- Model begins with desire?

    SY.  Мodel begins with ignorance. Most of models don’t know what do they really want and it’s being known that experience doesn’t give any knowledge. And in conclusion model is still ignorant. In my opinion model business is a great opportunity for beautiful girls to earn big money on their own! There is no doubt, that model’s work also provides an opportunity to travel, brings to fame, gives money and sometimes even a successful marriage. Sometimes models begin to work in the restaurant business. Some of them became an actress or designer, like Milla Jovovich. Someone becomes an icon of style, like Kate Moss. That`s why promotion and glory are important. Glory is an instrument for increasing fees. Of course, today’s models as no one else understand that immaterial glory flows into a much more tangible notions like «rating», «category» and so on.   

- Tell about the categories?

SY. It’s very simple. Category is the schedule list which has class A, class B, class C, class D. It is clear that the higher A-category is occupied by top-models and the D-category is for “showroom-girls” and beginners.

-What will you wish to freshman?

SY. Do not be afraid. Do not think that model business is not for you. Do not believe in rumours and try to check up everything, because business is far from legends which were generally accepted.

-What are these legends?

 SY. Legends that the way to model business is only in bed, that models hate each other and throw the broken glass into the rival’s footwear, that all the models are junkies … These legends are played up at the TV-serials.

- And what can you say about the opinion that all models are not too clever?

SY. This is another legend. Those who say such things probably have a little experience in communicating with models. Lack of information and envy generate this opinion. You and I surrounded by models everywhere because we are within this industry. But models are not typical persons in daily life and they seem strange for average man.

- Why most of the models are rapidly forgotten and only few of them still remain on the top?

SY .The client does not want to pay a lot of money. Model is popular for one season, then a search for new faces begins. And only real personalities and interesting women stay on the top. And they become a part of the fashion business, not only models. They become a part of the fashion business. They realize that they are in team.

- Another legend says that a model does nothing, and gets fabulous fees for beautiful eyes.

SY. Hmmm. And after all, this work is really hard. When model has a lot of fashion shows, she sleeps only for 2-3 hours a day, because clothes fitting ends at 2 a.m. and rehearsal starts at 6 a.m. Besides, models are nervous all the time – they are afraid not to be equipped at the fashion show. You don’t belong to yourself; you are in suspense all the time. But these are the rules of the game. Someone bears it, someone does not. To become a model is only a first step and to hold one’s positions is much more complicated. I have an analogy is with tennis where one-time fee is not enough, because rating by number of victories in tournaments is much more important. Advertising campaigns, shows, covers, editorial are the parts of rating and the whole set of victories. But usually the amount does not matter! It would be quite enough to open the CK`s show, then to participate in Prada`s show, than a shooting for Vogue Italy and you become a top-model just in one season! And as the result – everybody want only you for the next two seasons.

- Should the model chase the agency or vice-versa?

SY. Definitely, agency should chase the model. Those girls, who choose agency on their own, occupy only 10% of the popular models. Just think over! The majority of the models of our agency have been found at the street. Masha Telna was found at the street. Sasonkina as well. Osmanova was found at the subway. And to find a girl is only half of the battle. Much more important is to break the barriers of distrust and suspicion. That’s why we’re trying to communicate with girl and her parents for several times, because the legend that whole model business is perverted really exists. In our society theme of slavery is well-publicized… But there is a structure; there is groundwork, a website. Forums at least.

-What are the ideal height and the perfect temper for a model? …

SY. Medium heigh is 180centimetres, plus or minus 2centimetres. She has to be open-minded, cheerful and active. Also she should be an interesting indefatigable person that doesn’t ask too many questions.

*Stas Yankelevsky, director of international department L-models – Kyiv agency, one of the best top-models of the world «discoverer»