Model Georgia Fowler the next big thing
At just 18, Georgia Fowler would be the envy of any number of aspiring models.
Fowler, represented in New Zealand by Clyne Models and overseas by the world's largest agency, IMG (Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, Gemma Ward), has been making big ripples on the international circuit in the last couple of years, walking at New York Fashion Week and Rosemount Australia.
The Remuera-raised, Diocesan-educated youngster has generated interest from Calvin Klein, YSL, Top Shop and Armani.
Discovered at 13 when she turned up at Clyne with her elder sister, Kate, also a model, Fowler has become the latest Kiwi to be claimed by the Australians, as one of their own. She features in June's Harper's Bazaar cover story titled The Rise of The Australian Supermodel.
Her agents at IMG say she has a killer body and legs that never end, while others in the industry reckon she really is the one to watch.
Paris, Milan, New York . . .who would have guessed? I absolutely love absorbing the culture of the country I am in - things like waking up in Paris and looking out my apartment window and seeing the Eiffel Tower above the rooftops, walking around a city and enjoying everything from the sights, to the people and the food - delicious guimauves and macaroons.
Getting made up can be extremely tedious and it's not always beautiful. I have had full body black spray paint (it had to come off with turpentine the next day), and buckets of water thrown at me. I've had to imprint my face into a box of sand, and I have even had to dump my head into an aquarium, while trying to look half decent and pose for the photographer on the other side of the glass.
There's something about Kiwi women that gives us a natural beauty and an aura, as well as the ability to feel completely comfortable with a beer in hand watching rugby with a group of boys. We are unaware and self-deprecating, which is refreshing.
Modelling might seem like the best job in the world, but like many other jobs, there are a lot of downfalls. While it all sounds glamorous, it is hard having to be away from home for months at a time, and handing all plans to your bookers with no clue what the next week or even day holds.
One thing I've gained from the constant judgment, which is what the industry is based on, is a very tough skin.
True beauty takes three hours in hair and makeup and 20 hours of Photoshop. Ha, ha, but no, at the risk of sounding cliched, true beauty is really an aura and an energy that comes from within. I have seen the most stunning-looking woman's beauty tainted by a frown or bitter words.
Photo shoots or catwalk? I have had some awesome photo shoots, but I've also done some which have had up to 100 outfits (to get in and out of) that weren't so luxurious. Shows are a completely different feeling. It's a real rush of adrenaline coming onto the catwalk, and you always get to hang out backstage with a bunch of friends.
I'm not sure my mum would like me not to take her with me on my travels. Although I have travelled a lot with my family since I was a baby, I am proud the tables have turned and I am now repaying the favour and taking mum or dad on trips with me.
The most amazing experience so far has been working with Nicolas Ghesquiere (Balenciaga), and meeting Sonia Rykiel. While in Paris, I also worked for French magazine L'Officiel and walked for Lacoste. Elsewhere, highlights would be shooting for Teen Vogue, AnOther, British and Australian Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar, as well as various fashion weeks.
I try not to bring up the fact that I'm a model unnecessarily.
Breakfast usually consists of eggs on toast.
In this industry, I'll be old when I'm 22, sadly.
I'm doing a Bachelor of Science degree extramurally, so I hope to do something with that later on.
Not high-fashion material I'm afraid.
