Meet the Four Up-and-Coming Models Who Were Signed Right Off of Instagram

Turns out selfies can show a lot of potential.

By Phillip PicardiPhotography by Sacha MaricFashion Editor Gisella Lemos

August 7, 2015

Hair, Katsumi Matsuo at ArtMix; Makeup, Chichi Saito at Art Department

1/11
Every model has their story of how they were discovered. For some, it’s at the mall. For Karlie Kloss, it was during a charity fashion show at the age of 13. For Candice Swanepoel, it was a shopping trip at a local flea market. And for you, it could be Instagram.
That’s right: The notorious modeling agency IMG (home to Karlie and Candice, as well as legends like Alek Wek, Anja Rubik, Chanel Iman, and Coco Rocha) has launched a scouting campaign on the social media platform via the hashtag #WLYG. It, of course, stands for @WeLoveYourGenes, a clever way for the agency to give hopefuls its stamp of approval.
All you have to do is follow their account and tag your photos with the hashtag to potentially get scouted. At least, that’s what the four girls in this slideshow did. Now, one of them is quickly becoming a next big thing, while the other three started their careers off with a photo shoot for TeenVogue.com. Not too shabby, right?
Click through to get to know these four awesome girls. Who knows? We might have the next Cara on our hands. Oh, and just in case you were wondering: Regardless of whether or not you get scouted, we love your genes anyway. Promise.
On Gina: Kooples shirt, $95. The Kooples, NYC. Marc Jacobs top (worn around waist), $1,400. Marc Jacobs stores. Diesel skirt, $548. diesel.com. Claire's earrings, $7 for set of three. Claire's stores. Stella & Bow necklace, $80. stellaandbow.com. Her own bracelet. Diesel boots, $295. Diesel US stores.
On Sarah: McQ jacket, $1,555. mcq.com. Bliss and Mischief shirt, $118. blissandmischief.com. AG jeans, $225. agjeans.com. Adidas Originals sneakers, $70. adidas.com. Dogeared sterling silver necklace, $62. dogeared.com.
On Lameka: Iro jacket, $1,297. Iro, NYC. Maison Kitsuné dress, $595. Maison Kitsuné, NYC. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry ear cuff, $176. jenniferzeuner.com. Stylist's own necklace. Her own bracelet and rings. Converse sneakers, $85. converse.com.
On Grace: Edith A. Miller shirt, $98. Petit and Olson, Bainbridge Island, WA. Diesel Black Gold jeans, $350. diesel.com. Michael Kors necklace, $95. michaelkors.com. Iro belt, $340, and shoes, $690. iroparis.com.
2/11
GINA PACAK (@miss.ginapacak)
Gina is 15 years old, from Pittsburgh, PA. What’s the coolest thing about being scouted by IMG?
Being invited to NYFW and seeing the Carolina Herrera fashion show.
Do you have any tips for the perfect selfie?
Make sure it's taken in good lighting. Favorite Instagram filter?
Lo-Fi. It makes everything so bright and colorful.
Favorite supermodel?
Karlie Kloss. Dream designer to work with? Ralph Lauren.
Favorite beauty product?
The only thing I wear is mascara.
Book you’re reading?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Favorite movie quote?
“What are you going to do today Napoleon? Whatever I feel like I want to do. Gosh!” – Napoleon Dynamite

3/11
GINA PACAK (@miss.ginapacak)
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Wash your face every morning and night.
Weirdest thing about yourself?
I love to play video games.
Best song to dance to?
Taylor Swift's “Shake It Off.”
Ideal Friday night?
Hanging out with my best friends.
Best thing about school?
My drawing class.
Celebrity crush?
Ansel Elgort.
Favorite snack?
Nachos and cheese. On Gina: McQ jacket, $1,555. mcq.com. Bliss and Mischief shirt, $118. blissandmischief.com. AG jeans, $225. agjeans.com. Stella & Bow necklace, $80. stellaandbow.com.
4/11
SARAH ARMSTRONG (@saraharmsy)
Sarah is 15 years old, from Victor, NY.
What’s the coolest thing about being scouted by IMG?
It is the opportunity of a lifetime! Do you have any tips for the perfect selfie?
LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING. Favorite Instagram filter?
Slumber. Favorite supermodel?
Gigi Hadid. Dream designer to work with?
Marc Jacobs. Favorite beauty product?
Curél Ultra Healing lotion. Book you’re reading?
Looking For Alaska by John Green.

5/11
SARAH ARMSTRONG (@saraharmsy)
Favorite movie quote?
"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be" - The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
"Be yourself and know who you are." Mom❤ Weirdest thing about yourself?
I can’t float in water; as hard as I try, I can’t do it! Best song to dance to?
“The Chainsmokers” by Kanye Ideal Friday night?
Late night bonfire with the best of friends. Best thing about school?
Being with friends every day. Celebrity crush?
Nat Wolff. Favorite snack?
Pizza Logs.
On Sarah: Kooples shirt, $95. The Kooples, NYC. Marc Jacobs top (worn around waist), $1,400. Marc Jacobs stores. Diesel skirt, $548. diesel.com. Claire's earrings, $7 for set of three. Claire's stores. Dogeared sterling silver necklace, $62. dogeared.com.
6/11
LAMEKA FOX (@lamekafox)
Lameka is 17 years old from Smyrna, DE. She recently walked the Marc Jacobs Resort show and booked work with T Magazine, Heroine, and Unconditional. What’s the coolest thing about being scouted by IMG?
The opportunity in itself was amazing! I love everyone at IMG, it's like one big family. And not only that, but it's one of the most reputable agencies; all of my favorite models are signed with them so it’s nice being a part of it. Do you have any tips for the perfect selfie?
Lighting and angles are the two most important things. Favorite Instagram filter?
Valencia and Aden. Favorite supermodel?
Kate Moss. Dream designer to work with?
John Galliano or Raf Simons. Favorite beauty product?
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer: it smells like a dream and is perfect for achieving a summer glow. I love it paired with Nars Copacabana Multiple. Book you’re reading?
Alexa Chung’s It.

7/11
LAMEKA FOX (@lamekafox)
Favorite movie quote?
"We accept the love we think we deserve" – The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Your current situation is not your final destination. Weirdest thing about yourself?
My ability to spend excessive amounts of time on Tumblr! Best song to dance to?
“BBHMM” by Rihanna. Ideal Friday night?
Just hanging with my friends, listening to music on my rooftop. I had the best time in Paris my last night doing this. It was really chill and casual, but so much fun! Best thing about school?
Learning new things. Celebrity crush?
I don't really have one, to be honest. Favorite snack?
Chloe's Soft Serve!
On Lameka: Iro jacket, $1,297. Iro, NYC. Maison Kitsuné dress, $595. Maison Kitsuné, NYC. Jennifer Zeuner sterling silver ear cuff, $176. jenniferzeuner.com. Her own bracelet and rings. Converse sneakers, $85. converse.com.
8/11
GRACE DWYER (@modelgraced)
Grace is 15 years old, from Atlanta, GA. What’s the coolest thing about being scouted by IMG?
They've signed most of the top models in the world, and many of their girls go on to be hugely successful.
Do you have any tips for the perfect selfie?
Once you take it, don't look at it too closely! You’ll start to find tiny flaws and you will like the picture less. If you think it looks good, then it does! Favorite Instagram filter?
Personally I prefer #nofilter, but if I had to pick it would be Valencia.
Favorite supermodel?
Gisele. She's been modeling since before I was born and still looks great. Plus she's with IMG, too! Dream designer to work with?
I would love to work with Moschino. Their designs are so bold and fun!
Favorite beauty product?
My BadGal Lash mascara from Benefit. The brush is huge and you only need one coat for giant lashes. I'm also a lip balm addict, so my Eos comes after that. I have one on me at all times.
Book you’re reading?
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I bought it at the beach over spring break and just started reading it a few days ago.

9/11
GRACE DWYER (@modelgraced)
Favorite movie quote?
"That’s why her hair is so big. It’s full of secrets” - Mean Girls Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A teacher told me not to take anything too seriously until I graduated college.
Weirdest thing about yourself?
I'm a huge fangirl! There's never a time when I'm not obsessing over at least three shows on Netflix. Right now it's Psych, OITNB, and Supernatural.
Best song to dance to?
Right now I'm liking “She's Kinda Hot” by 5SOS. It's weirdly empowering.
Ideal Friday night?
At a friend's house, eating ice cream, and talking about whatever comes to mind.
Best thing about school?
Seeing my friends every day! And always having the opportunity to meet new people and try new things.
Celebrity crush?
Don't have one at the moment. But it's only a matter of time.
Favorite snack?
Baked Lays or anything with chocolate.
On Grace: Edith A. Miller shirt, $98. Petit and Olson, Bainbridge Island, WA. Diesel Black Gold jeans, $350. diesel.com. Michael Kors necklace, $95. michaelkors.com. Iro belt, $340, and shoes, $690. iroparis.com.
10/11
Models in the Making
The group strikes a pose at the end of their shoot.
*Sara (left) wears a Dogeared sterling silver necklace, $62; dogeared.com. Diesel leather boots, $295. Diesel US stores. Gina (second from left) wears Adidas Campus sneakers, $70. adidas.com. *