“Artistic expression is invaluable to me in all walks of my career and I am so excited to continue to develop this path along such an amazing team at Next Model Management. I feel right at home working with people who have worked beside such creative forces in the world,” Knowles told Vogue UK.

And to commemorate Solange’s style evolution, let’s take a look back at this fashionable little gem from 2008, “Sandcastle Disco”:

With her wicked nude face and edgy but not trying so hard poses, she knows how to rock these threads like a breeze.

Photos: Styleite

- But what does this mean for Burton and the McQueen brand? A series of industry insiders, retail experts and just plain know-it-alls agree that landing the royal wedding dress was a large coup for the Alexander McQueen label, particularly with the Met Costume Institute Gala and Savage Beauty exhibit opening this week. McQueen will become a household name — though it was already that in my household — and will now have a “guaranteed legacy” while “taming” the house’s trademark “edginess.” Sales are expected to go through the roof due to a new, heretofore unseen level of awareness for the McQueen brand and as for Burton; rumors are reaching a fever pitch over her possibly serving as a replacement for John Galliano at Dior. But with the spectacular success of the new Duchess’s wedding gown, PPR (McQueen’s parent company) would likely do everything in its power to keep her on…at least if they were smart they would. [WWD]

- Model Agency Wars! After Next Model Management sued Ford Models for allegedly poaching a trio of models — Karmen Pedaru, Anna Aleksandra Cywinska, and Anna J. — DNA has gotten litigious over Maryna Linchuk, whom they claim Ford “solicited and induced” to break contract. DNA’s result? They’re suing Ford for $2 million. Big game hunting in the wilds of the modeling world can get very expensive. [Fashionista]

The model search, set to align with prom season, will launch March 8th and run through May where two lucky winners will receive a dream prize package from PromGirl and NEXT.

From March 8th through May 6th girls can enter at the official website www.areyouthenextpromgirl.com by submitting details and photos via an online entry form.  Industry executives at NEXT will review all entries and select ten finalists based on overall appearance and photogenic qualities. Each finalist will create a short video explaining why she should be The Next PromGirl. The videos will then be posted to the official website and put to a public vote.  After one week of public voting, the two girls with the highest combined totals (public votes 33%, judges’ votes 67%) will be crowned the winners. The prize package includes a general modeling contract with NEXT Models, an all expenses paid trip to NYC for winners and chaperone, one prom photo shoot featured on PromGirl.com and one fashion photo shoot, a $500 gift certificate to PromGirl.com and a professional style consultation.

Sarah Vickery of Next Model Management said this of Robert:

“There is such a demand at the moment for mature guys with real character and life experience. Rob is a father and musician; his personal style is classic and he has travelled the world. All this gives him such a magnetic appeal – we love working with him!”

Robert was shot by Boo George for Arena Homme magazine and will soon be seen  in a major UK brand’s television ad campaign. I, for one, wholly support this trend. And it has absolutely nothing to do with my daddy issues.

At. All.

Link Love: Vogue UK

The three catwalkers left Next Model Management earlier this year in April. After switching agencies (all three migrated to Ford), they allege that Next refused to pay them their outstanding earnings. Pedaru claims withheld compensation in excess of $400, 000 and Jagodzinska seeks $320,000. Cywinska is slacking on her model game as she says she’s only owed $30,000.

If I were Next, I would pony up because those Eastern Europeans have no problem busting some knee caps to get their dough. They may look sickly thin, but before they were models who do you think was pulling the tractors and schlepping the yak intestines from town to town?

That’s right, this gal:

Jagodzinska

Photos: MDC

LINK LOVE: Jezebel

Our favorite party girls have signed with Next modeling agency. The rumor on the catwalk was that they had been dropped from Select Model Management, but according to the girls nothings further from the truth. We’re looking forward to see what’s Next for these indies.

QUICKLINK: The party models are back in business