Who has not looked at a beautiful model walking down the ramp in a fashion show and felt envious of her glamorous lifestyle? Most of us, at one point in life, admire models for their charm and poise. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that many of us have even dreamt of becoming models. But the question arises, is modeling all about having a pretty face and specific physical traits? Many people consider this profession easy as long as you have a pretty face and a petite figure. However, that is far from the truth. Modeling takes a lot of effort and skill to make a name for yourself.
The fact is that a mold of absurd beauty standards had been set by society ages ago, and models had no option but to conform to those conventional aesthetics. This meant that models had to be of a standard height and weight. Throughout the 20th century, they continued to lose weight until they resembled stick figures. The focus was more on becoming a size zero and accentuating their facial features. However, times have changed, and the fashion industry has evolved, giving way to diversity and inclusivity.
Now, modeling is more about authenticity, being yourself, and accepting your natural beauty and body shape, whether you are curvy or have a slim body type. It is more profound than simply displaying clothes; it requires style and elegance to flaunt whatever one is wearing. When it comes to fashion or beauty, being authentic to reflect your personality can make all the difference. This is exactly what fashion model Amanda Lavery believes in and encourages aspiring models to do the same.
Amanda Lavery started her journey in the competitive world of modeling at a very young age. However, she quickly managed to carve a niche for herself due to her confidence and the fact that she embraced her originality. Talking about her modeling journey, she shares, “As a model, I started out very young and was taken out of school. Being in different foreign countries can be intimidating at the age of 16 especially traveling and working on your own.” She further went on to say, “However, you learn to adapt and trust yourself and build up the confidence needed to work in the modeling world. The same ethics apply to being an entrepreneur. And it won’t be wrong to say that my modeling experiences gave me the tools to communicate, trust my intuition, and quickly adapt.”
As she worked her way up to become a professional model and influencer, her passion and self-belief also led her to progress as a marketer and venture into the world of entrepreneurship. Although she has bagged many achievements at a very young age, Amanda believes there is still a long way to go. When it comes to her success mantra, she reveals, “It is important to believe in yourself and what you are trying to achieve. It can become overwhelming sometimes, but remember why and what started your idea or dream.”
According to the model and influencer, if you want to excel in the modeling industry, you have to be authentic and be yourself. “Apart from that, working hard is the only secret ingredient in the recipe for success. Like most people, I have worked really hard to get where I am today. My journey is no short of ups and downs, but despite it all, I have managed to make the best of it. So today, I can proudly say that I am glad to be where I am. I am proud of every step that I took and mistakes that I have made,” she stresses.
She advises up-and-coming models to be authentic as it allows them to evolve by embracing their mistakes. It’s a worthy goal that will take some time to achieve, so don’t rush. Instead, take little steps, be unafraid to fail, and never, ever let anyone try to tell you who you are.
Remember, becoming your authentic self is a life-long practice. As you grow and mature, your authentic self will change and evolve. However, if you allow yourself and the people around you to shine, it will make your life and the lives of those around you brighter. Amanda Lavery concluded by saying these words, “I have learned a great deal from both modeling and being an entrepreneur, and both have taken me around the world. I have had the experience of meeting some amazing people and places.”
