2008 Woodie Awards
Top bike designer to select models
JULIE LEUNG
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Variety
Aspiring models won't have to look too far past the county line for an opportunity to model for a top-of-the-line Italian designer - of motorcycles, that is.
NPR Ducati, the local dealership for the Italian-based motorcycle company, is auditioning for six modeling positions in its March 29 fashion show at the Arch Bar.
"It's the equivalent to Porsche or one of the Italian car companies," said Paul Bunde, one of the dealership's owners.
"It's a small company and they only make motorcycles in Bologna, Italy, at one plant. It's an elite, very exclusive kind of brand."
Every year, NPR Ducati hosts a fashion show in conjunction with its motorcycle showcase. Tonight, they will be looking for some fresh male and female faces to don the company's commercial and technical gear.
According to Lisa Mende, the fashion show's organizer and modeling judge, an "edgy, European" look is preferred, though all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.
"(He or she) doesn't have to be a prototypical model," she said. "We just need a great look and a great personality. It's more about if they can walk and sell the look, not as much about them being drop-dead gorgeous."
The models will be representing one of the most renowned companies in the competitive biking world.
"In the last 20 years, they have won almost all of the very prestigious superbike championships," Bunde said, "despite the fact that they make 40,000 motorcycles a year and Honda makes close to 2.5 million."
Until 2003, when the owners moved to Atlanta, Athens boasted its own Ducati dealership.
Bunde, who was a former employee at the Athens location, decided to continue the business in Watkinsville with partners Nathan Mende and Rusty Quarterman.
For Bunde, Ducati is par none.
"The Italian approach to motorcycles is the same as the Italian approach to food - lots of passion, and disregard for what's contemporary and the style of the day," he said. "They don't really care how the Japanese, Americans or Germans do it."
A Ducati motorcycle will cost anywhere from $8,000 to $17,500, with its fastest model running at 203 mph.
"Not that we recommended doing that on a public road," Bunde said.
At the show, Ducati will showcase its latest model, the 1098R.
While fashion may not be Ducati's claim to fame, for Mende, the clothing at Ducati mirrors the beauty of the motorcycles.
"I just want people to see these fashions and hopefully buy them - the clothes are spectacularly beautiful," Lisa said.
The auditions will be held tonight at 7 at the dealership in Watkinsville. Models should bring a headshot and a resume with full contact information. Females also should bring high heels to walk in.
"People from all over the country come (to the show)," Lisa said. "It's nice visibility and photographers will be there. We want people to hoot and holler and have fun, and we want people on stage who are comfortable with that."
NPR Ducati, the local dealership for the Italian-based motorcycle company, is auditioning for six modeling positions in its March 29 fashion show at the Arch Bar.
"It's the equivalent to Porsche or one of the Italian car companies," said Paul Bunde, one of the dealership's owners.
"It's a small company and they only make motorcycles in Bologna, Italy, at one plant. It's an elite, very exclusive kind of brand."
Every year, NPR Ducati hosts a fashion show in conjunction with its motorcycle showcase. Tonight, they will be looking for some fresh male and female faces to don the company's commercial and technical gear.
According to Lisa Mende, the fashion show's organizer and modeling judge, an "edgy, European" look is preferred, though all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.
"(He or she) doesn't have to be a prototypical model," she said. "We just need a great look and a great personality. It's more about if they can walk and sell the look, not as much about them being drop-dead gorgeous."
The models will be representing one of the most renowned companies in the competitive biking world.
"In the last 20 years, they have won almost all of the very prestigious superbike championships," Bunde said, "despite the fact that they make 40,000 motorcycles a year and Honda makes close to 2.5 million."
Until 2003, when the owners moved to Atlanta, Athens boasted its own Ducati dealership.
Bunde, who was a former employee at the Athens location, decided to continue the business in Watkinsville with partners Nathan Mende and Rusty Quarterman.
For Bunde, Ducati is par none.
"The Italian approach to motorcycles is the same as the Italian approach to food - lots of passion, and disregard for what's contemporary and the style of the day," he said. "They don't really care how the Japanese, Americans or Germans do it."
A Ducati motorcycle will cost anywhere from $8,000 to $17,500, with its fastest model running at 203 mph.
"Not that we recommended doing that on a public road," Bunde said.
At the show, Ducati will showcase its latest model, the 1098R.
While fashion may not be Ducati's claim to fame, for Mende, the clothing at Ducati mirrors the beauty of the motorcycles.
"I just want people to see these fashions and hopefully buy them - the clothes are spectacularly beautiful," Lisa said.
The auditions will be held tonight at 7 at the dealership in Watkinsville. Models should bring a headshot and a resume with full contact information. Females also should bring high heels to walk in.
"People from all over the country come (to the show)," Lisa said. "It's nice visibility and photographers will be there. We want people to hoot and holler and have fun, and we want people on stage who are comfortable with that."
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