Lydia Brown aka Billie Brown - Model.
I talk to Lydia about being a high end model, the good the bad and the ugly!
THE BASICS
Name: Lydia Brown
Model Name: Billie Brown
Age: 21
Agency: Premier Model Management (Since age 16)
Education: Highworth Grammar School (Till Year 11)
"I COULDN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW NERVOUS I WAS AT MY FIRST SHOOT"
TRIGGER
When I asked Lydia "So when did you first think about being a model", I just thought thats what you did, like any other job - think it through, then go for it. However she replied with "I never really sat down and thought about being a model" Well looks like she got it very lucky then! She continues "I guess from watching shows such as 'Britains Next Top Model' and 'America's Next Top Model' it was something that I'd always aspired of doing. Honestly, deep down I never really thought it would happen". Knowing Lydia from when she was at school, I have to say she definitley had the natural figure to be a model but even I am amazed and proud of how far shes actually been able to take it!
DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.
1,2,3 BABY STEPS
My next interest in regards to Lydias career was how she actually started. I have never really known how you first get involved in professional modeling and I'm sure I'm not alone. "I was first signed by 'Oxygen' after I did a walk-in" A what? Thank god Lydia explained this bit; "It literally means I walked in and said 'I want to be a model'" Sounds like a pretty sweet deal. . . why can't we all do that!! :)
"I worked with them for almost a year and did my FIRST FASHION WEEK IN MILAN" I have to say I am certainly extremely jealous of this!! "When I got back I was doing castings at the weekend and managed to get scouted by Premier Model Management. After meeting with the owner and their bookers I was moved into their agency. After being signed I carried on in school. It was very important for both my Parents and Premier that I continued with my education while they built me as a model. I guess they were right I was only 16!". Sounds like a LOT of exciting stuff for a 16 year old...we are so jealous!
CLICK, CLICK, FLASH
On all these modelling programmes we always see their photo shoots and how fun they look, but also how hard they can be, being shot underwater, up on harnesses and other such crazies. So I was intrigued to know how Lydia found her first shoot, she told me "I could'nt even tell you how nervous I was. The thing with modelling is, that while you're building a portfolio it is necessary to do 'test' shoots. Basically meaning unpaid photo shoots with up and coming photographers. My first test was AMAZING, the photographer was Sing Lo in his studio flat . . . so I was literally being shot in his bedroom!. As you can imagine this was quite nerve racking, but he made me feel so comfortable and we got some amazing shots. One of them is still, to this day, one of my favourite pictures!"
"TRAVELLING THE WORLD WOULD HAVE TO BE THE BEST EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD"
THE BEST
Being a model is presented to the outsiders as quite a glamorous lifestyle, getting to wine and dine at the best places, party hard at times and be able to travel to amazing venues, so I couldn't wait to find out what Lydia's 'Best Bits' have been.
"Blimey, I don't even know where to start with this question. I guess it would be travelling the world, yes, thats the best experience I've had. I have literally up and left England and lived in places I could never dreamed of: Athens, Istanbul, Milan, New York, Miami . . .and they're just the places I've lived in for over a month! A lot of the time I will fly to places for work where I will be put up in a hotel for a few nights" In the pent house suites I'm sure!! "I work, and then I fly back home again. While living awat for months I generally LOVE metting people from all walks of life, all with strong ambitions. Thats what tends to bring people together of different ages, genders, religions and races. I can honestly say that is a massive highlight of being a model."
LIFESTYLE
The life-style has also brought some amazing experiences. I've been to places I could never afford, had it not been for the people I've met and connections I've made. I've been to Ibiza twice, Barcelona, Wined and Dined with celebs and partied with ROCKSTARS! There is just no way I would have been able to do that with my own back account" I know what you mean!! "I guess being branded a model definitley has its perks. I'd also say filming the Loreal Feria commercial was a BIG high point in my career and an amazing experience. Although it was an incredibly long day 5am-10pm, and generally hard work . . . NOTHING beats the fact I got to say "I'm worth it" :)
FLAWS
With incredible experiences and amazing oppotunity, I can't help but wonder if there is anything negative about the job of a model. Lydia speaks to set the record straight . . .
"There is a lot of down sides to being a model, I don't want to sound like a pessimist, but it's not all 'Glitz and Glamour' TRUST ME!. There are times when I've been unpaid for a whole 6 months! I've been poked at, called fat, had every insecurity of mine pointed out. I've worked for free more times than you've had hot dinners, I've been stranded in cold shitty hotels with no water for days IN TURKEY." Opps, maybe its not the pent house in each one then! "I've been away from family for almost 3 months at a time, I was basically a walking suitcase for 2 years! I've been grabbed. perved on. I can never make plans as I only find out what I'm doing the day before at like 6pm. People judge me before meeting me and I'm automatically vein and arrogant, because I'm a model. Its almost like I'm jobless at times, constantly looking for work. Even when its all going well, you never know what tomorrow will bring, it could end it all.
BRINGING THE OUTSIDERS IN
"Although on the outside modelling looks like the easier job in the world, that couldn't be further from the truth. Living in different countries for months on end is an amazing experience, don't get me wrong, but its also VERY hard! Models generally don't get driven around to their castings. We get plonked in a place we have NO idea about, given a map the size of our bodies and get told: an address and a time, and we have to make it there. Generally in Fashion Week we get about 20 - 25 castings a day! There is literally no time to eat, drink or even sit down. Girls who do all the cities for Fashion Week are the walking dead by the end of it, working 5am-2am near enough every day for a month while travelling through New York, London, Paris and Milan." Ahh come on Lydia, that doesn't sound too bad, I wouldn't mind going to all those places. Although I wouldn't last on the lack of sleep! :)
"I lead a pretty normal life style, I'm just like anyone my age. I like going out with mates, spending time with my amazing boyfriend and chilling. But honestly, I have nothing to compare it to. I'd say its normal, but then again define normal!"
OUR EVERYDAY READS
Magazines: Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Reveal, More, New, Now, OK, Men's Health, Fabulous, Look, T3, Good Housekeeping, ES Mag, Absolutely, Dariuss.
Companies: Nike, ASOS, Loreal, Agent Provocateur, Rimmel, Swarovski, Wella, Debenhams, Boo Hoo, New Look, TK Maxx, Headmasters, Warehouse, Fred & Ginger, Dunelm Optics.
Those are just the London clients, as there are honestly too many to remember!
SURREALISM
I asked Lydia if she was taken back by how far she's acutally come, and how much she has achieved at only 21. She replied
"To be completely honest with you, I hardly notice, its just my job so from the outside its probably a lot more noticeable that I'm doing well. To me its just what happens in a job, you work your way up to be the best you can be."
That is very true indeed.
"MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB IS PAY DAY"
DO YOU STILL ENJOY IT NOW?
"Yes definitley, because it's never the same. Pretty much every job I do differs from the last, so there is never a boring moment in sight"
ADVICE TO OTHERS
"Go for it! Check out agency walk-in times and just do it! Don't be scared or nervous, just be yourself as a lot depends on personality"
FASHION INDUSTRY
I asked Lydia if she felt her style had changed as a result of constantly being around the fashion industry and she said . . .
"Yes I guess so. Before I was never really into fashion, I can't say I really am now either, however I definitley dress different for castings ect. Almost like a uniform. I have random designer pieces that I am able to mix with high street to make my own dope style. My latest designer obsessions are my MUUBAA Leather Trousers and my Mulberry Clutch.
IMPORTANT THINGS
"I've learnt that my family and friends are extremely important. Work can be up one minute and down the next, so having a stable support is a MUST. I've learnt to budget, saving about 50% of what I earn works for me as then I'm never stuck of money, you never know when you're going to get paid!"
5 YEARS TIME. . .
"I'm not entirely sure where I want to be in 5 years time, its not something I think about too often, I much prefer taking every day as it comes. I know by next year, my boyfriend and I will own a house, and thats as far as I've thought."
Sounds like you're pretty much on the right track Lydia! Good Luck with the future!! :)
CONTACT:
Lydia's website: http://www.premiermodelmanagement.com/Billie.html
