I’m here to lay down the laws of fashion and keep the streets safe of evil fashion-doers and clothing mishaps. So many people are lost in translation when it comes to the world of modelling and if it’s me that has to come across as the diva trying to explain this, then so be it. I can take a few hits.

This is where people’s feelings get hurt. It’s a rough industry because you are dealing with the hearts of young people who have their souls paved on their big dreams of walking the runways in Paris or being photographed by lead photographers all around the world for huge magazine’s like Vogue. Unfortunately, for some, those dreams cannot be realised. It’s the harsh reality that you either don’t have the height, the look, the walk, the figure or the photographic abilities. Really, what it comes down to is Mommy and Daddy’s genes and your genetic/biological fabrication.

In my short career as a stylist, I’ve already come across many teens who, they believe, “are the real deal”. They come in with their nicest dresses/outfits, hair all fixed, make-up done to nines and personality sweating through their pores. As they proceed to show me their ‘book’ with pictures done by their friends with an over priced camera.. that’s when I absolutely shut down from that person and totally lose all interest in them as a potential model.

It’s just what people don’t understand is that when you are a model, you are essentially a clothing rack and nothing else. You are a blank canvas ready to be painted on with the art of clothing. By ‘blank canvas’, I mean, no acne, no straggling hairs, no facial scars, no nothing. When a model is on the runway, nobody is looking at the model, they are admiring the clothing. Publicists, photographers, stylists, designers, make-up artists, journalists, bloggers and all the fashion personas in the world do not give two flying Fendi’s about the model or who they are. All they care about is if the clothing looks good. That’s all.

When people come into a casting with make up done, hair all nice and are all dressed up, I wish I can throw them out a window because I’m not casting for beauty pageants or for actors. I’m looking for people who come in wearing basically a slim shirt where I can see their proportions, slim jeans and heels. Hair loosely done and untouched with no make-up. That’s a person who is ready for a casting. Then I can work with them and give my honest opinion without the superficial looks covering their bodies.

If I do not see any potential, I let them know they do not have what it takes. Sometimes I let them down easy, or if they irritated me from the casting thinking they know everything there is to the modelling world, I tell them straight up. I believe if you’re going to be a professional in this industry, you have to know your strengths, weaknesses and know how to deal with criticism in a positive manner. If a model gets shot down, take what the casting director, designer or stylist says as constructive criticism, not something that was meant to knock you over.

From filming JRW Beauty’s Next Top Model with the team, I learned very quickly who had potential and who hadn’t. I also realised that when we cast for a production, such as this, we must take into consideration who actually has model potential-  rather than cast a girl because of their personality like we did for some of the girls. It’s embarrassing and completely unprofessional. I believe a handful of girls in the competition have major photographic abilities that will take them very far in the modelling industry. If we ever do a season two (which would be amazing) I’d be much more strict with casting. I’d grill them on their walks, their photos and their figures. It’d be pure, high fashion girls that are runway ready.

I’ve hoped that you enjoyed my tireless rant. I’m a young professional and I have big dreams for the future and I know I’m not a model, but I know what a model is, and who has what it takes. People’s feelings get hurt, people’s dreams come to life. It’s all on how much you want something that you will work hard to achieve it. There are things that  some times are naturally not geared for you and there are some things that are. It’s just finding what you’re good at and soaring to the highest degree that will make you standout so you can make a positive impact on this world.