Lessons in etiquette for young women

DMG Creative opens in East Perth in February with a focus on old-school principles of good judgment and etiquette.

Catering for women aged 15 to 25, it covers resume writing, communication and common courtesies like not answering the phone at the dinner table.

Lessons in make-up, catwalk, nutrition and photo shoots are offered with no pressure for students to become models or adhere to a certain body type.

‘The course is about inspiring young girls to be the best versions of themselves,’ 25-year-old Ms Shaw said.

‘It’s touching on all those finer details that are missed in this day and age, like holding a knife and fork.

‘I used to know a few agencies that did deportment and grooming and they’re not doing it anymore.

‘I don’t know why they stopped because you hear of women like Megan Gale and Jessica Gomes who all started with these classes.’

Entering the industry at 18 and now signed as a Chadwick’s model, Ms Shaw said she had been fortunate to avoid perils experienced by some models.

‘I’ve been lucky, but I see the pressures that young girls face,’ she said.

‘I’ve never been asked to lose weight or anything like that, but I definitely hear it and I know girls that have been asked.

‘At DMG I want to steer clear of the expectation that if you do this course you’re going to be a model because that’s not what I’m about.’