obliges, glancing coyly from under her fringe of lashes.

"Great, great, wonderful," calls Littlecott. "Now let's see a gentle smile. Yeah, perfect. You're making this way too easy."

Meagen changes into a polka-dotted shirtwaist dress, fuchsia satin pants, a tropical-print kaftan. Her hair is curled, pinned up, let down. More eyeliner is added. A new shade of lipstick.

"It's a lot of fun," she says. "It's nice to get a day away from the ordinary."

The vintage outfits, which June updates with contemporary accessories, add to the fantasy, she says. "You have to have an open mind, just go with it and play with the clothes. I feel like somebody else."

But she looks like a real model, says Kristen Koldenhoven, the friend Meagen has invited to share her modeling debut. "She's a natural."

Most clients start off very tense, says Littlecott. "But the music relaxes them. And the champagne."

Having a friend along also helps, says June. "They giggle together and the momentum builds. Pretty soon the shoot takes on a life of its own."

The photographer leads Meagen onto the terrace for a few shots in the sunshine, then downstairs for some arty pictures in a back alley.

"Thank you, wonderful. That's a wrap," he declares.

Upstairs, there's time for a final champagne toast and a nibble of cheesecake and strawberries. Then Meagen changes back into her own blue jeans and is whisked away in her limo -and back to reality.

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CHANNEL YOUR INNER CHANEL

Here is a sampling of packages offered by Modelstar:

-Runway package: photo shoot with makeup artist, hairdresser, fashion stylist and photographer; four different looks with outfits provided by stylist; CD of all images and 10 5x7 photos; wrap party with champagne, sodas and minidesserts for model and one friend. Price: $895.

-Birthday Party package: limo service for birthday girl, five guests and two chaperones; fashion shoot for birthday girl and friends, with glitter hair, makeup and accessories provided by stylist; comp cards, group photo, CD of all images and goody bags for birthday girl and guests; Modelstar T-shirt for birthday girl; wrap party with beverages, snacks and birthday cake. Price: $1,195.

For more information, call Nu Visions at 407-352-5370 or email nvinphotography@aol.com.

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(c) 2006, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.). Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.