Road to Runway-Prologue

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This phrase is synonymous with childhood. As a young child, I would not hesitate announcing proudly what I wanted to do with my life. For as long as I can remember, I have had a desire to express myself, but it wasn’t until the sixth grade when I discovered what specific outlet suited my passion. Back then, expressing my interest in modeling was viewed by adults as “cute,” but as I mature I realize that many people view modeling as an unrealistic and shallow profession to pursue. In high school, when asked the even more infamous question, “what are you going to do with your life?” I hesitate, not wanting to evoke the disappointed and concerned looks of teachers and adults.

It wasn’t until this past summer that my hopes were becoming reality. On my flight to New York City I was very optimistic because the Vice President of my dream modeling agency had reached out to me via social media, but that did not suppress the butterflies I felt in my stomach. The meeting was not until the next day, so I was stuck with myself and the thousands of scenarios of the interview’s outcome circulating in my psyche. With my head held high, I approached the building and silenced the negative thoughts in my mind. I didn’t feel as though my height would inhibit me from being signed since those who had communicated with me were positive and encouraging regardless of my shorter stature.

Never before had I felt like every part of me was being magnified and scrutinized, as if all my minor flaws were being detected. However, it was not a minor detail which they deemed unsuitable, but a major flaw of which I have no control over. One inch away from my pie in the sky, or should I say my salad. “5’10’’ can do anything, 5’9’’, we can live with, 5’8’’ now that’s unthinkable,” was continuously ringing in my ears on the airplane home. I was questioning all the dreams I’ve had since my early childhood. I was not prepared for this failure to come in full force over the course of two days.

While I have not yet physically grown since this experience, I have emotionally matured in many ways. I find it unjust for models to be judged solely on aspects that cannot be altered or changed. These minor “flaws” are not detrimental to the advertisement due to the fact that a model’s body is not what is being sold. I have not given up my dream of becoming a model and have since been signed with a new agency. With this opportunity, I want to make prevalent the body issues within the world of modeling and join the fight to dispel them. Celebrating differences rather than shaming them is my new goal. Later this fall, I will be entering into the University of Cincinnati’s college of DAAP where I will be studying fashion design. With this amazing opportunity, I will hopefully begin to reach this aim. Today’s lifestyle completely revolves around social media, so I’m diving directly into that world. Earlier senior year I said my goal was to have a website with blogs and videos about my journey and what I am learning in the world of fashion and...here I am. While at UC, academically I want to delve deeper into the psychology of fashion and its impact on the world, different cultures, and the image of self value it brings about. Ultimately, I want to educate other people about how it is perfectly okay to admire the Victoria Secret models, but it is also okay to admire yourself for how you were made. Now, as I am asked the question “what do you want to do with your life,” I see a plan transforming before me as I begin to share my failures and growth towards success in a future that is not “one size fits all.”

Thank you all so much for reading my first blog! Linked above you can find my YouTube channel where I will be posting videos in accordance with my blogs. I can’t wait to start this new chapter in my life and I hope you continue this journey with me on my Road to Runway.

xx.

G.

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