So. I've been offered a modeling contract. But let me rewind.
Last Saturday (July 19), I traveled to Tutu Park Mall to audition for two fashion shows: BVI Summer Sizzle and VI Fashion Week. I strolled into the mall in my v-neck white tee, short shorts, and black Converse all-star high tops. The process was fairly simple. As soon as I reached, I had to fill out a form with my modeling experience (or lack thereof), and my measurements: 32-24-34.5. I'm tiny, I know. After I finished that, one of the agents took full-length and headshot photos of me. Then the big part came. I was asked to walk in my three inch heels. No big deal, I thought; I began my pony walk toward the judging table. One of the judges missed my walk, so she had me walk again. I did. She smiled. She called it fabulous. She promised to get in touch soon.
On Monday, July 21, I received a facebook message.
They liked me apparently, wanted to meet with me the next day to discuss signing with their agency and participating in VI Fashion Week. So I did meet. They told me that I wasn't selected for the BVI Summer Sizzle fashion show--they wanted experienced models. Oh well. But they did like my walk; they said I had potential and the "model attitude." Then came the contract that they were eager for me to sign. I read it. My mother read it. We exchanged glances. The agency, Star Models Management, is a local branch of a larger, international agency. But as I read the contract I asked myself several questions. Am I interested in modeling for the money or for the exposure, or both? Will I ever be a successful model? How will I model while going to school? I have no answers for these questions; I continue to ponder day by day. I pray, I ask God for the answers, I have faith that he will.
I haven't signed the contract yet. I take such legal issues extremely seriously. I have contacted my attorneys to take a look at it, my "fairy godmother" to ask her advice, my "fairy godfather," to ask his advice as well, my good friends to garner their support. I need all the help and direction that I can, everybody. I have never modeled before, and I don't know how the modeling industry operates.
Ambivalent or not, I'm excited for the fashion world.
J'Rich
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Modeling
I'm confused.
Over the past year, I convinced myself (and others) that I wouldn't pursue modeling because I want to focus on my studies (particularly journalism). But should I change my mind? Should I quit school and model? Should I model and go to school? Or should I do neither. I don't know. I look around for advice and the only advice I'm getting is:
Go model.
I admit that I want to. I find myself endlessly daydreaming about strutting down runways in designer wear (namely Fendi), and I'm perpetually perusing magazines looking twice, three times at ads and wishing that I were in them. When did these daydreams start? I don't know--maybe somewhere in junior high. Watching every episode from every cycle of Top Model hasn't helped either. Such things have fueled my confusion and now I slouch in my chair at work, perplexed and wistful.
Then I turn to Alek Wek. I love her. I love her look, her style, her personality (though I've never met her). She has inspired me and continues to. I think of her constantly--especially when I turn the pages of Vogue and Glamour and find hardly (if any) models that represent dark-skinned America. This upsets me over and over again; I slam the magazine shut and walk out the store.
At least three times a week people ask me if I model. I've told my mother that the next time that someone asks me that question, I'll laugh. Okay, so I've laughed already. What happens next time? An unbelievable amount of people have asked me the same question over and over again, yet no one makes mention of agencies or contacts. Only today someone even came close to mentioning to me: "Go to New York City. Go to the go-sees. Find an agency. You will make it." I thank everyone for their unfailing confidence in me. I just hope that I can be discovered and that I won't have to sacrifice my love for words in the process.
J'Rich
Over the past year, I convinced myself (and others) that I wouldn't pursue modeling because I want to focus on my studies (particularly journalism). But should I change my mind? Should I quit school and model? Should I model and go to school? Or should I do neither. I don't know. I look around for advice and the only advice I'm getting is:
Go model.
I admit that I want to. I find myself endlessly daydreaming about strutting down runways in designer wear (namely Fendi), and I'm perpetually perusing magazines looking twice, three times at ads and wishing that I were in them. When did these daydreams start? I don't know--maybe somewhere in junior high. Watching every episode from every cycle of Top Model hasn't helped either. Such things have fueled my confusion and now I slouch in my chair at work, perplexed and wistful.
Then I turn to Alek Wek. I love her. I love her look, her style, her personality (though I've never met her). She has inspired me and continues to. I think of her constantly--especially when I turn the pages of Vogue and Glamour and find hardly (if any) models that represent dark-skinned America. This upsets me over and over again; I slam the magazine shut and walk out the store.
At least three times a week people ask me if I model. I've told my mother that the next time that someone asks me that question, I'll laugh. Okay, so I've laughed already. What happens next time? An unbelievable amount of people have asked me the same question over and over again, yet no one makes mention of agencies or contacts. Only today someone even came close to mentioning to me: "Go to New York City. Go to the go-sees. Find an agency. You will make it." I thank everyone for their unfailing confidence in me. I just hope that I can be discovered and that I won't have to sacrifice my love for words in the process.
J'Rich
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