The Model Van

Greetings again from Istanbul. So if you've ever seen pictures of the insane city, you would know that is it absolutely massive! The tiny little hilly stone paved streets are a mess and the most confusing thing I've ever seen in my life. I believe today was the first day I actually saw a street sign. It would probably take a person about 3 hours to go across the entire city; Europe side to the Asia side. With traffic, crazy drivers, and the vast of land it covers, there would be no way to navigate this city with a map and bus routes; therefore, we get a driver :)
Now you would think, "Oh shit, that's pretty cool. You have your own driver." BUT the two cars the agency has is shared between every single model in town. So if you have a casting close to the time that someone has a job then you are that van quite awhile in order to drop people off and get to where you need to go. And these cars are NOT the most comfortable or spacious when every model is crammed in. There may be 3 rows of seats but those 3 rows are filled with 12 models at times. A great example of this wonderful thing called having a driver was yesterday.
So yesterday myself and two other girls had castings starting at 7 and 2 girls at a job at 6:45 so in order to get the bathroom I was up at 5:30. Yea, 5:30! You might ask well why didn't you shower the night before? Well that is for a different blog. So the driver shows up at 7 and us 3 girls that live here hopped in the car to go fetch the 4th girl from the other apartment. We snag her and off to drop them at their job. Weaving in and out of traffic, up and down the steep hills, dotching speed bumps, we finally arrive 30 minutes to their job. Our wonderful driver makes sure they made it inside okay, and then us 3 remaining girls are off the Asia side of Istanbul. Traffic was too bad on the way there so we made it to the casting at 8:15 am and was told that client wouldn't even be in for another 45 minutes!!! WHAT!!! We were almost an hour early! WTF! After an hour, other models showed up and then we were told that one of the designers was running late so we waited almost another hour before we even saw the client. ALMOST 2 HOURS OF WAITING!!!
The clients are there so we go up, and they don't like any of us ICE models so that was a pointless ass trip. On top of that, our driver had to leave to take another girl to a job so another agency's driver was taking us home, and who did the client like, those models in that agency that we were riding with. So after 3 hours of being there, we finally were able to leave and were heading to the agency. Once there I learn that me and one other girl have a casting in about 20 minutes so we get back in the car and off again to the most traffic filled part of the city, the rich shopping district. Now we had already been here yesterday but this young, non-English speaking driver told us the wrong building so we missed the casting. So back we were at the same spot and the driver, again, told us the wrong building! So we walk out of the building, he's like no no this one, and it was the one I had pointed to and asked him if it was it and he said no. We enter the right building and finally get to the casting which went real smooth. The client spoke really good English and the company was actually part American owned so I'm glad we finally made it. After a quick wardrobe change, we were back in the car and back in the traffic heading to a fashion show casting for some god-awful dresses.
We were the last ones to show so we waited for the other 10 girls to go and then it was our turn to impress the client with these wonderful curtain like shorts and nasty makeup covered white shirt. Needless to say, I'm pretty sure I didn't get that job. Once everyone was done, 2 girls went in the small car and the rest of us were off to drop only 3 girls off at their casting. So we drove dropped them off and waited 30 minutes in the cramped, smoke-filled van for those 3 girls to finish. Then off to drop 1 girl at a job and one more casting for the rest of us. We go and after 30 minutes we leave. Finally at 6:45 we are heading home!
Now having a driver is pretty nice just so we don't have to worry about getting lost or being late, but the majority of our days if we don't have jobs are spent seeing Istanbul through the dirty windows of the model van. We've been to some pretty cool parts of town but I only witnessed them in the van. And this van attracts a lot of attention
Imagine seeing a van filled with 5-10 models slowly drive by (windows not tinted). Your eyes would be hooked on that van. As are all the Turkish people that see us drive by. And when we stop it's like a freakin circus car. Model after model after model jumping out of this little van. So many eyes turn our eye and gawk at us. and they aren't shy about it. They will stand and stare and talk Turkish right at you. And you know they are talking about you because they point and comment and look you up and down. It's as though no one has ever seen girls wear sky-high heels and move in packs. gosh :) Our model van is an attraction to say the least. It is like a creep magnet for all those weird Turkish men to get their fix of beauty for the minute or two they see us. Imagine being on the inside of the van and feeling like a piece of meat from the moment you exit until you get in the building to the casting or job. No fun!
So now you know a little about the model van. We ride in it for hours through the crazy, tiny, ever-so bumpy, hilly Turkish streets with no seat belts and filled to the brim. Now that's what I call luxury :)
Next up, a little story I like to call Models on Parade. Have a wonderful day my little readers! MUAH!

Bunk Bed Living

Model Apartments. What can I say about model apartments...

They are interesting to say the least! Crammed little apartments that smell of cigs and filled with bunk beds. The goal with the model apartment is to charge us girls as much as possible and have as many girls stay in it as physically possible. Even if they have to sleep on couches or make-shift beds, they will fit 9 girls in a tiny one bedroom apartment if need be. Maximum possible profit!!
So here in Turkey our apartment is actually on the same floor as the modeling agency and the only thing that separates us from the agents is a bathroom. Talk about watching over us; they can just walk in and make sure we are here and not doing anything bad. But the apartment isn't too bad. It's two bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, cozy kitchen, and a main space with a tv and video library. The kicker: there's 4 sets of bunk bed and a single bed all crammed in here. Plus, every girls suitcase. The lucky ones who got here first were able to hang their clothes in the whopping two wardrobes per room and as for the rest, well it's still in my suitcase. There is quite a lot of shelf space and a fridge in our room but my space has become my lil top bunk with baby ladder. Yes, I am currently on the top of a bunk bed from the 90's. That is a models apartment for you. Crammed, suitcases everywhere, and expensive!!

The amount they charge us for rent is unbelievable! It equals about $500 a month and times that by 7, and they own it, so this is all profit for them. The sucky thing is is that we had no choice. We don't know anyone in  Turkey so where the hell are we suppose to stay. And I learned yesterday that apartments here are so freaking cheap; I would say this one rents out for around $400 maybe. So do the math.
It would be a dream come true if there was an agency out there that actually gave us fair prices for everything. We have to get comp cards, books, prints, put on the website, have to have a driver here, and other miscellaneous expenses that show up on our accounts. This is the part of the modeling world that people are trying to change, but honestly, you can really change the power of control here because there are way too many models and not enough are going to actually stand up. There are always going to be those ones that will work for cheaper so everyone has to work for cheaper. It's a dog eat dog world and luckily I'm American!! Us American girls get a little bit better rates (or atleast use to) and once we are done over here, we get to go back home to a great country with all the comforts and our rates raise when we come back. The more traveling you have under your belt along with the more tears and foreign photo shoots, the more your rate goes up which means more money for you and for the agent. But the country you go to has to do its job too, if they are getting you those shoots then boom out of there. Also, being American means we don't have to worry about visas as much. Now I did end up having to get one here but to get into America is so incredibly difficult for foreigners. They usually have to pay hundreds just to get into the country and plus the ticket over so I am sooo sooo happy I'm an American.
Well anywho that was just a snippit into what a model deals with when overseas. Small apartments and crazy expensives. Why do it? Because if it works out, then you can land some major money and shots that will benefit you in the American market. It seems crazy but what isn't crazy in this industry.
Talk soon! Spill more about Turkey some other day!

work, work, work

I'm in Istanbul!!!!! After 12 hours of flying, two hours of waiting for my driver and almost having a breakdown, an hour of crazy bumper to bumper to traffic, i am finally here! The flights were early and smooth. The plane food was not too shabby, especially accompanied with some wine.....I may have started the trip with wine just so I would stop crying and would be able to sleep. They gave us chicken with rice and veggies, green beans, salad, and a little desert for dinner. Then for breakfast they had eggs, some weird grilled cheese, bread, fruit cup, and veggie thing. So overall it wasn't a bad trip, until I got to the airport.
First, they forced me to get a visa even though I've never had to get one for any other country, but they are special here (I think it's because they are part Europe and part Asia so they don't count themselves as really anything other than their own, fabulous country...a little ego there). So after going through the passport line twice, I grab my bag which was surprisingly fast. Then I get to the door where there were literally 50 people lined up with pieces of paper with names on them. After walking through the line, not seeing my name, I walked through it again and knew everyone knew I was like a lost puppy. Still no name. So I thought and thought and well there were places to buy sim cards so I did that, but I couldn't activate it for two hours. Then  I tried a "pay phone" which was all in Turkish and so I just hung up because I didn't want to get charged a million dollars. So I then walked the line again like a sad dog and still nothing. Starting to freak out. I stopped and thought "no, I'm not a freakin child. My agent gave me several different phone numbers and ways to get ahold of him" so I saw a wifi spot plopped down on my computer and after 15 minutes of figuring out how to get on I messaged the hell out of him. Luckily, being so awesome, he answered within 10 minutes and 5 minutes later I found my driver. Who I think forgot because I know I didn't see him the 20 million times I looked at all the signs. But I found him and the hour of traffic felt like nothing.
So we get to the agency and they are super friendly. Trying to speak to an American with broken English is always kinda interesting to hear what they come up with. They try really hard and are so cute about it. After getting all of my numbers, they tell me I have a job in the morning. WHAT!! already! so at 8:00 pm. I learn I have a job the next morning after traveling 14 some odd hours. That is the life of a model! But now the jet lag is kicking in and I feel like I could be up for hours. The lack of sleep doesn't bother me because damn it, I'm here (Thank God to my agent) and I already have a job which is pretty kickass. Even if it's just a repetitive internet job...pose, change, pose, change...I'll take it. The better ones will come and I have to earn money somehow. After all the tears that today brought, I made it and I didn't jump off the aircraft and jump in my man's arms. I was really really tempted but I'm a big girl. YAY :)

The Flight is BOOKED!

It's totally official that I am heading to Turkey on Tuesday! I got the official email for my flight information and I'm getting more and more nervous and excited! These past couple of weeks have been going by like snails ever since I heard the news that I get to go overseas. So today I decided a little shopping was in order to celebrate.
Now traveling abroad means giving up my wonderful wardrobe that I've worked so hard to create and living in a single suitcase for three months. I will be the first one to say that I am a HORRIBLE packer. I am definitely one of those people that packs a weeks worth of clothing for a two day trip. Now, Brendan has definitely been a huge help in my packing woes. He has shown me the ways of taking a single carry-on bag for a week trip, and it was so much less stressful than having to check a bag and then having too much on a trip where basically were in swimsuits the whole time.
In order to not bring 4 suitcases, there are some basic rules that a model needs to follow. 1. Bring the things that you love. 2. The things that you wear at least twice a week 3. And the things that you feel the most comfortable in. Now, my closet is pretty crazy so the first thing that I've had to do is load up on the basics that I don't already have. White/black loose tanks, underwear (so I don't have to a lot of laundry :), plain well-fitting tees, and a basic sky-high set of heels. Hence the following new set of boots that I've been eyeing for the past month. And they were on SALE!!!

These shoes are ginormous yet comfortable and won't make me feel so short compared to the 6 foot amazon that I will be on castings with. Beyond the basics and these shoes will pretty much be my favorite things like my leather jacket that Bren got me last year for Christmas and a couple of his t-shirts that I love, love to wear. They are comfy, have sweet designs, and well they are from his own company...(mysticmagicclothing.wordpress.com) Also, I've kinda been stocking all the model blogs that show the girls on castings so that I know what I am up against. It has been quite awhile since I've been on a casting with 50 other girls for one job so through lots of deliberating I think that I am going to have a pretty solid suitcase by the time I get done. I remember the first time that I was going through all of my clothes deciding what to take and it was a major struggle. I ended up with my large suitcase and another smaller but had to check suitcase, a backpack, laptop case, and a crammed purse. Walking through the airports and subways with all of that baggage was a sweaty mess. The second time I traveled I cut my things in half. One thing I learned was that once I get over there away from my closet and comfort of everything that I usually only want to wear my favorite things so I didn't even end up wearing half the things I brought. So this time it's just going to be me in my suitcase. Everything that I love and would never think twice about if I wanted to wear it or not.
Now when I scanned all the models' looks on the internet, it was basically what I already do. The model uniform is sky-high heels, short shorts, and a barely there top (for the most part). So the purchase of my new boots were a must have. Even though I am a good couple inches taller than Brendan with them on, I love them. They are my new go-to casting shoes, comfy and majorly fashion forward, with a little bit of a Lady Gaga-esque feel to them. With all my new little purchases, I think that I am going to be dressed for success.
A huge part in being a model is looking perfect and fashion forward where ever you go so a well-packed suitcase is a must! And I can't do a lot of shopping over there because my little weekly allowance won't allow for it so yes, having analyzed my suitcase choices for the past two weeks may seem extreme but that suitcase will be my home for the next 3 months. I need clothes that will transition into fall and a bit of winter and that is hard to do with a closet that is full of 85% of my things. Bren is happy with his 15% :)
So I am off to start putting the first things in my lil home of a suitcase. Wish me Luck!

The Anticipation is Building

The official date hasn't been set yet and I am getting anxious! The plan while I am there is to be in Instanbul for two months and then go to Athens, Greece for a month. Both countries have the same offer so why not get both out of the way in one trip. The excitement for Turkey keeps building as I keep researching the country and hearing that the agency is super excited to get me there. As for Greece, I am partial. The first trip I had there was probably one of the worst experiences in my life.
After the first 9 hour flight of my life, I get out of the airport and the whiff of pure sewage hits my nose. I look around and I see the beautiful mountains in the distance and hop into a cab. The drive to the apartment was insanity. It was as though the guy was the only driver on the road so other cars didn't matter and screw street signs. I was holding on for dear life. But miraculously, somehow, he never crashed or hit anything. After the 15 minute roller coaster ride, we finally arrived and I paid the guy and walked into my new home. The owners of the model hotel were super nice and friendly. We took the tiny, ancient elevator up to my room and they showed me to my closet. This "room" was literally a closet with two beds, a sink, desk, and tv mounted on the wall. The absolute smallest "room" I have ever been in, but it did have a cute little balcony where you could watch the people rummage through the garbage for plastic bottles and leftover food. Yes, that is a custom in Greece to go through trash to see if you can find anything useful.

So once in my nice, COZY room, I found out that my luggage wouldn't fit anywhere but on top of my bed. NO JOKE. I had to sleep with my luggage on the end of my bed. After that, I learned that I left my brand new camera in the cab and there was no way of getting that back. So from the get-go my trip was dreadful. It also took me days to figure out how to get a hold of my family back home and once I did, I broke down. I was a young kid with no one in a crammed room without a clue of what to do. To top it off, the agency that signed me thought that I had long hair which I clearly had super short hair and they did not like me once I got there. So that basically led them to not push me for anything and just give me the basic work that everyone would do.
Now overall my Athens experience was awful, but the sights and the culture (beside the garbage rummaging and smell) were really pretty awesome. The one job that saved Athens for me was a yogurt commercial that I did the day before I left. The people were amazing and the other cast members showed me how to do a traditional Greek dance which was so much fun.

 And I saw Helena Christensen. SHE IS GORGEOUS!!! For her age, she looks 20. Absolutely flawless! The eating Greek yogurt, their fashion week, and seeing a legend and the historical sights were the only pluses to that trip. Once I got a hold of my agents in Chicago, I told them to get me out of there and after three weeks I was out of Athens and in Milan, Italy.
After that experience, I have been set on never stepping on Greek soil again. But I have to take what I can get and this experience could be way better and redeem the entire country for me. So I will be optimistic about going back the stinky country and hopefully this time I won't just sit in my room and mope. And I'm praying that I actually get to a photo shoot in Athens because all I did was castings, two fashion shows, and a commercial. So I would love, love, love to do some real work and show them what I got.
I am so happy with my agent who found agencies that I know wants me there and knows exactly what I look like. And I know if I ever have a problem I won't be left in the dust like I was the first time. It seems as though everything is actually falling into place this time around and I can't wait for the day that I turn back the clock and begin my modeling career over again. Who get a second chance at this?! I'm so stoked that I have this opportunity, I want to go now! :)