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Meet Devon's up and coming alternative model
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just fell into it,” Harriet begins. “It wasn’t
like a lifetime dream or goal, it was just
something I woke up one morning and
decided to try.” However, she admits that
she was looking for a little self-confidence.
“I’ve fought with depression and anxiety
for about 5 years, alongside battling on
and off with an eating disorder. I needed
a hobby to give me something positive to
focus on so that I could overcome it and
feel happier in myself.” Modelling can
be considered ruthless and unrealistic,
often giving people a false depiction of
the ‘perfect woman’. This leads to stick
thin models skipping meals and being
slimmed down even more on Photoshop.
However, this is not something Harriet
stands for. Working against this trend,
Harriet uses modelling as a reason to feel
comfortable in her own skin, rather than
a reason to start losing a few pounds.
“Modelling is the best thing I’ve ever done
for my confidence. On bad days I look at
some of the images and achievements
I’ve worked on and feel a bit better.
Everyone struggles with certain aspects
of themselves and their confidence, but
I’m a much stronger person now than I
was before I pushed myself out of my
comfort zone and tried modelling. I >>
celebrities, who plaster our TV screens,
billboards and glossy magazine covers.
These people live in a separate world
to the average person. They spend their
days followed by the paparazzi, attending
the latest fashion parades, and receiving
6 figure sponsorships from the leading
clothing and cosmetic brands. This
brings us to one conclusion: no normal
person will ever become a model. But the
problem is that this is simply incorrect.
Anyone willing to put in enough effort
can work their way up the ranks of any
industry – regardless of their background
– and modelling is no different.
This crucial piece of information is the
backbone to Harriet Isobel’s modelling
career, the 18 year old from a small
village in North Devon. Harriet may live
200 miles away from London, but has
not let this put herself at a disadvantage,
and has dove head first into the world of
modelling.
“To begin with I had no real intention or
aspiration to become a model, I sort of
Words: Juliet Sawyer Photos: Stuart Green
Spring 2016 06
Fashion
Keen, creative and confident: three words to describe Harriet Isobel.
e only see modelling as an
achievable career for the
likes of Cara Delevigne, Kate
Moss, and all the other A-list
feel so much better for braving that first
step, and won’t ever look back.”
As a modelling newbie, Harriet began
researching the industry, and established
her first few contacts. “Once you’ve
worked with as little as one or two people,
you’d be amazed how quickly your name
gets out there.” Her work varies from
modelling for an anti-bullying campaign
– which Harriet feels “immensely proud
to be involved in” – to modelling at The
Big Sheep Amusement Park’s wedding
show (yes, that included wearing bridal
gowns on the death slides, trampolines,
and what not. Who wouldn’t want to do
that?) Harriet’s work may be nationally
and internationally published, but it’s not
all about the scale of her achievements.
Harriet also sees modelling as something
to do for herself, explaining, “Modelling
is a focus and a way for me to be creative
and express myself. Photoshoots give me
something to plan and look forward to,
and seeing the finished result of a shoot
is always a proud moment.”
Social media plays a huge role in
Harriet’s modelling, which she describes
as “a powerful tool.” She explains, “if
you can build a big fan base, then bigger
companies are more likely to want to
work with you as you have already made
yourself recognised.” With over 8,000
likes on her Facebook page, social media
became a gateway into modelling, giving
Harriet the chance to contact people
she’d probably never get to meet in real
07 Spring 2016
life. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you
know, and coming from a small village
like me, social networking and access
to the internet are two key factors to
getting known and making progress.”
So what’s next? Harriet looks very
optimistically into the future of
modelling. “Progression is always being
made and new regulations on height
and weight discrimination are coming in
all the time. Different body types, body
shapes, weight, height, gender, race etc.
are all now able to access the modelling
industry more easily than before – which
is how it should be.” On the contrary,
there are of course challenges when
it comes to modelling too. “It can be
extremely competitive and isn’t always
easy to make your own mark, but it’s
the same as any line of work – if you
are good at it, it will show. Life would
be boring and pointless without a bit of
competition, you just have to play nicely.”
And so it seems that that the only way
is up, and perhaps now is one of the
best times in modelling. Young, creative
minds are taking the first steps in a new
generation of fashion. New boundaries
are being set and rules are being broken.
If anyone is curious about getting more
involved in the industry, Harriet advices
you to “do your research and keep your
head held high. It’s not always the easiest
industry to work in but if you have a
passion, utilize it.”
Spring 2016 08
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