PAULA COLLADO. 22 years old. Actress, model, dancer and graduate in tourism.

Paula is a delightful, friendly and cheerful girl. Her sweet and kind nature shines through and it is often quite difficult to get through a conversation without smiling yourself. Yet, she is also brave, persevering and admits that she worked hard and dedicated a lot of time to be able to find a place in the world of modeling.

Multifaceted and a tireless dreamer, she relishes a challenge, objectives and is grateful to fashion for all that it has taught her in these years and the great memories and experiences she has. In her dream of becoming an actress, she highlights the importance of creating a wonderful portfolio thanks to her work in fashion. With all her passion, experience and values, Paula Collado is our fifth protagonist of the series “Person behind the model“.

Who is Paula?

One never really knows how to answer this question, but I would say that I’m a very happy and active person, and always up for challenges. My family and friends mean a lot to me and I love to spend time with them. Another trait of mine is that I can be very emotional and have been known to have “drama queen” moments. However, I look at this positively as I think it is where my passion for acting comes from, I enjoy expressing and exploring my emotions, for me it’s as fun as an amusement park (laughs).

Besides acting, there are many other passions in your life …

I like to do many things… I studied tourism at university, and I’ve been working as a model since high school. I was able to find a true passion when I had a moment of introspection and began to study theater and it was great, it saved my life. After university, my parents didn’t feel happy about me working in theater professionally, so completed a master’s degree in event management. I thought I could dedicate myself to fashion and cinema events or galas… So right now I organize congresses while also working as a model and creating my video book. Currently, I have to admit that the modeling work flows more, I’m involved in many projects. I suppose it is easier than finding someone who trusts you to give you a role in a movie or a series…

“My drive and attitude are what helped me get castings and jobs with brands, even though I didn’t always the predetermined requirements“

How did you become a fashion model?

I remember that when I enrolled in my first agency I would drop by the office every Friday in order to book jobs. It was a bit of an effort to get there as my agency was in Barcelona and I live Sabadell, which is two hours away. Despite that, I was very excited and I knew how important it was for the bookers to keep me in mind so every time a project came up they would send me the casting, session or whatever. What I wanted was to gain experience and consistency.

My drive and attitude are what helped me get castings and jobs with brands, even though I didn’t always the predetermined requirements. There may be people who have the exact and perfect measurements and don’t get a job because they don’t have consistency or a good attitude. I achieved many things because every day I spoke with my booker, I insisted a lot… He also looked for collaborations, I volunteered for any brand or photographer who wanted to take photos of me, friends who studied design… Anything to gain experience, to work as hard as possible, and to build up confidence in front of the cameras. Therefore, when I had an important casting or a great opportunity in front of me, I would have the necessary tools to be able to present myself and be the one selected. 

“The more active you are, all the projects that come are incredible. When you look for them you attract them”

Today, social networks have a very important role in fashion

Absolutely. And a good attitude is the key to all of this. It is very important to make yourself known, dedicate time to it and send material… Let people know that you are there. In the end, you have to realize that an agency receives heaps of applicants, but it is up to you to gain the booker’s trust and attention. This is how the industry works, you need to make yourself visible, be tireless, always be in contact with the people who can help you, know your objective and what interests you, always be available for projects and be very proactive… You should go for what you really want.

A great advantage is having a video book or material already prepared, it helps to take charge when looking for collaboration projects, move around a lot and provide the agency with material so when the time comes to present you they have great content. Really, it’s incredible the projects that come when you are active and take control. What you seek, you eventually attract. It may seem difficult at first, but once you focus and move with intention, it starts to get easier.

Why do you think Andreas thought of you for his series “Person behind the model”?

The truth is that during the session I realized that he had captured very well the points that interested him about me. With him, I found a photographer who captures the art of a person, not only external beauty but the internal too and knows how to get the most out of each model.

I used to dance ballet but I stopped two years ago when I went to Argentina for Erasmus, there I learned more about Latin dances, such as reggaeton. So when I was asked to dance during the shoot, at first it was difficult as I hadn’t practiced ballet for quite a long time, and the minutes seemed to pass like hours despite having danced all my life. I told Andreas that I could dress like a dancer, of course, because that is what I have always done, but I warned him that my flexibility wouldn’t be the same as I hadn’t trained. However, as soon as I started dancing, I understood why Andreas had chosen me. I regained a part of myself that I hadn’t felt for a long time… and I loved every moment, it was so liberating. He told me, “I’ll put on the music and you just enjoy it.” I’m usually very strict with myself, but the fact that Andreas gave me the freedom, I understood that the project was in my hands and from that point, magic arose. The chemistry created in this project was incredible, I really enjoyed working with Andreas and the space he gave me to be myself.

What influence does ballet have on you when you are in front of a camera?

It is a curious question because people who have seen me, both in theater and modeling, see the ballet in my movements. This is due to the enormous influence that ballet has physically, the immense body intelligence you pick up. Every single muscle is working, even the small ones that you don’t know exist, but this precision is what brings perfection. 

Without a doubt, ballet makes you know every corner of your body and that is very important when you are a model or actress because, in the end, your body is your working instrument.

Now, in ballet, you always dance for an audience that watches your every move. The theater is the opposite; it is more of an internal representation. The theater allows you to take on a character, then express and bring out parts that you wouldn’t feel comfortable showing as yourself. Theater is like therapy, it can change people, it has definitely helped me understand the importance of taking care of myself internally. 

You mentioned the magic that was created in the studio. How can the connection between model and photographer influence a shoot?

It is fortunate to find chemistry between the two, a great advantage as a model as everything flows easily. However, if you don’t find that connection with the photographer, you should just be professional, analyze the shoot and focus on connecting with the camera.

“Advertising is focusing on issues more related to the striking personality of a person than their physique”

Why is it hard to believe that a beautiful person can also be very intelligent?

Obviously, this is something I have always been very against. I have been taught since I was little that beauty is something that is carried on the inside. I really believe in this, some of the projects that I got as a catwalk model, I did not get them solely for the way I looked but it was more a question of connection and intelligence. I have always tried to show that I am more intelligent than beautiful. Because for me, to be beautiful is to be intelligent, it is to have something inside that can contribute some good to the world. To be beautiful is to have a good and striking personality.

In fact, advertising is focusing on issues more related to the special personality of a person than their physique. Advertisements, photos… evolve a lot and are increasingly featuring super authentic people. Being handsome or pretty is subjective, and in my opinion, it depends a lot on the personality of the person. I think that brands are trying more to fit in with society through values.

What are the fundamental values ​​for you in life?

For me being respectful, trustworthy, humble is super important… and being persistent. The value of effort has always been taught in my household. For example, a subject that was very difficult for me in school was physics, I tried very hard but failed. On the other hand, my twin brother used to pass without even trying! Despite that, my parents’ would be angry with him, as they felt that it was the effort that mattered, and they have always rewarded me for the energy I put into everything. Being a good person is also a fundamental value, of course. I grew up with my grandparents and they have taught me the value of having a good heart, good intentions, taking care of others, and loving a lot.

“Fashion teaches you to connect with people and to be tolerant… To adapt quickly to situations and to fit in as well as possible”

If you are a good person you end up attracting the good

When someone is envious or treats you badly, I think it is because they are suffering and that is why they express themselves that way. I like to help these people rather than running away from them. Obviously, if they shield themselves, there is no choice but to just join the good guys.

The world of fashion has very good elements, but also somebody parameters that I do not fit into, otherwise, it would have been my main career path. But it really brings a lot of values, I had to get to know many people in a day or two and fashion teaches you to connect and be tolerant because many times you don’t know anyone from the team you work with, as well as how to adapt quickly to situations and fit in as well as possible.

Complete the sentence: Your dream is…

Being an actress, without a doubt. I know the road is complicated, but it is very clear to me. If in the end, it is not possible, I would love to organize big events. My first and main dream is to be an actress and I want it more and more every day.

The post Paula Collado: Perseverance as the Key to Success in Modeling appeared first on ModelManagement.com's Blog.

MARIANA QUIROGA LONDOÑO. 23 years old. She was born in Colombia, grew up in Barcelona and lives in England.

Mariana is smart, brave, a fighter and a beautiful person. She is a scientist and works in the field of bioinformatics. For a long time, she has combined her studies and her professional career with her passion for fashion and modeling, and working as a model on many occasions.

When we talk to her, we can see a smiling and sweet woman, passionate about her work and proud of having come so far in her professional field. She speaks with great satisfaction about her job, for which she feels pure devotion. The more we get to know her, we discover that reaching success was never a bed of roses for her, but with her determination, her desire, and her self-confidence, she is capable of achieving any dream she sets out to achieve despite any adversity. Mariana is resilient and a role model. For this reason, she is the protagonist in our series “Person behind the model”, because she represents all the values in which we believe and want to transmit to our users. A modeling career can be combined with some other professions, you just have to put passion and effort into it.

You are a bioinformatician and you are finishing a master’s degree at Cambridge… These are big words.

Exactly! I am a bioinformatician and I use computers to understand how stem cells work. When I finished my degree, I had the opportunity to do a master’s degree in Cambridge and in October I started my doctorate there as well. These are big words, yes, but these are the goals that I have been setting for so long and that I have been fulfilling little by little, one after another. The truth is that I try to have goals in advance to know what I’m going to do next.

You are very young, have you always had everything so clear? Getting to Cambridge couldn’t have been easy.

At the age of seventeen, I became interested in stem cell research. When I found out that I had to do an Erasmus in my degree, I got in touch with Ludovic Vallier, a scientist whom I admire a lot. I wrote to him advising him that after a couple of years I would write to him again to ask if he would accept me in his research team. He loved that, and along with other recommendation letters that I got from labs where I had worked for free in exchange for learning, he had no objection to accepting me on his team.

What relationship do you have with the world of modeling and fashion? Can modeling be a side job?

I have always been focused on my career, but modeling has been a hobby for me and a part-time job that I have been able to combine with my profession. I have always been very interested in fashion and many years ago I discovered ModelManagement.com on Instagram. The funny thing is that they were the ones who contacted me, I caught their attention with my photographs because I was very active on social media. From that moment on, I started using my Premium account and started uploading photos.

“In the field of fashion you have to be proactive if you want to find a job”

How to get into modeling?

Like anywhere else, in the field of fashion you have to be proactive if you want to find a job. In my case, I caught the attention of Andreas because I posted many photos on Instagram and I wanted to make myself known. It is very important to take an interest in contacting photographers who take good photos of you and post them to your social networks and to your ModelManagement.com account.

How important are social networks to promote yourself on the Internet?

It is an essential tool to give yourself visibility and to create contacts. I have always liked contacting photographers or connecting with people who could comment on my pictures… I created contact networks and that was how ModelManagement.com came to me. They contacted me explaining that they wanted someone to be an ambassador for the platform. This was many years ago, but that’s how we started. Obviously, this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been spending a lot of time being proactive on social media and my ModelManagement.com account. If I had only made an account and nothing else, I would not have reached anyone. You have to work hard to get things, otherwise, it is practically impossible.

How was the shooting with Andreas?

The truth is that I was a little nervous! We had spoken many times but I had never seen him in person. I wasn’t nervous about the camera, but about meeting him. At first, I was a little tense in front of him, perhaps because of his figure. But he quickly relaxed me, he is a very natural man, very professional and he made me feel comfortable immediately. He was interested and respected everything I wanted to show or be in front of the camera, he adapted the shooting to my style. I loved it.

In the world of fashion, it seems that there is a fairly stereotypical idea of the concept of beauty, but what is beauty to you?

I don’t associate it with the physical. Beauty can be found in many aspects and not just in people. I find beauty in people, but also in landscapes, in what is not tangible and, above all, in people’s personalities. It is clear that in some circumstances a pleasing appearance can be an important plus. However, I believe that a diverse mixture is what makes something beautiful, much more than the simple fact that a person is attractive or not.

“I try to show that the reality of a woman in science is the same as men”

Science has always been associated with a more masculine field… There is still a long way to go to fight against these prejudices.

Above all, it depends on the culture of the people… Some countries are still very backward and have not yet accepted that women are worth much more than being at home and pleasing men. When it is accepted that the women are just as capable, it shocks. I give you an example of my native country, Colombia, where there are many good women in a thousand fields, but who, nevertheless, are still exposed to a lot of sexism. People keep scaring women and putting barriers on their dreams.

When I went to England, everyone asked me if I was afraid of living in another country or if I was afraid to program… I doubt that a man would have been asked these questions because they are portrayed as the brave ones. It has never scared me, on the contrary, and that is why I try to demonstrate through my projects on my social networks that the reality of a woman in science is the same as men. I’m getting very involved in it.

Tell us more about your projects.

During the lockdown for COVID-19, I created a new Instagram account, @marianaql.science, where I write curious scientific facts that begin with “Did you know…?” and above all, I write messages to involve any man or woman in bioinformatics. I want to give to know this term. I want this account to be a boost for all those people who have fears or doubts about whether to move forward with their dreams. I am very happy because many people write me messages of support, thanking me for giving them the strength to trust in their possibilities. They write to me from India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka… Countries in which, because of their religion or culture, since they were children have been afraid of fighting for their dreams or leaving their comfort zone. When they see a normal girl like me, who has been able to achieve this, it motivates them greatly and it’s wonderful to be a part of that.

Sounds great!

I’m very happy! Furthermore, my friend Paula and I have created a platform @codeforachange with which we intend to provide solutions to all those people who do not have easy access to education due to not having the resources or they are not encouraged to study because they are women. Thanks to this platform, kids can program in an interactive virtual book and learn so many things. On this platform, they can make mistakes and put into practice logical challenges that motivate them to learn the basic concepts of genetics.

In addition, I have another section dedicated to changing lives, because I have been able to get to where I am thanks to scholarships and crowdfunding campaigns. In fact, Andreas donated to my campaign… Now, with the knowledge that I have acquired, I have created this platform to help to raise money for students that I selected from a school in Colombia who are brilliant and love technology… but who don’t have money to study. They are students classified in the lowest class, who do not even have access to the Internet. The donation helps these kind of children so they can start programming through the Internet.

“It is very important to have goals in life, something that motivates you to the point of doing whatever it takes to achieve it”

We congratulate you, Mariana, these are fantastic initiatives. I can see that you are a person with many values… What are the fundamental values in life for you?

Philanthropy, of course. Also, I think that it is very important to have goals in life, something that motivates you to the point of doing whatever it takes to achieve it. My main values are perseverance and resilience. There can always be economic, family, and health difficulties, but if you have your goal in mind, you can surely achieve it. It has happened to me. I didn’t have the money to study and I have managed to fight for my dream until I accomplished it.

How important is it to have a goal in life?

For me, it is the key to success. The goal that you define for yourself is where your personal success will be. It’s not about just getting there, success is built along the way and that’s what motivates you. Initially, I wasn’t a good math and programming student, but in the end, I managed to stand out. I finished my degree being one of the best students in the class!

I have faced qualifications that were not enough for me, broken relationships, I wanted to give up so many times… I had to ask for professional help and I have gone to three different psychologists. But despite all the adversities, I never gave up and that is why I have come to be where I always wanted to be.

What impresses you the most about your field?

It is not bioinformatics itself, but the field in which I apply bioinformatics. Stem cells are without a doubt what amazes me the most, for me, it is a scientific miracle. I find everything that can be achieved from them fascinating. I’m specialized in those that will form blood, the blood stem cells. Understanding how these cells are the ones that later serve to treat people with leukemia, for example, is incredible. People who have good stem cells in their bodies donate to those in need, and from those donations, patients can create new blood stem cells and be cured. 

Besides, it was discovered a few years ago that an adult stem cell, like those in the skin, can be reprogrammed, they can “go back in time”, having again embryonic stem cell characteristics and the potential to become another type of cell. Regenerative medicine and cell therapy are wonderful and this process of stem cell reprogramming could lead, for example, to the replacement of damaged cells.

Amazing! In addition, you explain everything with a lot of passion… After achieving your goals with all your effort, what would you say to all the people who do not dare to undertake their dream?

I would tell them that obstacles exist, they will always be there and that there will be many, an infinite amount perhaps. I would tell them that they will fall many times, feel regret, cry and want to break everything… But the difference between staying where you are and reaching the top is resilience. They shouldn’t think about how many tears were left along the way but how much it will be worth it when they get there. Finally, when their goal is reached, they will see that there is always more to do and something higher to work for, however, every new path will continue to have obstacles, it’s unavoidable. I wish someone had told me this at the beginning of my career because surely, I would not have cried so much. Yet, much growth can be made when one accepts that asking for professional help is normal and it is fine to share all of your concerns with colleagues and relatives.

The post The Art of Connecting Passion with Purpose: Mariana Quiroga appeared first on ModelManagement.com's Blog.

RANIA PUGHOLM. From a modest home to a journey taking her around the world’s fashion capitals, appearing on international magazine covers, and over 350,000 fans following her on Instagram.

Rania is one of those people who dazzle you in only two seconds of conversation. And we do not speak only for her long modeling career. From a very young age, she stood out as a free, strong, and brave person. In addition, she is a journalist, painter, dancer, and speaks six languages. While chatting with her, we quickly discover a charming, intelligent, and, above all, very lively woman.

At ModelManagement.com we are very happy to have a model like Rania in our community, not only because of her great professionalism, experience, and explosive beauty but also because she has a great heart and great courage. For all these reasons, she is one of our protagonists in the series “Person Behind the Model“, where she shares with us her most valuable modeling career tips.

“The important thing in life is knowing how to find a good balance between work and your personal life”

Who is Rania?

Rania is a strong person. I like to take care of myself and I have to do it for my work, but I never stop doing anything that I like. That is one of my mantras. I think that the important thing in life is knowing how to find a good balance between work and your personal life. Also, I like to do so many things. I love painting, abstract, particularly. And I am passionate about pole dance. I like to write, and, above all, I love to travel.

Speaking six languages ​​you will never have had problems while travelling.

It’s a hobby for me (laughs). My first language is Arabic, I learned French at school, later I learned German, English, Spanish and Danish, because I wanted to learn the language of my husband’s family, who are from Denmark. I didn’t have to, but I wanted to learn it too. Speaking so many languages ​​has even made it easier for me to get certain jobs throughout my life.

Rania, just knowing your professional career, you can say very loudly that you are a successful woman, but getting here has not been easy, right?

I was born in Egypt and I left the country when I was 16 years old. As a child, I quickly realized that I was different from everyone else. There is no explanation for it, but I was always curious about many things that were not well seen in my country. I was curious to know other religions, I wanted to know what life was like in Europe, I did not share the rules that my culture was imposing on me… My “strange” thought made me have conflicts at school and in my family and all I wanted was to fight for my freedom.

What gave you the strength to go for it?

One day, I met some European friends. I started hanging out with them and I started to experience freedom when we were together… Suddenly, I didn’t have to follow any stipulated path, it just had to be me. So, at the age of fourteen, I moved in with them and I used to call my family to tell them I was okay. From that moment, I went through many ups and downs in my life, for a long time I was a young girl travelling through Europe and the whole world alone. It has taken me a long time to be where I am now.

How did your professional career as a model start?

I made my debut as a model in Germany, after giving birth to my son. I had a friend who was a photographer and he asked me if I wanted to model even though I had never done it before. The truth is that I didn’t take it seriously until I went to live in Scotland, where I went back to modeling and I started applying for many castings in London… And later, I moved to Dubai.

So many changes!

Yes, but Dubai was a turning point in my career. It is a very liberal city and I worked a lot as a model, I was able to be completely independent. I did so many castings, I met a lot of people and I also worked as a catwalk model. Dubai was booming as a city at that time and there were many events and congresses where I worked a lot because, besides everything, I speak Arabic. All of this allowed me to travel around the world. Among other things, in Dubai I made my first cover for Playboy, becoming the first Arab woman to be the cover of the magazine.

Wow! So, it was a very important time in your life.

So much! In Dubai work became very serious and since then I have never stopped working a lot. I lived there for ten years, and there I also met my husband, “Mr. Right” (laughs) with whom I recently moved to London.

While you are talking, I can feel your incredible energy and strength. What is the most important thing you have learnt in all these years?

That the secret is to always believe in yourself and to remember that someone who loves you enough will never try to stop you or deviate from what you really want to do. That person will accept and respect you. You never have to stop doing anything that you are passionate about for anything or anyone. People come and go. You cannot give up your life and your dreams for anyone. So, never give up, even if that dream never comes, never stop fighting for it.

“You have to practice to become a good model, everything has its learning process”

What advice would you give to an aspiring model?

I would tell her that if she doesn’t look good in the first photos, she really doesn’t have to worry. I didn’t look good in my first photos as a model because it takes a while to learn to become a good one. Like anything else in this world, you have to practice to get it right, take it as a training. If you don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, sign up for a course, try to learn… I did the whole learning process. It takes a while to become a professional model, so my advice is this: believe in yourself, have a good time – although sometimes there are also bad times – and, above all, be yourself and have a great attitude.

Rania Pugholm by Andreas vE

“There is a market for everyone! If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t give up, keep trying “

Attitude makes the difference? 

Absolutely! There are always people who are not nice, but you must be nice. Really, when you are kind, sweet and a good person, that gives you much more value than being physically beautiful. When people know me, they tell me that I am beautiful, intelligent, but, above all, very nice. And I love that.

In the world of fashion, it is important to be punctual, too. Of course, you must also be consistent with training, be healthy, and eat healthily but you never have to stop eating or doing anything you want. Enjoy life. There is a market for everyone! And if you do not succeed the first time, do not give up, do not think that this is not for you. Just keep trying.

Which are your main virtues?

My strength is one of them, without a doubt, but there are many things that I like about myself. Spontaneity and being a very social person despite I used to be very shy when I was younger. I am very happy to be who I am, to know how to have fun, and to have the intelligence to be able to talk about many topics. I am very active, I have many hobbies, I love discovering things in the world… Actually, I have been to thirty-seven countries for leisure and work. I am a very brave person.

A woman as active and passionate as you must have many future projects in mind…

Yes of course! I would like to create my own business related to fashion and design… But it really is still a distant future for me, because for now, I want to continue modeling until the model industry tells me that they have had enough Rania (laughs). For now, my goal is to continue doing what I do now because I love it so much.

“It is important to feel a good energy with the photographer because in the end, this is teamwork”

How do you feel in front of the camera?

Comfortable and happy. It is important to feel good energy with the photographer because, in the end, this is teamwork. Sometimes, I have come across photographers with bad personalities and unkind… At first, it affected my mood, but, after so long in the industry, I have learned to talk to them and ask for respect and a good attitude. It is essential that whoever is behind the camera is nice to you.

“This job is an exchange of work and art”

How was the shooting with Andreas for ModelManagement.com?

That shooting was a lot of fun. I remember waking up at 4 am because we wanted to get a concrete lighting and Andreas was very friendly and a very good host. We had coffee and something to eat, and we had very interesting conversations. This is important, not only to break the ice but also to exchange opinions. This work is an exchange of work and art.

Success is hard to achieve. How do you get it?

Success must be sought, pursued. In every country that I have been to, I have tried to contact photographers to share our talent and take good photos. It is important to work with many photographers and thus have a good portfolio, try to meet people, connect with people, attend events related to the modeling and fashion world… The more you connect with international people, the more successful you become. It’s about contacting people, making friends, and meeting colleagues.

When, for example, I work with a good photographer and the result of our work together is good, I get in touch with magazines and try to get those images published and have publicity. This is a job in which you have to dedicate hours of your time trying to connect with people and make yourself visible. It is important to be active in Social Media, trying to reach as many people as possible from different angles.

The post How to Become a Successful International Model: Rania Pugholm left Egypt to conquer the world appeared first on ModelManagement.com's Blog.

MARAM JARRAR. 23 years old. Lives and studies in Turkey since 2018.

To speak of Maram Jarrar is to speak of a tremendously happy, positive, and charming person. She defines herself as a very emotional person who lives life looking at each event and each opportunity in an exciting way.

Her beliefs, her strength and her courage make our model Maram an essential protagonist in our series “Person behind the model”. As soon as the interview begins, I asked her to tell me how her modeling career began, and she told me, laughing, that being a “model with hijab” is a long story…

I have a lot of time, so I am ready to listen to your “long” story of modeling with hijab

My story in the modeling world starts a little by chance, when a friend of mine suggested me to be her model for a photoshoot of a traditional Palestinian wedding… It was a funny and very beautiful experience to share. I felt very good and very comfortable in front of the camera. There was when I realized how much I liked it and I decided to dedicate myself to it.

What did your family tell you when you gave them the news?

I mentioned it to my family. They supported me to follow my dreams but, obviously, Palestine is not the best place to start a professional career in this field… And for this reason I decided to move to Istanbul in October 2018.

Why Istanbul?

Honestly, I think Istanbul is the perfect place for me, where I should be now. I have friends from many other places in the world, it is multicultural, as well as a beautiful place with infinity of beautiful places to visit. My plan is to finish my studies here and continue working on my modeling career from here, because it is better.

You define yourself as a “model with a hijab”. I guess you never thought to take it off. How does wearing the hijab affect your career?

The hijab issue is a bit harsh because the difficulty of wearing it or not, is not only for my family or my society, there is great difficulty in the agencies. Agencies do not accept hijab models and they all told me that I was not being professional and not committed to the industry. I defend that people can be responsible and very professional regardless of their image, their culture or their scars. Before judging, you must know the person. And I was judged only for wearing hijab and not for my abilities and my opportunities were cut without knowing me… But one day I discovered ModelManagement.com and all my luck changed.

“ModelManagement.com is the first platform that allows me to model and do it the way I am”

Tell me, how did your career and your aspiration in modeling change thanks to ModelManagement.com?

ModelManagement.com came into my life to change everything. Thanks to this platform I have had the opportunity not only to be a model I want to be but to work as a professional model. ModelManagement.com is the first platform that allows me to model and do it the way I am. I feel very lucky to be able to work thanks to the platform and to start in modeling, because normally it takes many years for people to find someone that trusts them, and ModelManagement.com gave me the opportunity from the first minute. All I can do is say thank you again and again for this opportunity.

I suppose you remember your first photoshoot perfectly…

Yes! Of course! Especially since it was so much fun. I did it with a Turkish photographer and at that time I did not speak Turkish fluently, nor did he speak English, which made it curious and funny to make us understand each other. It was a great experience and today, I am still in contact with him. It was phenomenal. In the end you always get along with the person on the other side of the screen and a wonderful atmosphere is created.

As a user, what would you say is the most interesting value of ModelManagement.com?

For me, the most interesting value or advantage that ModelManagement.com offers is diversity. The fact that the platform gives the same opportunity to all kinds of models, of any religion, of any nationality… Everyone is welcomed, and this is very important. Diversity and acceptance of others is, for me, ModelManagement.com’s greatest competitive advantage over other platforms.

“Thanks to ModelManagement.com I have been able to contact many people in the industry that I would never have met or could have worked with without the help and relations that the platform offers”

What do you value most about your experience with ModelManagement.com?

In October 2018 I arrived in Turkey. After two months, in December, I started using Modelmanagement.com and since then I haven’t stopped working. I have had many photoshoots and this makes me so happy, but I have to admit that the most beautiful thing about Modelmanagement.com is the number of friends from all over the world that I have made in all this time and with whom I am still in contact until now. In addition, this platform connects you with many people in the industry, you feel that you are within it. I have been a model, but it also allows me to work as a stylist… With Modelmanagement.com I can learn about many different fields of fashion and I love that. In fact, in the future I would like to study styling or fashion…

“In fashion, success lies in creating good online content”

How can aspiring models find their way into the fashion world?

In fashion, success lies in creating good content online. It is very important to know how to create good content that people like and that gives them good vibes, so they have a great interest in you. Currently, it is clear that the platform that can offer the most visibility is Instagram. Although many people use it just to show their physique, it is also a very powerful tool to show important values ​​such as beautiful personalities and self-confidence. I am continuously publishing content, not only because I’d love to have success and reach agencies and have many opportunities, but also because it is my essential tool to communicate all the messages and thoughts that I want to show. With social networks I feel that my voice can reach many aspiring models like me, to let them know that If you want it, you can make it and that’s why I put my effort day after day to reach as many people as possible.

Relationships are very important too. Thanks to Modelmanagement.com I contact many fashion professionals who want to work with me and the same thing happens on Instagram, there are people who see my photos and contact me to collaborate. You always have to be on the move.

What message would you give to models who possibly find the same barriers in their way that you found in their aspiration in the world of modeling?

I came to discover Modelmanagement.com because I never lost faith. That is why my message is to always be positive and never lose faith. In the end, everything comes if you fight hard. I can assure you that I have received many “No” in my life, but each one of them, I took it as a lesson and one more reason to not give up, keep trying, keep going. And most important of all: I always believe in myself. And I believe in my hijab, in my culture, in my soul and in my person. And since I’m proud of it, I don’t want to stop being who I am and that’s why I have enough strength to continue on my way.

Now that you have opportunities to take advantage of in your present, how do you see yourself in the near future? In five years, for example.

I do not know what will happen in the future, I do not know if I will become a supermodel or if I will become a stylist… Time passes quickly and it is difficult for me to think of everything that may come, but what is clear to me is that it would be very honorable to break all the walls that I have found along the way. I would like to be the person who begins to break down walls and that models that come behind do not encounter the same big difficulties that I had to face. Personally, I want to continue living in Istanbul or Dubai, cities where I can have great opportunities to work as a model with a hijab and to have good relationships… without limitations. I am sure that I will continue on the path I am taking because this is my passion and I have been working hard on myself to be the model I want to be. I know I’m not perfect, and I like that.

It seems you have a clear message…

That’s right! And my message is not related to the hijab, it is much more. It is giving a message of normality, that we are all perfectly imperfect, that we all have defects and problems in life. Sometimes the world of, for example, social networks, wants to show you the opposite, but it is not. I have a clear message for all models: love yourself, give yourself what you need and be what you want to be without thinking about what other people may think of you or how society could judge you. Be yourself always, please. Have faith in yourself and your ideas. Always follow your dreams and work on you. I will continue to aspire to be a great model and I hope to continue having many more opportunities with Modelmanagement.com not only as an applicant, but as a professional model. I hope all my dreams come true. I’m working in it.

That’s awesome, Maram. To finish, in the current delicate situation we are in, I am forced to ask you the following question: How do you think COVID-19 has affected the fashion world?

Honestly, I think that if we have learned anything with the COVID-19 it is to believe and to promote more than ever the tools and the infinite possibilities that the internet brings us. We have always been aware of that, but now we have a total and absolute conviction that online tools and methods are beneficial for everyone. And this is undoubtedly the great advantage that Modelmanagement.com offers, of which it has been a pioneer and which has made it possible that all users of the platform have not been affected by COVID-19 in our work any day during the pandemic.

The post Modeling with and in Favor of a Hijab appeared first on ModelManagement.com's Blog.

CARLA AYZA. 25 YEARS OLD. BARCELONA. DOCTOR

Carla Ayza is a doctor, dancer, model and, as she says, “much more”. She defines herself as a versatile person, but what is most surprising about her is not her studies or her intelligence, not even her indisputable beauty. The most wonderful thing about Carla are her thoughts, her way of being and her values, of which kindness and solidarity stand out.

Consistency and perseverance are the keys to her success and, despite doing a lot of activities throughout the day, Carla finds time to dedicate herself to her modeling career in addition to her main profession as a doctor.

Who is Carla?

I like to be many things, that’s why I can’t find a concrete definition of who I am. My head is always in motion, I really like to learn and do a little of everything. I have many concerns and I am very nonconformist. On a professional level, I have recently graduated in medicine, but apart from medicine, I have always been doing other things that I also like, such as dance or introducing myself into the world of image and beauty.

Was studying medicine something vocational?

I have always had that innate concern to help, I have always carried it within me, it has been a very present value in my life. When I was younger, I went through a bad time and, from that moment, I began to value the well-being of people much more and I saw how fragile we could be. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to help so I took a year off to think about my future after finishing high school. I did a higher education training cycle and that year I did a lot of things related to nutrition, physiotherapy, medicine… And despite the stigmas and despite the fact that everyone scares you saying that medicine is an almost impossible career to achieve, I worked a lot, I studied a lot and I finally got the letter of acceptance to college. Things were happening and, in the end, the years have passed almost without me realizing it.

“It is very important to know how a person is feeling inside in order to help them”

You have talked about well-being. What is wellness for you and how is it achieved?

For me, wellness is a very strong mental balance. Very important, more mentally than physically. Well-being is a combination of physical and mental strength, but I think that you have to work a lot more to be well on a mental level. As a doctor, whatever it is, I will always keep the mental issue in mind while talking with patients. It is very important to know how a person is  feeling inside in order to help them. The body is capable of changing your physique if the mind is feeling sick, it can dehumanize you.

Besides being a doctor, you are also a dancer, right?

Yes, I am. I’ve been dancing my whole life and for me it’s my inner strength. Since I was little I dance hip hop, urban… And I was competing for many years, until I had to leave the championships because of my studies, although I have never stopped dancing. Everybody tells me it’s in my blood and it’s true. If I could be anything other than a doctor, I would be a dancer. But the career of a dancer is another career. You cannot be a professional doctor and a professional dancer at the same time. But dancing is my passion, it is what I do every day at home. When I dance I really enjoy myself. In general, in my life, I always try to do everything I like, a little of this, a little of that …

The soul and the experience of the dance that you carry inside… Do you think it helps you to pose and be in front of a camera?

Yes, I really think so. It reminds me a lot of the feeling I had when performing in front of an audience and I like it. In fact, I think that posing is a way of acting and it is a way of feeling strong and showing, through a photo, a bit of what you want to transmit to people.

Can modeling be a part time job?

Of course! Despite being always very focused on my career, I have always taken any opportunity that I have had, everything that I thought would bring me something good I took it at the time. Modeling can be a side job for sure. I can combine it with my profession as a doctor and that is fantastic. Lately, I have been getting a lot of opportunities in the beauty and fashion industry and I’m really enjoying it. Also, I love combining these two worlds. Modeling can really be a part time job, and you don’t have to dedicate yourself exclusively to it to make it work. It may sound incredible, but that’s what it is, and Modelmanagement.com offers to all its users this possibility. It’s great because you can enjoy the good of multiple professional worlds at the same time. Combining it is very simple.

“In life you have to really want something, and that’s when you look for what to do to achieve it”

How to become a fashion model?

Working as a model is achieved like all dreams: with determination. From the age of 14 I started working in fashion by chance thanks to some of my parents’ friends who where involved in the fashion world. I liked modeling, so when I was older, I remember finishing my exams and looking for offers where I could apply. For 2-3 years from now I started looking for more and more opportunities and I have been in contact with many photographers. Sometimes, when I got a Modelmanagement.com casting, it also helped me to make new contacts thanks to which I have met more people and more professionals in the sector. To gain experience in front of the camera is very important too. Everything has its process and it has always been clear to me that I could not become a professional model in one day.

Contacts and relationships are very important, of course, but first you have to move yourself to have them. It’s networking. I always say that in life you have to really want something, and that’s when you look for what to do to achieve it. That’s when opportunities come up, and that’s when you can choose the best one for you.

“Who succeeds is the one who has worked for it”

How did you get in this casting?

I saw the casting that Andreas posted on Modelmanagement.com and I contacted him personally on Instagram. I told him that I was very interested in his project, I loved how we wanted to show beautiful people with values… And from there, we began to know each other and he trusted me to join this wonderful experience.

As you can see, if I had not contacted him or many other professionals through social media, if I had not spent the time looking for him and contacting him, obviously I would not have done this photoshoot neither would I have lived the experiences I’ve had over the years. What I mean is that to get the things you want, you really have to look for them, it is not just about signing up on a page and thinking that everything is going to come to you because nothing is going to come to you if you do not go for it. It doesn’t matter how wonderful you are. Who succeeds is the one who has worked for it, it is the path to follow: fight for what you want.

Why do you think Andreas thought of you to be part of his own project?

I think it was mainly because behind the beauty that he has seen in me, he has also seen a person who thinks beyond that and I also believe that medicine is a more secondary thing as well. I think that the thing he has liked the most about me are my values…

How important is it when you feel or share a bond with the person who is photographing you?

It’s very important. It made me feel completely comfortable because I had the feeling that I had found a professional who was valuing me and who wanted to get my potential out of it. Andreas has taken a lot of potential out of me, the photos are spectacular, I was very surprised. Each photo has a meaning, he has reflected me on the pictures very well. I have loved meeting him and talking to him.

Do you think it is still hard to believe that a beautiful person on the outside can be beautiful and intelligent on the inside?

Yes, unfortunately. We have to eradicate that stigma now. As we must also eradicate the idea that a beautiful person who looks good in the photos has everything easier and that they do not need to do anything else in life to have everything they want to. It is not like that, quite the opposite. If you have a Model career profile, you must be proactive, you must get the attention of the agency and the professionals because there are thousands and thousands of beautiful people who want to do castings and live from this profession. You must work to stand out from the crowd.

“As I get to know myself more, I summarize myself in fewer words”

It is obvious that you are a person with values. What are the most important things for you in life?

This is a question that I ask myself continuously and during my life I advance and I change those values. As I get to know myself more, I summarize myself in fewer words. I consider myself a super sensitive and a super ambitious person and that’s why I do everything I do. I am very interested in people, I pay attention to them, I like them, I am very human… Hence my profession, of course. In the end, what I like the most in the world is helping. And I am also very thoughtful.

“I don’t want to just be Dr. Ayza, I want to be Carla and do whatever I want, let myself go and do all the things I like”

What dreams do you have for the next few years?

I imagine myself working as a doctor with my patients at a very close level. Besides that, I want to continue doing everything that arises from the things that I like without setting limits or labels. I don’t want to just be Dr. Ayza, I want to be Carla and do whatever I want, let myself go and do all the things that I like.

You should write all your thoughts down

In fact, I already do it. I would like to write a book where I could express my reflections, my concerns… I pay attention to everything and I do reflect even more. I like to think that I reflect something that can make people think about it and maybe some readers feel identified with me, as well as I hope to be able to inspire them, just the way as many people inspire me when I read them.

The post When Medicine and Modeling go hand-in-hand appeared first on ModelManagement.com's Blog.