The act, the art, or the career of someone who models is simply referred to as “modeling.” Walking a runway may be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of the world of modeling, but in reality, there is a great deal more to it than that. There are around 16 distinct forms of modeling, some of which are as follows: body part modeling, child modeling, editorial modeling, fitness modeling, and fashion modeling, to name a few. The term “fashion modeling” refers to a variety of activities, including walking the runway or catwalk, marketing high-end fashion goods for designers, and, in certain instances, editorial modeling.
An individual who showcases, promotes, or advertises a product is referred to as a model. The works of art that are created by creatives are reflected in models. In the past, being a model required a lot of hard work and dedication, but in today’s world, there are several kinds of modeling that cater to people of all sizes, shapes, and body types. To become a model, one need just zero in on a certain modeling specialty, compile a modeling portfolio, hone their skills, go to modeling casting calls, and be signed with a modeling agency.
In spite of the fact that entering the world of modeling has become somewhat less difficult, the hurdles that models encounter have not diminished in any way. Many young models with aspirations of making it big one day have the goal of achieving modeling success. But with this degree of success comes a host of difficulties, including the continual struggle to boost one’s self-esteem and the struggle to cope with criticism, the pressure that comes from users of social media platforms, the need to live a healthy lifestyle, the strain to constantly look picture-perfect, and so on.
The world’s most successful models have all, at some time in their careers, wrestled with how other people see them. While some of them bring it up in conversation, others have continued their professions without uttering a word about it. On the episode of the podcast titled “RealPod with Victoria Garrick” that aired on June 21, 2023, former Victoria’s Secret models Jasmine Tookes and Josephine Skriver discussed the fakeness of runway modeling, which was another element of modeling that very few people were aware of.
Tookes and Skriver, both of whom formerly worked as models for Victoria’s Secret, were as guests on an episode of the RealPod hosted by Victoria Garrick. During the course of the event, the models revealed the work that goes into developing their persona in preparation for their walk down the catwalk.
The replies that Tookes and Skriver gave when Garrick questioned the models whether they recognized the impact that runway modeling had on the individuals who watch fashion shows demonstrated that they knew from own experience how it has an effect on people.
“It was a strange time because you realize that you were getting a massive amount of eyes looking at you,” Skriver said. “It was a weird time.” “We got signed right when social media was also exploding, so it was this combination of everyone’s going to know you for this glamorous side, takes two and a half hours in hair and makeup, personal trainers, this whole situation,” she continued. “We got signed right when social media was also exploding.”
Skriver made the observation that although if social media has been utilized to exhibit their glamorous aspects, it has also offered the chance to exhibit their genuine selves. She said that it wasn’t until she learned that fans were interested with the minor aspects that she felt she had the obligation to show them how much effort was put into getting her figure. Her followers were infatuated with the fact that she was obsessed with the little details.
Tookes said that she gets comments on Instagram from fans congratulating her for being all put together, which she swiftly shuts down by reminding them that her appearance on social media is simply a version of her. This revelation served to substantiate the assertions made by Skriver.
As the talk progressed, Skriver said that she is no longer recognized when she presents her true self to the world. Even after spending a considerable amount of time standing in front of billboards, she said that there were times when no one recognized her.
“I’m like, ‘I don’t even look like my images.’ My mother would sometimes say something like, “Is that you? I had no idea you were capable of pulling off such a look.'”
The discoveries made by Skriver and Tookes demonstrated the other side of the modeling industry and helped educate people about the reality of the situation in a significant manner.