Tuesday 31 May 2011

Introduction

I have decided to create this blog to share my experiences as a new model in Shanghai  over the next 3 months.

But first, let's begin with how I got here in the first place...So it all started last December when I decided to quit my well paid, executive job to pursue my dream of being a model. At the time I really didn't think about the possibility of being rejected by agencies, but February had crept around and after applying to every agency I could think of I still had no bites. I was starting to panic by this point as I was due to turn 22 and I know that's still adolescence in the normal world but in model years you may as well be 50 and nearing retirement.

So I took a few days to commiserate never being 21 again, then sucked it up and was more determined than ever to make sure this career change was a successful one.  I decided to re do my polaroids and submit them to the agencies once more in hopes that I'd get at least one positive reply. About a week went by and I got a response from Scene Model Management, asking me to come in for an interview. As soon as I read the email I was mentally scanning through my closet trying to think of the perfect outfit to wear with some kick ass heels to match.

 I was a bag of nerves before I met with them, what if they didn't like me? It's not like a normal job interview where you have the excuse of not answering their questions the right way and just learning for next time. In these kind of interviews you are judged by what you look like, how tall you are, do you have good bone structure? things that you can't exactly "learn for next time".

Well it turns out I was nervous for nothing. The agency was very friendly and welcoming, they even offered me a contract on the spot which I did not hesitate to accept. Within a week they had organised a test shoot in order to start up my portfolio and appear on the website. Now I wasn't sure as to how this industry worked but things weren't moving as quickly as I'd hoped. I had only gone on one go see over the course of a month and I was starting to wonder if quiting my full time job was the best idea.. that was until I received a message from my agent asking if I could come by the office in the next hour to meet with a Scout from Asia. At this time I was assisting with a warehouse sale for New Zealand clothing label Trelise Cooper and did not think that I could get away. Sitting there stewing over it I mentioned this dilemma to my best friend Hollie whom I was working with. She made a big fuss saying I couldn't miss out on this opportunity which resulted in our boss overhearing her and insisting I go.

 So with that I was off, I jumped into my car and raced down to the office. Dressed in flat shoes and jeans, hair and makeup only just acceptable with no book or comp card in hand I turn up to the agency. As soon as I arrived I felt completely inadequate, the other girls from the agency were in high heels, pretty dresses, hair and makeup done perfectly with portfolios in hand. The scout was meeting each model one on one so when it came to my turn I walked up sheepishly with nothing to offer but myself and sat down. I explained I did not have a book or a card as I was new so he just stared at my face instead asking me to move my head from left to right so he could get a good look at my bone structure. He kept telling me to relax my face, I guess there's just something about a stranger staring at me and judging me from close distance that makes me a little uncomfortable.  I then had to walk for him, and as I didn't come with heels one of the other girls offered me hers and although they were a size too big I gratefully accepted. Now I don't know about you but it's not easy walking in heels that are too big for you  and you can imagine what it looked like.

I was sure that I had blown any chance of landing a contract, by my walk resembling that of a child taking it's first steps. So I left the agency convinced I did not make a good impression on the scout and that I wouldn't be offered a contract but still grateful for the experience...

Guess I was wrong!

Stay tuned, as in 2 weeks I will be jetting off to Shanghai for a 3 month contract with JaStar Models where I plan to be Made in China.