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For many years 90-60-90 was just model body measurements. Now it has become a phrase to describe the ‘ideal’ of model. 21st century is about getting out of frames. Being a mo-del now is standing up for standing out. People are quick to judge. It’s common to think that models have a perfect body, flawless skin and shiny hair. You don’t need to do anything and everything is easy when you suit the ideal of beauty. But in reality no one is perfect. Journalist Kirsten Arnett in “Green Beauty Teem” wrote about models walking in 2012 New York fashion week with acne problems. “Fashion’s latest trend-pimples”, she com mented. It’s easy to Photo shop skin or body, the hardest work is modelling itself. People sometimes don’t realise what is actually happening behind the cameras. What it takes to survive in this industry?
Model Tadas Naujokaitis, from Lithuania, shared his experience with magazine. He is working professionally a few years and already has been booked by famous brands, such as: Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. Tadas claims that you need to learn how to work on your strong angles and show your personality.
“It is not always all about your looks. Very important thing is to be yourself too. If you are acting or trying to be someone you are not, so that clients would hire you-it won’t work. They can see it straight away.”
Modelling is stressful. Model Tadas said that sometimes he feels miserable. You might even want to leave the studio in the middle of shooting. You get criticized all the time. “Once my agency told me I’d gained some weight and suggested I lose a bit. But I am trying to look positively at all of the critics I get. This is what makes you stronger as a person.“ At first, a lot of people said Kate Moss was too thin.Kate was also much shorter than other supermodels. She shocked modelling world with her boyish body. Moss became known for being ‘waif look’. Despite all negative comments, Kate Moss continued modelling. She became a fashion world icon.
But getting to the top is not easy. A young female model, from Lithuania too, told her story. Girl didn’t wish to reveal her name, as she is still working in modelling industry. “It was a simple catalogue shooting. We went for a dinner with team after. In front of everyone, the client started asking me if I would like to be an escort for the night. He said he would pay me a lot of money. He also claimed that other girls agreed to do it. I told him we are not hookers! This sounded harsh, but I felt very offended.” Modelling can put you on a lot of psychological pressure. Tadas Naujokaitis was once picked as optional exclusive model for Versace. A day before they cancelled him. “Compliments, bookings for fitting or even casting, makes you start create expectations. You get more disappointed by not being picked. You need to be prepared for rejection. It’s a very specific business, but it builds your character.”
Being booked for a fitting doesn’t mean a model is guaranteed to walk in that show. “It’s important to keep their head up high and just enjoy the process,” says Paul Hogson of Select Model Management Women’s Division. Stereotype beauty models era is over. Being perfect is not so interesting anymore, we already saw them all. What people want is personalities.
“In reality, in order to be successful and happy, all we need to do is be ourselves” -Cassandra’s Como confession for ‘‘Dermablend’ campaign’. And it’s time the editors let us be too.