Maggie was fairly pleased as the plane touched down on Mieni. The island was warm and in many ways inviting, and Maggie knew her students for those wanting to get into the modelling profession could very well be asked to pose in places such as this. And given the number of views from the "canine beach volleyball tournament" that had come out after Lyre High had many of its students, with chaperones, come to the island for their spring break, Maggie also figured that while a lot of companies may look to them for high fashion, more would probably be more interested her present students modeling swimwear or lingerie, if not nude, for a few reasons. So far though, her plans were more to give her students an introduction and some basic practice, as well as some reminders that what her students modeled for would be up to them. While certain companies may want them for certain shoots, it wasn't mandatory that they accept and that they could back out if they didn't feel comfortable.
That sort of thing, though, might make for interesting debate and discussion over why they'd come to Mieni. As Animalians in general were far more open and accepting about certain things than humanity generally was. She'd seen a few things on the news that the new Congress had been trying and so far failing to get legislation designed to attack Animalia's more relaxed local laws regarding sex, mostly as they couldn't agree on how to do it and who would pay for it, and in the end the solutions made the bills created by conservative Republicans and FOR conservative Republicans unacceptable TO conservative Republicans. And while Maggie had some private enjoyment at the epic fail that presently was the government's efforts, she did recognize that it'd still be a situation that would have to be dealt with carefully. As while her students might be more willing to try certain things as Animalians, that didn't mean that human memories and mores had died or went away or that they'd have to deal human cultural ideas that generally were far more "repressed" than Animalia.
"It's hot here," came Karen's voice as they came off the plane, pulling Maggie out of her thoughts on Animalia's situation and her lesson ideas and making her turn around.
She turned to see Karen coming down the stairs from the plane onto the tarmac of the landing strip on the island, and she did look like she was feeling the heat almost immediately.
"I'd imagine being a snow leopard doesn't entirely do well in a tropical climate," Maggie commented with a small smile, "and for career advice, that might mean that accepting calls to do Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue wouldn't be the wisest idea, as they typically use tropical locations for their sites."
Karen nodded as the others came down and gathered around Maggie. Once everyone was there and had their bags and luggage with them, Maggie moved to cover the specific plans that they had for their time at Mieni.
"Now," Maggie began, "our lessons and work will include some basic tricks of the trade with regard modeling swimwear works... and the first thing you'll need to know is that you're not required to accept planned shots if you don't want to do them. It's something that would relate to any sort of shoot, but this is something that would be something you'd especially need to remember regarding things like swimsuit modeling and so on."
"I'd assume because so much of modeling swimsuits has related to attracting a man's... attention?" Zoe asked.
"In many ways, just about ANY model will be looking to attract romantic attention," Maggie gave a nervous smile, "even those modelling the latest fashion on a runway. As if the clothes themselves were really the prime reason... then modelling companies wouldn't look for those hold a great deal of physical attractiveness to model those clothes. It's something that you will need to be aware that in this business sex DOES sell. It's something that will need to be remembered and accepted, even if it isn't something you're entirely comfortable with..."
"But with our choices we can go with what we're comfortable with?" Gwen asked.
Maggie nodded, "Yes. That is the big thing to remember. Confidence and so forth is one thing... but don't let it make you feel like you need to do anything you aren't personally comfortable with. If you only wish to model high fashion and be fully clothed, don't feel you NEED to model swimsuits or lingerie."
"Right," came the answer, which gave Maggie some pride.
Her small class had been progressing well and she did feel like they were all learning a lot about the skills they'd need to actually move into a career in the profession, and presently with some modeling companies actually looking to work with Animalia regarding clothing lines that wouldn't irritate fur and would compliment Animalians. It was something that Maggie saw as a grand opportunity and something that could ultimately help Animalia in the long run, even if it did mean any of her students offered a contract would need adapt to how human modeling companies operated, regardless of whether or not they supported Animalia.
"In the meantime, however," Maggie then continued, "we are here to help practice with your lessons and manage to handle all sorts of different situations and intentions, which by class requirement will require some swimsuit modelling while we're here. We'll try to be as tasteful as possible. No nude shots and no overly provocative shots... but we will be doing some practicing with some of the things that will relate to potential contracts offered. Many of the base lessons we've covered will still apply... but will hold some specific actions that will relate to the environment, as I'm sure you're aware... a high fashion model will be indoors on a runway... a swimsuit model will be outside."
The others nodded.
"Now, I'll give you some time to get your things to your rooms and get checked in and acclimated to Mieni," Maggie instructed, "we'll then start "practice" at a spot that will be quiet and safe to practice on. Be sure to have your swimsuits... as a dip in the water may come out of it as well. I'll see you at three PM."