Travelblog 2: Model trip Istanbul

Today exactly one year ago I came back from my first and (quite sure) last international model trip. Ever since I went abroad for modelling, people ask me the same questions. For that reason, but also to reflect on that time internationally modelling, I am writing this blog. I hope you get a little insight in a models life (read: my model life) and the things I learned from that kind of life. Be aware that there are different types of models, commercial and high fashion. Every agency also focusses on either one or both. This means every model has a different story depending on market, country, agent and model ‘level’.

How is it to live in a tiny model apartment with many models?

So actually three questions are asked. How is living in a small apartment. And how are models in their home moods? Anddd how do those two things combine. Well I lived in a small house with a maximum of ten models, two rooms, one office/living room, one shower, two toilets and one kitchen. I am used to living in small rooms, say 10 squared metres, but living in that same space with three other girls on bunk beds was something I needed to get used to. You need to get along with each other since you know you will be there for two months, so you try to be your best self of course. But after a while you can feel your general (less positive) home moods coming up as well, which is normal. The bond with your roommates is growing, and I had this in particular with two girls. I cannot imagine my stay without them. It is something special we shared. They were there when you needed them and the other way around. Remembering the moment I created a figure under my blanket with pillows, so I could sleep for one night with my boyfriend in the hotel on the other side of the street. It was crazy that this was necessary, but my roommates got my back. I could not sleep that night, because I was afraid the agent would find out.

Did you make money?

No. This was also not my aim for the two month trip. I did it for the experience and this was way more worth it than money would ever do. Nevertheless, I did not lose money as well. Everything is payed for you if you have an on-stay contract: flights, weekly pocket money, apartment, diners, gym, spa, parties etc. Butttt, this also means you come there again for your boss and not for yourself… You can not go out after 11pm (cameras were there to make sure we did not), you cannot buy all sweets, fats and not (modelling) worthy food. You need to stay in the same shape and size as how they booked you. It depends per agency for sure how strict they are with rules. To come back to the question, I did not make money. And many people ask me then why I did not… Well, in my opinion my appearance was just not right for the clients my agency had. They always wanted someone with a more cute face, bigger boobs, bigger size than mine 34/36 (which I see as a good thing), more beautiful hair and full lips etc. My appearance was just seen as more high fashion I guess, while at the same time my height is not for that market. I have always been in between those two markets, too small for high fashion, but too different faced for commercial market. And that is fine, I have been conscious about this fact, and I chose realistic goals based on that.

Did you have many shootings?

To start off and give you a quick image: I had 105 castings and I had only 2 jobs, an Instagram promo video and a fitting job in which I just was a living doll: dress, twist and turn, undress and dress again. I had many test shootings in the first couple of weeks. Normally that is good and shows that the agency is putting effort in you. These photos were supposed to fill up my portfolio with images the clients of our agency would like. Nevertheless, the photos were not printed… Test shootings were always in the weekend or in the evening after a long day of castings. This was tough, because you could not live the life you wanted to. It was more than a full time job.

Did you like it?

First things first. I knew I would come to Istanbul for work. It is not the same as going on a holiday or quick city trip. I liked it the first week and it was all exciting, but after some time I felt trapped inside a house. We needed to stay inside most of the time and could not do much. And for people who know me, I love being outside, explore, do my own thing for sure. This was something I struggled with. Also the communication was amazingly bad. I have a grudge against those situations. I learned a lot about myself and coping with these situations, because sometimes you can not do anything. I had no choice. The director has the right to somehow form and plan your days. If they want you to put extra make-up on, you do, because they say and they pay for you being there. This was my case. If you know me you probably also know that I dislike wearing a lot of make-up daily. I love to give my skin some air. Whenever I normally put makeup on it is just only concealer, mascara and sometimes an eyeliner or a darker eyeshadow color in the outer corner of the eye. Right in Istanbul, totally different to Milan for example, they wanted full make-up since they taught that a model was good in front of the camera if she could do her own make-up and styling… 

Living in Istanbul taught me great lessons, let me meet wonderful human beings and a different culture. The food has been amazing, the free gym, swimming pool and sauna in a five star hotel as well. I would never forget this trip and the people I met. I am really grateful for that.