A day in the life of a model

This is in the context of if you receive a non-requested casting - meaning you are going to be one of very many other hopeful models, possibly one hundred or even more. A requested casting is less time-consuming but more difficult to receive because you must be personally requested by the client.

The casting call time is 10:00; how you get there is no one else’s problem but yours so you either catch a bus, get an Uber or get dropped off. The casting is generally not located near where you reside so take the day off from whatever you have planned because you don't actually know when you'll be done. Arrive at the casting at 9:45 because you should always be early; sometimes there's a list of those attending, sometimes there isn't, if there is then mark yourself as present and go wait in line.

One hour has passed by and they’re only on number eighteen so you may want to keep yourself busy. Two hours have passed by and your stomach is churning, all you can think about is getting something to eat but don’t you dare leave because if your number is called and you aren’t there then too bad, you’re out. Look on the bright side, at least you’re not bloated.

As the third hour passes, it’s 12:45, and number 87 is called, you’re up. Go strut your stuff, show them why you deserve the job. Don’t be distracted by the other three girls that are walking side-by-side with you and don’t doubt yourself even though you all look identical with your sleek buns and all-black casting outfits, I’m sure you stand out. After your short-lived walk for the judges, you’re dismissed at 13:00 with a simple nod, no eye contact and no “thank you for your time”. Leave the venue and wait until you get a response.

A few days pass by and you’re told by your agency that you’ve been “released”; you didn’t make the cut. Was it the fact that you and the other models all looked like quadruplets in your casting outfits? Or was it because you stood no chance as the judges have their favourites and have already chosen their models prior to the casting? Regardless, pull yourself together because you have another one to attend tomorrow. A similar process as above occurs, just different times and location, fast forward a few days and you get the runway show job.

For the show, you can experience a day like this. 8:30-9:00 is call time, this is if you’re lucky because this is considered late. 9:00-12:00 are fittings, there are no breaks until you’ve fitted your garments, matched your shoes and jewellery to each outfit and lined up for approval. This time slot depends on how many models and garments there are i.e six garments per designer and twelve designers… you see where I’m going with this?

12:00-13:00 is “lunch”. I say this with inverted commas because sometimes food is provided but don’t get your hopes up, it’s often just a cocktail sandwich or there isn’t enough time for you to find somewhere to buy your own food. If luck is on your side, there is food but it’s a gamble. Hair and make-up continues from 13:00 until showtime which varies but let’s say 19:00, however, it usually starts later than scheduled.

Hair and make-up is a lengthy process and is prolonged when you have a mane for hair and a very enthusiastic hair stylist. If you’re one of the first to have your hair and make-up completed, good for you, now you can wait. By now, you may have a headache, you’re starving, thirsty and ready for a nap but don’t go anywhere because you have to practice your walk. If you do manage to get some time then go eat that pizza because you deserve it.

During the show, expect to lose your mind. Throw on the first look and rush, rush, rush to line up, wait five minutes and do your best ramp walk. As soon as you’ve completed your walk and you’re out of sight from the audience, bolt to the change room and strip. Pull on the next look and bolt back to line up, only to wait another five minutes, then walk like you’re not sweating and missing a fake eyelash. Repeat the above steps until the last garment has been walked. When the show is over, don’t expect anything – you may receive some food and you may not receive any food at all but hey, you’re a model.

Side note: The point of this post is not at all to bash the modelling industry or discourage any aspiring models from pursuing their dreams. I’m simply shedding some light on what it’s truly like to be a model because it is often mistaken for something else and in doing so, I hope to change the minds of the prejudice onlookers.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, no, we don’t get to keep the garments that we model in and we don’t see the full amount of money that we earn, half of the earnings are taken for tax and an agency fee, for every job. Those of us that have not yet become supermodels are just like any other person trying to make it in the real world so please respect our passion for what it really is.