Dom Perignon anyone?

The whole idea of the glamorous "champagne and diamonds" life so often associated with models is NOT true unless of course you are one of the handful of huge supermodels like Raquel Z or Gisele.
I had coffee today with my friend and fellow photographer Tania and 19 year old Romanian model, Micaela. She told us her life in Paris consisted of going to a couple of castings during the day, then an agency trip to pick up the next day's schedule. Normally the daily schedule is emailed to the models, but she didn't bring her computer from Bucharest because she was under the impression that the model apartment would already be equipped. She got to the apartment and there was no computer... no champagne, either.

The guys have it much worst. They make a fraction of what the girls do for twice the effort. If you have ever hung out with one of these strapping young lads you know that you are treating them to everything because they are dirt poor. Again with that whole "good exposure" theory... It seems like a vicious cycle to me. They keep doing shows and editorials for little or no money in hopes of landing a big campaign some day. Will that day ever come? Maybe for 10 or 12 guys a season. When it doesn't happen for them they just keep on trucking until next season. So with so much competition what makes these young boys leave their home countries, friends, family and girlfriends behind? Is it all worth living in a 10 square meter apartment in a 6 floor walk up in a sketchy part of town? Why not? Its fun, they travel and they're young enough to have all the time in the world to be in the "real world" once all is said and done. In the mean time they can come over and hang out with me anytime. And I've got champagne.


Micaela - Mademoiselle Paris. Photo by Tania Edwards.