Modeling

Putting on their best face

Students model on the runway, for photoshoots

Emerson Elledge elledeme000@hsestudents.org

Walking a runway, making commercials, sponsoring products and more were childhood dreams to many people. Sophomore Vani Sharma turned those dreams into a reality for herself. “When I was younger, I used to love dressing up in my mom’s clothes,” Sharma said. “Even though I was shy, I thought ‘Why not? Why not go try [pageant modeling] out just for fun?’” At 15 years old, Sharma has achieved goals in the industry that most only dream about. Since winning International United Miss Indiana Preteen, she has been on four trips around the country, been the namesake of a designer shoe and ran a virtual showcase that sponsored the education of 12 children in India for a year. Sharma inspired sophomore Sherline Lopez to enter the pageant world, and subsequently the modeling industry. “ My very rst pageant was in the summer of 2018,” Lopez said. “I received a letter in the mail indicating that I had been referred by a friend [Sharma] and that I was invited to an open call...I went to the open call, participated in an interview and then was selected to compete in the state level pageant I competed the next year, and then I found out that there were modeling competitions you could compete in, so I tried them and found an interest in modeling.” Although there are many similarities between pageants and modeling, such as having shared participants, there are also di erences. Modeling focuses on appearances and selling a product, and pageants build public speaking and performance skills. “Pageants are a little bit di erent from modeling, but give you those skills to be able [model],” Sharma said. “In pageants, it’s more you’re competing for a title or a crown.” Senior Hannah Clark started modeling in early 2020, but her career was put on pause with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is inspired to keep modeling by trying to change the industry. “ e industry is changing every single day with being more inclusive,” Clark said. “ at’s something that I want, the industry to be like a hundred percent

“ My very rst pageant was in the summer of 2018,” Lopez said. “I received a letter in the mail indicating that I had been referred by a friend [Sharma] and that I was invited to an open call...I went to the open call, participated in an interview and then was selected to compete in the state level competed the next year, and then I found out that there industry to be like a hundred percent inclusive.” Lopez is also inspired to change the industry, both for herself and others. “I’m a 5’2” MexicanAmerican and am proud to be a petite runway model,” Lopez said. “I also became a model to bring more diversity to the industry. Nowadays, there is de nitely more diversity in the modeling world, but I want to continue to make it a fact that you do not have to t a certain stereotype to become a model.” One of the reasons that Sharma enjoys going to pageants is creating bonds with the pageant community. Pageants tend to have a similar group of participants, which creates a sisterhood among the members.

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“Everybody is so supportive,” Sharma said. “Everyone is so helpful around there. I think it’s just a great atmosphere, and that is why I love going back.” While pageants are somewhat synonymous

with the pageant community. Pageants tend to have a similar group of participants, which creates a sisterhood among the members.

“Everybody is so supportive,” Sharma said. “Everyone is so helpful around there. I think it’s just a great atmosphere, and that is why I love going back.” While pageants are somewhat synonymous 1

1. During the International United Paegant, sophomore Vani Sharma poses a er winning the preteen title in 2020. Photo courtesy of Catherine Fiehn. 2. As sophomore Vani Sharma walks down the runway during New York Fashion Week, she models activewear and accessories for Marc Defang. Photo used with permission of Vani Sharma.

with sisterhood, models can have a reputation of being cutthroat because of media portrayals. “ ey are some of the most supportive people, and something that I love in the industry is that you’re taught to support other people,” Clark said. Fashion Week According to NYFW, the o cial New York Fashion Week website, the bi-annual event has been occurring for the past 78 years. In September, Clark modeled for 8 shows, working from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. during the week. “New York fashion week was crazy. It really hit me that this is what I would be wanting to do [full-time],” Clark said. Lopez modeled for LA Fashion Week in October. According to LAFW, the o cial Los Angeles Fashion week website, LA Fashion Week was created 68 years ago as a West Coast alternative to the older New York Fashion Week on the East Coast. “When I applied and got accepted, I was ecstatic,” Lopez said. “It was fast-paced and, I admit, it was a little intimidating.” In preparation for Fashion Week, Lopez trained with Guetcha, a professional supermodel, via Zoom by learning how to walk on a runway with con dence. She also wore her heels whenever she could so she could practice. “It [practicing in heels] got to the point where I could probably run with my heels on,” Lopez said. “I did this so that, come show day, I was con dent in my walking, knowing that I wouldn’t fall. Once I hit the runway, all of the butter ies in my stomach just sort of went away. Walking for a high-end designer in front of so many people felt like the scariest thing in the world, but once I was out there, I realized how much fun and exciting it is.” Clark recently signed to One Management, a worldwide modeling agency, allowing her to be signed in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Europe, as opposed to just Indiana. is allows her to be a candidate for jobs in those locations, despite not living there. She plans on pursuing modeling full time, but is not sure about when that will start. “My plan before [modeling] was to attend a local college,” Clark said. “But my plan has kind of changed now. I do not know if I want to do a gap year or go online. ere are so many options, which I am thankful for.” However, modeling fulltime is not always the end goal. Junior Sierra Combs does one photoshoot every two months, to prioritize school and her other commitments, like cheerleading. Similarly, Sharma is also taking a break from pageants a er holding the year-long Indiana Preteen title for International United Miss (IUM). “I don’t know, we’ll see where life takes me and if I decided to compete again, I might,” Sharma said. Lopez is not yet sure on her long term plans in the industry, and instead wants to focus on breaking as many barriers as she can, while encouraging other models or aspiring models to do the same. “[I am] making sure I constantly encourage myself and others,” Lopez said. “[ at] will be the best way to conquer the modeling industry.” 1. Through the agency LModelz, senior Hannah Clark poses for a picture for photographer Anna Komarov in May 2021. 2. During a photoshoot with photographer Steven Brokaw, senior Hannah Clark poses as her hair blows back in Aug. 2020. This shoot was also through the agency LModelz and her makeup was done by makeup artist Isabel Coons. Photo used with permission of Hannah Clark.