Model Perfect? Local Woman Leaves Fashion Runways To Return To College

Most people think modeling is one of the most glamorous professions a young woman could have.

The reality is a little different.

Over the last three years, I’ve had the chance to discover first-hand the ups and downs of international modeling. Sure, there’s glamour. But it’s more hard work than most people think.

My career started when I was 16. I decided to find out if I had a look that could model. One of my friends had been modeling with the Drezden Modeling Agency in Spokane for awhile and it looked like fun. So I went to meet with Patty at Drezden. She was really honest with me and told me it was a hard job, that I needed to be trained and that it would not happen overnight.

I had no idea how hard it was going to be! Not the training; that was easy. The hard part was everything else.

Modeling, obviously, is all about how you look. So, when you get to the international level, people constantly rip you. About your weight, about your hair, about your “look.” Some of the international agencies were really awful. While I was in Germany last summer for two months, I felt completely isolated from people. The agencies there set you up in private homes so I wasn’t around other models much. It was pretty easy for me to become homesick.

A good agency, like Drezden, can make all the difference. When I was in Greece last spring, I had a great experience. I stayed in a hotel with tons of girls and it made the hard work fun.

But overall, modeling can be a lonely business. You don’t ever make a true good friend because you’re traveling so much. The pictures are pretty and there’s some glamour when they’re doing your hair or makeup for the photo shoot, but what you don’t see is the hard work and stress behind the scenes.

For the most part, the models are not happy. Some of them are anorexic or have emotional problems. Some people are superficial and it’s really competitive.

That said, I must also point out the very good things about modeling. Some of the best friends I’ve made are models - especially the ones from Spokane.

One of the best things about modeling is the traveling and meeting people from all over the world. I have traveled with my family before, but this is different. Living in another country is a great learning experience.

It’s fun to be so cultured and to live in such awesome cities. I also loved doing run-way shows. I never thought I could go so far in modeling, and much of it has been wonderful!

But after working in Germany this summer, I decided to see if college was more fulfilling than modeling. Traveling to Europe twice in the same year was exhausting and I decided I needed a break from the business.

Modeling and college are two unique but definite growth experiences! With each, I have the chance to meet new people and live in a new part of the world. Both have helped me grow in different ways. I have gotten a great education of the modeling industry and now I have a chance to see what college is all about. I think it is important to try both.

Of course, there’s a risk. You have to be young to model, so leaving for college means I have less time for modeling.

It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my life. I had to dig deep into myself and examine my goals in life.

Right now, school is what’s right for me. It’s where I’m the happiest. It’s more fulfilling for me to get a good grade or write a good paper than it is to model. School makes me feel better about myself than modeling right now.

But the fashion industry still interests me. I’m taking my required courses at Utah State University and some merchandizing and design classes, too. My dream is to be a designer. The option is still out there, though, to make it big in modeling first.

I’ve learned I don’t have to choose one or the other right now. An agency in Milan has been pursuing me for some work this summer so I’ll probably do some modeling after school is out.

Now that I know more about what life in that profession is really like, I know I can handle it. I guess it’s all about growing up and being a responsible young adult.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: REALITY CHECK What are the realities of modeling? It’s everything and nothing you imagined it would be. So say three Spokane teens who have made it on the international modeling scene. Melanie Hansen, a Gonzaga Prep grad, and Megan Shoemaker, an LC grad, were home for Christmas and left last week for modeling jobs in Australia and Milan. They had this to say about their jet-set jobs:

Melanie: The best thing is all the people I get to meet from all over the world. I guess the worst thing is not being around my family. I have been really homesick sometimes. (That’s) something I didn’t even think about until I got into the business. I’d advise other people who want to get into modeling to start with someone who has a good reputation, someone you can trust. It’s important, too, to finish high school and be realistic. It’s hard work, fun, amazing and not glamorous!

Megan: One lesson I learned was how much money you have to invest to build a career in modeling. It’s like starting your own business. The worst thing is being far from the ones you love. It’s also tough having to go on eight to 10 appointments a day in an unfamiliar city while keeping a smile on your face. It’s hard work despite what anyone might say! It’s important to be with a very good agency. Otherwise it’s easy to make big mistakes. I’ve been with Drezden since I was 12; they’ve been really honest and helped me make the right choices. The advice I’d give other teen girls is to finish school! Then you’ll be more mature and have some education to back you up. If you have the right look, then I say go for it! It’s a chance of a lifetime.