The next chapter of life…
When I first started in the fashion industry (I was 15), a model that I admired said to me ‘You go out of this industry the way you came in, as no one.’
Now although this is not entirely true, (because if you are smart enough you would have at least saved a bit of money or travelled)these words stayed with me, and I was determined to make sure that I am out of the industry before my time is up. It amazes me how a small statement made from someone I can’t even remember the name of will stay with me forever.
I got back to Australia a year and a half ago faced with a question that haunts most people in their adolescence…. What do I want to do with myself!!!
In the past I have wanted to be a lawyer, a vet, a nutritionist, a detective, but that is another 4-6 years of studying and work experience, and I am now accustomed to a certain lifestyle. How can I go back to being a student?
Although I was completely burnt out from the fashion industry, it is pretty ignorant to let 7 years of experience go to waste, even if I am bored. I decided to start sourcing ways to make it work while still keeping myself entertained.
I am a very lucky girl in the way that I have managed to make friends with people of all ages, all over the world and in completely different industries. Now this is a benefit over most models because many girls world- wide start very young and do not finish school. They are not encouraged to be business minded or to make relationships with clients (other than to do a good job), and when no one wants them anymore, they are often left with nothing!
In Australia particularly, I have experienced agents/ managers acting like they are my mother to the point that for a while I couldn’t even get my hair cut without permission, and lets not begin to mention the bullying to make you think that no client would want you if the agent didn’t talk them into it! Not the best thing to say to a young, impressionable girl.
Determined to find a job that I enjoy and will be able to climb the ladder due to my own success, I asked all my friends to take me to work with them.
Job 1- Removalist….. that didn’t work out.
Job 2- Work experience with a male friend who was starting up a social media company. I trekked in and out of the city almost every day learning about social media. The guys I worked with were lovely, but I constantly kept being promised a paid job every 2 weeks and it never happened. I stopped going in and was actually asked why I stopped coming!
If you were continuously told you would be paid over 3 months, would you show up again?
Job 3- My friend is the advertising manager of Instyle magazine, so I went in to work with Instyle and Who. Honestly, Pacific Publications is one of the most amazing companies I have ever worked for. Everyone was so nice and helpful but I was still determined to try my hand at Public Relations before I made the plunge into a full time job.
I was at a shoot one day and casually mentioned to the make up artist that I want to be in PR. She got me in touch with her friend, who took me under her wing immediately.
It was so much fun. Preparing photo shoots and events all day. For the first month I learned so much but after that I was asked to clean dishes, be a taxi driver and be an errand girl constantly. I was even escorted out of the QVB by security after being told that I was allowed to park in the loading dock (turns out that conversation did not actually happen which I ended up paying for)!
The final straw was when a model threw up at a shoot due to jet lag and I was asked to clean it!! Eww.
I never went back. There is a certain point when you need to draw the line when you work for free all day everyday. I was surprised that I was treated this way after all of the hours and hard work I put into it but you live and you learn.
After several false starts, things are starting to look up. I am doing experience with a great company and the girls are amazing and genuinely helpful. One important point I immediately noticed is when you call people from this company, everyone is happy to talk to you and hear from you. It only goes to show how important reputation and being nice to people is.
Transition is not an easy road, and I still don’t know where it will take me, but the change and learning has been very exciting and everyday I find I am looking forward to see what will happen and what I will achieve. A year ago, trying new things after 7 years the fashion vortex was an intimidating nightmare and the statement that girl made when I was 15 haunted me. However, although I haven’t succeeded yet, maybe it was the best theory I was ever told.
Preparing for the next chapter for life to begin……
