Photo credit: Ekaterina Piskunova | MUAs: Lola Dubar | Designer: Maria Mahlmann

Bonjour bonjour ! I am thrilled to share my experience as a model at the Paris Fashion Week SS24. Being part of Paris Fashion Week, walking for designers, and being featured in Vogue and other magazines is the dream of all models in the world. It wasn’t a dream for me but it was something I wanted to experience as a model. I was both excited and nervous about this opportunity. However, with sheer determination and focus, I managed to secure a spot on the runway for one of the most prestigious events in the world of fashion. So, how did I do ? How much did we get paid ? What is it like to be part of Paris Fashion Week ? Let me take you on a journey through my first time at this huge event !

1 – How did I do ?

So, I attended two shows during Paris Fashion Week: The Digital Fashion Week and Chez Les Mannequins Shows Privés.

For your information, The Digital Fashion Week is a cutting-edge event that seamlessly merges the physical and digital realms. Taking place in 3 iconic cities – New York, London, and Paris, this immersive experience connects fashion enthusiasts with the latest trends in a truly innovative way. The Digital Fashion Week offers a fresh perspective on style, creating tangible and intangible encounters that will leave a lasting impression.

I simply applied to their castings. The Digital Fashion Week published the in-person casting call on Eventbrite and I reserved my spot. Then, I went there. They gave us stick papers with numbers to put on our shirts. We were asked to walk in front of the designers and then they could choose which one of us they would like for the show. I was a little bit nervous because there were a lot of gorgeous models and they could even look at everyone during the casting. That can be very intimidating. Despite the competition, I was selected right after my walk by 2 designers (Shiu Studio and Right Direction). The show took place on September, 29th 2023, at Monnier Paris.

Picture during the casting for The Digital Fashion Week. From left to right: Khady, Alix and Chelle . I went to the casting without knowing anyone and I ended up selected for the show and meeting these great women !

As for Chez Les Mannequins shows privés, the casting call was online. An agent of this modeling agency published the casting call on a Facebook Group, I think it was this one called Casting France. They were looking for models, photographers, make-up artists, etc… So I sent an email with my comp card and then I was selected by 3 of the 4 designers (Maria Mahlmann – MMRemix, House Of Mua Mua and Théa). The show took place on October, 3rd 2023.

For castings, female models are required to bring high heels so, I bought these 11cm high heel boots which cost me 44,99€ at the time. The name of the brand is Catwalk, hehe! I wear them with dark grey skinny jeans and a black shirt.

2 – Preparing for Paris Fashion Week

As a model, preparing for this event can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. From the moment you receive confirmation of your participation in the show until the final walk down the runway, there are many things to consider and prepare for. One of the most important aspects of preparing for Paris Fashion Week is maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This means getting plenty of rest, eating well, workout and staying hydrated. With the long hours of fittings, and shows, it's easy to become exhausted.

The most challenging aspect before was staying in a very lean shape. Let’s be honest here… So, we weren’t asked to do this but every model knows that it’s important to stay lean, especially before fashion shows or photo shoots (meaning all the time..!). But, be careful with that because if you are too obsessed with becoming too lean, it may lead to malnutrition, too much weight loss, and health issues. I started a mini-cut several weeks before, knowing that I would apply to castings for Paris Fashion Week with the possibility of being selected, which I did. Plus, I had some other shooting projects. I was happy because I lost some weight but I ended up being hungry and thinking about food regularly. During the second runway show, at Chez Les Mannequins, there was a lot of food available for us, especially high-carb food. It was so tempting that I ate a lot but ended up bloated for the last walk. You can see that in the picture on the left below. I admit that I was a bit embarrassed but the designer didn’t care at all! She was so nice and comprehensive.

One other important thing is to train how to walk properly. You don’t walk on the runway the same way you walk in the street. So I practiced almost every day on my treadmill with and without my heels. I also made sure to watch videos of top models and their walking techniques. It's all about having a confident posture, keeping your head up high, and shoulders down, and taking long strides with purposeful steps. Trust me when I say that mastering the art of walking can make or break your chances in this industry. People are looking for models who exude confidence on the runway - models who command attention without even trying. So if you're serious about pursuing a career in modeling, don't neglect this crucial aspect of training, same as posing. Practice until it becomes second nature to you, because at the end of the day - how you walk could be what sets you apart from hundreds of other aspiring models vying for that same spot on the catwalk.

3 - The Experience at Paris Fashion Week

Being part of this huge event was a great opportunity for many reasons ! I met people from all around the world - The US, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Austria and I think I forgot some. The overall atmosphere among the models was completely peaceful and friendly. You may think models are judging others but that wasn’t the case. At least, not for me. Every person I met was very cool. However, the energy of the backstage was hectic ! Click here to watch one of my videos showing the BTS of the Digital Fashion Week.

We were a lot of models for a few make-up artists and hair stylists, the waiting time was quite long like every runway show. But it was worth the wait, we looked all beautiful. When the show starts, the excitement takes place and you forget the effort of being patient for hours.

It allowed me to prove myself as a capable model who can handle any challenge thrown their way. And that's what this event is all about - giving models like us a chance to shine, regardless of where we come from or how much experience we have. The organizers and designers truly believe in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the fashion industry, which is something I wholeheartedly support. So, if you're someone who wants to make it big in modeling, then trust me when I say that participating in events like these could be your ticket to success. Not only will you get exposure from international brands, but also get contacts that can open doors to opportunities in the field.

4 – How much did we get paid ?

Me At Hipotel Paris Père Lachaise République

Let me share with you the investments I made to attend both shows before telling you what we got in return.

· High heels: 44,99€

· Total transport: 213,2€ (I live in the North of France so I went there by train and car, several back and forth trips + subway in Paris)

· Accommodation: 76€ (1 night at Hipotel Paris Père Lachaise République)

· Some food: 25€

· TOTAL: 359,19€

That’s a pretty huge investment. Some would say that’s too much but you cannot expect to become a model without making any investments in some way.

Now, how much did we get paid ? Nothing. We weren’t paid at all for both shows - The Digital Fashion Week and Chez Les Mannequins shows privés. But, they made it clear from the beginning. Please note that they weren’t the only show during Paris Fashion Week that didn’t pay models. Nor photographers, videographers, and hair stylists and make-up artists were paid.

You might think that’s unfair and I get it. For the majority of us, we are professionals and we deserve to be paid, even if it’s a small amount. I am not a fan of working for free, especially when there is no consideration and almost nothing in return. However, we weren’t paid but the organizers and designers were very professional, they provided us food, they made sure that everything was fine, we all had great times, we got all the images of the show of us walking and with the opportunities to appear in publications like Harper’s Bazaar. Unfortunately, pictures of me (like some other models) haven’t been selected by publications yet, maybe in the coming weeks, who knows. If I won’t, that’s fine. If I will, I’ll share this on my Instagram model account @cocoissk and update this blog post. Plus, it gave us the accountability to be part of this industry because even if we weren’t paid, it’s important to note that they didn’t select us randomly. Each of us had something authentic they like to accept us for their shows.

As a model participating in one of the most prestigious fashion weeks in the world, remember that attitude is everything. Be professional at all times with designers, stylists, or anyone else involved during events like this; show gratitude towards those who helped make this opportunity possible for you.

Walking for Right Direction during The Digital Fashion Week at Monnier Paris | Photographer: Shawn Punch | MUA: Pitiara & Marco

To conclude my first time at Paris Fashion Week as a model, would I do it again ? Definitely yes. However, I would I think look for paid shows and maybe do both, some paid and unpaid. Probably to expand my chances to be part of as many shows as possible.

I advise any models who want to grow in this field to pursue their goals no matter what. Concerning shows like Paris Fashion Week, most castings require a minimum height of 173cm (5”8) for women and 183cm (6”) for men (depending on the show, it may vary). I am 175cm so I could easily apply. But, let’s say you are 1 cm below the height requirement, I think you should apply anyway, and don’t feel discouraged. If you are rejected, which is very common in this industry, it’s not personal, it’s only because this is not the right fit.

What I keep in mind about this great experience is that everything is possible. I wouldn’t think a year ago, even several months before that I would be part of Paris Fashion Week SS24. I did it for the experience first, not looking for fame or to show off. I am glad, proud of this, and filled with gratitude for having the opportunity to be surrounded by so many talented individuals in the fashion industry. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next !