Diary of a model
Lily spends her days as a model, rushing from shoot to show and on to another casting. On Amayzine, she tells you all about what her life is really like. Under a different name, of course, but that means she can share all the juicy details. This week, she puts a fellow model to the test.
Although I naturally prefer to talk about myself, it's time to let a colleague have the floor. I dove into the secret book of model numbers and called a random model to really get to know her. In other words: I went out for coffee with a friend and asked a question now and then (all my friends are models, you know). Today is part one, and soon other models will also have their say.
The typical question: how were you scouted?
‘When I was shopping at Zara with my mother, a scout asked me if I was a model. I was 12 at the time, still had braces, and had maybe flipped through a Vogue once. I had no idea what being a model entailed. It seemed exciting, so a month later I went to the agency and did my first test shoot there. Looking back now, I think: wow, I was really still a child. Luckily, I only started working when I was 15, which is still very young.’
The confronting question: have you ever experienced something unpleasant?
‘I actually always find test shoots at photographers’ homes very annoying. So I indicated at my agency that I won't do that anymore. I once felt really uncomfortable because of it; that photographer suddenly wanted me to pose in lingerie. Later he also asked to shoot topless, but I said no to that. I should have said no to the question about the lingerie photos earlier. They turned out very beautiful, but I was 16.’
The annoying questions: do you watch what you eat and do you have a sports regime?
‘I have to pay attention to what I eat. I hardly eat carbohydrates and I always skip sweets. I don't find it particularly difficult to do; that's just my job and now my lifestyle. I also exercise every day. Sometimes I go boxing or do a little yoga class, but I also train with a personal trainer at the gym. When I'm traveling, I always have resistance bands in my bag to do some exercises in my hotel room.’
The uplifting question: what is a shoot that will always stay in your mind?
‘I shot in a very small village in Morocco. It was incredibly beautiful there and the local people were so kind. We slept and ate at a family's home and played endless games with the children there. It was very bizarre to get a glimpse into someone else's life like that.’
The fun question: what is the weirdest/funniest/strangest thing you've ever experienced on a shoot?
‘Once, the whole team got stuck in the middle of nowhere because our bus broke down. It took two hours for a replacement bus to arrive so we could continue to the location. Instead of everyone panicking, we went picnicking and played cards with the whole team, really super fun. I'm still very good friends with the stylist from that shoot.’
The tiring question: do you think Instagram is important and do you think it changes a lot in today's world?
‘I have deleted my Instagram account. I noticed that it made me very unhappy. However, I think it's very important for models to be active on it. Clients want to see what kind of person they are going to work with when they book you. Additionally, it's an extension of your portfolio and a good way to show yourself to potential clients, allowing you to book more jobs. I'm not working full-time anymore, so it's less important. It mainly gives me a lot of mental peace not to constantly experience that social media pressure.’
The most important question: how much do you like me and the model pieces on Amayzine?
‘I would describe you as fifofabeltastisch. I find your pieces very funny and relatable to read.’
Fifofabeltastisch is what I do it all for, of course. Many thanks to my dear colleague for being so open. Well, not completely open, of course, but in lingerie. Despite the fact that life as an interviewer suits me well, I will put myself back in the spotlight in the next piece. But no stress, because the next interview will also be coming up soon.
XX kisses from Lily
