Fashion Model

How did you get the Formula 1 job? And what's been your single favorite project?

Asked by MelB555 over 10 years ago

Hmm, I usually get sent an email by my agency with a list of all the clients which have requested you from seeing your portfolio.. So with the F1 job, they had already requested me through one of my agencies. I applied and they got back to me within a few days to say that the client liked me and was interested in using me. And it all went from there really. I've had quite a few fun projects, but I mainly think it's down to who you are working with.. I've managed to make some really good friends  through some of the jobs i've done but there are also girls who you'll work with that are totally boring and unfriendly so if you're with people like that then it makes the whole job pretty dull and awkward. I get on with most people usually though 

Do you feel objectified when you're standing around in revealing outfits? Or is it more or less understood in your line of work that that's kind of the point?

Asked by jensmith1 almost 11 years ago

I've never really felt objectified, i've worn all sorts before.. Catsuits, short dresses and heels, Grid Girl outfits.. I think that's part of our job to look 'Sexy' and appeal to the male audience. If I wasn't comfortable with it, then I probably wouldn't do it as a job. It isn't for everyone.. Then again, the companies usually send you out a basic over-view and a photo of the outfits beforehand so i've always been able to pick and choose the jobs that I do. I have seen some girls walking around in totally shocking things before, like hot pants so short that their arse cheeks were falling out with fishnet tights looking like street walkers. So if I was ever given anything like that, i'd probably quit on the spot.. I think it's all about asking questions beforehand, and making sure you're comfortable with whatever it is you're expected to be wearing and doing 

Have you ever been told that you were too heavy for a job? Is the "rail thin" look still in, or have you noticed agents looking for more curves in their models?

Asked by Ella almost 11 years ago

Hmm, it really depends on the kind of modelling that you do! There is probably a market for everybody. In promotional work, they like you to be in good shape.. But I haven't really seen many 'Rail thin' girls, as I think they prefer the girls to be slightly curvier.. My main market is commercial, so aslong as you are toned you should be fine. I'd say with Runway modelling, if you aren't super skinny you won't get much work in that industry. Which is a shame.. But I guess it's just their 'thing' - I started when I was 16, so was able to pull it off for a few years.. But I now have hips and boobs so prefer to stick to catalogue and lingerie jobs. I try and eat healthily in general, and workout at the gym when I can

Do companies who hire you to model at trade shows expect you to actually know a lot about the product, or to just stand there and look pretty?

Asked by sisisisi almost 11 years ago

Alot of the time when I get there the companies are more concerned about giving you an outfit to wear and making sure you look good. You usually get an email the day before a job with a brief review of what you're supposed to be doing and whatever it is you're promoting.. But most of the time most of us don't really have a clue. (Example, a month or so ago I was working for a Sports TV channel they have over in the UK, for an event.. Part of the job was we were promoting an App which was endorsed by the company and trying to get people to sign up on their smart phones.. One small problem being, nobody had actually bothered to teach us how to use the app ourselves!!) Which led to quite a few awkard situations. But all in all, most of the jobs we get given are fairly easy.. And if you're clever, you do enough research yourself beforehand so that you're able to answer any basic questions that people might have

Do you have guys hitting on you constantly while you're working events? I've heard interviews where good-looking celebrities or models say they NEVER have guys hit on them or ask them out, which I always found to be hard to believe.

Asked by garebear over 10 years ago

Hmm, I can't really comment on their experience but generally no. Alot of the events that I work at, you will probably get one or two guys coming up to try and speak to you during the day but definitely not constantly. Most just say 'Hi' and ask for a photo. Usually the girls are concentrating on doing their job, which I think that the guys sense. With alot of promotional work, guys realize that it's your job to be friendly, and try to engage with members of the public so I think they respect that. When i've hosted some of the 'Model nights' at clubs in the West End or New York, that's a totally different story but I guess it just depends on the environment. I think in clubs guys generally try and hit on everyone.. It's that kind of atmosphere 

How much do you get paid to be a promo girl, let's say at a convention hanging around by a sponsor's booth?

Asked by Basix almost 11 years ago

It really depends on the kind of job that you are doing, as they vary so much.. For a convention i'd say we probably get around $350 a day.. And they usually last for around a week. I couldn't call it hard work, you mainly just have to be a people-person so know how to socialize and engage with people. Clients are always looking for ridiculous reasons to fire girls too, so you've got to make sure you've got your game on and you're seen to be benefiting their business.. If you sit around looking miserable, and not putting any effort into speaking to potential customers they will probably get rid of you pretty quickly. I haven't really had that problem before, but at each convention their are always a couple of girls who only last about a day and then get replaced. Usually it's the girls who haven't had much experience in modelling or promotions, so they aren't used to interacting with so many people 

At what age did you realize that you were prettier than average?

Asked by prettygirl:) over 10 years ago

I don't really think about things that way. I think most girls look good, if they work out and make an effort with their hair and makeup! It's transparent at the end of the day, a good personality is the most important thing. Being ugly on the inside shines through and can make the best looking girl unattractive! I wouldn't rate myself on looks, i'm happy with how I am and wouldn't change anything but being around so many gorgeous girls you don't really judge each other on that sort of thing 

What model do you most respect or look up to and why?

Asked by Fresno over 10 years ago

Hmm, I don't really look up to anyone if i'm honest. I just focus on myself really, and try and strive to do the best that I can in the career that i've chosen. I'm friends with a couple of well known models, and they are all lovely girls who have done very well for themselves so I guess that's an inspiration. I'd say focus on the company that you keep, it helps if you have a group of friends that are all supporting and encouraging of each other 

If you had to guess, what's the incidence of eating disorders in modeling? Would you estimate that more than half of models have struggled with them at some point?

Asked by A3 over 10 years ago

I've probably worked with over maybe two hundred models since I started out and I can honestly say I have only met one who I could have described as suffering from any kind of eating problem and she was obviously quite ill. So I wouldn't describe it as being 'The norm' in the industry atall, alot of the girls are just natrually tall and slim and have a fast metabolism.. Don't get me wrong most watch their weight and work out at the gym etc, but they definitely don't starve themselves! I think that's a huge misconception about the industry which is generated by the media, as most girls have to be healthy or they wouldn't have the energy to work and constantly be travelling etc.. They would be exhausted 

Is this what you see yourself doing as a career in the long run or just something you're doing while you're still young:)

Asked by purtyeyez over 10 years ago

I don't really know, I have friends who have modelled and worked in the promo industry until their early 30's.. Which I will probably do myself no doubt on/off.. But in the distant future, i'd like to get into writing. I have currently been offered my own Magazine collumn and i'm thinking of doing a course in Journalism, i'm sure in a couple of years time I might fancy a change.. But I love modelling so not looking to change career paths anytime soon! 

What's the most lucrative type of gig models book? Print? Convention show model? TV? Live fashion?

Asked by Some Guy over 10 years ago

Print. Everytime a girl is published she could get anything between $2,000 - $20,000 depending on the job and how well known she is. For most trade shows, you'll make $350 a day but in my personal experience and how i've seen models be treated print and TV are so much easier than Convention shows.. You're working for different companies who aren't involved in the fashion industry and the people you're working with usually work normal 9-5 jobs so seem to be bitter towards the fact you're there in the first place and probably being paid more than they are. I've seen so many girls fired for ridiculous reasons, and clients intentionally lying and making up stuff about the models to try and get out of paying them as it is quite a large expense for each company. I've worked at a huge variety of different trade shows, and 80% of the people i've worked for and with have been lovely.. But there are always an odd few, who aren't very nice which i've only ever experienced through promo instead of regular modelling work where people are alot more laid back and generally nicer to each other

Have you noticed a shift to a curvier look? I feel like the media's been saying that for 5 years, and yet all the models in print and on the runway are still rail-thin.

Asked by Erika over 10 years ago

Alot of agencies have recently opened up plus size divisions, and won't use overly skinny models. Infact I don't often see unhealthily thin models at castings - There are a few I suppose, but they generally pick size 4 girls (UK size 8) - Instead of size 0 girls etc for shoots.. The issue being is the retouchers usually photoshop the models to look even skinnier than they already are, which therefore makes it all a bit pointless

Do you do anything different diet- or fitness-wise in the weeks leading up to a big photoshoot or show?

Asked by jlaow over 10 years ago

If it's a lingerie/swimwear shoot, I TRY (emphasize on try) to eat mainly salads and soup for several weeks before aswell as excercising and doing a bunch of sqauts/crunches in addition to an hour of cardio but usually after a couple of days I get bored and go back to eating pizza. The day before a shoot I try and eat fairly light so i'm not bloated, I eat pretty healthily in general really. I think it's mainly about self-discipline

Outside of the job, do you get hit on constantly, and does it make you stand-offish with men? What's something a guy can say to you (other than about your looks) that'll win him some points? :)

Asked by JamesTX over 10 years ago

At alot of the big conventions, there are usually big afterparties that they hold with free drinks for the clients and models. The best thing you could do is try and wangle an invite somehow if you know anyone who is organizing the event or try and find out who is holding it, because most of the girls will be there and much more relaxed than at work! Maybe just ask them how they are and what they've been doing at the event etc, then after talking for a while if they seem interested then offer to buy them a drink? Hope this helps

Do you get a lot of negative feedback from other girls because you're a model, or because they're jealous of you?

Asked by SIS over 10 years ago

Hard question. Not everyone will always like you and it's just a part of life! I try and be nice to everyone and if people have an issue it's theirs not mine, people who behave like that I wouldn't really want to associate with anyway. I get on with most people though so i'm quite fortunate, I suppose. I haven't really had anyone be too nasty, I can only really think of one person who seemed to have a grudge about it which I do find quite strange. Everyone has something that they are good at, and modelling is mine. People should just focus on what they enjoy and do the best that they can instead of wasting their time being bitter towards other people

Have you ever been in any 'casting couch' type situations where an agent wanted to take advantage of you in exchange for a gig?

Asked by Davis.P over 10 years ago

Thankfully no, I have never experienced anything like that

Have you found it true that the camera adds weight?

Asked by Orly over 10 years ago

Yes, I think that's pretty accurate! Especially if it's taken from a bad angle

What are the major differences you notice between modeling in NY and London?

Asked by HT123 over 10 years ago

Personally not very many atall, apart from the fact I get lost alot more in New York!! Ha ha. I was actually born in London, so I have alot of friends there. When i'm in New York, I usually end up staying in a model apartment (Accomadation which is provided by agency) So I don't get much pick of who I am going to be spending my time with - That's the only downside! But work wise, there isn't really much difference 

How do you deal with client erections, or how would you?

Asked by Nash over 10 years ago

Pervert alert

Is there some brand that gets touted as high-end that you actually think is pretty bad quality?

Asked by lolHM about 10 years ago

Hmm, that's a difficult one! I think alot of high-end garments are actually pretty poorly made and not really made for long term wear, i've seen girls wear a piece of clothing for a couple of hours on a shoot and it ended up with a small tear or not in great condition. I guess it depends on how well you take care of it

Would you ever turn down a gig because you disagreed with a designer's personal beliefs? Like if he were homophobic, or had a shady past?

Asked by Liu about 10 years ago

If I knew about it! But most of the time you don't.. It's difficult to tell, as there are always alot of rumors flying around. I'd have to be sure

What does your diet consist of in a typical day? Do you anything and everything...or are you very strict?

Asked by Bill W. almost 10 years ago

Hi Bill, well i'm actually vegetarian so I eat alot of vegetarian food! For lunch, I usually have grilled pita bread with hummus and for dinner, I eat alot of pasta too which isn't really great carb wise - So I try to coincide it with grilled vegetable dishes and qourn chicken pieces atleast a couple of day a week! I try to drink lots of water too. My biggest problem is I do sometimes snack between meals, and I love chocolate!! So I make sure to bust my arse at the gym several times a week just to keep extra fit & healthy!

Do you need any specific education for being a model? What's your favorite and most frustrating thing about being a model?

Asked by Kay over 9 years ago