Freshman Model: Brigid Wentz

Photo by Ellie Thoma

Freshman Brigid Wentz takes a deep breath. She’s about to walk onto the platform in the grand ballroom of Bartle Hall for the Adorn Style Show and Brunch. She’s modeling a coral, violet and yellow flowing gown from Gown Gallery for the grand finale. It’s her first fashion show, her first time having a personal stylist to give her the perfect smokey eye and a dark lip, her first time walking on a runway.

Now four months into her modeling career, 5’10 1/2” Brigid has participated in two photoshoots and one fashion show. Her first photoshoot was for Exposure’s website at the end of July, her second for Simply KC’s September issue, a local magazine. In the Adorn Fashion Show, Brigid modeled five looks, including her favorite, the grand finale ball gown.

Brigid’s career stemmed from her 12-year-old self, when she started showing serious interest in modeling. She loved the idea of wearing all the latest trends and trying new makeup and hairstyles each show. As they are always encouraging their kids to try new things, her parents were eager to make modeling work for her. So, they asked friends who had a connection with modeling agencies in Kansas City.

“We have always supported our kids,” Jenny said. “For our boys [Vance and Joey], that was pretty much sports, so I was talking to my husband about [modeling] and he said ‘We’ve always let the boys try everything, so we might as well give it a whirl.’”

The Wentz’s finally found a connection with Exposure Model and Talent Agency when Brigid was approaching freshman year. Her older brother Joey’s girlfriend, Emery Braun, was a close friend to the daughter of Exposure’s owner, Jen Mangan. So Brigid submitted photos to Exposure in early July, and then began modeling at the end of the month.

Dressing up had always been a part of Brigid’s life. As a kid, Brigid couldn’t keep her hands off of her mom’s makeup drawer or her sparkly blue leotard. This modeling opportunity had enveloped all she loved doing as a child.

“I was a total girly-girl,” Brigid said. “I was obsessed with makeup and I’d do my makeup all the time. I wasn’t very good at it, but I would always try on my mom’s dresses and the high heels and I was really into it.”

Mangan, now Brigid’s agent, helps her search for opportunities in modeling for print, runway, TV and film, as well as placement in a larger market such as New York City, Chicago and Europe.

“[Brigid is] very responsible and lovely to work with,” Mangan said. “[She has] a great deal of promise for a strong future in the business. [I hope this is] a positive, financially rewarding experience that lets her see the world and become an even stronger woman.”

With her busy schedule involving varsity volleyball and schoolwork, Brigid hasn’t spent as much time modeling as she would like, but once the winter season arrives, she hopes to have more time to dedicate to modeling.

“Sometimes [it interferes] with my plans on the weekend, but I love modeling and I think it’s so fun,” Brigid said. “Whenever I get an opportunity I’m super excited, so I think it’s a good thing because I like it as something I do for myself. I think it’s worth missing a thing or two occasionally.”

According to Brigid, she is career-oriented. Modeling is just a hobby that she sometimes gets paid for, but if the right opportunities present themselves then she would like to make the most out of it.

Throughout the past few months, some of the top modeling agencies in the country have held casting calls in Kansas City. Brigid attended a few of those to get a sense of what they’re like, but since she is only 14, she hopes they will start taking interest in her when she is 15 or 16. If they showed interest in her now, she wants to see how far she can go with those modeling opportunities.

Photo by Ellie Thoma