April 27th, 2017

Walking the runway

​On the Walk to Fashion

Dymea Schippers
Journalism Student

A photo of possible fashion. Photo: Dymea Schippers

   Everyone has stood in a long checkout line at least once and had started reading the cover page of modeling magazines like Vogue or Elle, and had thought it was all looks, but there is more to it then a pretty face.
   When taking an interest in modeling, prepare to overwrite your schedule. From day one these outfitters have to constantly evolve their daily activities around their profession. That can range from hours of fashion shows, posing for sculptures and various artists, and garment buyers.
   There are numerous factors to being a model such as leg length, height, and spine width. Beauty does come as one of these factors, but that all depends of what type of model the agency is looking for.
  For example, there are different types of modeling besides the most common one, fashion modeling. Others include live modeling where personality is more important than body type, commercial print for models that appear in advertisements in magazines and newspapers, and body part modeling showcases different types of the body such as hair, hands, or legs. So, consider any of these options when applying.
   “I was fifteen when I started modeling, but I quit so I could focus on school and plan to start up again this summer,” said Madison McTier, senior.
  Although starting young is a good way to experience the environment early on, it may become a distraction. However, with every business there is always a set of rumors that come with it; in this case it is “modeling myths.”
   “It’s very photo shopped, especially for the plus size models,” said Vaidehi Chinnawar, freshman.    Photo edits are considered a requirement in many magazines and advertisements to make the model stand out more and appeal to viewers.
  “I heard how some of the models ate paper or often abused drugs and alcohol, but this didn’t have an affect on my decision. Once I joined the agency with my childhood friend Tyra Banks those rumors were laid to rest,” said April Oliver, retired model.
  Although each person's story of how they started modeling is different, McTier and Oliver said that they both learned to develop more people skills with the diverse and open environment.

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